Wines Tasted - September 9, 2010

Pine Ridge Winery – Crimson Creek – Merlot – 2002 - $27 – (Modern) – Medium garnet-red, fades to a red rim with an auburn meniscus.  Some titrates and sediment visible at bottom of glass.  A nose of medium+ intensity, showcasing a broad framework of spice and dry red fruits: clove, cinnamon bark, graham, bergamot tea and dried flowers abut dried red cherry, dried currants and black plum. 

That spiced cherry quality carries right over to the palate as well, crushed cinnamon bark and red-hots blended with fresh and dried red cherry, vanilla bean pods and dark lush violets.

Acidity was easily a medium+, tannins were hanging on, proof of Cabernet in the blend I’d suspect.  I would feel comfortable cellaring this wine for up to 6 more years without sacrifice.

Wines Tasted, May 20, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Petite Verdot - Napa Valley - 2007 - (Modern, Ager, Showpiece Wine) - $65 - A single varietal Petite Verdot is rare, and Pine Ridge hasn't released one in 10 years, so get some if you're a fan or just curious because it's a monster!  Opaque black/ruby with a violet/ruby rim.  Highly staining in the glass.  Aromas of ripe blackberry, red & black plum, cranberry and blueberry-huckleberry jam.  Floral peppercorn notes abut cola, espresso and caramelized esters.
The wine enters with medium+ acidity and trends that way through the finish.  Tannins are a solid medium+, yet are polished.
The palate fruits are mainly black & blue: blackberries fresh off the bush, black plum skin flavors and texture, coffee infused blueberry-huckleberry jam with the tartness of ripe cranberries lifting the dense fruit profile.  Peppery-coffee notes round out the finish, which is long.  Aging from 2011 to 2020 will be recommended.

Wines Tasted - March 27, 2010

 

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Howell Mountain - Napa - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2007 - $90 - (Modern-Classic, Ager, Showpiece) - Clear edges but an opaque center to this dark ruby/black wine which fades slightly to a purple/ruby rim.  High concentration, high viscosity and a highly intense nose of blackberry, blueberry syrup and red currants soaked in a mixture of Arabica extract, cocoa beans and cocoa butter.  An Earthy note of liquid iron and ground pomace balance a fruit dominated initial attack, just enough to make you consider St. Emilion.
  On the palette, the wine is dry and rich with dark fruits and coffee/cocoa notes, but with a higher than expected level of acidity.  The tannins are Classic Howell Mountain: ripe, mouth coating and of mineral tinged-skin origin.  These mineral quailities seemed to elongate the finish and were dotted with blueberry and bitter-sweet chocolate.  A real stunner...

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 26, 2010

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Cabernet Franc - Trois Cuvee - Napa - 2001 - (Classically Styled) - $36 - A transparent ruby wine fading to a pink rim with a clear miniscus. Aromas of leather, tobacco, spice box and green peppercorns bolster black cherry, currant and plum fruits. The palette is dry and medium bodied with fleshy/dried fruits as well as a dustyness and earthyness redolent of Bordeaux or Rioja. For the old world wine drinker looking for virtues in a new world wine. Drink now thru 2012.
Pine Ridge Vineyards - Cabernet Franc - Trois Cuvee - Napa - 2002 - (Modern) - $36 - Quite a difference a year makes! Clear deep ruby with a thick pink rim. Obviously higher alcohol than the 2001(14.7% vs. 14.1%). and more complexity with: brown butter, fresh toffee and molasses notes supporting floral black cherry and black plum. The mouth is expansive and lush. Filled with butter toffee and plum skin as well as an afirmation of red flowers and blackstrap molasses. Medium-full bodied, moderate+ tannin and long in the finish. Drink now or keep until 2015! A big wine still.

Enjoyed these with: Braised Beef Brisket and Tomato/Chile Mole.

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.

Classification of Napa Valley Vineyards - 2010

  Much has been said about the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux, and much has been disputed, such as what the hell happened to St Emilion and Pomerol for God's Sake?!?  And why is Chateau "Whatever", a Third Growth, they make wine half as good as, Chateau "Awsomness", and Chateau "Awsomness" is not even Classified...
  It's these questions that the French, in their stubborness, chose never to answer for.  And it's these questions that Mr. Robert Parker and others have been battling to get rightful answers to for decades thru 100 point rating systems.  I like points, but I hate Point Chasers.  I can't stand watching someone walk in to the winery holding a Buying Guide only to skip on some wines to only taste the, "90 pointers".  That guy holding the scores in his hand isn't RP, so why would he trust only RP's opinion?  I think RP has a very good sense of taste, and an even better sense of "saleability", and this is what makes so many followers become devout in their acceptance of his "truth".
  To me it's the same as say, believing in a religion.  There's one "leader" they all listen to.  They never feel the "leader" is guiding them astray.  They continue to invest mindlessly in their "leader's" opinions and guidance.  They die never knowing the truth, which is the freedom they gave up when surrendering their thoughts to the "leader".
  Now it sounds like I'm placating, and I am.  That's why I don't score wine, I just write up my experiences with the great/memorable juice.  Do you think I only taste three wines a week?  Just think of how much good juice I have to wade thru to get you one great wine review.  Yes. I'm a snob.  But I'm a snob for ME, not for anyone else.  People are agast when I drive them thru Napa only to point out all the Vineyards that, "suck".  They say things like, "How can they all suck?" or " I like their wine!  They don't suck!!".  I just tell them, "No they don't suck, THAT vineyard sucks.  Not that producer...".  Yet they still don't get the concept until I explain that the wine they buy comes from so many other vineyards other than the one right on the Silverado Taril next the the Winery.  Some of the contributing Vineyards are stellar and make up for the failings of THAT vineyard.  Then the light comes on for them.
  This is the light I'm attempting to electrify for YOU with this Classification.

  It may take me some months to piece it all together, but be assured the information I provide will be honest, accurate(for a while at least, huh?), and supported by historical data based on grape prices(thus wine prices).
All I want to do is isolate: THE BEST PARCES OF NAPA VALLEY FOR BORDEAUX VARIETALS.
Sorry Petite Syrah, next time(Vincent Arroyo Greenwood Ranch, you would be a 1st Growth;).

A Chef's Guide to Wine - January 2010
Join me every Sunday at 11:00 am for my, Cooking Demonstration/Food & Wine Pairing Class. This Month's Theme: White Fish and Red Wine? Absolutely!
I'll pair our 2006 Merlot, 2006 Cab Franc & 2006 Cabernet with:
Pan Roasted Blue Nose Bass over Braised Napa Cabbage with Applewood Smoked Bacon.
Pancetta Wrapped Monkfish with Laurel Sauce.
Seared Monterey Bay Scallops and Parmesan Gnocchi with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and Porcini Broth!

Click here: Pine Ridge Vineyards Culinary Programs

Food and Wine Pairings for Vintage Pine Ridge Cabernets - 1995 - 2000

Food and Wine Pairings for Vintage Pine Ridge Cabernets - 

For the 1995 and 1996 Rutherford Cabernets, I’d take the maturity of the wines in mind when considering a food pairing.  Paramount in a pairing are body/structure acessments, and fruit/acid acessments.  In these two vintages, I see wines that display a structure more in tune with Rioja Crianza than with lets say, Bordeaux (not a bad thing!).  The wine has lost its grip on oak and is still delivering its primary fruits, but has gathered in bunches, its secondary and tertiary aromatics.  Dried flowers, sherry, almond and walnut all lay side by side with red berry and currant.  This takes me to a few potential places in the market: 1.) Poultry Counter: Roast or grilled whole or half chicken (even beer-can chicken!), Duck or Chicken Sausage, Rotesserie of Pheasant, or even Chicken Satay for an appetizer (with peanut sauce perhaps).  2.) The Nut Bins or “Area”:  Here we can incorporate Marcona Almonds, Cashews, Pistaccios or Pine Nuts in our dish to compliment or bird as well as add additional protein.  3.) Cheese Counter:  Here we can find great nutty, tangy,  Sheep’s milk cheese to incorporate into our meal with these wines.  Abbaye de Belloc, Petite Basque, Petite Agour, Ossau Iraty or Sao George all come to mind as great options.

As we get into the 1997, 1999 and 2000 vintages, we see wines with more varietal freshness, as well as more observable oak.  These wines express more flesh as well as “sweetness” of fruit.  They also keep me safely in the: Season-it, Grill-it, Eat-it camp.  All I want with a Cab of this caliber is a well seasoned piece of steak on my new Webber!  I’d not think twice about grilling up some sliced eggplant, zucchini and summer squash, then tossing them with fresh thyme and basil and wrapping them up to rest and keep warm on the top shelf of my grill, while I prepared the, “feast of beast”: a NY Striploin or Rib-Eye of beef generously salted and peppered, rubbed with a little oil and grilled to medium-rare.  Have a little coarse sea-salt on hand to sprinkle about as needed and you’ve hit a Major League Home Run!  If we have some wine left for a little cheese course, I’d feel like harder is better (it’s hot outside and soft cheese tends to run quickly); 3 Year Aged Gouda, Aged Pecorino; or Pitxun are all hard cheeses with more to offer with big Cabernet with plush texture.  Good luck and enjoy your 4^th of July Holiday!

Wines Tastes October 21, 2009

2001 Onyx – Threw major sediment.  Color was a transparent medium garnet with a medium red rim and a thick pink band leading to a clear meniscus.

The nose was of fresh red cherry, red plum, black plum, vanilla, cedar, ground cinnamon, clove and dried anise.

The palette revealed the immediate fleshyness of the plum and cherry fruit, while air allows the development of dried sage, black pepper and bresola as well as dried violets and dried bluberries to bolster the finish.

The wine has medium acidity, medium tannin and medium plus alcohol.

2003 Fortis – Threw major sediment.  Color was deep garnet/black fading to a medium garnet rim with a thin clear meniscus.

Aromas of coconut, vanilla, cedar shingles, black plum, cassis and very ripe red and black cherry led an aromatic charge on my senses. 

While the palette showcased spicy black plum, cassis, red cherry and kirsch liquor with cedar, cocoa, bakers chocolate, cinnamon bark and pink peppercorn.

The 2003 Fortis had medium acidity, medium tannin and medium plus to high alcohol.

2004 Fortis – Threw nearly no sediment at this point, but expect it in the future.  Opaque Garnet/black color fades to a medium garnet rim with a pink meniscus. 

Aromas of pure cassis, blackberry, black cherry, black plum and Hoisin sauce were driven like a 911 Turbo across my senses! 

Just unforgettable in its intensity!!  Full of sweet cocoa, vanilla and fruit extract along with the aforementioned fruits.

Tannin was moderate, moderate acid and moderate plus alcohol

New Rose' Packaging

Pine Ridge Vineyards - Encantado - Rose' - 2008 - $20 - (Food Wine) - An elegant package for an elegant wine. Based on Cabernet saigne', with small amounts of Petite Verdot. Brisk and refreshing acidity recall an afternoon in Tavel. Perfect with: Baked Goat Cheese over Fresh Winter Greens Lightly Dressed with an Herb Vinaigrette.

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.

October 30, 2008 - Wines Tasted

Below are my notes from multiple tastings of Alpha-Omega Winery's best wines. Alpha-Omega lies in Rutherford off 29 in the former Quail Ridge location. A Face lift and more assure us that the former tenants are long forgotten. A great place to relax and enjoy a bottle on the terrace.

Alpha Omega - Syrah - 2007 - Napa Valley - $? - (Modern, Food Wine, Drink Now) - Black berry, black and red currant, black raspberry, light pepper, graham, cinnamon & sweet tea aromas flow rapidly from the glass and transition quickly. Raspberry, red berry, juniper, and sandal wood mesh on the palette with moderate tannin as well as moderate plus acidity. A good food wine that appears and opens brooding in typical Syrah fashion, but reveals a bright almost Grenache like wine later. We had roast striped bass over greens and toasted fresh made tortillas.

Alpha Omega - Proprietary Red - 2005 - $74 - Napa Valley - (Modern, Ager, Drink Now, Stand Alone) - My favorite of the AO line up of wines, and tasted multiple times from barrel to bottle. Caramel, mocha, sweet clove and florals begin the trek through beautiful red and black plum that lies in total harmony with the wood. Hits its high note in the mouth which tells of red and black berries, cherries, currant and sweet ripe round and sexy tannins...like silk and satin in the mouth. Moderate tannins and moderate but well balanced acidity. I just love this wine! A blend of 69% Cab and 31% Merlot. "I recommend not buying this so there is more for me..."

Alpha Omega - Chardonnay - 2005 - $38 - Napa Valley - (Modern, Food Wine) - Chardonnays seldom get the nod from me, but when a wine comes off this well made and balanced, I can't resist. A partially Malo-lactic(30%) and barrel fermented(70%) wine which shows restraint in winemaking. Leesy-apple, lemon peel, light almond toast, and sheer mineral which is often lacking in a Napa chardonnay. Light and airy on the entry making it a good choice with food, yet smoky and dense through the moderately high acid finish. I like this wine for it's more Burgundian framework. I'd recommend: Seared Scallops with Caramelized Shallots, Grilled Shrimp with Tarragon, Chervil & Lemon or Roast Chicken Breast on the Bone with Lemon Thyme.

October 18, 2008 - Wines Tasted

Grace Family - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2006 - $265 - (Classic, Ager, Showpiece, Food Wine) - My first time tasting Grace, and I really like this wine's style. Not typical of Napa Valley, and reminded me more of Dunn than anything else. Aromas of black cherry kirsch liquor, cut pine, red plum, black tea and currants. Enters with chalky tannins (a sure sign of an, Ager) up front, then follows through with a wash of black plum and other black fruits. Old World in that aspect only. Retains high acidity through the finish, as well as its chocolate-tea tannins. I used the word, "lean" to describe this wine when comparing it to the others amongst it (Hillside Select, Vise-Versa, Spottswoode), but not a lean wine itself. Hold for 2012 to 2020.

Vise-Versa - Napa Valley - Cabernet Sauvignon - $90? - (Modern) - A "New" Napa Cab, made by Paul Hobbs from 50% Stagecoach Vineyard & 50% Beckstoffer Tokalon Vineyard, so all Oakville but from both sides of the valley(thus the name). These two vineyards don't make bad wine, ever, and rarely does Paul Hobbs. I reviewed it because I'm sure you'll hear more about it in the future. There's a Syrah too (notes to come). Well built in that modern, ripe black cherry, cassis, black plum, chocolate toast, light caramel way. Moderate acidity, but moderate high alcohol. Easily consumable now, but best from 2009 to 2015, I'd suspect. The mouth matches closely the bouquet.

Spootswoode - Cabernet Sauvignon - 2005 - $140 - Tasted for a second time today, this wine was consistent with my previous notes. See: September 29, 2008 Tasting Notes.

Roessler Cellars - Peregrine - Pinot Noir - St. Rita Hills - 2005 - $43 - (Modern, Food Wine) - Opens with clove, cinnamon bark, brown sugar, black cherry, and red plum. All spice before fruit. A modest 13.5% alc. makes this wine a great choice with food while maintaining balance. Medium bodied with moderate acidity. The fruit drives the palette with boysenberry, Bing cherry and all that spice in the boot. Drink now through 2012. I enjoyed it with duck confit, lentils du pays and frisee with a warm vinaigrette.

Lachini - Pinot Noir - Willamette Valley - $59 - (Modern) - Floral, peppery, spicy, saw dust, leather, ripe blackberry, & light mocha...if this sounds like a something you'd like pick this wine up! I found it a bit too heavy and expensive for it's delivery, but most enjoyed it. A high octane (14.5% alc.) well made wine that was ahead of itself today. Tannin level was high, while the body was full and acid was moderate-low. Best from 2009 to 2017. Note: I detected a bit of TCA here, the bottle may have been a touch off. The staff did not agree...

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.

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.