Wells On Wine

2007 J. Bookwalter Protagonist

2012-01-27T22:00:00.000-08:00

A Merlot based blend from the Red Mountain area of Washington, this wine adds Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petit Verdot to the mix... and as often with Red Mountain wines, its a cedar-dominated experience, from the nose to the flavor set... the nose also has notes of black cherry, violets, cassis and spices... the flavors include aspects of black cherry, milk chocolate, rootbeer, cedar and subtle oak... the wine is medium in body the finish includes more cedar reinforcement... not a bad wine for fans of the Hedges Red Mountain blend...

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 7

32.00

50k?

2012-01-25T22:23:00.000-08:00

The ticker just went past 50,000 today... seems like only yesterday it was 20,000... is this counter gizmo working correctly?

Thanks again for putting up with all this silly scribbling... hope it makes things a little more fun as you continue to wrestle with getting those corks out of the bottle...

2007 Turley Zinfandel Salvador Vineyard

2012-01-20T21:52:00.001-08:00

The second vintage of this Contra Costa site planted in 1896 is driven by a tart acidity and a lighter profile than many other Turleys of this vintage, including other Contra Costa sites... this wine would be almost impossible to identify as a Zinfandel, being almost devoid of characteristic spicy and briery aspects... this wine presents almost as a Grenache or Pinot, albeit without the funk... the nose offers graham cracker, red cherry, raspberry and cranberry notes... in the mouth the tart notes of cranberry, raspberry, cherry and apple echo back and forth in a refreshing experience... certainly not a wine for fans of deep, spicy Zinfandels, but a unique wine worth experiencing...

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 6

35.00

2010 Sineann Cabernet Franc Champoux Vineyard

2012-01-16T20:43:00.000-08:00

Peter Rosback's take on Cabernet Franc is unique although more characteristic than some of his wines, with a nose of campfire, flowers, raspberry, cassis and cloves... the wine is intense but lighter than many Rosback wines, driven by acidity and with the green note you might expect with the varietal... the flavors are rich but balanced, with notes of red currant, cherry, spices, leather and tobacco... the finish is medium in length and not terribly complex, but the overall experience is pleasurable... worth a taste if not a search...

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 7

32.00

2006 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon

2012-01-16T20:24:00.000-08:00

This trophy Cabernet delivers some appealing notes of black cherry, oak and vanilla on the nose... and a balanced although light flavor set with chocolate, cinnamon, cloves and black cherry aspects and an faint echo of minerals and tar on the finish... the wine is light to medium in body and has soft tannins... its a decent wine although generally faint in impression and somewhat lacking in personality... and at this price level, the competition is stiff and rich with experiences that offer... more

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 5

60.00

2010 Kobalt Window Pane

2012-01-11T21:04:00.000-08:00

This value red wine from Kobalt is made by Mark Herold and appears to be a blend of Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon... as with the 2009 vintage, its a big wine, with dense blue and black fruit impressions everywhere... the nose has notes of blueberry, black cherry, anise, asian spices, cocoa and charred oak... the mouthfeel is luxurious and the impression rich, yet balanced structured by highly appealing acidity, which produces a mouthwatering response so typical of Herolds' wines... the flavors include black cherry, chocolate, menthol and vanilla and the tannins are sumptuous... this is a big, extracted wine that is very appealing although perhaps drinking a little young at the moment compared to the 2009 upon release... cellar this one for a year or two and you will be nicely rewarded...

Taste 7 Nose 8 Value 9

35.00

2009 Epoch Estate

2012-01-06T22:03:00.000-08:00

The entry level Epoch is a field blend from the Paderewski vineyard in Paso Robles and consists of 60% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 9% Tempranillo, 8% Zinfandel and 4% Mourvedre... the nose presents rich notes of earth, leather, red cherry, tobacco, spices and smoked meats... the mouthfeel is lush and the tannins silky and rich, with layers of brambly black and red fruit, sweet cherry, chocolate and toffee... the richness is balanced by some appealing acidity, and the overall experience is hedonistic, but balanced and elegant... yet another success by Justin Smith and Jordan Fiorentini

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 9

40.00

2008 K Vintners Ovide en Cerise

2011-12-25T18:44:00.001-08:00

This bizarre wine is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Syrah... Charles Smith does this one dedicated to his father and a similar Roma blend dedicated to his mother... this one opens with a bizarre nose of an oyster bar, various sea and shellfish aspects, wet earth, leather, black olive, green pepper and graphite... some tasting notes feel this strange and green aspect may be attributable to an early picking of the Cabernet Fruit? In any case, the wine is medium to light in the mouth with more sushi shadings to the black and blue fruit, with a strong acid profile and a relatively short finish... like it or hate it, its a unique wine that starts a lot of interesting conversations and more than a few arguments...

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 6

60.00

2008 Melka Metisse Jumping Goat Vineyard

2011-12-20T21:49:00.000-08:00

The 2008 vintage of the original Metisse wine (from the St Helena site adjacent to Spottswoode) is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 11% Petite Verdot... made in the Vineyard 29 facility, its a seamless, impeccable wine with a gorgeous nose of black currant, black cherry, cedar, smoldering oak and earth... and layers of plushly textured flavors of black cherry, cocoa, espresso, oak, licorice and vanilla... with a hint of minerality and a floral note... the structure is impeccable and the finish sustained... a very strong Metisse that is among the better examples of this wine, comparing favorably in its youth to the strong 07...

Taste 9 Nose 9 Value 9

125.00

2009 Weatherly Cuvee

2011-12-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

Dylan and Tobe Sheldon make a number of single vineyard wines, and their Weatherly Cuvee is an 8 barrel production consisting of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon from Dry Creek and 50% Petite Sirah from Calistoga... the resulting blend is co-fermented with Viognier skins and is lighter in color and disposition than one might imagine, but its a fairly enjoyable, personal wine made in a lighter, refreshing, acid-driven style... the nose offers black cherry, licorice, smoke, vanilla, graphite, cedar and menthol notes... in the mouth the wine is rich yet vibrant and lively, with layers of black currant, plum, black cherry, tobacco, anise and dark chocolate flavors and a touch of spice and minerals on the finish... its a relatively enjoyable wine, but not particulary memorable... although the hideous label is hard to forget!

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 6

39.00

2007 Bridesmaid Red Wine

2011-12-17T20:49:00.000-08:00

Pam Starr (Crocker Starr) and Drew Neiman (Neiman Cellars) make this wine out of lots that miss the first cut at a number of notable Napa wineries... its a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc as well as Petit Verdot and Malbec... the nose presents aromas of black fruits, charcoal, toast, black currants, mocha and spice... the texture is rich and structured with notes of plum, black cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, clean, damp earth, cigar box, and sweet vanilla oak.... fruit is full, yet balanced by relatively strong acids and the tannins are fine grained, lending a dusty aspect to the finish... this is a very strong value at this price point, highlighting the utterly insane value the 2006 wine is in the 20ish range we have seen in shops over the past year...

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 10

39.00

2007 Turley Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard

2011-12-14T19:11:00.000-08:00

The "big deal" Turley is indeed a big deal in 2007, with a strength, richness and balance that is indeed impressive and worthy of the price tag... the nose offers red and black berry, prune, plum, gingerbread, damp earth and toasted oak notess that swirl out of the glass... but its in the mouth that the purity, intensity and balance of this wine really come through... more black cherry, black raspberry, licorice, plum, prune, cassis and mineral aspects align in rich layers with a chewy but elegant texture... the heat is almost completely hidden and the wine has a wonderful, long, spicy finish... pure Zinfandel power presented in an elegant, balanced package... outstanding!

Taste 9 Nose 7 Value 7

75.00

2008 Realm The Falstaff

2011-12-09T20:11:00.000-08:00

The Falstaff is a blend of 77% Cabernet Franc from Temple Family and Stagecoach vineyards, 20% Petit Verdot from Dr Crane and 3% Merlot... the wine is youthful and a touch tannic, but drinking quite well at this point, with juicy black and purple fruit abound, and sweetness as opposed to the chalky and sometimes green aspects you sometimes find in young Cab Franc wines... the nose offers raspberry, licorice, tobacco and black pepper notes... the mouthfeel is lush and brimming with young, chewy tannins framing flavors of bittersweet chocolate, black raspberry, licorice and crushed granite... the finish has tartness and a pleasing acidity and the experience is incredibly rewarding... a very interesting take on a Napa St Emilion styled wine which is offering a lot of pleasure in its youth

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 8

85.00

2008 Duende Cabernet Franc

2011-12-08T18:50:00.000-08:00

A small production by Jeremy Spring and Jake Hawkes, Duende makes Tempranillo, Cab Franc and Syrah... the Cabernet Franc is from Clements Hills vineyard in the foothills of the Sierras... and its an earthy, appealing wine with a nose of cassis, minerals and menthol and a subtly spiced set of flavors including black currant, saddle leather, gunpowder, dark chocolate, black olive, figs and black tea... the wine is tannic and will likely benefit from a little cellar time, but its an appealing, intense wine that is drinking well now...

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 9

24.00

2001 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-11-27T20:02:00.000-08:00

Dug this out of the cellar, and it is losing some fruit at this stage in its life, but its holding up fairly well, with a nose of black currant, tobacco, cloves, vanilla and oak and a decent mouthful of black cherry and plums, with cocoa, coffee and vanilla notes... the impression is slightly diluted and the finish has something slightly strange and musty going on, but overall its a decent experience for a wine of this "advanced" age...

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 7

40.00

2005 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-11-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

This trophy Cabernet delivers some appealing notes of black cherry, oak and vanilla on the nose... and a balanced flavor set with chocolate, cinnamon, anise, cloves, black cherry aspects and an echo of minerals and tar on the finish... the wine is medium in body and has soft, resolved tannins... its a fairly decent wine although somewhat lacking in personality... I have read about a lot of bottle variation in this vintage, which is showing up in shops in the 25.00 range at the moment... at that price level its a steal, but at the release price it has some pretty stiff competition from the myriad boutique and artisan operations in Napa...

Taste 7 Nose 6 Value 5

60.00

2003 Villa Carafa Casavecchia

2011-11-22T18:28:00.000-08:00

Casavecchia is an indigenous variety that is being re-discovered in Caserta, outside of Naples... dug this out of the cellar and its a big monster that has softened over the years and is drinking nicely at the moment... has some notes and impressions that seem similar to Syrah, with an inky appearance and a nose of graphite, black cherry and menthol with some spice and oak... in the mouth its brooding and full of dark fruit, spices and chocolate... there is some heat at the end and its not a terribly sophisticated experience, but for a rustic meal it could be a perfect choice if you stumble across a bottle...

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 8

25.00

2008 Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-11-20T21:37:00.000-08:00

Now made by Rebekah Wineburg (with Celia Welch consulting), the 2008 Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon includes small percentages of Merlot, Cab Franc and Petite Verdot from a variety of sites in Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, Coombsville, Oak Knoll and Carneros... and the wine presents a dazzlingly complex and deeply satisfying nose of black cherry, blackberry, anise, herbs, smoky oak, vanilla, violets and minerals... as usual, the texture is rich, but impeccably balanced, with silky tannins and elegant acidity framing the layers of crushed black fruit, chocolate, coffee, vanilla and licorice flavors... the experience is intense and full bodied in every aspect, but all seems in balance... a little heat arrives late, but it does not mar the experience, which is as close to Napa Cabernet perfection as this taster has enjoyed recently... for me, this wine is drinking a little better in its' youth than the noted 2007, but a few years will likely intensify its authority and impact... fantastic!

Taste 10 Nose 10 Value 10

95.00

2008 Melka Metisse St Emilion

2011-11-18T20:53:00.000-08:00

This time I'm prepared for the sharp contrast between this French wine and Melka's Napa work, and the austere mineral-dominated experience is less of a shock and more of a pleasure... the blend is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, and the wine has impeccable balance and purity, with a nose of black cherry, graphite, blueberry, blackberry, camphor, earth, chocolate, tobacco and a floral note... in the mouth the wine has balanced tannins and soft acidity framing the layers juicy black cherry, cocoa, black tea and cola flavors... for me, this vintage has more intensity and focus and is a more successful wine than last years', but it might just be that I'm a little more prepared for the austerity of the experience... but all of the recent vintages of this wine cry out for some cellar time to allow the nuances and complexity to intensify, so into the cellar they go... can't wait to try the 08's from Napa...

Taste 9 Nose 8 Value 8

125.00

2008 Blankiet Prince Of Hearts

2011-11-06T19:02:00.000-08:00

A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 12% Cab Franc, the Blankiet second wine offers a nose of black currant, espresso, black cherry and smoldering embers with a spice note... in the mouth the wine is notably spicy, with a vibrant personality that seems dominated by briery red fruit rather than black, with a resulting hot impression... the wine is medium in body and the texture is pleasing, with resolved tannins and a medium length finish... Blankiet is now made by Latour veteran Denis Malbec, and this is an enjoyable second wine for the noted estate, although the label has to be one of the worst attempts at "classing up" a budget wine this taster has seen...

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 7

60.00

2008 Realm The Bard

2011-11-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Bard is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon from Stagecoach and Farella vineyards, 13% Petit Verdot from Beckstoffer Dr Crane vineyard and 6% Malbec from Stagecoach vineyard... and its a gorgeous, powerful wine with impressive finesse, balance and purity... the nose presents notes of blackberry, black currant, espresso, anise, cedar, spice, tar and subtle oak... the texture is elegant but authoritative, carrying waves of singed cassis, blackberry liqueur, well-toasted creme brulee, wet stone, and a distant echo of menthol... the structure is impeccable, with background acidity and balanced tannins... the finish is long and pure and the wine is an utter delight... looking forward to trying the 08 Tempest awaiting in the cellar!

Taste 9 Nose 9 Value 8

95.00

2008 Justin Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-11-03T20:17:00.000-07:00

This Paso Robles value Cab offers a fairly rich and intense experience for the price, starting with a nose of red and black fruit, fig, cedar and caramel... and a fairly lush mouthfeel for this price category, with layers of black cherry, blackened plum and cocoa, with balanced acidity and soft but present tannins... pretty impressive for 20 bucks!

Taste 7 Nose 6 Value 9

20.00

2009 Cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-11-02T21:17:00.000-07:00

Wasn't knocked out by the first vintages of this wine, and the 2009 vintage continues the perplexment by having no varietal character whatsoever... if you tasted this blind you would never guess it was a Cabernet, as the impression is much closer to a sizzling Grenache or Zinfandel blend, with heat that seeps around the edges and finally overwhelms the experience, although that experience is actually quite pleasurable... its sort of a fireball of briery black and red fruit, raspberry syrup, cola, lavender, spices, pepper, vanilla and oak... actually quite delicious, if you consider it a new wave Grenache rather than a Cabernet... and who says you can't?

Taste 7 Nose 6 Value 7

22.00

2008 Baby Blue Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-11-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

The value wine from Blue Rock is a blend of Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot... its a light, soft wine with a floral nose of red and black fruit, black cherry, cola and cedar and a medium to light mouth impression of slightly diluted black cherry, cassis, blackberry, cocoa and vanilla... there is a green note in the overall impression and the diluted aspect waters down the experience for this taster... the Parker numbers are big for a wine in this price category, but I don't get the "personality and soul" observed in the Parker note... a decent cheap Cabernet, but there are lots of others that will present a stronger impression and experience

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 8

20.00

2009 Field Recordings Chorus Effect

2011-10-31T17:57:00.000-07:00

The 2009 vintage of Andrew Jones' flagship wine changes the blend around again and winds up somewhere between the elegance of the 2007 vintage and the bolder 2008 edition... this time the blend is 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Petit Verdot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 9% Tannat... the nose offers an array of blue and blackberry, raspberry, black cherry, coffee, fig, tobacco, cedar and cocoa notes that intensify with airtime... in the mouth, the wine is medium in body, with strong structure, a silky texture and a seamless display of briery, spicy blue and black fruit, black cherry, graphite, espresso and chocolate... continually shifting in character as the wine evolves, it offers elements of classicism combined with innovation, with the end result being curiously delightful pleasure... another killer wine from Mr Jones and a rather insane value at this price level

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 10

22.00 (direct price; 28.00 retail)

2007 Trivium Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-10-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

Partners Stu Harrison, Jack Stuart and Doug Wight bring prior experience at Silverado, Continuum, Martini, Hayfork and Lewelling to the Les Ivrettes vineyard, a small portion of the Lewelling vineyard... its an elegant and balanced wine, with a nose of black cherry, cedar, cocoa, spice and oak... the flavors continue the dark fruit theme, with cassis, plum, charred cherry and chocolate notes... the texture is lush but refined, with strong structure and acidity balancing the richness... a very nicely made wine and an interesting contrast to the Lewelling wine, which is more than twice this price... and be on the lookout for the Hayfork wine, also from the Lewelling site

Taste 8 Nose 7 Value 8

60.00

30,000?

2011-10-22T16:28:00.000-07:00

The ticker just went past 30,000 today... seems like only yesterday it was 20,000... is this counter gizmo working correctly?

Thanks again for putting up with all this silly scribbling... hope it makes things a little more fun as you continue to wrestle with getting those corks out of the bottle...

2009 Mica Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-10-21T20:39:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Baby Buccella has the most intense nose yet, with an intoxicating mix of blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, kirsch, violets, dark chocolate, cedar, and toffee... in the mouth, the wine seems lighter than prior vintages, but impeccably balanced, with subtle acidity and minerality providing lift and contrast to the rich layers of black and blue fruit, cassis and licorice... the texture is opulent and sumptuous, continuing the tradition of extreme outperformance in this price category... looking forward to trying the 2009 Big Buccellas!

Taste 8 Nose 9 Value 10

65.00

2008 Epoch Tempranillo

2011-10-19T18:46:00.000-07:00

Yet another delicious success by Paso Robles based Epoch, this Tempranillo from the Paderewski vineyard is again made by Justin Smith of Saxum and is a smoky, earthy wine with a nose of candied cherries, black raspberry, roses, spices, herbs and minerals... and a luxurious expanse of mouthfilling, widescreen flavors including black cherry, tobacco, dark chocolate, toasted black currant, smoke, earth, flowers and stone... its a big wine, with high ABV that is well hidden behind the elegant presentation... the tannins are lustrous and the finish long; its perilously close to a dessert wine (or a dessert in itself), but its a seriously enjoyable, original statement of California Tempranillo... excellent!

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 8

50.00

2008 Passenger

2011-10-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

This Stag's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon is a new venture between wine broker Kimberly Jones and sommelier Chris Blanchard and has one of the most appealingly obscure labels and presentations in recent memory... the two secured a single vineyard source (unnamed, of course) through their contacts and produced 102 cases of dazzlingly seductive wine... the experience has layers of luscious blue and black fruit, coffee, dark chocolate and singed brown sugar in the nose and mouth and is impeccably balanced between strength and finesse... crystals of residual sugar do fly off the cork upon opening, but the wine is not overly sweet although the fruit is intensely concentrated... the oak is quite restrained, the structure is elegant and the tannins are completely integrated... a highly enjoyable, extremely subtle and personal wine...

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 8

75.00

2007 Lail John Daniel Cuvee

2011-10-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

The flagship wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from multiple sites in Calistoga, Howell Mountain, Coombsville, and Rutherford and possesses an outstanding opulent texture and seamless construction... the nose presents intense notes of black fruit, charcoal, cedar, tar, cherry liqueur and graphite... in the mouth the wine is luxurious, with relatively bright acidity framing the lush black cherry and currant fruit, and the finish echoes for close to half a minute... there are some background bitter edges that actually add to my experience of the wine; it will be interesting to see if time will meld those together with the layers of sweet fruit... this is a lovely, Pauillac styled Napa wine that is drinking well now and will likely improve over the next 5 years

Taste 8 Nose 7 Value 7

95.00

2001 Flowers Chardonnay

2011-10-10T20:40:00.000-07:00

Dug this out of the cellar in the nick of time... the fruit is fading, but the wine is still drinkable and enjoyable... it remains an elegant, buttery, oaky (but not over-oaked) Chardonnay with some nice mineral shadings... and notes of butterscotch, creme brulee and tropical fruits... a long finish that turns slightly bitter reminds one of the ticking clock... enjoyable, but the finish line is in sight

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 8

38.00

2004 Blackbird Red Wine

2011-10-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

Wasn't as blown away as many other tasters when this was originally released (was this the second vintage?), but the years have been kind to the wine in the bottle, and it is really drinking beautifully as of this note... Aaron Pott is in control of the winemaking today, but these early vintages were made by Sarah Gott... the wine is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and is made in a distinctly Pomerol style, befitting the clay and mineral soil of the vineyard... the experience is impeccably elegant and very French, with an understatement that is rare in Napa wines... the nose is lovely, with notes of espresso, black cherry, pencil lead and cocoa... in the mouth the wine has a lovely creamy texture, bright acidity and aspects of lush black cherry, tobacco, toast, earth and oak in a seamless combination that delights and impresses... some notes I've read have felt the fruit is fading in this vintage, but I felt it was strong and that this wine will continue to develop for another 5-10 years... I hope I have another bottle or two around here somewhere...

Taste 8 Nose 7 Value 7

80.00

2008 Turley Zinfandel Tofanelli Vineyard

2011-10-01T18:40:00.001-07:00

This Napa site is a dependable addition to the Turley portfolio as well as producing its own Zinfandel and Charbono under the family name... the wine has a spicy nose of blackberry, raspberry and black cherry and a viscous delivery of spicy, brambly flavors including raspberry and earthy black cherry... the alcohol levels are high, but the heat is well hidden and the impression is one of elegance and richness... perhaps not at the top of the Turley class this vintage, it remains an appealing wine from a very strong lineup

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 7

35.00

New Layout?

2011-10-01T11:46:00.000-07:00

So I'm trying this fancy Google layout, which looks sort of neat on full featured computers, but I am hearing that some people have trouble on cell phones and ipads... I'm fairly sure the old format will be offered for those users, but if you hate this new layout, let me know... the point of this is to share observations, and if technology gets in the way, that's not a good thing...

2002 Fisher Coach Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-09-24T09:08:00.001-07:00

This medium bodied Cabernet includes 10% Cabernet Franc and offers an appealing nose of black cherry, menthol, eucalyptus, cassis, spice and background oak... in the mouth, notes of cocoa, cedar, oak, currant and cocoa provide pleasure, but the finish is relatively short, and the wine feels like its losing something rather than gaining something as it ages... certainly drinking older than its nine years at this point... decent, but not a wine that lingers in the memory...

Taste 7 Nose 6 Value 7

50.00

2009 Brassfield Sauvignon Blanc

2011-09-24T09:07:00.001-07:00

This Lake County Sauvignon Blanc presents a grassy nose with grapefruit and mango notes and a relatively rich flavor profile with pineapple, lemon, honey and mineral layers in the mouth... the finish is somewhat abbreviated and the experience is not multi-dimensional, but at this price its a refreshing and enjoyable white...

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 9

10.00

2010 Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc

2011-09-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

Ultra-crisp, New Zealand style white with a nose of tart apple, lemon, peaches and flowers... tart citrus, pineapple, fresh grass, newly sawn oak and straw aspects in the mouth with an intense, relatively sweet finish with mineral echoes... a nice Sauvignon Blanc, but not a great value at this price level and not in the league of the Cliff Lede red wines I've experienced...

Taste 7 Nose 6 Value 6

20.00

2008 Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-09-17T17:36:00.000-07:00

Kevin Carriker and Mark Herolds' Cabernet is a total knockout, with a seductive nose of charcoal, cedar, incense and cassis, with a mineral note that finds an echo in the flavor profile... the wine is lush but impeccably balanced, with layers of black and blue fruit, cocoa, blackcurrant, pencil lead, cinnamon, cedar and smoldering oak aspects... the structure is brightly focused and the tannins are sweet and quite appealing in this stage of the young wine's life... the blend includes 3% Malbec and the wine saw 100% French Oak during its 21 months in the barrel...

This is a personal, highly enjoyable and satisfying experience that defines the expectations this taster brings to this price category... drinking very well now, this wine should develop incredibly well over the next 5-10 years...

Taste 9 Nose 9 Value 9

85.00

2009 Sans Liege Cotes Du Coast

2011-08-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

Another beauty from Curt Schalchlin, this white blend is 43% Viognier, 39% Roussanne, and 18% Marsanne... and its a rustic, funky, seriously enjoyable wine... its tough to improve on Schalchlin's own notes, which nail the experience as "a wine that invokes days spent backpacking through Big Sur, a rustic nose of lavender, cypress, juniper berries, hewn lumber and washed linen leads to an oily palate; full of orange blossom, lychee white tea, and a custom trail mix: macadamia nuts, candied ginger, dried passion fruit and salted almonds... It closes out the palate with a heady coating of thyme and beeswax, and resolves on generous acidity with minerality suggesting dry seabed soils, stirred up under foot"

Yeah, what he said...

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 10

22.00

2009 Crosby Roamann Sauvignon Blanc

2011-08-29T19:08:00.000-07:00

Made in neutral oak and stainless steel, this wine is driven by a laser-like tartness shaded with nuance... nectarine, grapefruit, spice and smoke aspects abound in the nose and mouth, with sharp citrus characteristics supported by echoes of wood and wet stone... solid structure, crispness and focus define a highly enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc with a definite point of view

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 8

25.00

2006 Scherrer Zinfandel Old And Mature Vines

2011-08-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

Classic traditional old vine Zinfandel made in a lighter, Pinot-esque style... the nose has aspects of flowers, blackberries, spice, charred oak and barnyard floor... the mouthfeel is somewhat delicate, but delivers relatively intense spice, black and red fruit, cola, cedar and black tea notes... the alcohol levels are well hidden and the experience is balanced and harmonious... a classic Zinfandel

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 7

29.00

2009 L'Ecole Semillon

2011-08-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

A blend of Columbia Valley vineyards, including 37% Yakima Bend Ranch, 36% Klipsun, 18% Dionysus, and 9% Vanessa's Vineyars in Walla Walla... the wine has an initially funky nose that gives way to citrus, lemon, floral, mineral and grass notes... in the mouth the wine is rich, with medium to heavy body delivering notes of honeyed lemon, fig, melon and violets with crisp acidity and a long finish... a nice white and a good value

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 9

15.00

2009 Emerson Brown Sauvignon Blanc

2011-08-10T23:19:00.001-07:00

The youthful Emerson and Brown bring their acid-driven approach to the world of whites with great success... this crisp, youthful wine delivers tart refreshment with some substance and creaminess... the nose presents melon, grapefruit and lemon notes and the flavor profile reinforces those themes, with wet stones scattered about and a creamy vanilla finish framed with bright, laserlike acidity... a white wine which is about accuracy but does not sacrifice personality...

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 9

24.00

2006 Bridesmaid Red Wine

2011-08-01T17:03:00.000-07:00

Pam Starr (Crocker Starr) and Drew Neiman (Neiman Cellars) make this wine out of lots that miss the first cut at a number of notable Napa wineries... its a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot, with the Cab Franc driving a lot of the primary character... the nose presents aromas of black fruits, mocha and spice... the texture is rich and structured with notes of plum, black cherry, cassis, dark chocolate, clean, damp earth, cigar box, and sweet vanilla oak.... the tannins are fine grained and lend a dusty aspect to the finish, which is relatively long and pure... this is a very strong mid price value red at the release price, and the 20-ish range we are seeing in stores now represents an astounding value...

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 10

19.99 (release price 40.00)

2008 Drinkward Peschon Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-07-31T13:58:00.000-07:00

Francoise Peschon and Lisa Drinkward make Cabernet Sauvignon at the Behrens & Hitchcock facility on Spring Mountain... Peschon is the winemaker at Araujo and viticulturist Drinkward is married to Les Behrens... their Bordeaux style red (mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and Petite Verdot in the mix) is the epitome of balance, purity and restraint... with notes of cinnamon, chocolate, black cherry, black currant, vanilla, toast, black tea and anise in the nose and mouth... the structure is subtle and elegant and the finish long and tinged with a spice note... not a single hair out of place; this wine will delight those prizing balance and finesse...

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 8

60.00

2005 Bryant Family DB4

2011-07-30T18:16:00.000-07:00

Upon first tasting, I thought this second wine from Bryant had a nice nose of cassis and herbs with some cedar, wet stone and pencil lead shavings... in the mouth, flavors of black cherry, vanilla and oak aspects present themselves and the feeling is silky, although acidity is higher than one would expect from these vineyards... and although the fruit has sweetness (with a hint of heat), the wine has an austere, streamlined quality... overall I thought it a decent wine, but somewhat underwhelming at this price level...

Well time changes everything, and in a recent tasting this wine has shaped up considerably... the nose is now a dark, exotic, cedar and spice symphony and the richness has come together in a way that balances the earlier acidity... the 05 DB4 is now an exemplary second wine with a nose that will stay with you for awhile...

Taste 7 Nose 8 Value 7

75.00

2007 C.Beck Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-07-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

Corey Beck learned his craft at Montelena and Neibaum-Coppola, and this 190 case production is sourced from Barlow vineyard in Calistoga... its a sumptuous and elegant wine with a nose of black cherry, vanilla, cedar and oak... and a lush flavor set including plum, cassis, blackberry and chocolate... the tannins are soft and the structure is evident yet subtle... a very nicely made mid-price Cabernet

Taste 7 Nose 8 Value 9

45.00

2006 Happy Canyon Barrack Brand

2011-07-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

The Barrack family (owners of Chateau Lascombes in Margaux) makes a number of wines from their Santa Ynez site which are crafted by Doug Margerum... their Chukker is noted elsewhere on this site, and their "Brand" is primarily Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc... and once the slightly strange opening nose blows off, its a serious, complex wine with an abundance of nuance... the nose offers rich notes of blackberry, plum, black currant and oak... and a richly textured mouthfeel that delivers flavors of blackberry jam, espresso, vanilla, tobacco and herbs... the structure is subtle but strong and the finish is focused and elegant... the wine picks up lots of nuance with airtime and continues to evolve... will likely benefit from a few more years in the cellar and an hour or so of decanting... very nice!

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 8

40.00

2009 Roots Run Deep Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-07-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

The idea here is Beckstoffer fruit for under 20 bucks and its an interesting premise... the blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot and is made by Barry Gnekow of Old Ghost notoriety... the wine is medium in body and delivers pleasant notes of cassis, blackberry, vanilla, cedar and oak, with a hint of spice on the finish... good acid profile and a balanced personality... although it lacks authority, you do sense an echo of a great vineyard here... a nice weeknight drinker and a good value if you find it dropping into the 15.00 range as I've seen in some stores' specials...

Taste 6 Nose 7 Value 9

18.00

2009 Chateau Paradis Casseuil

2011-07-23T22:17:00.000-07:00

This budget Rothschild property produces a wine composed of 58% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc... the wine is light in style and of limited authority (to put it politely)... initially the wine has some mildly pleasing cedar and black cherry notes, but those fade rather quickly... after an hour or so, this is barely perceptible as wine, with a watery impression that reminds one of a glass of tepid tap water poured over a wad of heavily chewed bubble gum... you will see this show up at "attractive prices" at Cost Plus, Whole Foods and similar venues... do yourself a favor and give it a pass

Taste 5 Nose 6 Value 5

18.00

2008 Buccella Merlot

2011-07-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

The 2008 vintage of the mind-boggling Buccella Merlot is a 233 case blend of 92% Merlot (Hyde vineyard), 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and a small amount of Malbec, sourced from Carneros, Rutherford and Coombsville... the nose explodes with black and red currant, tobacco, smoldering forest, singed caramel, bay leaf and oak notes... and the luxurious, velvety mouthfeel delivers intense, vibrant impressions of black cherry, black currant, chocolate ganache, caramel and espresso... the wine is seriously decadent, but remains impeccably balanced, with subtle but pervasive acidity providing strong structure... the texture is opulent and the finish long... an experience again close to perfection, and one that provides levels of pleasure and satisfaction found in Cabernets and Meritage wines twice the price... an astounding wine and an amazing relative value

Taste 10 Nose 10 Value 10

70.00

2010 Orin Swift Veladora Sauvignon Blanc

2011-07-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

Dave Phinney's White has a lush and tart citrus profile with papaya, lemon, grapefruit, peach and honeyed vanilla in the nose and mouth with some restrained but ever-present oak adding richness... the wine has a waxy texture and oily legs, with a creamy aspect that is somewhat unique in my experience in the Sauvignon Blanc aisle... but the experience remains crisp, juicy, refreshing and enjoyable... and the profits go to Puertas Abiertas, who provides healthcare to the vineyard workers... an enjoyable and original Sauvignon Blanc

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 9

25.00

2007 Faust Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-07-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

The second wine of Agustin Huneeus' Quintessa is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, & 1% Cabernet Franc and is made by Charles Thomas... vineyard sources include Coombsville, Stagecoach and Quintessa... and its an impeccable, balanced wine with a nose of Rutherford dust, rich black cherry, vanilla, cedar, citrus and walnuts... the flavors are rich and full of blue and black fruit, espresso, cocoa and plums... with sweet tannins and a wonderful, tart structure which balances the richness of the lush fruit... the texture is gorgeous and the wine again over-delivers for the price in a big way... put this next to Quintessa and see if you can find that much more pleasure for the big difference in price... a solid, benchmark value Cab...

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 10

50.00

2006 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-07-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

The 2006 adds a small amount of Cabernet Franc to the blend, and the resulting wine is an impeccably elegant, perfectly balanced effort that satisfies the intellect and the palate almost completely... the nose offers intense notes of black cherry, cassis, tobacco, cedar, camphor, violets, dusty graphite and oak... the mouthfeel is rich and luxurious, yet restrained and elegant, framed by subtle acidity and tannins which are presently resolving and will likely reward a few more years of cellar time... the flavors provide more candied cherry, cassis, cocoa and singed vanilla notes, with a long and elegant finish... a perfectly balanced Cabernet with a long and promising life ahead of it..

Taste 9 Nose 9 Value 9

120.00

2010 Charles Smith KungFu Girl Riesling

2011-07-18T19:06:00.000-07:00

This Columbia Valley Riesling is another of Mr Smiths fun cheapies, and it delivers an appealingly clean and refreshing citrus-centric experience with apricot, lemon, apple, mango and pineapple notes with appealing minerality... delivered in a relatively dry format with sweetness framing, rather than defining the experience... the viscosity is heavy and a touch of honey comes at the finish, balanced by crisp acidity... a luscious, enjoyable white

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 10

13.00

2009 Diogenes Sauvignon Blanc

2011-07-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

This Lake County Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from the Bartlett Ranch Vineyard, situated at 1335 feet above sea level and consisting of volcanic and alluvial soils... the nose offers citrus, apple, pear and wet stone notes... the flavors offer more buttery apple, pear, grapefruit, peach, fig and mineral notes... excellent structure and viscosity... and a crisp finish with additional minerality... a thoroughly mouthwatering Sauvignon Blanc!

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 10

15.00

2008 Turley Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard

2011-07-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

Another of the impressive class of 08 from Turley, the Pesenti is a Paso Robles site where the vines struggle in limestone soil... the wine is lighter than some other 08 offerings, and almost Burgundian in style, with a Pinot-esque nose and flavor profile... notes of sour cherry, strawberry, raspberry, minerals and white pepper abound in the experience, which is tart and acid-driven... the astronomical alcohol levels are well hidden, with little to no heat impacting the experience... its an enjoyable Zinfandel for a warm day or foods that benefit from a tart wine...

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 8

35.00

2010 Bonny Doon Vin Gris De Cigare

2011-07-06T19:03:00.000-07:00

Randall Grahm is careful to distinguish this salmon colored "Vin Gris" from a Rose, which he claims it is not... its a blend of 71% grenache, 16% roussanne, 11% grenache blanc and 2% mourvédre, with minimal skin contact, hence the salmon tone... the nose is elegant with nose of strawberry, white cherry, minerals, apple blossom, melon and mint... the flavors are very dry and the acidity is notably low, with just a touch of citrus in the experience... an elegant and refreshing wine for a warm day

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 9

13.00

2008 Pahlmeyer Jayson

2011-07-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Jayson is made by Erin Green and consists of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec from the Waters Ranch and Stagecoach vineyards... and the wine is a beauty, with a compelling nose of dark black cherry, black and blueberry, raspberry, olive, vanilla and smoldering oak... with a hint of Rutherford dust in the intoxicating mix... the flavors are rich and plush, with notes of black cherry, cocoa, espresso and anise landing on a velvety pillow... framed beautifully with subtle acidity and finishing with silky, sweet tannins... a wonderful wine and an amazing value at this price level... move over, Mica and CJ!

Taste 9 Nose 9 Value 10

45.00

2008 Enos Girasole

2011-06-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Newly hired winemaker Dan Fitzgerald assembled the 2008 Girasole, which is a blend of estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese and made every other year... its a relatively light, acid driven experience with a nose of flowers, rose hips, bright cherry, blackberry and pepper... the flavors include cranberry, raspberry, sour cherry and chocolate... and the acid continues to drive the medium length finish... its a pleasing wine for fans of lighter, interesting blends and a good value at the price

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 8

18.00

2009 The Forager Pinot Noir

2011-06-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

Pey-Marin's "Negociant-Viticulteur" Pinot is made from purchased and estate fruit from Sonoma, Marin and Santa Lucia, and intends to offer strong quality for the price... its a light bodied Pinot, with a nose of cherry, violets, damp earth and spices... and a pleasing mouthful of raspberry, strawberry and cherry with a rose petal note at the finish... not a knockout, its a nicely made Pinot and a good value at this price

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 9

19.00

2008 Palazzo Cabernet Franc

2011-06-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

Scott Palazzo and his winemaker Peter Franus have been doing some impressive work with their Merlot blend and this Cab Franc wine, which has gotten big Parker numbers and been a Thomas Keller house choice at The French Laundry... I picked this up with a number of other wines of varying price ranges and I was not aware of the above pedigree when I first pulled the cork... but as soon as I the wine hit the glass I knew it was a special thing... the nose is absolutely gorgeous, with rich cassis, cherry, violet, caramel and cocoa powder notes mingling wonderfully... but the mouth is where this wine really works, with an incredibly sumptuous texture and wonderfully silky sweet tannins... layers of deep cherry, raspberry, caramel, cocoa and menthol are framed by a spicy and earthy aspect with a hint of minerality, and an acidity that keeps things perfectly balanced... the finish is long and the experience memorable; the wine is somehow simultaneously rich and ethereal... one of the best Napa Cab Francs I've had in recent memory...

Taste 9 Nose 8 Value 8

65.00

2009 Kelly Fleming Sauvignon Blanc

2011-06-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

While the Kelly Fleming Cab did not knock me out, their white wine is gorgeous... again made by Celia Welch, it uses half french oak and half stainless steel and the depth and richness is impressive while still retaining crispness and vibrancy... the nose is lovely, with lemongrass, jasmine, pear, pineapple and vanilla notes mixing wonderfully... and in the mouth the oak really highlights the honeyed pineapple impression, which is perfectly balanced between tartness and sweetness, with a hint of minerality and a delicious tangy vanilla finish... super nice

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 9

25.00

2009 Robert Foley Semillon

2011-06-22T17:44:00.001-07:00

Foley expanded his white wine offerings in 2009, debuting a Roussanne and a Semillon in addition to his Pinot Blanc... and its another very appealing white, with a lovely floral and citrus nose with an echo of berries... and a super clean set of flavors with a melon finish... another nice balance of intensity and refreshment from Foley...

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 8

25.00

2010 Azur Sauvignon Blanc

2011-06-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

This Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc by Julien Fayard is a super-crisp white wine made with food in mind... the nose is full of freshly cut grass, melon, citrus, a touch of honey and a hint of minerality... in the mouth its laser-focused, with crisp, extra dry notes of melon, lychee and wet stones and a super dry, crisp finish... its not a wine intended to hog the spotlight, but to complement lighter dishes and warmer temperatures... very nice!

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 8

25.00

2007 Yates Family Cheval

2011-06-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

A true family operation on Mt Veeder, Yates father/daugher combo produces exceptional wines at realistic prices... their Cheval is a Cabernet Franc that presents an incredibly alluring nose of black cherry, cinnamon, cloves, charred toast, tobacco and vanilla with an echo of greenery that is quite appealing... in the mouth, waves of dark chocolate, cassis, black cherry and vanilla are framed by elegant minerality and delivered with grippy, but elegant tannins... the gorgeous fruit bursts through in the nose and the flavors, and the wine appeals to the instinct and intellect... an absolutely gorgeous, impeccably balanced Cab Franc!

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 9

40.00

2007 Lacuna Red Wine

2011-06-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

This small production (235 cases) red blend is made by Morgan Twain-Peterson of Bedrock and consists of 69% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 8% Zinfandel and 3% Cinsault... the experience is Syrah driven, with a nose of leather, white pepper, flowers, graphite and cut bakers chocolate... and a luscious but restrained mouthful of blackberries, currants and espresso, with dry tannins and a slightly austere quality... an engaging wine that does not knock one out, but draws one in... an interesting debut

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 8

28.00

2009 Bench Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-06-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

One of a number of wines under the Brack Mountain moniker, this Jason Enos project is made by Dan Fitzgerald and is intended for restaurant channels... its a light, simple Alexander Valley Cabernet from a variety of sites, and has a pleasant nose of black cherry, oak, earth and vanilla... the impression in the mouth, however, is faint and muted, with distant black cherry and cocoa aspects and a relatively short finish... this one might be an ok value, but you have lots of interesting options even at this price point...

Taste 6 Nose 7 Value 7

22.00

2009 Department 66 Grenache

2011-06-11T19:40:00.000-07:00

Another entry in Dave Phinneys' wine of the month club, this new Orin Swift offshoot is from a new site in Maury, France in the Pyrenees-Orientales region... and consists 80% Grenache, 12% Syrah and 8% Carignane... but in a blind tasting you may have no clue (as with his "Abstract" blend), as this drinks perilously close to many other Phinney blends... it has the trademark rich nose of black currant, cassis, black cherry, olive, smoke and oak... and a voluptuously textured flavor profile including black cherry, plum, cocoa and that trademark singed vanilla, which resonates with so many fans of the brand... the wine has appealing acidity and sumptuous tannins, and is a very enjoyable wine on its own, although fans of the Grenache varietal may shake their heads...

Taste 8 Nose 7 Value 7

38.00

2009 Field Recordings Fiction

2011-06-09T18:50:00.000-07:00

Although a bit of a mystery on the bottle, according to Mr Jones, the 2009 blend includes Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon from various and client sites... it is intended as a fruit forward value wine and it fulfills that brief well, with a nose of roasted meat, raisins, flowers, wet stones and earth... the Petite Sirah drives the experience, with plum, cassis, black cherry, graphite and vanilla notes backed up by grippy tannins from the Tannat... the structure is soft and acidity muted; we are not dealing with a complex experience here, but for easy, immediate gratification, its a BIG red that delivers value for the price...

Taste 7 Nose 6 Value 9

16.00

2008 Owen Roe Cabernet Franc Rosa Mystica

2011-06-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

This Yakima Valley Cabernet Franc is medium in body and has a dusty nose of cranberries, crushed violets, anise, wet stones, caramel and cedar... in the mouth, bright cherry, cranberry, smoky caramel and olive flavors get some structure from bright acidity and support from soft tannins... an enjoyable, although perhaps slightly young wine... and as always with O'Reilly wines, you get his point of view regardless of the varietal or vineyard source... is that a good or bad thing? It just is...

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 7

38.00

20,000 hits? Really?

2011-06-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

The odometer just clicked off 20,009 hits on this humble site this evening... so a quick thank you to all who waste a few precious moments reading these scribblings... I enjoy tasting my way though it all and sharing a thought or two with you... hope the notes are entertaining, enlightening or even helpful as you stand in the shop contemplating the shelves... cheers!

2009 Cordivae The Keeper

2011-06-07T20:47:00.000-07:00

The O'Reilly bargain Cab Franc is quite enjoyable, although perhaps difficult to detect as a Cab Franc... as with so many O'Reilly creations in this range (Sharecroppers' Cab etc), in a blind tasting this could be a Merlot, a Cabernet Sauvignon or a a blend as the winemaking is king and produces a similar result from diverse ingredients... in this case the nose is intense, with unsmoked tobacco, black tea, cedar, cassis and black cherry floating up from the glass... in the mouth the wine is on the light side and framed by bright acidity... the flavors include black cherry, cola, blueberry and plum, with the usual O'Reilly caramel and oak bolstering the experience... its a nice wine for the price, but don't come expecting a textbook Cab Franc... it ain't here

Taste 7 Nose 6 Value 8

18.00

2008 Folkway Revelator

2011-06-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

This Meritage red from sites in Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara is made by the produce-growing Bozzano Brothers in Arroyo Grande... its 66% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc and the Brothers use a LOT of new oak in their winemaking... the resulting wine is pleasant, albeit on the light side, with an acid-driven flavor profile and soft tannins... the nose comes to life after some decanting, with notes of black and red cherry, kirsch, black olive, thyme, cedar, green peppercorns and graphite... in the mouth, flavors of black cherry, cassis, cocoa and cola are enjoyable, but somewhat muted in impact... the structure is strong, with tart acidity, and the oak is never overwhelming... its an enjoyable, but unremarkable wine that might be worth a try if you are in the mood for something a little off the beaten path and find the bizarre label calling out to you...

Taste 6 Nose 7 Value 7

22.00

2007 Kelly Fleming Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-06-04T16:00:00.000-07:00

This 850 case production from a recently developed property in Calistoga adjacent to Araujo is made by Celia Welch and is priced according to that pedigree... made from organic fruit, its an appealing, elegant wine with a nose of dried flowers, cedar, spice box, boysenberry and vanilla... and a lusciously textured mouthfeel presenting rich notes of black cherry, black currant and cocoa... the finish is long and the wine is elegant, but perhaps missing a dimension that one might expect at this price

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 7

90.00 (now showing up in shops at 65-70.00)

2006 Villa Creek Palenque

2011-06-02T18:57:00.000-07:00

This Paso Robles blend is half Grenache and half Mourvedre and is a rustic wine with a funky nose of wild strawberry, blackcurrant, barnyard floor, incense, minerals, underbrush and white pepper... in the mouth, impressions of Juicy raspberry, bright cherry, caramel, truffle, kirsch and cassis flavors are appealing and braced by tart acidity and soft tannins... some stemmy, herbal aspects may integrate over the next few years, but for now this is an appealing, although slightly disjointed wine

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 10

26.00

2008 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-05-30T17:51:00.000-07:00

Larkmead is getting a lot of notice of late, with big Parker numbers and comparatively reasonable prices... made by Andy Smith, this wine is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot... the wine has a deep color, but is lighter in body than some recent vintages, with a gravelly, tart, refreshing character that is intended to go against the overripe, overextracted trend ... it presents a pleasing, herbal nose with notes of bay leaf, cedar, spicy earth, black currant, pencil lead and menthol... the flavors continue the black currant and plum themes, with additional minerality that continues into the finish... its a lovely, elegant wine, but for this taster, the impression is somewhat compressed and slightly short... recommended for fans of lighter Cabernets and a strong value at this price

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 9

60.00

2007 The Treat Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-05-29T17:00:00.000-07:00

Made by Andrew Vingiello of AP Vin, this small production (150 cases) wine is sourced from a one acre block in Rutherford adjacent to two notably nameless vineyards (one is reportedly Andy Beckstoffers "George III")... the quality of the fruit is outstanding, and showcased in a lush, opulent setting that gives another dimension to the name (Treat is actually the street in San Francisco where the winery is located)... it certainly puts one in the mind of the Mica Cab and delivers similar levels of structured plushness... the color is dark violet and the nose offers notes of cassis, mocha and toast... but its the plush texture of the wine where the experience comes alive... layers of black cherry, blackberry, cocoa and vanilla are delivered on a framework of subtle acidity and soft, velvety tannins... the finish is long and the experience rich, yet not overdone... very reminiscent of the Mica in these respects, this is a wine to love today or to hold for 5-10 years as the experience should only get more refined and rewarding... and look at the prices for the Schrader wines from this vineyard (500.00-ish) and then contemplate the value at this price

Taste 9 Nose 9 Value 10

75.00

2007 Farrier Presshouse

2011-05-26T17:27:00.000-07:00

This Alexander Valley newcomer is made by Graham Weerts and is a Right Bank Bordeaux-style blend comprising 60% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec... the Cab Franc drives the experience, with a nose of black currant, blueberry, tobacco, clay, plums, violets, baby powder, citrus rind and sandalwood... the wine has strong structure, with more inky dark and black fruit notes in the mouth and firm but polished tannins... its an enjoyable and very French red blend and is another seriously strong value

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 10

21.00

2009 Parlay The Bookmaker

2011-05-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

The 2009 vintage of The Bookmaker is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, with Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot providing support... and its another killer, with a nose of vanilla, smoke, cedar, allspice, oak and a sort of rootbeer note... the wine delivers gobs of blueberry pie, vanilla bean, cracked black pepper and allspice in the mouth, with more of that cola or rootbeer going on... and a caramelized aspect that is seriously appealing and flirts with the sweetness line without going over it... the tannins are rich and the mouthfeel silky... again, its a wine that shows incredibly well against wines twice the price, making it an outrageous value in the sub-20 range... excellent!

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 10

17.00

2009 Happy Canyon Vineyards Chukker

2011-05-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

Released annually on the Spring Equinox, this Santa Ynez wine made by Doug Margerum attempts to update the Paris Bistro wine idea and is 40% Merlot, 40% Cab Franc and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a little Syrah thrown in... made in stainless steel fermenters with no oak, it attempts to offer a young, simple wine that provides immediate enjoyment and it succeeds on those terms... the nose presents an appealing impression of dark berries, cocoa, nutmeg, leather and violets... in the mouth the wine is juicy and prune-tastic, with additional notes of cherry cola and chocolate... the tannins are soft and the structure pleasing, with ample acidity... an enjoyable young weeknight wine and a very good value

Taste 7 Nose 6 Value 10

15.00

2009 Cordivae Rook

2011-05-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

The new vintage of David O'Reilly's budget Red is a blend of 45% Merlot, 40% Syrah and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from various sites in Yakima and Walla Walla... the blend is driven by the Syrah, which provides a nose of juicy black fruit with hints of game, smoke, mocha and wet stones and a luscious mouthful of cassis, plums, black cherry and cocoa framed with mouthwatering acidity and luscious, chewy tannins... the texture of the wine impresses at this price point, with high glycerol levels and impressive legs in the glass... an incredibly appealing wine for a variety of situations on its own and with hearty fare, and an outstanding value at this ridiculous price!

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 10

12.00

2007 Andrew Will Two Blondes Vineyard

2011-05-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

The 2007 blend includes 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot and 7% Malbec... and the wine is clearly in its infancy, with some tannic edges to the Cab Franc dominated flavor profile... but the wine is a beauty, and made in an interestingly old world style that you have to go to rather than have it come to you... it appeals to the intellect and the palate with ever-changing impressions of black cherry, cassis, wet gravel, cigar box, exotic spice, sandalwood, lavender and espresso... the texture is sumptuous but grippy and structured with balanced acidity... and the finish long and luxurious... this is a wine clearly built for the long haul and goes seriously against the grain of our immediate-gratification wine culture, and is the better for it... stash away some of this exemplary vintage to revisit in 2020 and you will likely be richly rewarded...

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 9

48.00

2009 Owen Roe Yakima Red

2011-05-14T16:28:00.001-07:00

Formerly a favorite in the mid-price Red category, the Yakima Red fell on hard times in 2007, with a less-than-successful Cab Franc dominated blend, but bounced back a bit with the 08 vintage... the new vintage is yet another completely different wine, this time Merlot dominated (59% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon), it continues the recent Roe trend away from the heavily-oaked towards a far more acid-driven wine... this one is dominated by red and pink flowers and fruits including cranberry, raspberry, cherry, vanilla, anise and cocoa notes in the nose and mouth... and the finish has the signature carmel note we all expect from O'Reilly... its a medium weight wine which is crisp, focused and enjoyable, with a laser-like acidity... but somehow not in the league of the early to mid 2000 vintage Yakimas...

Taste 7 Nose 8 Value 7

39.00

2009 Window Pane

2011-05-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

This value red wine from Kobalt is made by Mark Herold and appears to be a blend of Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon... and its a killer, with dense blue and black fruit impressions everywhere you look... the nose has notes of blueberry, black cherry, anise, asian spices, cocoa and charred oak... the mouthfeel is luxurious and the impression rich, yet balanced structured by highly appealing acidity, which produces a mouthwatering response so typical of Herolds' wines... the flavors include black cherry, chocolate, menthol and vanilla and the tannins are sumptuous... this is a big, extracted wine that might not play that well with food, but on its own its a killer... looking forward to trying the other Kobalt wines

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 10

35.00

2009 Orin Swift Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-05-09T17:22:00.001-07:00

Another new wine from Dave Phinney? This one is made from the fruit that is purchased for Mercury Head and Papillon but misses the cut for those wines, and has 10% Merlot in the blend... it has the expected and familiar blue/black fruit character, including scents of black cherry, currant, oak and tobacco... and a pleasing landscape of black currant, cocoa, smoke and spice notes on the palate... nicely framed by subtle acidity, this appealing wine shows well... but if you are familiar with the other Cabernets in the portfolio, you may notice what is missing in the fruit that did not make the cut, as opposed to the signature winemaking... this is a nice wine for fans of Phinney's style, but the lighter weight impression may not knock out all tasters...

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 8

28.00

2008 Mica Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-05-07T18:59:00.001-07:00

The 2006 Mica was one of my favorite Napa Reds of the vintage, and while the 2007 vintage may not have been the huge leap forward that one might have assumed, expectations remain high for the new vintage of Buccella's second wine... and it is indeed another beauty, with a brooding nose of cassis, plums, burning embers, anise, violets, leather, candied black fruits and espresso... there is definitely more sweetness than in prior vintages, as the relatively high ABV reveals, but the heat is concealed well and balance continues through all aspects of the wine...

The flavor profile is tight, dark and rich, with sweet charred cherry, cocoa, black tea and graphite aspects... the tannins are rich and the texture sumptuous, and the finish is long and tinged with vanilla... toasty oak is present, but the wine is not an overly oaked fruit bomb, as the wine is impeccably structured and acidity is always present to balance the richness... the main difference in this wine compared to the other recent vintages is the sweet note in the nose and mouth... but yet again, for this taster, its again very close to the perfect Napa Cabernet... and at this price, its a phenomenal value

Taste 9 Nose 9 Value 10

59.00

2009 Owen Roe Sharecropper's Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-04-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

Almost as if they've heard the complaints about too much oak, flabby structure etc, O’Reilly and Co present a low priced Cab that goes against type and knocks the cover off the ball... sort of baby Yakima Red, the new Sharecropper's Cabernet is sourced from various sites in Yakima, Horse Heaven Hills and Walla Walla and although the expected richness is still there, the first thing you notice is the bright acidity framing the rich dark fruit... immediately followed by a lushness that is quite surprising in a wine in this price range and sweet, firm tannins... the flavor notes include plum, chocolate, anise, tobacco, black cherry and cranberry... the mouthfeel is velvety and the impression mouthwatering when contrasted by such ample and appealing acidity... this is a seriously appealing wine and among the nicer domestic examples in this price category... very well done!

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 10

17.00

2007 Melka Metisse Jumping Goat Vineyard

2011-04-22T17:07:00.000-07:00

This is the original Metisse wine from the St Helena site adjacent to Spottswoode, and is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 3% Petite Verdot... it has a gorgeous nose of black currant, black cherry, smoke and earth... and layers of plushly textured flavors of black cherry, cocoa, espresso, oak, licorice and vanilla... with a hint of minerality and a floral note... the structure is impeccable and the finish sustained... a very strong Metisse that is among the better examples of this wine... and a Napa wine that somehow seems very French in both spirit and expression...

An evolution of a classic, made more interesting in the context of the other Metisse wines, all of very differing characteristics... how do you choose a favorite? You don't...

Taste 9 Nose 9 Value 9

125.00

2007 Sutton Cellars Carignane

2011-04-20T18:55:00.000-07:00

This offbeat wine from a small (268 cases) producer sources fruit from the Piffero Vineyard in Redwood Valley... and comes up with a distinctive wine made entirely from this traditionally supporting Rhone varietal... the nose has notes of strawberry, rhubarb, barnyard floor, rose petals and spices... those not familiar with this varietal need to prepare themselves for a serious acid trip in the mouth, as this wine is hung on a super-tart framework that displays the pomegranate-driven flavors, which also include some background cocoa and dill notes... the bottle is stained with sediment and this wine is not one for the formal dining room, but as something to cut through the flavors of a barbecue, it could be an interesting change of pace

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 7

17.00

2007 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-04-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

In a legendary vintage like 2007, where even mediocre producers come up with some pretty impressive wines, you would figure that Montelena would be money in the bank... but then you pull the cork...

The Montelena Napa has a pleasant nose of blackcurrant, cassis, cocoa and toasted oak but the impression is somewhat remote and indistinct... and the presence of the wine in the mouth is surprisingly faint, with echoes of black cherry, anise, tar and chocolate delivered on a thin and relatively acidic framework... this might be an acceptable wine in the 20.00 range, but at the release price its a serious underachievement...

The word on the 2007 Montelena Estate wine is quite good, so I have no idea what happened here... a puzzling, perplexing disappointment...

Taste 6 Nose 6 Value 6

49.00 release price (showing up in stores in the 30's)

1998 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-04-15T16:46:00.000-07:00

Dusted this one off to find its doing rather well, although you can tell from the brownish edge and the slightly ghostly fruit presence on the second day, this wine is not going to benefit from a whole lot more cellar time... the 98 vintage was challenging as is widely known, but this wine shows quite well, featuring lots of rich blackcurrant and cassis aspects in the nose and mouth... along with black cherry, black tea, toasted oak, mineral and cocoa notes and a luxurious, velvety texture framed by strong, but elegant structure... an hour or so airtime pays off well, so decant this and enjoy it if you have it in your cellar... very enjoyable now, but you can hear the clock ticking... its not likely to be better next year...

Taste 8 Nose 9 Value 9

50.00 (approx release price to the best of my memory; anyone know the actual release price?)

2009 Couloir Pinot Noir Roma Vineyard

2011-04-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

Lighter in style than the Straight Line Pinot noted recently, this Anderson Valley wine is also made by Turley's Jon Grant, who makes a number of single vineyard Pinots under the Couloir label... this one has a delightful nose of red cherry, black tea, spices, barnyard floor and vanilla... the wine is light in color, but the flavors are intense, including notes of raspberry, strawberry, cherry, mushroom, spice, minerals and oak... an ethereal, elegant wine, although this Pinot dilettante slightly prefers the Straight Line...

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 9

38.00

2009 Straight Line Mendocino County Pinot Noir

2011-04-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

Turley winemaker Jon Grant makes a number of his own wines under the Couloir and Straight Line names... Straight line is the value brand, but shows admirably, with a distictively Turley-esque impression... the Pinot offers a nice nose of dark chocolate, forest floor, spice, rose petals and minerals... and flavors of raspberry, pomegranate and cherry in a lushly textured, elegantly finished wine... nicely done!

Taste 7 Nose 7 Value 9

28.00

2009 Lail Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc

2011-03-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

The new vintage came out of the cooler this evening as the weather warmed a bit; the wine is reportedly Melka's version of a Sancerre, compared to Georgias' Graves style... and the wine is crisp and refreshing, cloaked in "a pale, delicate, straw robe", with a nose of flowers, melon and limes... and a lush flavor set including honeyed melon, grapefruit, vanilla, earth, oak and vanilla... the finish is crisp and long, with vibrant, precise acidity, although understandably short of the legendary Georgia experience... but a well made, impeccable white...

Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 8

35.00

NV Derby Estate Laura's Vineyard Legacy Red

2011-03-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

This non-vintage Paso Robles blend has equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, taken from the leftovers of their various estate wines... and the wine actually delivers an impressive nose of cassis, black cherry, smoldering earth, leather and oak... and a surprisingly lush mouthfeel, sweet tannins and relatively strong structure, all fairly rare in this price range... a winner in this challenging market segment

Taste 6 Nose 7 Value 10

12.00

2003 Godspeed Cabernet Sauvignon

2011-03-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

Despite a horrendous name and a label out of the late '70s, this Mt Veeder Cab has a lot going for it once in the glass.. owner/Architect Larry Stricker grows and creates a wine with a lovely nose of black cherry, plum, cassis, cedar and sweet oak, which paves the way for a lush mouthful of decadent black and blue fruit, chocolate, black cherry and vanilla... the tannins are sweet and refined and the structure framed by restrained but present acidity... a very enjoyable Mt Veeder Cab, but put a bag over that label!

Taste 8 Nose 7 Value 9

30.00

2007 Crosby Roamann The Brand

2011-03-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

This Cabernet Sauvignon is a 59 case miniature production from a small vineyard in Soda Canyon in southeastern Napa Valley... the front label graphic seems teleported from the late 60's or early 70s, with Deneuve-esque portrait of the owner/winemakers' wife with some ornate font and finishing that is sort of jarringly retro...

The wine, however, is a serious effort; a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot; the nose offers cocoa, mint, black cherry, leather, mineral and vanilla notes... but the wine really works on the palate, with layers of cassis, plum, blackened cherry, bakers chocolate and vanilla... the characteristic 07 power and authority is on full display here, with chewy, sweet tannins and a lush texture framed by balanced acidity... this wine clearly has lots of cellaring potential but is quite pleasing even now... a winery to keep an eye on, despite the perplexing graphics!

Taste 8 Nose 7 Value 8

45.00

1996 Arietta

2011-03-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

Found this relic in a bankruptcy sale and should have left it there! This Kongsgaard-era Arietta has a decent nose of black cherry, menthol, cocoa and spices, but in the mouth its DOA... thin, acidic and monolithic; the fruit has left the building... if you're cellaring any of these, my condolences!

Taste 5 Nose 6 Value 6

50.00