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 […]
Morlet Family Vineyards Ma Douce 2010
Ma Douce is the third wine in a trio of Morlet 2010 Chardonnay’s I’ve reviewed, and like it’s siblings, it is exceptionally well-crafted. Fragrant aromas of acacia honey, bruised pear and toasted hazelnut fill the glass. Perhaps what I love most about this wine is its outstanding texture, which is elegant and slightly creamy with […]
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 […]
Morlet Family Vineyards Coup de Cœur 2010
I tasted the 2010 Ma Princesse earlier this year and was totally blown away by how precise it was. The same can be said of the 2010 Coup de Cœur—Luc Morlet brings an Old World touch to this New World beauty with complex, glowing, sumptuous layers of fleshy golden peaches, baked apple skins and caramelized […]
Auteur Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard 2007
The 2007 Auteur Sonoma Stage Vineyard Pinot Noir is tired and feels like the fruit is fading. On the nose, aromas of dust, dried cherries, dried rose petal and a hit of alcohol. In the mouth, a stemmy high note, followed by rose petals and red berries, but nothing really precise. It finishes hot, too. […]
Bedrock Wine Co. “Ode To Lulu” Old Vine Rosé Of Mourvedre 2014
I have greatly enjoyed the wines I’ve tried from Bedrock Wine Co., a Sonoma winery with humble roots. Founded in 2007 by Morgan Twain-Peterson, who used a 550 square-foot, former chicken coop as his initial base of operations, his Ode To Lulu Rosé is a nod to Lulu Peyraud, proprietor of Domaine Tempier. Crafted from […]
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 […]
Dehlinger Estate Bottled Pinot Noir Rosé 2014
The 2014 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Rosé offers up a nose of fresh strawberries, with a touch of tart cherry. Not overly complex, though enjoyable. There is, perhaps a trace of lemon pith on the finish. I have enjoyed other wines from Dehlinger, particularly their Syrah. My advice: skip this one, great Old World, especially Provence […]
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, […]
Failla Occidental Ridge Pinot Noir 2005
The 2005 Failla Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir is austere and bright at nearly 10 years on. The nose is dominated by red fruit: rhubarb, cranberry, and crushed raspberries. It’s lean and spare and incredibly tart on the palate with pronounced, angular mid-to-back palate tannins. The tartness, unfortunately dominates the profile, giving impression that it’s […]