Grgich Hills, Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Fume Blanc 2007 This wine is always ripping with acidity, tangy and bright and the same is certainly true today – yes! Sourced from biodynamically grown fruit grown in American Canyon and the Carneros, the wine is fermented and aged in mostly older French oak, with six months of aging on the lees. Estate Grown, P&B in Rutherford 14.1% $30 at the winery Grgich
V. Sattui Winery, Napa Valley, Carsi Vineyard, Chardonnay 2007 The nose features fresh oak and ripe fruit, in a peachy and tropical vein. In the mouth you’ll experience all of the expected bells and whistles, with the butteriness in full force. The wine was barrel fermented and aged sur lie in French oak for 9 months. P&B in St. Helena 14% $26 at the winery V. Sattui Winery
Chimney Rock, Napa Valley, White Wine, Elevage Blanc 2006 The nose features green herbs, including fennel while there is a lanolin-like complexity as well. In the mouth, the wine is viscous, oily, weighty, with some acidity in the background. The grapes are Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. P&B in Napa 14.2% $39 at the winery Chimney Rock Winery
Mahoney Vineyards, Carneros, Las Brisas Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2006 Cherry fruit combines with leafy, damp forest floor in the nose. In the mouth the tannins are there but ripe while the fruit carries a long time, pushed along by the acidity. The wine is aged in French oak. P&B in Napa 14.5% $28 at the winery Mahoney Vineyards
Grgich Hills, Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Already there is a nice development of bottle bouquet, combining a sense of warm fruit compote and all of its spices. There’s an appropriate sense of leather that complements this wine throughout. The acidity is perfect, framing the evolving fruit and the tannins are resolving, showing a softer expression at this point in its development – nice. There is a little bit of Merlot, Cab Franc and Petit Verdot to complement the Cabernet Sauvignon. P&B Rutherford 14.7% available for $80 at the winery Grgich Hills
Moondance Cellars, Napa Valley, Rutherford Bench, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 There’s quite a sense of the herbaceous side of Cabernet when you smell this wine – not off putting but rather reminiscent of the green characters that we can find in Bordeaux. In the mouth, the black fruit shows through with plenty of acidity and grip, in a light to medium-bodied format. Vinted and bottled in Santa Rosa 14.5% $65 at the winery Moondance Cellars
Sawyer Cellars, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Estate Bottled, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 The fruit really sings in this wine, saying “sunshine all around!” it really is a pleasure to taste and I wish that I could just drink a glass right now, but as it’s only 3:45 p.m. that pleasure will have to wait. The grapes are 100% Cabernet. P&B in Rutherford 14.1% $50 at the winery Sawyer Cellars
Bell, Napa Valley, Rutherford, Clone 6, Unfiltered, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 You get a real sense of richness when you smell this wine, the sweetness of oak and ripe fruit melded to the complexity the cigar box and leafy, fresh and fruity tobacco. In the mouth the tannins are ripe and the wine is drinking beautifully right now but could benefit from 5 or more years of rest in the cellar. P&B in Yountville 14.7% $80 yet sold out at the winery Bell Wine
Terremoto Cellars, Oak Knoll – Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 The alcohol is getting a bit ahead of the rest of the wine and there’s significant astringency. P&B in Novato 15.6% $26.25 at the winery Terremoto Cellars
Black Coyote, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, Bates Creek Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 There’s sweetness of fruit and a sense of spirit in both the nose and the mouth. Produced by Judd’s Hill in St. Helena 15.1% $85 at the winery Black Coyote
Sbragia Family Vineyards, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, Rancho Del Oso, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 In the nose there is quite a perfume and opulent fruitiness, a bit liquer-like. In the mouth, this description repeats with suppleness of texture and acidity to accent its food friendliness – very nice. P&B in St. Helena 14.5% $75 at the winery Sbragia Family
Steltzner Vineyards, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District, Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 There’s a spiciness and overt fruitiness in the nose. In the mouth the wine is fully fruit forward in a lighter-bodied framework. Estate Grown, P&B in 15.3% $40 for the new vintage 2005, at the winery Steltzner Vineyards
Hess Collection, Mount Veeder – Napa Valley, Estate Grown, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 The smell is oriented to the caramel side of the spectrum, sweet-appearing. In the mouth, the sense of the mountain comes through, with density and significant structure. Put this baby to bed for the next decade. Estate Grown, P&B in Napa 14.5% $60 at the winery Hess
Atlas Peak, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 In the nose there is a brambly character combined with fresh berries. In the mouth it is quite tight at this stage, with plenty of acidity and grip. P&B in Napa 13.9% The ’03 is sold out but the new ’04 is $85 at the winery Atlas Peak
Stonegate, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain District, Spaulding Vineyard, Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 The spiritous character is coming more to the fore in the nose, with a dusting of cedar. In the mouth the warmth carries through as well. Vinted & bottled in Napa 14.5% $60 for the new ’04 vintage at the winery
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