Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier 2010
My first Cabernet Sauvignon from Morlet Family Vineyards—I’ve only been lucky enough to taste and have been dazzled by their sublime Chardonnays. That said, the 2010 Mon Chevalier didn’t disappoint, displaying classic Knight’s Valley character, it’s a treasure trove of cassis, black currants, incense and sandalwood, tar and menthol. Black pepper and spice box. The […]
Barra Of Mendocino Petite Sirah 2014
From old vine, estate fruit that’s been organically farmed, Barra Of Mendocino’s 2014 Petite Sirah is a deep dive into ruby-hued velvet. Palate drenching black cherries, plums and steeped blackberries are couched in velvety tannins. This is a soulful, baritone, and smoldering wine, imbued with incense, smoky dark chocolate, and a pinch of dried herbs […]
Rock Wall Wine Co. Jack’s Dry Creek Petite Sirah 2014
Baritone and lush, the 2014 Rock Wall Jack’s Dry Creek Petite Sirah is a spicy melange of juicy black cherries, plums, cedar, and bay leaf. Inky and dark in the glass, this Sonoma County Petite Syrah is equally hedonistic on the palate, a riot of black fruit and ripe tannins pierced by a jaunty vein […]
Inglenook Reunion Reserve Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 1986
A wine that’s aged gracefully, Inglenook’s 1986 Reunion Cabernet Sauvignon is line with other Napa Valley Cabs I’ve tasted from that era. Poured from a magnum, the nose is reveals dried rose petal, dust, leather and dried black currants. It’s seems like it’s reaching the end of its drinking window, though there is still plenty […]
Ellipsis Red Hills Lake County Petite Sirah 2013
A deep plunge, Ellipsis’ 2013 Red Hills Lake County Petite Sirah is subdued on the nose. What it lacks in aromatic intensity, it makes up for on the palate. The effect is enveloping—a surge of black fruit, powerful and baritone in tempo, shot through with swirling embers, dried herbs, cedar, spice and a well-structured acidic […]
Matthiasson Napa Valley Ribolla Gialla 2013
I was fortunate to have spent time with Steve Matthaisson and his wife, Jill Klein last Wednesday. The 2013 Napa Valley Ribolla Gialla had only been bottled that morning, and needs to rest for three to six months before it will be released. I did taste through several of their wines on this visit, including […]
J Vineyards Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2014
Flat out pretty, J Estate Vineyards Grown Pinot Noir 2014 is sourced from the River Valley and is a shade more nimble than expected. Robed in translucent garnet, and delivering a pent-up array of woodland berries and raspberries still on the vine, underbrush and rose petal and a dusting of warm spice. It’s a poised […]
Grgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
An fine pairing with this evening’s steak fajitas. Grgich Hills wines have impressed me as more restrained stylistically speaking, the 2012 Cabernet is brooding, though neither glossy nor opulent as so many Napa Cabs can be. After an hour, it’s finally relinquishing black currants and plums, incense and Christmas cake. On the palate, fine, silky […]
J Vineyards Pinot Noir Monterey, Sonoma, & Santa Barbara Counties 2015
J Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir is a blend of Pinot Noir from three AVAs: Monterey County, Santa Barbara County and Sonoma County. It’s a big, voluptuous wine, not quite opaque and neatly inlaid with black cherry, roasted strawberry, warm brown spices, and decaying rose petal. Silky on entry, with well-integrated tannins—the acidity hits at […]
Square Peg Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2014
Lovely purity of fruit in Square Peg’s 2014 Estate Block 8 Dry Farmed Pinot Noir from Green Valley. Grown at an 800′ elevation a mere eight miles from the Pacific Ocean—winemaker William Knuttel has coaxed red berries from this cool climate Pinot along with nuanced aromas of underbrush, rose petal, dried orange peel, and baking […]