San Antonio Winery Opaque Paso Robles Zinfandel 2014
True to its name, the Opaque Paso Robles Zinfandel 2014 is, well, opaque. Aside from that the nose is deliciously expressive. Rife with steeped blackberries and plums, anise, cedar, and chocolate mint. Expect a wallop of freshly ground black pepper on the nose and on the palate. The attack is full-bodied and lush, enlivened by […]
Frei Brothers Dry Creek Zinfandel 2014
Blackberries, black cherries, plums, smoke and spice grace the nose of this Dry Creek Zinfandel from Frei Brothers. It’s an easy-going Zin, with velvety tannins and a moderate level of acidity. Certainly, this is a food friendly wine, but it’s also one that can be enjoyed on its own. As is typical with Dry Creek […]
William Hill Central Coast Pinot Noir 2014
I have liked ‘s Chardonnay more than their Pinot Noir, the 2014 Sonoma Coast evokes plums, grape jelly, brown sugar. This is an easy-drinking, uncomplicated, and slightly sweet California Pinot that leans toward jammy black fruit—it’s all black cherry at the core, with a touch of cola, and low levels of tannin. 14.5% ABV | […]
Cornerstone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Michael’s Cuvée 2012
Black currant, smoky blueberries, cassis, and mint. Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Michael’s Cuvée doesn’t disappoint. It’s opulent, with palate-drenching blackberries and blueberries, lovely purity of fruit with seductively sueded tannins. A blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot, this cuvée was assembled from the historic Oakville Station Vineyard (read that as To Kalon) 57%, 28% […]
Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Classic Louis Martini, the 2013 Alexander Valley Cabernet is rife with steeped blackberries, plums, and black fruit in general. I’ve lingered over this glass trying to tease out which ones. A top note of cedar and dried thyme re-emerges on the back palate along with firm tannins and medium + acidity. As with all Louis […]
Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve 2010
Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards 2010 Estate Reserve Cabernet is suave, with no hard edges, and languid notes of creme de cassis, bluberry crumble, brown sugar, anise and a decadent, if unexpected top note of soy. In the mouth, sueded tannins lend structure to an overturned basket of juicy black cherries and ultra-ripe blueberries, leading into […]
Mumm Napa DVX Rosé 2009
Perhaps my favorite in a lineup of Mumm Napa sparklers I’ve tasted over the past few months, the 2009 DVX Rosé is alive with aromas of macerated strawberry, red apple skins and a really nice though quite subtle earthiness. A 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the DVX spends four years en tirage, and […]
Trinchero Cloud’s Nest Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Cloud’s Nest Vineyard, as the name suggests is perched 1,500 feet above sea level in the Mayacamas mountain range. Gravelly soils further limit the vines’ growth and the aromatics are striking. Earth and forest floor, wild mushrooms, underbrush, warm leather, and soy. The palate echoes this high-altitude Cab’s woodsy aromatics, with a medium-bodied countenance and […]
Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel 2012
It’s the spice that hits your nose first—aromas of cracked black pepper, mesquite and charred cedar glide above denser notes of sun-warmed blackberries and ripe Italian plums. It’s not as lush on the palate as some Napa Zins. Like all of the wines from Grgich Hills, the 2012 shows a modicum of restraint, in a […]
Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
From the acclaimed Mount Veeder appellation, Mayacamas 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon spends 13 months on new French Oak and sees and additional 5 years aging in bottle prior to release. Complex, heady aromas of black currants and black cherries, roasted game, black olive tapenade, and a lovely wafting tertiary note of violets. High altitude and cooler […]