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Search Flickinger Wine Inventory
Inventory updated: Sat, Oct 25, 2025 11:02 AM cst
Your search criteria:
Regions: USA Red
Vintages: Between 2009 and 2009
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| Arietta |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon  |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 92+ (5/2012): (Blended with 6% cabernet franc and 2% merlot): Good deep ruby-red. Black cherry, cassis, graphite and pepper on the slightly dusty, loamy nose. Moderately dense, concentrated and supple, with blackcurrant fruit enlivened by violet and bitter chocolate notes from the franc and merlot. Best today on the mounting whiplash of a finish, which features very fine tannins and lingering notes of chocolate, tobacco and spices. The pH of 3.7 is lower than normal for this bottling, notes winemaker Andy Erickson.
WA 92 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is silky, polished and totally refined. Today it comes across as quite young and in need of further bottle age for the aromatics to fully develop. It is a gorgeous, racy wine to drink over the next few years. The 2009 is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot, predominantly from Coombsville. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2019.
WS 92 (10/2012): Marked by dry, loamy earth and espresso notes, this well-built red unfolds to dark berry and cedar flavors, with firm, fine-grained tannins. Ends with a distinctive game meat and herbal edge. Best from 2013 through 2023. 270 cases made. |
|
| Beringer |
2009 |
Lampyridae Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (5/2012): (from a 2001 planting; 85% new oak): Good deep ruby. Slightly medicinal aromas of cherry, licorice, minerals, fresh herbs and bitter chocolate. Very good stuffing and sweetness to the medicinal cassis, blackberry and dark chocolate flavors. Finishes with big, broad, dusty tannins. |
|
| Betz Family Winery |
2009 |
La Cote Rousse Syrah |
$50 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (10/2011): (Aged in 50% new and 50% once-used barrels): Good bright medium ruby. Tight, pure aromas of black raspberry, strawberry, white pepper and flowers, complicated by a sexy apricot quality. Suave on entry, then spicy and aromatic in the middle, with firm acidity and a repeating note of white pepper contributing to the impression of sharp definition. This dense, supple wine is very long on the aftertaste. |
|
| Robert Biale Vineyards |
2009 |
Black Chicken Zinfandel |
$45 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (12/2011): The 2009 Zinfandel Black Chicken shows off gorgeous mid-palate richness in its black cherries, menthol, licorice and sweet spices. There is more than enough vibrancy and depth to allow the wine to drink beautifully for at least a handful of years. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Bond Estates (Harlan) |
2009 |
Melbury Proprietary Blend |
$350 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 94 (12/2012): The estate's 2009 Proprietary Blend Melbury presents an intriguing combination of pure sensuality in its aromas and flavors, but backed up by serious tannins. Dark raspberry jam, flowers, sweet spices and crushed rocks all come to life in this deeply expressive, resonant wine. Sweet floral notes reappear on the finish, adding lift and perfume. In 2009, the Melbury is dazzling. It is also one of the more delicate wines in the lineup
VM 94 (5/2012): Good deep ruby-red. Cool, minerally nose is rather subdued today. Quite backward and unforthcoming, but already showing the sweetness of the vintage. Lovely delicacy of texture here, but not yet showing this bottling's typical early perfume. Most impressive today on the rising, youthful, very pure back end.
WS 93 (10/2012): Firmly tannic, with gutsy earth-laced tannins and a generous mix of red and black licorice notes. Builds momentum and fans out on the finish, where this reveals more nuances of detailed flavor. Best from 2014 through 2028. 490 cases made. |
|
| Cakebread Cellars |
2009 |
Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon |
$100 |
1 |
|
| |
| WS 91 (4/2013): Very appealing, with a pleasant mix of dark berry, mocha, dried herb and underbrush, tightly focused, firmly tannic and persistent. Drink now through 2024. 1,000 cases made. |
|
| Cobb |
2009 |
Jack Hill Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$50.15 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (7/2013): The 2009 Pinot Noir Jack Hill Vineyard, from a site south of Occidental, is arguably the most immediate of the 2009 Pinots in this range. Dark red cherries, exotic spices, licorice and cloves all flesh out in a radiant, expressive Pinot that impresses for its accessibility. Even though the Jack Hill is quite open today, there is plenty of underlying structure to support years of positive development in bottle. A creamy, expressive finish rounds things out in style. The Jack Hill was made from fully de-stemmed fruit. (Drink between 2015-2025.) Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2009 |
Rice-Spivak Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$50.15 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Dominus |
2009 |
Proprietary Blend |
$275 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 98 (4/2012): Stunning nose of lavender and flowers. Currants and raspberries. Subtle and intriguing. Full and dense but wonderfully balanced with firm and silky tannins and a persistent finish. Dusty texture. A wine so balanced that you want to drink it already. Better in 2017.
VM 97+ (12/2011): The 2009 Dominus has closed down quite a bit since I last tasted it. Today, all of the glorious fruit of the vintage is hiding behind a serious wall of tannin. The 2009 still possesses gorgeous inner perfume and plenty of sweetness, but little of the sexiness that will emerge over time. From time to time, the utter genius of the 2009 shows a glimpse of its potential. There is little doubt the 2009 will be a jewel once it awakens from what might very well be a long slumber. This is another wine that begs for patience. The 2009 is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Antonio Galloni.
WA 97 (10/2013): The 2009 Dominus saw about 40% new oak compared to the 20% for Napanook. A seamless classic, it offers a symphony of red and black currants, Asian plum sauce, lavender, and underbrush. Sweet Christmas fruitcake characteristics emerge from this magnificent Dominus that finished at 14.5% natural alcohol (slightly higher than usual). The seamless integration of acidity, tannin, wood and alcohol, the brilliant length and overall compelling complexity and richness make it one of the great classics from this historic estate. It should drink well for 20-25 years.
WS 93 (10/2012): Delightfully harmonious given its intensity, with complex aromas of savory herbs, flowers, ripe and dried currant and berry, crushed rock and cedar flavors. Well-proportioned, focused and persistent. Very youthful and vibrant. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2014 through 2030. 6,000 cases made. |
|
| Duckhorn |
2009 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Franc |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ehlers Estate |
2009 |
Merlot |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Petit Verdot |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
1886 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
One Twenty Over Eighty Cabernet Sauvignon |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Etude |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 91 (7/2019): Saturated medium ruby. Attractive violet lift to the aromas of cassis, black cherry, espresso, menthol, minerals and fruity dark chocolate. Plush and pliant Cabernet, but with a strong spine of acidity and a distinctly herbal element giving definition and lift to the dark fruit and chocolate flavors. A bit porty on the back end but the fresh side of port, not the oxidative aspect. In fact, this juicy wine is still quite youthfully unevolved and is likely to gain in nuance and shape with more cellaring. (Drink between 2021-2033). Stephen Tanzer.
WA 90 (12/2012): Etude's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley bursts from the glass with juicy dark berries, grilled herbs, menthol, tar, tobacco and licorice. Firm tannins provide the backbone as this powerful, muscular Cabernet opens up in the glass. Raspberry jam, flowers and spices add lift on the finish. Slightly wild notes detract a touch from the wine's overall balance. Otherwise, this is a fine effort. The 2009 needs a few years to settle down, after which it should drink beautifully for another decade. The blend is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. |
|
|
2009 |
Estate Carneros Pinot Noir |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 89 (5/2012): Slightly musky, brambly aromas of blueberry, cherry, strawberry and spices, complicated by a hint of dark chocolate. Supple and smooth but firmly built, with the dark fruit flavors joined by an intriguing earthy nuance. Finishes with tongue-dusting tannins and good structure. The cool 2009 growing season brought low yields here due to windy conditions during the flowering. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Force Majeure |
2009 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series I Proprietary Blend |
$60 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (12/2012): The Force Majeure 2009 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Collaboration Series I is a blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon with, notes McBride a bit oddly, “healthy doses of P(etit) V(erdot) and Cabernet Franc for our take on ‘Left Bank’.” (That said, there is also a bit of Merlot.) In any case, it’s vinified by Ben Smith of Cadence, for more on whose attraction to Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot consult my notes on recent offerings from that winery. The herbaceous side of these cepages dominates in the nose, though in a pleasantly pungent and reasonably complex way. Mint, arbor vitae, and cassis take on a chocolate coating on the glycerol-rich palate, and this finishes with an admirable counterpoint – somehow avoiding too bifurcated a sense – between bittersweetly herbal and torrefied, confitured character. I wouldn’t have guessed that the barrels were 70% new, and there is what I like to think of as a Washington-typical energetic finishing ping. This ought to be worth following for at least the next half dozen years. |
|
|
2009 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series III Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (12/2012): The Force Majeure 2009 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Collaboration Series III employs four clones of Syrah and was vinified by Mark McNeilly (with his assistant Mike Macmorran) of the Mark Ryan winery, who chose to utilize just one-third new barriques, in which the wine finished its primary fermentation. Vanilla and marzipan lend a surprisingly confectionary cast on a glycerol-rich palate to an amalgam of cherry preserves and creme de cassis, happily underlain by suggestions of roasted red meats that lend saliva inducement and savory counterpoint in a lingering, luscious finish. I was surprised at the extent to which this reflected its oak component given the stated percentage of new wood; but it was on this occasion that I made the following important discovery: in Washington, when vintners speak of “neutral” barrels, they may well – as in this instance – be referring to barrels that have been used only once previously! My intuition suggests that this will be worth following for at least 5-7 years. |
|
|
2009 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series IV Proprietary Blend |
$70 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 88 (12/2012): Force Majeure’s 2009 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Collaboration Series IV is dominated by Merlot (supported by 23% Cabernet Sauvignon plus smaller amounts of other Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) and vinified by Carolyn Lakewold of Donedei Wines, whose background and inspiration – accordingly to McBride and Johnson – is with Northern Italian wine (though I can’t say I would have detected this). At 13.8% alcohol this is intentionally significantly lighter than its Collaboration Series siblings, and the absence of press wine was evidently intended to enhance textural refinement and relative levity. The nose here, though, is exceedingly spirituous as well as torrefied, for an impression that resembles dried cherries macerated in cognac, kirsch, and chocolate syrup, characteristics that combine for an almost liqueur-like though texturally not notably alluring palate impression. Toasted praline, cocoa powder, and caramelized wood resin (from half-new French and American oak) combine with the desiccated manifestation of cherry for a finish that’s slightly drying despite its superficial sense of sweetness. I wouldn’t want to speculate on this wine’s aging potential except to say that – admittedly in lieu of any directly relevant experience – I am somewhat skeptical on that count. Certainly, though, this is striking stuff, and I’ve no doubt there will be those who find its personality more enticing than do I. |
|
|
2009 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series Sangiovese |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Collaboration Series V Proprietary Blend |
$70 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Frank Family |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$39 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (12/2012): Juicy red berries, crushed flowers, cloves and a hint of French oak all come together nicely in the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon. A gracious, mid-weight wine, the 2009 should drink well pretty much upon release. Sweet floral notes reappear to frame the feminine, expressive finish. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2009 |
Zinfandel |
$25 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (5/2012): Opaque purple. A complex, heady bouquet evokes candied dark berries, vanilla and mocha, with a spicy topnote. Lush and expansive, offering gently sweet, oak-spiced cassis and blueberry flavors that gain energy in the glass. In a plush, polished style, finishing with smooth tannins and lingering spiciness. Josh Raynolds. |
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|
2009 |
Carneros Pinot Noir |
$30 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 88 (12/2011): The 2009 Pinot Noir is an attractive wine laced with a typical Carneros expression of perfumed red fruit, spices and flowers. This fleshy, stylish Pinot will drink nicely for the next few years. (Drink between 2013-2016). Antonio Galloni.
BH 88 (5/2011): Dark ruby. Smoky, oak-spiced cherry and dark berries on the nose, with complicating notes of licorice and dried rose. Sappy and sweet, with slightly warm black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of smoked meat. Shows good depth and power but I'm not sure that I'd have guessed that this was pinot. Finishes broad and smooth, leaving a note of bitter chocolate behind. |
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|
2009 |
Reserve Petite Sirah |
$50 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 89 (12/2011): The 2009 Petite Sirah Reserve virtually oozes from the bottle with massive dark fruit, licorice, new leather and spices. It is a fairly domesticated Petite Sirah, but much of the richness has been achieved with a loss of varietal expression. This ripe, opulent wine should continue to drink well for at least a handful of years. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2009 |
Reserve Pinot Noir |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (12/2011): The 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve isn't appreciably better or more complex than the straight Pinot bottling, it's just bigger, richer and smokier. Personally I like the regular bottling more. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2009 |
Reserve Zinfandel |
$20 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (5/2012): Inky purple. Expressive, spice-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry and sassafras, with smoke and cracked pepper nuances adding complexity. Juicy, open-knit and emphatically fruity, offering intense red and dark berry compote flavors sharpened and lifted by juicy acidity. Closes with good power and focus, leaving sappy blackberry and cherry notes behind. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Grgich Hills |
2009 |
Miljenko’s Old Vine Zinfandel |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
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| Paul Hobbs |
2009 |
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$249 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (7/2019): Saturated red-ruby. Licorice, black cherry, red- and blackcurrant, sexy soil tones and violet on the nose; conveys a strong impression of site character. Densely packed, full and youthful, conveying strong inner-mouth lift but still a bit monolithic and in need of patience. The wine's inky dark fruit, spice and graphite flavors are firm but not at all hard or spiky. Made from vines picked on the late side, this big boy may not be as graceful as the 2010 but its firm tannic structure should ensure a long, slow evolution. And this classically dry Cabernet boasts excellent definition and inner-mouth tension. Give this wine some time in a decanter if you plan to open a bottle anytime soon. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2009 |
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$499 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (7/2019): Saturated red-ruby. Licorice, black cherry, red- and blackcurrant, sexy soil tones and violet on the nose; conveys a strong impression of site character. Densely packed, full and youthful, conveying strong inner-mouth lift but still a bit monolithic and in need of patience. The wine's inky dark fruit, spice and graphite flavors are firm but not at all hard or spiky. Made from vines picked on the late side, this big boy may not be as graceful as the 2010 but its firm tannic structure should ensure a long, slow evolution. And this classically dry Cabernet boasts excellent definition and inner-mouth tension. Give this wine some time in a decanter if you plan to open a bottle anytime soon. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Jonata Winery |
2009 |
Todos Proprietary Blend |
$45 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (11/2012): (a wild blend based on 64% syrah, with sangiovese, merlot, cabernet sauvigon, grenache, viognier, cabernet franc, petit verdot, sauvignon blanc and semillon): Inky ruby. Dark berries, cured meat, smoky herbs, minerals and dried flowers on the fragrant nose. A sexy anise quality adds complexity to the powerful blackberry and boysenberry flavors, with tangy acidity adding focus and grip. This interesting blend finishes with very good complexity, firm tannins and lingering smokiness. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Larkmead Vineyards |
2009 |
Firebelle Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (12/2011): The 2009 Firebelle is 53% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc. Dark red fruit, flowers, spices and licorice are some of the many notes that emerge from this impeccable, totally classy wine. It can be enjoyed now, but there is more than enough freshness to allow the wine to age gracefully for a number of years. Darker notes of tar and iron add considerable depth and muscle to the finish. Antonio Galloni. |
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|
2009 |
LMV Salon Proprietary Blend |
$145 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95+ (12/2012): Larkmead’s 2009 Proprietary Red Wine LMV Salon is distinguished for its centeredness, focus and minerality. Graphite, smoke, plums, red cherries and tobacco are all woven together beautifully here. The 2009 is rich, layered and sensual, but with more than enough structure to support aging. Sweet floral notes and a burst of juicy red berries add complexity on the finish. The 2009 is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 16% Malbec and 5% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.
VM 94 (5/2012): (63% cabernet sauvignon, 16% each cabernet franc and malbec, and 5% merlot; aged in 77% new oak): Bright ruby-red. Minerally, gravelly aromas of blackcurrant, graphite, licorice and sexy toasty oak. Sweet, suave and utterly seamless on the palate but at the same time juicy and well-delineated. Very long, building, chocolatey finish shows powerful but well-integrated dusty tannins. Both this wine and the 2009 Solari were made from crop levels in the range of two tons per acre, according to winemaker Andy Smith. Stephen Tanzer.
WS 94 (5/2013): Features bold, rich flavors that are dense and layered, with dark berry, mocha, subtle herb, black licorice and crushed rock, firming and gripping on the strong and persistent finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. Drink now through 2024. 736 cases made. |
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| Lazy Susan Ranch (The Vineyardist) |
2009 |
Diamond Mt. District Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$175 |
1 |
|
| |
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| Lewis Cellars |
2009 |
Ethan’s Syrah |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
| WS 94 (2/2012): Intense and distinctive for its meaty, gamy, spice and fresh earth character, trim yet rich, with a lively, vibrant pace as the flavors unfold; full-bodied, yet ending with a mix of subtle fruit, mineral and spice notes that glide on. Drink now through 2022. 475 cases made. |
|
| Peter Michael Winery |
2009 |
Les Pavots Proprietary Blend |
$169 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (2/2012): The 2009 Les Pavots is absolutely fabulous. Mocha, espresso, spices, plums and blackberries are just some of the many notes that jump from the glass in this seamless, striking wine. The 2009 boasts exceptional textural finesse and tremendous class. In 2009 Les Pavots includes 22% Cabernet Franc, one of the highest percentages ever. It all works beautifully. The 2009 is firing on all cylinders. All of the vineyards in Les Pavots are now over 20 years old. In 2009 the blend is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2024.
WS 95 (10/2012): Offers a strikingly complex mix of flavors that are refined and graceful. Pure, rich and supple given its level of intensity and concentration, with a beautiful core of ripe wild berry, pomegranate, spice, mineral, cedar and graphite. Holding back ever so slightly. Another classic Les Pavots. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2030. 3,500 cases made.
VM 94 (5/2012): (a blend of 66% cabernet sauvignon, 22% cabernet franc, 10% merlot and 2% petit verdot): Opaque ruby. Pungent, assertive aromas of dried cherry, cassis, pipe tobacco, vanilla and woodsmoke, with a sexy floral accent emerging with air. Juicy and sharply focused, offering bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors brightened by a spicy element. Fine-grained tannins add shape and gentle grip to the very long, appealingly sweet finish. There are 3,500 cases of this wine to go around from the 2009 vintage. |
|
| Ovid |
2009 |
Experiment P4.9 Proprietary Blend |
$175 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Joseph Phelps |
2009 |
Larry Hyde and Sons Vyd. Carneros Syrah |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 89 (12/2011): The 2009 Syrah Hyde Vineyard needs quite a bit of air to show its true personality. It is a dark, powerful wine loaded with dark fruit, smoke, licorice and tobacco. Today the tannins are quite firm, so this needs another 6-12 months in bottle. It comes across as tight, compact and unyielding, especially next to the straight Syrah. It shows good focus, but neither a ton of richness nor varietal character. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. |
|
|
2009 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a big, rich wine bursting with dark fruit. This is a fairly immediate style, some serious tannins notwithstanding. Smoke, tobacco and licorice develop in the glass, adding complexity and nuance. The powerful, fruit-driven finish is totally rewarding, but this will be even better in a few years’ time. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. |
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|
2009 |
Napa Valley Syrah |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
| WS 91 (2/2012): Well-structured, intense and minerally, tightly wound, with dried berry, sage, roasted herb and cedar; a classy effort that is best cellared or given a long decant, as it is just beginning to ease into approachability. Drink now through 2022. 1,200 cases made. |
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| Quivet Cellars |
2009 |
Hulda Block Las Madres Vyd. Syrah |
$36 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Rivers Marie |
2009 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir |
$41.65 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 90 (6/2011): (includes the young vines from Summa): Good deep red. Aromas of raspberry liqueur, spices and lively orange zest. Broad but with a firm edge of acidity accentuated by the wine's tart orange fruit note. Like the B. Thieriot chardonnay, this also expanded nicely in the glass. Plenty in reserve here: I'd wait a year or two for the wine's components to harmonize. Fresher than the 2008 bottling.
BH 89 (10/2011): A perfumed and pretty nose speaks of essence of red pinot fruit and subtle spice hints that carry over to the delicious, generous and quite fleshy medium-bodied flavors that possess mouth coating extract, all wrapped in a long and balanced finish. This isn't overly complex at present but given the depth of underlying material present that additional complexity will arrive with a few years of bottle age. Drink 2014+ |
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| Round Pond |
2009 |
Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$35 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 89 (5/2013): Thomas Brown is the consulting winemaker here): Good deep ruby-red. Cherry, redcurrant, mocha, tobacco, menthol and loam on the nose. Chewy and rich, with a slightly medicinal cast but good fat to the mid-palate fruit. Finishes with broad, youthfully aggressive tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Sans Liege |
2009 |
en Gedi Grenache |
$45 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 94 (12/2011): One of the few Grenache based wines from California that can match the power and intensity of a top Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the brilliantly done and totally hedonistic 2009 Sans Liege Grenache En Gedi delivers bombastic and borderline over the top levels of sweet kirsch, licorice, incense, and spiced meat like characteristics that just come soaring from the glass. Full bodied, voluptuous, and sweetly fruited, yet with ripe underlying tannin and structure, as well as beautiful length and focus, this is a thrilling example of Grenache, yet not for those that shy away from large scaled, sweetly fruited wines. I'm a huge fan however and would drink bottles over the coming 4-6 years.
VM 90 (11/2012): Ruby-red. Deep, smoky, rather powerful aromas of red and dark berry compote, dried cherry and vanilla. Fleshy and sweet, displaying an exotic array of red and dark fruit and floral scents underscored by anise and espresso. The plump, expansive finish is long, appealingly sweet and gently tannic. Josh Raynolds.
WA 88 (8/2012): Another standout, the 2009 En Gedi (Grenache) is bigger and riper in style than the Offering. It shows good intensity in its fruit but the oak tannins appear to dry out the finish, which is surprising considering the vast majority of the barrels are seasoned. Hints of tobacco, anise and spices are layered into the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. |
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|
2009 |
en Gedi Grenache (1.5 L) |
$90 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 94 (12/2011): One of the few Grenache based wines from California that can match the power and intensity of a top Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the brilliantly done and totally hedonistic 2009 Sans Liege Grenache En Gedi delivers bombastic and borderline over the top levels of sweet kirsch, licorice, incense, and spiced meat like characteristics that just come soaring from the glass. Full bodied, voluptuous, and sweetly fruited, yet with ripe underlying tannin and structure, as well as beautiful length and focus, this is a thrilling example of Grenache, yet not for those that shy away from large scaled, sweetly fruited wines. I'm a huge fan however and would drink bottles over the coming 4-6 years.
VM 90 (11/2012): Ruby-red. Deep, smoky, rather powerful aromas of red and dark berry compote, dried cherry and vanilla. Fleshy and sweet, displaying an exotic array of red and dark fruit and floral scents underscored by anise and espresso. The plump, expansive finish is long, appealingly sweet and gently tannic. Josh Raynolds.
WA 88 (8/2012): Another standout, the 2009 En Gedi (Grenache) is bigger and riper in style than the Offering. It shows good intensity in its fruit but the oak tannins appear to dry out the finish, which is surprising considering the vast majority of the barrels are seasoned. Hints of tobacco, anise and spices are layered into the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. |
|
| Shafer Vineyards |
2009 |
Relentless Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 95 (11/2012): Brimming with dark, rich berry, loamy earth, crushed rock and espresso. This is a powerful expression that is also tapered and sophisticated, ending with all kinds of subtle nuances that come alive on the finish. Syrah and Petite Sirah. Best from 2013 through 2024.
WA 93 (12/2011): The 2009 Relentless is a big, explosive wine bursting with dark red fruit, flowers and spices. This is a young wine with plenty of life, but the 100% new French oak is a bit more obvious here, which suggests the wine may not quite have the stuffing to support the oak. Floral notes reappear on the finish, adding brightness and lift. In 2009 the blend is 82% Syrah and 18% Petit Sirah. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. |
|
| Sharecropper's Wine Company |
2009 |
Pinot Noir |
$8.50 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Charles Smith |
2009 |
Royal City Syrah |
$99 |
6 |
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| WA 92 (12/2012): Representing the fourth installment of a wine designed to showcase what he treats as his Cinderella vineyard (though it's not actually his), with whose Syrah vines as he puts it "we hit it out of the ballpark already with the first vintage," Smith's 2009 Syrah Stoneridge Vineyard Royal City combines amazing density of sappy cassis, cherry concentrate, bitter huckleberry, licorice and road tar with vibratory impingement of brown spices, citrus rind, brined anchovy, and some je ne sais quoi that, as with numerous other Washington behemoths, it manages to pull from an environmental stock of energy. All of that said, you'll have to really like the particular flavors on exhibit here to want to imbibe them at this level of near-overwhelming concentration; overnight the only change I noted was the emergence of a faintly caramelized and rancid note from oak; and whether the strong tannins that lurk beneath this wine's sweet, viscous, tarry surface will remain well-blanketed as it evolves in bottle only time can tell. (I'll hope to taste one of the four previous vintages of Royal City next year, but even so, wine built to this scale must count as very young still at only age six or less.) Naturally it hasn't escaped me that most of my fellow critics have praised these Royal City wines as if they represented the proverbial Shining City on the Hill of Syrah, and some friends I especially respect have written eloquently of their virtues. I guess I have to part ways with them in the degree of excitement I find myself able to muster for an, as yet at least, rather amorphous syrup of Syrah, even one so startlingly shot through with virtual lightning bolts of energy. But, as already suggested, I'll hope to find out what precipitates from this big, dark vinous storm cloud over the years. |
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| Spring Mountain Vineyard |
2009 |
Co-ferment Syrah |
$30 |
3 |
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2009 |
Elivette Proprietary Blend |
$110 |
3 |
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| VM 89 (5/2013): (55% cabernet sauvignon, 22% cabernet franc, 12% petit verdot, 10% merlot and 1% malbec): Bright dark red. Musky currant, dark cherry and smoky oak on the nose; less exotic than the 2008. Then riper and sweeter in the mouth, with currant and salty mineral flavors complicated by nuances of chocolate, cedar, mint and mocha. Finishes dry in an Old World way, with a solid spine of dusty tannins. Still quite oaky but this has a fresh minerality and a silkiness that I didn't find in the 2008 release. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2009 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
1 |
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| VM 89+ (5/2013): Good red-ruby. Black- and redcurrant, licorice, mocha, chocolate mint and herbs on the nose. Juicy, spicy, bright and light on its feet, offering an attractive balance of dark fruit, oak and mineral components. Nicely delineated, youthfully medicinal cabernet, finishing with firm but suave tannins and slowly mounting persistence. Potentially outstanding. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Stags' Leap Winery |
2009 |
Block 20 Merlot |
$40 |
2 |
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2009 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$50 |
2 |
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| VM 87 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is an attractive wine laced with sweet red cherries, flowers and spices. Hints of licorice and mint add complexity to the feminine finish. This forward, juicy Cabernet is best enjoyed over the next few years. Antonio Galloni. |
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2009 |
Napa Valley Petite Sirah |
$30 |
1 |
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2009 |
The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon |
$70 |
1 |
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| Terlato Vineyards |
2009 |
Episode Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$169.15 |
1 |
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| Twomey Cellars (Silver Oak) |
2009 |
Merlot |
$30 |
2 |
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| Vineyard 7 & 8 |
2009 |
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$95 |
1 |
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WA 94 (10/2018): The deep garnet-purple colored 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate opens with explosive preserved plums, blueberry compote and Black Forest cake with Chinese five spice, chocolate box and licorice hints. The palate is big, rich, full, fruity and gregarious with tons of exotic spices, blue and black fruit flavors and a velvety texture, finishing long and lively.
VM 91+ (7/2019): Bright, dark red. A slight medicinal cast to the aromas of blackcurrant, licorice, wild sage and dark chocolate. Briary blueberry and blackcurrant fruit and torrefaction flavors are complicated by licorice and menthol and lifted by a repeating note of wild herbs. At once thick and juicy, this chewy, mountain-style Cabernet finishes with a hint of warmth and some acidity yet to be absorbed. I suspect this wine is passing through an awkward stage, so I'd hold it for another couple of years before pulling the cork. (14.8% alcohol) (Drink between 2021-2034). Stephen Tanzer. |
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