Schramsberg Cabernet Sauvignon J. Davies 2012
On a hunch, Hugh Davies replanted his Diamond Mountain estate vineyard with Cabernet in 1994. Since then, he’s moved his sparkling grape parcels to cooler regions. A stroke of brilliance, really because Cab flourishes on Diamond Mountain and the 2012 J. Davies offers the most sumptuous aromas of plums, black currents, anise, mint and allspice. […]
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
I’m currently working on an article about winemaker/owner Chuck Wagner. His winemaking, he feels, has evolved to craft Cabs that are delicious upon release, and yet have the potential to age. Comparing this to the Special Selection, this is the wine to go for in terms of early drinking pleasure. And what pleasure it delivers! […]
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection 2012
The 2012 Caymus Special Selection is a benchmark wine, the definition of old-school Napa Valley Cabernet. Made for long-term cellaring, this Cab is pure hedonism. Concentrated, tooth-staining, utterly seductive layers of blackberry compote and plum, satiny crème de cassis, cedar and woodsmoke are woven together by fine, grippy tannins. There is a lot of power […]
William Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
The William Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon proved to be a pleasant surprise—and by that I mean it’s an over-performer for its price point. Deep ruby in the glass, with a nose of sweet cherries, blackberries, mocha and baking spice, this is an easy drinking crowd-pleaser. Firm mouth-coating tannins, with ample fruit on the palate […]
Azur Napa Valley Rosé 2014
Composed of 100% Syrah sourced from Napa Valley, the 2014 Azur Rosé is a stylish, salmon-hued sipper with lively aromas of ripe cantaloup, white peaches, Rainier cherries, and honeysuckle. I love what the acidity does, coating the palate evenly and beautifully, with minerally notes lending definition to the back palate. As it warms, silky texture […]
Kapcsándy Family Winery State Lane Napa Valley Estate Cuvée 2007
Kapcsándy Family Winery found its place in the sun when it launched, with Helen Turley at the helm. She’s since moved on, but Kapcsándy continues to garner 100 point scores from Robert Parker. Certainly, the 2007 State Lane Napa Valley Estate Cuvée is both multifaceted and voluptuous with layers of cola, black cherries, blackberries, butterscotch, […]
Bell Wine Cellars Clone 6 Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
From the prestigious Beckstoffer Georges III vineyard in Rutherford, the Bell Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 is as the name suggests, 100% Clone 6 Cabernet. True to form, it exhibits lush, saturating notes of boysenberry, black cherries, sandalwood, tar and meadow flowers. In the mouth it’s opulent and silkily textured, with juicy black fruit, cassis, […]
Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
I tasted through several Corison Napa Valley Cabs with legendary winemaker, Cathy Corison and fellow wine writers Elaine Brown and Meg Houston Maker. 2012 was the youngest vintage we sampled, as expected it’s quite youthful and fresh. Saturating aromas of black cherries, steeped blackberries, violets, and incense. In the mouth the fruit is plump, as […]
Robert Biale Napa Valley Royal Punishers Petite Sirah 2012
Mixing it up a bit with this bottle of Royal Punishers Petit Syrah at Brix restaurant in Napa. Thus far, the 2011 is a bold, spicy romp with steeped blackberries, plums and vanilla on the nose, followed by juicy black fruit on the palate. Signature Petit Syrah peppery spice rounds out the finish of this […]
Matthiasson Napa Valley Cabernet Franc 2012
2012 was a lush, fruit-forward year in Napa Valley. Matthaisson wines, even the reds exhibit lower alcohol than is typical in the region, in this case 12.5% and are more delicate. The 2012 Cabernet Franc was 50% whole cluster fermented and has feminine aromatics of rose petals, red berries, incense and Saigon cinnamon. Medium-bodied yet […]