Tribute is a first of its kind. Made entirely from estate-grown grapes, this Bordeaux blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon reveals the complexity and individuality of the Benziger family Sonoma Mountain estate. The first Demeter-certified Biodynamic® wine from Sonoma County and one of the first from North America, Tribute is now in...
Most enophiles would agree that Ravenswood's rich, spicy style recalls the Rhone wines of southeastern France. So it's no surprise that, for some time, Joel Peterson has been working with Syrah, the great grape of that region. Finding the pure California version of the varietal a tad heavy, Joel has added...
With a saturated, ruby color the 2005 Secolo is all about aromatics, finesse and elegance. It has a pebbly minerality notes with shades of blackberry, dried herbs, mocha, showcasing it’s cooler vintage attributes. Although not as big” as the 2004, it still packed a lot of black cherry, currant fruits with...
Beyond the estate winery and across the lake to the back side of RockRise Mountain lies a 40 acre vineyard block, comprised of four specific mini-blocks, uniquely situated on diverse soils well-suited for growing superior Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Back Forty is a wine with a true sense of place ...respectfully reflective of this particular...
Mt. Veeder Reserve Red Wine 2001
Mount Veeder was the first winery in California to have one vineyard planted to all five Bordeaux varietals. The Mount Veeder Reserve is an elegant statement of the winemaking philosophy that blending creates a wine more than the sum of its parts. Crafted from small lots of exceptionally concentrated fruit from...
The term Hommage ("oh-MAZH") is French for homage. Jan Shrem chose it as their way of referring to their reserve wines. It is meant as a tribute to the memory of the artist whose painting graces the label -- and to the artisans, growers, enologists, craftstmen and workers whose efforts are...
The 2004 vintage is awash in lush aromas of cranberry, currant, raspberry, cherry and dried blueberry. Opulently layered with notes of tea, dark cocoa and tobacco leaf, this medium to full-bodied wine offers sweet, ripe flavors of cherry and red berries, a firm texture and silken tannins. It has exceptional concentration...
The 2002 Viader showcases the best the vintage has to offer: intense, upfront, concentrated dark fruit notes laced with licorice, chocolate, anise, earth and leather. Lingering, complex tannins firm up in the finish which is rounded by powerful floral aromas of blackberry, blueberry and mint. Although quite approachable now bottle aging...
The first vintage for this revolutionary blend of Merlot (70%) and Syrah (30%). Winemaker John Kongsgaard experimented with blending Merlot with Syrah beginning in the 1996 vintage, and liked the complexity gained by adding the wild, leathery, gamy, and floral qualities of Syrah to the luscious, more fruit-driven flavors of Merlot....
Used Auto Parts Red Meritage 2005
Decanting is highly recommended, as this is a big” wine, which will greatly benefit from allowing time for the flavors to fully open up. Under the Vino-Seal closure, this wine may be safely stored standing up, and it is recommended that it stands upright for 24 hours before opening, to minimize...
Franciscan Magnificat 1.5L 2004
Years ago, legendary Napa Valley winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff tasted wines from Franciscan’s Oakville estate and suggested that this vineyard would reach its finest expression as a blend in the style of the eminent wines of Bordeaux. Many of the great wines of the world are blends, but when Franciscan started making...
Ferrari Carano Tresor 1.5L 2005
Ferrari-Carano presents its finest blend of the five classic Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot from the best selections of all their vineyards in Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. Aptly named Tresor” for treasure,” the grapes are hand harvested from dry-farmed, low yielding vines primarily on...
2005 gaqve Cain plent of hang time” to allow the grapes to ripen gently. Unlike the yields on the valley floor, their yields in the Cain Vineyars were typically low. This is their most restrained wine since 1999. The cool weather on Spriong Mount preserves the firmness of the tannins and...
The 2004 Rubicon reflects the warm growing conditions of the vintage, displaying a telltale scent of violets and sour cherry flavors, which are the hallmark of this wine. Its super-ripe character delivers a sweet impression, supple tannins, and a prolonged finish of licorice, dark berries, and vanilla.
A blend comprised primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon that is articulate and powerful, La Joie expresses the richness and depth of a Pauillac-style wine. It begins with a deep, dense purple color, offering up aromas of black currants, coffee, caramel, spicebox, herbs, and smoke. This is a full-bodied, complex and multi-layered wine...
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, Le Désir represents the grace and opulence of the best St. Emilion-style wines. An intense purple color is followed by aromas of blackberries, tobacco, roasted coffee, dark fruit preserves and fruitcake. Rich, dense and chewy on the palate, it is smooth in...
Fans of smooth and elegant wines will love this lucious Red Meritage. Meritage (rhymes with heritage”) refers to domestic wines that are blended in a style similar to the great Bordeaux wines of France. Since no term existed in the US for this style of wine, Estancia’s founder Augustin Huneeus in...
What one notices first is the conjunction of concentrated black-cherry Merlot fruit and a texture somewhere between satin and velvet. What one notices last is the broad finish that lingers. The 1998 Vérité can be enjoyed now or cellared for even greater drinking pleasure.
All wines start in the vineyard. Great wines only come from the very best terrior and Napa Valley is blessed with arguably the best Cabernet Sauvignon terrior in the world. Terlato Family Vineyards is honored to present to you their fifth vintage of EPISODE, which represents the culmination of a lifetime...
At Cardinale they christened this the vintage of Alice's Rabbit”, in that everything was very late. Their rainy season slowed down enough in March to initiate bud push but was followed by the return of the rains not long after, which delayed bloom and fruit set. Already looking at a later...
Years ago, legendary Napa Valley winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff tasted wines from Franciscan’s Oakville estate and suggested that this vineyard would reach its finest expression as a blend in the style of the eminent wines of Bordeaux. Many of the great wines of the world are blends, but when Franciscan started making...
In 2005, careful yield management and a truly ideal fall ripening climate gave them wines with structure, refined tannins, elegance and potential for long aging. The 2005 Quintessa opens with beautiful complexity, perfume and nuance on the nose. In the glass, the wine amplifies with time and a quiet entry builds...
The 2005 harvest was distinguished by the long hang time on the vines. The wine has completed fermentation and is ageing gracefully in French oak. According to Heidi Barrett, the 2005 harvest delivered some of the most 'lush fruit' she has ever worked with. Amuse Bouche anticipates another wine of power...
Erratic temperatures throughout the first few months of the season caused some shatter in the grape flowers and uneven rates of maturation. The resulting smaller crop and smaller berry size yielded tannic, full-bodied wines of significant potential. A very complete wine from a challenging vintage. Medium weight, with cherry, herb, tea and coffee notes, finishing with mellow tannins.--Opus One vertical. Drink now through 2003. 14,500 cases made. –JL - Rated 86, Wine Spectator While the best Opus One to date is the 1987, the 1988 is certainly one of the finest red wines I have tasted from this uninspiring vintage. Impressively dark ruby-colored, it reveals an attractive nose of currants and smoky new oak. In the mouth, the wine is medium-bodied, with excellent concentration, a velvety texture, soft tannins, low acidity, and a smooth, attractive finish. Although it is hard to resist now, it should age gracefully for 7-8 years. - Rated 88, Robert Parker
Rains in August were followed by dry, windy weather in September that protected Napa Valley's red varieties from exposure to rot. A greatly reduced crop level produced lean, well-balanced wines for medium-term aging.
