Kenzo Estate Asatsuyu Sauvignon Blanc 2013
A fascinating and little-known brand owned by Kenzo Tsujimoto, who purchased 3,800 acres along the slopes of Mt. George in the late 1980s. Kenzo Estate wines are the result of a collaboration between winemaker Heidi Barrett of Screaming Eagle and legendary viticulturalist David Abreu, the wines are almost exclusively exported to Japan, and they sport […]
Matthiasson Napa Valley Rosé 2014
The 2014 Matthaisson Napa Valley Rosé is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Counoise from the Windmill Vineyard. I love this wine because what it communicates is restraint and tensile minerality as one would find in a good Provence rosé. Delicate floral aromas, slightly underripe white peaches, and white hand soap lend dimension to […]
Matthiasson Ribolla Gialla Matthiasson Vineyard 2012
The 2012 Matthiasson Ribolla Gialla is deep gold, the sort of intense, primary Cadmium yellow that is a common thread in Henri Mattisse paintings. It’s slightly hazy too, from prolonged fermentation on the skins and stems, with concentrated notes of Bosc pear, preserved lemon and a touch of bitter almond. In the mouth, there is […]
Matthiasson Napa Valley White 2013
Tasted with the winemaker, the 2013 Matthiasson Napa Valley White is a stunning and racy blend of 55% Sauvignon blanc, 25% Ribolla gialla, 15% Semillon, and 5% Tocai friulano. Aromas of lemon verbena, lemon thyme and mint cavort with green apple skins and lime zest. Semillon anchors this wine, and gives roundness and fleshiness, and […]
Matthiasson Merlot Red Hen Vineyard 2011
The 2011 Matthaisson Napa Valley Merlot Red Hen Vineyard saw a long, cool fermentation that lasted for nearly a month. Fermentation at cooler temperatures preserves fruitiness and more volatile aromatics—certainly, this Merlot is a great example, with terrific purity of fruit and pitched, high-toned forest red berries, darker, juicier red cherries, and tannins that are […]
Drinkward Peschon Napa Valley Entre Deux Mères Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Between Two Mothers” is the translated meaning of Entre Deux Mères, a brand stemming from the collaborative efforts and friendship of two women, Francoise Peschon, winemaker at Araujo Estate and viticulturist Lisa Behrens, of Behrens and Hitchcock. The nose is plummy, possibly flirting with over-ripeness. There are too, notes of lilacs, dark chocolate and subtle […]
Brand Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Wine of the night at Pebble Beach Food and Wine, the 2012 Brand is graced with power and potential. Enveloping, decadent aromas of steeped blackberry, blueberries, mocha, espresso, cedar and sandalwood waft from the glass. Firm, slightly grippy tannins and moderate acidity provides a solid foundation to the more luxurious, velvety aspects of this outstanding […]
Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red 2012
In the immortal words of Hot Chocolate, “I believe in miracles, since you came along, you sexy thing.” Pahlmeyer’s 2012 Proprietary Blend is all that and more, delivering dense, hovering aromatics of smokey blueberry, sweet tobacco, sooty ash and vanilla bean. It’s equally hedonistic in the mouth, a Bordeaux-style blend that is both glossy and […]
Peju Province Winery HB Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Interestingly, Parker doesn’t seem to love wines from Peju, most of them scoring poorly, between the mid-70s to low 80s, describing them as “pleasant, but uninspiring.” I pondered this while tasting the Peju HB Napa Valley 2005, which actually charmed me with its Old World lightness. Complex notes of scorched earth, plum, dust, black currant, […]
Ovid Vineyards Experiment No EØ.4 Red 2004
From Ovid Vineyards is Experiment EØ.4, a compelling blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot, 15% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. As one might expect, the Cab Franc contributes an expressive, highly aromatic nose of blueberry crumble, butterscotch, Christmas fruit cake and star anise. Richly textured, with an intriguing creamy countenance that lends density […]