Bordeaux and Napa

Chateau Nenin Pomerol 2003
My earlier notes this year show a supple wine filled through with blue fruit. Tonight the wine is very polished, soft in profile with oak as an integrated nuance. From the Delon family, Jean-Hubert and Michel, that owns Leoville Las Cases, mis a Pomerol, Michel Rolland is consultant, property is just outside village of Catusseau, 25 hectares, sw facing on a high plateau, deep gravel and sand; Blend is approximately 70% Merlot, 20% CF and 10% CS; machine harvested fruit, ss ferm, matured in 50% new oak for 18 mos 13.5% $36.99 at K&L

Nickel & Nickel Napa Valley Oakville Branding Iron Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
I had an opportunity to sample this wine up at Wine Song in September. It showed super concentrated black fruit and sweet oak. Again today it is very expressive of fruit in a structure of ripe tannins and refreshing acidity. 100% Cab from the Branding Iron Vineyard. P&B in Oakville 14.7% $64.99 at Bottle Barn Nickel & Nickel

About RJ

Ray Johnson is the Executive Director of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. He writes about food and wine, his travels and the business of wine. He makes his home in Sonoma County, California.
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