Trinchero Cloud’s Nest Vineyard Malbec Mt. Veeder 2012
Cloud’s Nest Vineyard, as the name implies, lies in the Mt. Veeder sub-appellation of Napa Valley and boasts incredibly steep, gravelly, well-drained soils and cool, easterly exposure. Tasted alongside Trinchero’s Haystack Malbec—it is the perfect illustration of terroir. Here, the wine shows lushness, with abundant structure. Dark notes of ripe plum and blackberry sauce ripple […]
Allegrini Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2010
The 2010 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a stunning and seamless blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta that have been air-dried for 3-4 months, or until the grapes lose around 50% of their volume. Voluptuous notes of incense, fresh road tar, figs, blackberry reduction and cedar waft from the glass. The palate echoes […]
St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012
The 2012 St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard has the sort of paradoxical ying-yang balance that some Pinot seems to tread. It flirts on the edge of masculine character, sporting deep violet glints and near opacity in the glass. Woodsy earthy tones give way to blackberry and black cherry, black tea and tobacco and a modest touch […]
Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph L’Amarybelle 2012
I would love to revisit this after its had another decade to develop, the 2012 Yves Cuilleron L’Amarybelle is classic Saint-Joseph with complex layers that unfurl at a leisurely pace, revealing notes of blackberries, balsamic, damp tilth, incense, bay leaf, pink peppercorn, and violets. On entry, the initial impression is one of silkiness—a bit deceiving, […]
Louis M. Martini Gnarly Vine Zinfandel Monte Rosso Vineyard 2012
The Zinfandel vines grown at Monte Rosso Vineyard are a sight to behold, massive and tightly gnarled, they are still productive despite an advanced age of 125 years or more. The wine produced from these grapes is substantial without being heavy, yielding heady notes of damson plum, blackberries, clayey soil and a whiff of allspice. […]
Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Enjoyed from the topmost point of historic Monte Rosso vineyard, the 2005 Louis Martini Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet is showing beautifully ten years on. Sumptuous notes of lavender, violets, and anise along with muscular tones of graphite, cassis, macerated blackberries, dried mushroom and forest floor. Expansive on the palate, with firm, grippy tannins that have […]
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
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, […]
Soter Mineral Springs ‘White Label’ Pinot Noir 2012
Soter’s 2012 Mineral Springs ‘White Label’ Pinot Noir has a unique story in that it is crafted from an unidentified “heirloom” clone. Who cares what the clone is, the results are spectacular. The perfect combination of concentration and finesse, the nose is a romp through a damp and earthy forest glen, fields of lavender, and […]
Angela Estate Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 2011
I’ve always been fond of Angela Pinot Noir, for those of you not in the know, this it’s made by Ken Wright, for those of you who aren’t fans of Ken’s wines, Angela possesses none of that Oregon funk his wines are famous for. What Angela does have, in abundance, is complexity. Lovely, lush layers […]