Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

ForeFront by Pine Ridge - Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley - 2008 - (Modern, Drinker) - $24 - ForeFront is a value priced line of wines from the established Pine Ridge Vineyards in Napa's Stags Leap District.  With this vintage of Cabernet they blend in Syrah from outside of Napa sources (9% San Louis Obisbo County and 7% Lake County) to balance an Estate driven base of Bordeaux varietals.  The wine has seen the classic Pine Ridge treatment in French bariques for 16 months, which has left the nearly opaque ruby/black wine and its dark ruby rim with a nose of: blackberry, black cherry and black plum fruit as well as coffee bean, light vannillin and dark floral notes.  The palate continues with ripe dark fruits and a slightly floral note in the mouth.  This 2008 is full bodied, moderately high in tannin and of medium+ length.  Drink from early 2011 to 2018.

Wines Tasted - March 12, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon - Rutherford – Napa Valley - 2000 – (Modern, Drink Now) – Threw minor sediment.  Clear ruby with a slightly burnished rim.  Red cherries, red currants, baked red plums, cassis, cedar shakes, blonde caramel, tea leaves and light bourbon vanilla fill the nose.  It was dry, medium bodied, with medium tannins and a chalky/loamy texture.  Baked cherry, cedar and red plum round out the palette which has medium acid and a moderate length to the finish. 

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – Stags Leap District – Napa Valley - 2000 – (Modern, Drink Now) – Bright medium ruby with a pale ruby rim.  A very enticing nose of black plum, black cherry, deep cassis, cocoa, black pepper, pipe tobacco and creamy vanilla.  Upon the entry the texture was incredibly soft, but built weight through the length of the long finish.  The tannins were sweet and ripe; the mid-palette was chocolaty and rich with black fruits.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Andrus Reserve – Napa Valley - 2000 – (Modern, Drink Now) – A medium ruby core and a pale ruby rim are the segway to a developing wine with mature aromatics of red and Bing cherry, dried red currant and dried plums over coffee grounds, turned loam and cedary notes.  A medium bodied cabernet based claret with medium length, and medium tannins. 

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Andrus Reserve – Napa Valley - 2001 – (Modern) – Medium ruby/purple core leads to a slightly pale red/ruby rim.  This vintage offers up a nose of sweet black cherry, red plums and baked red currants surrounded by cocoa, baking spice, fresh roasted coffee beans, and sweet molasses laced with vanilla.  While the tannins were fine and loamy, the acidity was medium and alcohol balanced at 14.2%, all helping to stretch the finish to medium plus in length.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Epitome – Stags Leap District - Napa Valley - 2000 – (Modern, Ager) – This wine was unfined and unfiltered and thus threw a tremendous amount of sediment; decant prior to service.

A clear medium plus ruby/black with a ruby rim.  A nose of ripe red cherry, red plum and cassis laced heavily with mocha and sweet spruce/vanilin note.  The entry was dry but the fruits were sweet and ripe with all above fruits and non-fruits confirmed.  The tannins were medium plus and rigid, as we’d expect from such a steep Hillside site with an ideal southern exposure.  A full bodied cabernet with a long finish.  I expect this wine to continue to mature for 5-7 more years, at least.

Wines Tasted - February 8, 2010

 Chateau Durfort-Vivens - Margaux - Bordeaux - 2004 - (Classic, Classified 2nd Growth, Ager, Food Wine) - $36 - An absolute stunner at this price or any price under $100.  I'd seek this wine out on Wine Searcher myself, if you don't.  Deep garnet color with a medium garnet rim.  Classic BDX nose of crushed wet gravel, and turned compost with ripe plum, cassis and curranty cherry blossoms and rose petals.  Ripe and soft on the entry, yet always Bordeaux.  Moderate tannins with moderate+ acid and a balanced-medium+ length to the finish.  The fruit was equally well developed on the palette with obvious Merlot ripeness and structure traits.  It was my first experience with this 2nd Growth from Margaux, and I was more than impressed with it's poetic nature.  

Wines Tasted - February 3, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Stags Leap District - Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa - 2007 - $80 - (Modern, Ager, Food Wine, Showpiece) - A nearly opaque deep ruby color that fades to a thin ruby/red rim, no sediment.  This SLD Cab opens with very lifted aromas of fresh black cherry, black plum, cassis and blueberry fruits.  To that mix I'll add, caramelized pecans, violets, cocoa and sweet vanillin.  A bone-dry wine in the mouth, it flashes its youth like a siren.  All fruits are confirmed on the palete, but with a texture thats closer to the skin than the pit, and the secondaries of cocoa, pecans and vanillin are pronounced through the finish.  Big and muscular in tannin and acidity, moderate+ in alcohol and length of finish, balanced and keenly blended.

2006-Ch. Paradis-Cote d'Aix en Provence-red wine-(Modern)-$19 - 14.5% alc, a blend of Cabernet, Syrah and Grenache. Black/ruby color, with a nose of licorice, minerals, violets and chocolate over blackberry, sweet black cherry and plum fruits. Fully tannic and very Earthy while at the same time high in alcohol and with sweet-ripe fruit. Very much a new world style.
We had roast chicken sandwiches on freshly baked rolls with melted Cheddar.

January 23, 2009 Wines Tasted

The Following 2006 Bordeaux Wines were Tasted at the Bently Reserve in San Francisco at the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux tasting:
Of all the wines tasted there, I am recounting the finest, and am including recorded short notes.

Ch. Pape Clement - Pessac-Leognan - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Classic Cabernet nose of black cherry, cassis and black plum.

Ch. Angelus - Saint-Emilion - (Ager, Classic, Food Wine) - Nose opened with a very Earthy component, red and black currant, pencil shavings and pure graphite. Full bodied and plump in the mouth. It had moderate high acid and tannin that was perfectly structured. More earthy than fruity now.

Ch. Figeac - Saint-Emilion - (Modern-Classic, Ager) - Expressive ripe nose of black berry syrup, layered and saturated. Firm and rigid on the palette. High in granular textured tannin.

Ch. la Gaffeliere - Saint-Emilion - (Classic, Ager) - Begins with baking spice, bittersweet chocolate, mint and black cherry fruit. Alcohol was high, tasted hot. Very minerally with that firm graphite-like tannin.

Ch. Larcis Ducasse - Saint-Emilion - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Pretty nose of dried red florals, fresh blue flowers and a medley of red fruits. The only wine I'd love to drink today without regret!

Ch. Pavie-Macquin - Saint-Emilion - (Showpiece, Modern-Classic, Stand Alone, Ager) - A superstar effort and always a favorite! Powerful nose of licorice(red and black), Ripe red raspberry, red currant and framboise. Ripe and luscious in the mouth. Firm with rigid tannins, moderate-high acid and a lengthy, balanced finish. If a wine could be judged on bouguet alone, this would be in the winner's circle.

Ch. Troplong Mondot - Saint-Emilion - (Classic, Ager) - Smoky nose with sweet caramels and vanilla. But at the same time showing a rich soil/hummus and herb mix nuance. Heavy in minerality as well as wet gravels. An earthier stlye, here.

Ch. Trottevielle - Saint-Emilion - (Classic, Ager) - Pretty nose filled with red fruits, red merry mix, red raspberry, fruit-loops and a light earthy sage quality. Wet concrete flavor on the finish.

Ch. Beauregard - Saint-Emilion - (Modern-Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Pure Merlot nose of dark plum, black cherry and liquor. Moderate tannin and acid show the softness of the merlot also. The length however was admirably long.

Ch. Clinet - Pomerol - (Modern, Ager) - Very ripe and almost raisiny with fresh red fruit, cinnamon and spice box aromas to boot. Ripe fruit turns to firm tannin and moderat-high acid. This Clinet pushes in all directions.

Ch. Gazin - Pomerol - (Food Wine, Ager, Classic) - Lighter color and transparancy tell alot about the winemaking style here(multiple rackings). Nicely balanced albeit with a heavily spiced finish. Fruit was in harmony with acid and tannin.

Ch. Petit-Village - Pomerol - (Modern-Classic, Ager) - An excellent effort full of red plum, red currant and blueberry. Ripe and lush in the mouth. Well balanced tannin/acid/fruit. A great "drinker" as is.

Ch. Clarke - Listrac-Medoc - (Ager, Classic) - Ripe nose of red currant, minerals and sweet candy with light herb notes which contrast well.

Bryant Family Vineyards - Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley - 1997 - $NA - (Ultra Modern, Ager, Showpiece) - A 100 Point Robert Parker Wine...and yes, it deserves it. Threw heavy sediment, was opaque black/garnet and concentrated in every facet. It opened with a monster blast of dry and fresh sage(a Pritchard Hill Hallmark), light menthol and fresh rolled sweet tobacco leaf, bolstered by ripe black cherry and cassis along with creamed raspberries. It was thick and viscous on the palette with high alcohol in balance with moderate tannin and moderate acid. The finish was long with herbed plum and cherry fruit. Perfect now thru 2014.

November 16th - 21st - Wines Tasted

Egelhoff Wines - 2003 - Napa - Cabernet Sauvignon - $75 - (Modern, Ager, Showpiece) - A monster nose of pure black cherry, cassis, black olive, green tea, peppery spice, kirsch and ground coffee. More closed on the palette but not shy about showing off its: black cherry, cassis, black plum, black tea and black olive arrangement. Moderatly high in alcohol; high in tannin and moderate in acid (typical of 2003).
We had a glass on Wednesday and drank the rest on Thursday...but it showed more breakdown than expected overnight. For such a tight wine I wonder about it's decant times? Any speculation?


Bryant Family Vineyards - 2001 - Napa - Cabernet Sauvignon - $350 - (Modern, Showpiece) - Dr Pepper-like aromas, teasanne, blackberry, eucalyptus/camphor, sage. Threw heavy sediment.
A medium bodied, moderate to mod low tannin, mod plus acid, Cabernet with a moderately short finish. An (14.1% alc) effort that doesn't come off as hot.

DB4 - Napa Cabernet - 2005 - $80 - (Showpiece, Modern) - The, "super second", wine of Bryant Family Vineyards. Smoky black cherry, chocolate, black olive, leather, tea, sage, and blackberries. A fullbodied, moderatly high in tannin, mountain wine with moderate acid and moderate high alcohol. A much spicier and more acidic version of the big brother. Shows off it's pomegranate, red plum and blackberry freely as it continues to open. I
Based on my tastings of recent Bryant Family wines I'd say this is very close to the Big-Brother wine, but at less than a third the cost...? It's well worth it if you're a fan.


Topaz - Late Harvest Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc - Anderson valley - 2005 - (Dessert Wine) - Orange peel, smoke, peach, florals, honey honeysuckle. Moderate acid and alcohol. Caramelized peach and nectarine as well as flambeed orange peel.


Chateau St. Michele - Grenache - Limited Release - 2005 - Columbia Valley - $28 - (Drink Now, Modern, Food Wine) - Strong cherry and cola to open, brown sugar, clove, ripe black berry and charred raspberry. A medium bodies wine which showcases moderat to moderate low tannin moderatly high acid and moderate heat from alcohol (14.5 alcohol). Blackberry almond and black raspberry lay side by side with bittersweet chocolate. Great with fresh made pissaladier of duck confit and broccolini with tomato sauce and mozzarella.

The following Pine Ridge Vineyards wines were tasted with winemaker - Stacy Clark and the winerie's VIPs to predict ageability as well as saleability of some fine older vintage wines. This is the order tasted and my notes from that tasting. (wines that follow were NOT part of the Pine Ridge Tasting)


Pine Ridge Vineyards - Andrus Reserve – 1986 – Napa Valley – (12.8%) – Dusty red berry, dried and fresh cherry nose. Moderate to moderate-high acidity and moderate-low tannin. Leads in with tart red cherry, then follows with dried Bing cherry, dried currant and tea in the mouth. A wine that has held up impressively and offers the drinker a wine meant for food today. Drink now.
Duck breast with dried currant sauce and wild rice.

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Andrus Reserve – 1990 – Napa Valley – (?%) – Opens with rose petals, black plum, black cherry, blueberry and currant aromas. Acid is in the mid range, while tannin remains moderate-low it retains a granular nature. The mouth relives the nose: black cherry, tea smoke, florals and a touch of Earth. Drink now.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Crimson Creek Merlot – 1996 – Napa Valley – (?%) – Aromas of light brown sugar, light brown butter, red plum, red berry, cinnamon stick and hazelnut tell of a wine holding tightly to its French Oak experience. Soundly from a warm vintage with its, chocolate-praline, plum, cedar, and mint flavors. A moderate-high tannin and moderate acid wine which shows moderate alcohol as well. Drink now through 2010.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon - Rutherford – 1998 – Napa Valley – (14.2%) Starts with aromas of red currant, red cherry, vanilla pastry cream, light blueberry, violet, dusty currant and green olives. The fruit in the mouth is very ripe and evocative of black cherry with vanilla, then green olive. With moderate acid, moderate tannin and moderate length, this is a drink now wine.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – Stags Leap District – 1998 – Napa Valley – (14.2%) – This wine took longer than the other 98s to open, but then unleashed: plum, leather, turned Earth, black olive & black currant. On the palette it was mostly: bittersweet chocolate covered black currants, black plums and red berries. Showed moderate-high tannin as well as moderate-high acid. Drink now or hold until 2012.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – Howell Mountain – 1998 – Napa Valley – (14.2%) – Always an impressive wine from Stacy Clark and no exception here: loaded with cola, coffee, black cherry, black berry, light clove, light cinnamon and dried cranberry. Big and brash in the mouth as Howell Mtn. should be. Moderate-high-plus tannin, moderate acid, and moderate-high alcohol here. Full of smoky plum, black currant, black cherry which carry long through the finish sailing side-by-side with the tannin. Drink now through 2015.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – Andrus Reserve – 1998 – Napa Valley – (14.1%) – (My favorite wine in this tasting by far! Formerly the prestige cuvee for Pine Ridge and a stellar example of blending.) Coconut, red currant, red berry, dried red cherries, lightly floral, and sweet with cinnamon and vanilla aromas. A ripe and sweet entrance of red and black cherry, raspberry, framboise and a conclusion of light minerality. Moderate tannin, moderate acid and warm with moderately high alcohol. Drink now for sure, it’s peaking! Or hold until 2012.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon - Rutherford – 2003 – Napa Valley – (14.4%) – (My second favorite.) This wine opened up generously in the glass. It started closed and a touch green with olive and dill, but blew off to reveal the wine which “critics” hailed in its release: all ripe red currant, red berries, very fleshy cherry, red plum and cedar. In the mouth it was sweet and ripe with red berry mix, red cherry, light mineral and Earth, with chalky and dry tannins that lie in the moderate range. Acidity remained moderately low. Drink now through 2015.

Pine Ridge Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon – Stags Leap District – 2000 – Napa Valley – (14.1%) – Smoky, dark fruited Cabernet here. All black berry, black cherry, cassis, plum, cinnamon, tea and lightly cedary. The palette reveals more of the same, but with red fruit to boot: red currant, cranberry, tart red cherry, chocolate and cedar. A moderate-high acid, moderate tannin SLD Cab. Drink now through 2012.

Tasted seperately:

Rafanelli Vineyards – Zinfandel – Dry Creek – 2006 - $? – (Classic, Food Wine) – Red berry, floral, black plum, pluot, red apple skin, cocoa and light coconut. Firm tannin & moderate acid. A restrained Bordeaux-like wine built for food and cellar. This is a very classically styled Zinfandel from a “cult” style producer. Closed and tight, this is not a “gobby, juicy, or spicy”, zin. A Cabernet lovers wine. And a great candidate for cellaring, which is not typically in Zins DNA. Hold for 2010.

Whitcraft Winery – French Camp - Lagrien – Santa Barbara County – 2003 -(14.2%) – For those of you who have never tasted or heard about – Lagrien, it’s a grape native to North East Italy(Cool-Climate!), and produces very powerful, dark, tannic, alcoholic and acidic wines. It is the picture of excess!!! If you like PETS, try it. Almost black and opaque, this wine boasts 15.8% alc. Fully floral, red plum, pears & grape like aromas mix with hot coffee, blueberry, pencil shavings and menthol flavors. High to moderately-high acid with high tannin levels and obvious heat from alcohol. Bored with Zinfandel? Try Chris Whitcraft’s Lagrien.

Woodenhead - Pinot Russian River - 2006 - $40 - (Classic, Food Wine) - Unfined & unfiltered opaque ruby garnet. A well balanced, mid-high acid, RR Pinot which flashes it's caramel, vanilla, orange peel, bubble gum, boysenberr y and rasp/red currant red cherry and spiced tea aromas vividly. Not a Power Pinot rather a graceful wine with mid heat (14.7). Ripe and sweet fruit wood in the mouth, with lingering spice and acid...drink now or hold for 5 to 7 yrs. We had pasta with fresh tomato sauce applewood smoked bacon chard and lemon thyme w EVOO!


Mayacamas Vineyards - Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - Mt. Veeder - 1997 - $? - (Classic, Ager, Food Wine) - Tight, focused and floral in the nose. Raspberry, red currant, lavander and green tea. Dusty black cherry. This wine us showing beautifully now but can still linger for 5-8 yrs


Coroson Winery - Kronos Vineyard - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2003 - $98 - (Classic, Ager, Stand Alone) - (13.8% alc.) - Black berry, red cherry, lt cassis and strong blueberry character. Light plastic aroma as well as red florals.. Mid-high tannin mid-high acid. Long mineral tannin chalky tnin that are chewey and persistant. Almost red apple skin thru finish. 1971 or 1972


Aubert - Reuling Vineyard - Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir - 2006 - $? - (Modern, Showpiece) - My first time tasting Aubert wines and I have to say, "These are a BIG deal, so if you don't like huge wines stay away". Mushroom leads off, then: black currant, red plum, raspberry, herb tea leaf, pine and clay. Full bodied and 15.6% alc?! Tamarind, raspberry, sweet and ripe with a touch of plastic. Mid-high tannins with earthy persistence. Pleanty of fruit and heat. Raisin-like final note which lingers on the breath.

September 29, 2008 - Wines Tasted

The following 12, 2005 vintage wines were decanted for 8 hours priot to serving. They were tasted double blind out of Riedel Vinum stemware, by a panel of 15 in the Caves at Pine Ridge. The group's results are in the previous blog below. My tasting notes and order of serving are as follows:

Pavilion Rouge de Ch. Margaux 2005 - $100 - (Ager, Classic, Food Wine) - Aromas of red cherry, flint, spice, red berry, coffee, herb stems, and light cassis. On the palette this wine was fleshy with black peppercorn, red berries, and light minerl laced cherry. It showed moderate-high acid, moderate low tannin and a soft plushness not obvious to a Bordeaux. A stellar wine to sample now or thru 2020.

Ch. Rausan Segla 2005 - $175 - (Ager, Classic, Food Wine) - My second time tasting this wine since April, and it was just as impressive. Aromas of plum, Earth, mint, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, cocoa, light red florals, cassis, cedar, and light spice box. In the mouth it was full of mineral, Earth, cocoa & black cherry. It showed moderate high levels of mineral laced tannin which remained firm throughout as well as moderate high levels of acidity. Best in 2015 to 2020 and beyond.

Dominus Estate - 2005 - $130 - (Modern, Stand Alone) - First contact reveals ripe and juicy plums, red raspberry, red cherry, red licorice, green peppers, leafy greens, green beans and peppercorns. What I call two-faced: ripe and green at the same time. In the mouth it was stemmy red berries all mixed up with bitter chocolate. Tannis were moderate but bitter and acid was moderate-low.

Hourglass - 2005 - $135 - (Modern, Showpiece, Stand Alone) - Super ripe with caramel, molasses, plum/pluot, black cherries, pomegranates, and black raspberries. It follows that all up with a mouth full ofminty and herbal plum, layered black fruit, raspberry, almost sweet tannin, but high alcohol and moderatly high tannin. As one would expect from Bob Foley this was a big brash wine with clean lines. I really enjoyed this wine.

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Fortis - 2005 - $140 - (Modern, Food Wine, Ager) - I've tasted it numerous times but it still surprised me with an explosion of black cherry and cassis as well as cinnamon, brown butter, red plum, and light cedar. Past the lips it tells a similar story: vanilla, brown sugar, light cedar, latte', cherry, plum & cassis. For a Napa Cab it displays amazing acidity which remains moderatly high alongside moderate tannin and balanced levels of fruit/alcohol.

Spottswoode - 2005 - $140 - (Classic, Ager) - Even after 8 hours in the decanter this wine remained closed to the group, but it gave up: cinnamon, clove, vanilla, red berry, light Earth, and red plum in the nose. The palette was a mirror to the bouquet: black and red cherry, Earth, dirt, mineral. As far as tannin and acid I found it to be moderat-high in tannin and moderat-low in acid. I'd hold this one until 2012 at least.

Diamond Creek - Red Rock Terrace - 2005 - $175 - (Classic, Showpiece, Ager) - The first wine to show light levels of brett, but that I sometimes like alot, this was the case here. Very ripe plums, vanilla, mint, herb mix, black cherry, spicy plum, light floras, turned Earth. The mouth was even better with eucalyptus, cola, spice, red plum, light florals, red cherry, clay and Earth qualities on the lightly minty finish. I detected a very dry wine with firm tannins and moderate acid. Fine to consume now, but 8 to 10 years wil never hurt a DC Cabernet.

Schrader Cellars - Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard - 2005 - $235 - ($125 mailing list) - (Modern, Showpiece, Stand Alone) - Plums, cola, spice, and rich Cassis liquor, herbal in a cassis syrup way, tea leaf, almond, resin and nutty toast aromas are full and layered. In the mouth I used the term "lovley" to describe its red fruit, bittersweet chocolate, plum & cherry. With moderate acidity and moderate tannin this wine was soft and elegant and easy to drink. Not an ager in my mind, so drink away.

Melka Wines - Metisse - 2005 - $145 - (Modern, Showpiece) - A super ripe, almost "porty", fruit driven nose of ripe and dried Bing cherries, plums, black figs and florals. Add to that the cinnamon stick, and cassis (but no herbal nature to that), and you've got it. The mouth unloads the same fruits as the nose, with the addition of: spice and pepper, coffee and bitter chocolate. I found it very dry for such a ripe wine, a touch hot in alcohol, and moderate high in tannin. A big extracted wine which will age to and beyond 2015 but I would never risk that.

Joseph Phelps - Insignia - 2005 - $205 - (Modern, Showpiece, Ager) - One of the most closed wines in the group, but the nose did give up: ripe plum, black cherry, cinnamon, light mocha and spice. The palette was decisive with toasty caramel, brown butter, molasses, "closed" fruit, red berries, currants and red plums. (You'd think it were opened up by my notes, but it was hard to get this squeezed out. Like a lemon picked too early it just needs more bottle time to acumulate its juice.) I'd keep this locked in my cellar until 2010 at least.

Revana - 2005 - $130 - (Modern, Showpiece) - Not as stellar as the very impressive 2004. This wine opened with black fruit and florals, spice and vanilla, currants, coffee beans, and bayleaf. The mouth is filled with mint, chocolate, cherries, and obvious alcohol. A bit rough(compared to 2004s sweetness) in tannin, which was moderatly high with moderate acid. I felt the nose belied the palette. Give it a year or two to see if it softens and levels out.

Switchback Ridge - Peterson Family Vineyard - 2005 -$175 - (Modern, Showpiece) - Another Bob Foley wine that was more different than similar to the Hourglass. Very ripe and loaded with vanilla, black cherry, plum, cassis, macerated cherries, kirsch and observable alcohol. In the mouth it was warm and ripe, and very much like the nose: kirsch, plum, cassis, b. cherry, etc. Add to that some mineral and stemmyness and you've got it. The tannins were in the high level range while acid remained moderate.

September 29, 2008 - Wines Tasted

Tonight we held a blind tasting of the following 2005 vintage wines and the employee panel made the following selections (tasting notes to follow):

#1 – Fortis with 69pts
#2 – Hourglass with 66pts
#3 – Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace with 57pts
#4 – Schrader Cellars Beckstoffer with 50pts
#5 – tie – Revana & Pavilion Rouge de Ch Margaux with 47pts each
#7 – Spootswoode with 46pts
#8 – Switchback Ridge with 42pts
#9 – Ch Rauzan Segla with 40pts
#10 – Insignia with 38pts
#11 – Melka Metisse with 27pts
#12 – Dominus with 20pts

August 22, 2008 Wines Tasted

Bryant Family Vineyards - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2005 - $390 - (Ager, Modern, Stand Alone, Showpiece) - The 2005 Bryant was made by Philippe Melka and is clearly in his style: black cherry, cassis, smoky currant, barnyard, espresso and bitter chocolate lace the nose of this high octane Cabernet. Upon entry, the wine's earthiness diffuses to ripe and lightly minty currant and pure cassis syrup. A dense, full bodied wine which has both high alcohol and, "gladiator-like" tannin. A long firm finish with moderate acidity for such a ripe wine. A wine built for the cellar, it should age effortlessly until 2025. Believe it or not, we had grilled chicken drumsticks, summer squash with garlic, and baked potatoes with squab confit and butter.

-Mark Aubert has made the wine from the 2007 vintage, and preliminary exposure has foretold of greater things to come at Bryant Family Vineyards. Stay posted.


Ramey - Jericho Canyon - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2005 - $110 - (Classic, Ager, Stand Alone) - First whiff of the nose simmers up: black olives and very ripe currants, plums and cassis. More air releases the vanallin, spice box, and tarry tobacco qualities I'd expect more from the Oakville Bench rather than Calistoga's northern reaches. The vineyard had supplied Rudd for years with it's produce, but former Rudd winemaker David Ramey steals the show and the prestige with this almost, "classically" styled Cabernet. The mouth is full and lush, with medium full tannin and medium acidity. Fruit is a player in this game, but not the the soul of the wine. Secondary chocolate, olive, and earth also rise to be counted in. Should age well into 2020.

August 8, 2008 - Wines Tasted - Double Blind

The following wines were all fantastic examples of Napa Cabernet at the highest level and I'd love to savored each and every one over the course of hours, we had 60 minutes.
They were tasted double blind, side by side, allowed to air for 1 hour, out of Riedel-Vinum stemware. A panel of 8 all judged one wine as their favorite, the Pine Ridge Fortis.

Pine Ridge Winery - Fortis 2005 - $135 - (Modern, Showpiece, Stand Alone, Ager) - The unanimous winner with 8 out of 8 firsts. Aromas of caramel, spice, currant, black cherry, pepper, cinnamon, and light cedar. A full bodied wine with moderate high tannin. The palette revealed brown butter, black cherry, currant, milk chocolate and anise. I easily picked this out as the PRW wine and judged it (3rd on nose and 2nd on palette) 1st overall.

Caymus Vineyards - Special Select - 2005 - $150 - (Modern, Showpiece, Stand Alone) - By far my favorite in the nose: profound black cherry, black raspberry, plum; super-clean well integrated wood notes.
Pure disappointment on the palette: very ripe, juicy red berry and currant, almost sweet, with a short finish and obvious heat(but not super hot). I found it to be two faced. I thought either Staglin or Caymus. Selected it (1st on nose and 5th on palette) 5th overall.

Colgin Vineyards - IX - 2005 - $400 - (Showpiece, Modern, Stand Alone) - The "ringer" of the tasting, and my first time tasting this wine. The nose blew up with spice box, black currant, plum, and heavy cassis liquor. Well perfumed and elegant in the nose. On the palette I found it a touch minty, with plum, cassis, and resin on a long finish. Definitely the hottest wine in the group in nose and mouth. Firm in tannin and moderate in acid, I thought it could be Shafer Hillside but alas, I was not prepared for a Colgin in the mix. Selected (4th in the nose and 3rd in the mouth) 3rd overall.

Dominus Estate - 2005 - $140 - (Classic, Showpiece, Ager, Food Wine) - Easily identified in the tasting due to its "differences": caramel, spice box, Earth, granular mineral notes, herb & cocoa notes all intermingle in the glass. The palette confirms this with firm tannin, bitter-sweet chocolate, cassis, plum, and a sauvage nature purely attributed to a winemaking style which embraces the Old Guard of Bordeaux more than the fruit expressive "Moderns" that adorn store shelves all throughout Napa. Selected (2nd in nose and 4th on palette) 4th overall.

Quintessa - 2005 - $135 - (Modern, Stand Alone, Ager, Showpiece) - I surely expected this wine to be sweet and hot after one whiff of its nose: cassis, plum, and very ripe almost jammy fig and pluot aromas laid heavily over light cedar and warm chocolate. Belied by a palette which was fully dry as well as being loaded with red currant, cassis, light mint and obvious french oak notes. The finish was a bit firm, chalky and warm(not hot). Selected (5th on nose and 1st on palette) 2nd overall.

July 30, 2008 - Wines Tasted

Ehlers Estate - 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - St. Helena - $75 - (Ager, Stand Alone, Modern) - By far the coolest package Ever for a Cab. Bottle or no bottle, this wine rocks! Tasted from bottle and from decanter separately, this wine offers up bright red and black cherry, light red flowers, cassis and black plum. Bitter sweet chocolate, cocoa and vanallin notes from time spent in French Oak are beefed up by moderately high tannin. Opened well before its time, we decanted the second half of the bottle while enjoying another wine. The air helped only slightly as this wine continued to descend into the dark, firm side rather than be nudged open. A 100% Cab from the Biodynamically farmed Estate vineyard outside the old stone winery. I'd recommend drinking in 2011 till 2018. Had it with Grilled Rib-Eye with coarse Hawaiian Sea Salt & Roast Squash with Toasted Garlic.

July 29, 2008 - Wines Tasted

Bryant Family Vineyards - Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - $NA - (Ager, Modern) - A rare inside-track wine that's just gone to bottle, so this wine was a touch dumb and muted.  A full -bodied, moderately tannic and alcoholic big mountain Cabernet from the rim around Lake Hennessy, east of Rutherford.  Black cherry, cassis, plum and loads of spice mark the nose of this Cult Classic.  The palette is similar and fully dry, with vanilla accents and well integrated bitter chocolate tones to boot.  Great length, without ever being exaggerated or syrupy.  Will likely age for 12 to 18 years easily.  It's hard to recommend a food pairing, but we had spaghetti with garden squash, tomatoes, freshly grated Parmesan and sea salt.