Havens Logo 23 White Small

Le Petit Coquerel Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Le Petit Coquerel Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Expressive without being the least bit heavy, the 2012 Le Petit Coquerel expresses classic notes of graphite, cassis, blueberries, cedar, and even a pleasant touch of gaminess. There is fantastic balance here, with terrific purity of fruit, plus tannins and acidity in equal measure. This is one of the more poised, delicate Napa Cab’s I’ve […]

Lewelling Wight Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Lewelling Wight Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

The 2004 Lewelling Wight Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is big, glossy, slightly muscular number. Heady aromas of butterscotch, vanilla, maple syrup, mocha, and blackberry jam, plus a top note of alcohol rounds out the nose. The core of this wine as anticipated: sweet and silky. Layers of spice and subtle char notes add dimension, there is, […]

Le Petit Coquerel Verdelho 2013

Le Petit Coquerel Verdelho 2013

Christine Barbe is the winemaker at Coquerel and she brings years of experience with her, having worked at both Château Carbonnieux and La Louvière in Pessac-Léognan. Her deft handling of this crisp and enchanting white shows—the 2013 Le Petit Coquerel is imbued with bruised pear, cucumber and lemongrass notes. Refreshing and bright, with racy acidity […]

Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2012

Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2012

Ebullient and certainly not lacking in verve, the 2012 Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2012 is a testament to what cool climate viticulture in Carneros and the Sonoma and Marin coastal AVAs can achieve. As with the other Schramsberg sparkling wines I’ve sampled, this lovely rosé manages to be delicate and focused with pretty overtones of sweet […]

Schramsberg Blanc De Blancs Brut 2012

Schramsberg Blanc De Blancs Brut 2012

While chatting with winemaker and proprietor, Hugh Davies, I asked him what he thought about zero dosage, extra brut sparkling wines. He told me that his wines have more than enough acidity due to cooler maritime climate, after tasting the Blanc de Blancs I’m inclined to agree. A shift in the 1.0g/L dosage would indeed […]

Schramsberg Cabernet Sauvignon J. Davies 2012

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. […]

Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Brut Méthode Champenoise 1987

Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Brut Méthode Champenoise 1987

I attended a tasting that featured a Royal Cuvée vertical hosted by winemaker, Steven Urberg last week. It was fascinating to see the evolution of the style of this Sonoma Brut, but also to taste wines from vintages spanning more than 20 years. The 1987 is mature, austere, and sports higher acidity than the rest. […]

Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Brut Méthode Champenoise 1990

Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Brut Méthode Champenoise 1990

Another wine from last week’s vertical tasting of the Royal Cuvée Brut. The 1990 is noticeably less austere than the 1987—the winemaker wanted to illustrate the progress in style from a more austere wine to one that is endowed with more fruit and slightly softer acid. It’s well-developed with aromas of candied orange peel, bruised […]

Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée 2004

Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée 2004

The newly-released 2004 Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée is a lively blend of 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Chardonnay. I spent a full day touring the facility and estate vineyards and was impressed by the care and labor that goes in to crafting their sparkling wines. The 2004 displays ripe red fruit and pleasing biscuit notes […]

Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

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! […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com