|
|
 |
| |
Inventory updated: Tue, Aug 18, 2026 04:02 PM cst
2009 K Vintners The Hidden Syrah
Vintage: 2009
Region: USA Red
Color/Type: Red
Size: 750 ML
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| K Vintners |
2016 |
Motor City Kitty Oldfield-Boushey Vyd. Syrah  |
$41 |
4 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (4/2019): Coming from the highest point in the Boushey vineyard and a mix of Syrah clones, the 2016 Motor City Kitty Old Field Boushey Vineyard was fermented all in concrete (no destemming) and brought up in neutral oak. Game, olives, white pepper, and darker fruits all emerge from this Côte Rôtie look-alike. With medium to full-bodied richness and a layered texture, it’s one of the greatest values out there, so if you see a bottle, you should buy it. This is another formidable lineup from Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, who have recently moved their winemaking facility from Walla Walla to just outside of Seattle. All of the pure Bordeaux variety blends/releases have been moved to the Wine of Substance label (also reviewed in this report), and the K Vintners label is reserved for Rhône variety releases. By and large, these are all not destemmed and brought mostly in neutral puncheons. As I’ve said in the past, these are the real deal and are brilliant wines. (Drink between 2019-2027) |
|
|
2014 |
Powerline Estate Syrah |
$49 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (10/2017): Bright ruby-red. Black raspberry, cherry, mocha and smoky oak on the alluring nose, complicated by a hint of licorice pastille. Fat, sweet, utterly seamless wine with a deep spiciness to its shapely red fruit and smoked sausage flavors. Perhaps most impressive today on the slowly building finish, where the tannins arrive late, saturating the tongue and spreading out horizontally. This classically dry, full wine comes from an estate vineyard that, according to Leighton, "provides Rocks quality but with better, higher-altitude acidity." Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2015 |
Powerline Estate Syrah |
$55 |
4 |
|
| |
| JD 95 (4/2018): blend of 80/20 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the 2015 Cabernet / Syrah The Creator Powerline Vineyard offers a perfumed, singular bouquet of blackcurrants, ripe black cherries, tobacco, peat, and olive tapenade. This ripe, sexy, opulent effort has sweet tannin, a layered, rounded, sexy style, and a great finish. It's a pure, sexy red to drink over the coming decade. One of the highlight tastings I do in Washington State is unquestionably with Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, who together produce a sensational lineup of Rhône and Bordeaux blends, as well as a seriously good Tempranillo and Sangiovese. The majority of the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated cuvees have been moved from the K Vintners label to the Wine of Substance label, which are also reviewed in this report. All the Rhône blends are not destemmed, see native ferments, and are aged mostly in used French oak. These are the real deal and are brilliant wines. (Drink between 2018-2028) |
|
|
2015 |
The Beautiful Syrah |
$59 |
3 |
|
| |
| JD 97 (4/2018): Co-fermented with 4% Viognier, the 2015 Syrah The Beautiful Powerline Vineyard was fermented with plenty of stems and brought up mostly in neutral oak. Candied violets, game, blackcurrants, and incense notes all emerge from this beautiful, seamless beauty. It has a rich, full-bodied profile on the palate as well as a great mid-palate, fine tannin, and nicely integrated acidity. This is another singular, layered, silky beauty from this team. Keep in mind, this comes from very young vines, so I suspect the best is yet to come here, which is saying something at this quality level. One of the highlight tastings I do in Washington State is unquestionably with Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, who together produce a sensational lineup of Rhône and Bordeaux blends, as well as a seriously good Tempranillo and Sangiovese. The majority of the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated cuvees have been moved from the K Vintners label to the Wine of Substance label, which are also reviewed in this report. All the Rhône blends are not destemmed, see native ferments, and are aged mostly in used French oak. These are the real deal and are brilliant wines. (Drink between 2018-2030) |
|
|
2016 |
The Boy Grenache |
$45 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 97 (4/2019): In the running for the best Grenache from Washington, the 2016 Grenache The Boy Powerline Vineyard is a single vineyard release from a site in the Walla Walla Valley and was brought up in neutral oak. It has a Rayas-like perfume of rose petals, black raspberries, cherries, spice, and smoked meat. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, thrilling textured, seamless Grenache that has a stacked mid-palate, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. Hats off to the team at K Vintners for this incredible Grenache! This is another formidable lineup from Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, who have recently moved their winemaking facility from Walla Walla to just outside of Seattle. All of the pure Bordeaux variety blends/releases have been moved to the Wine of Substance label (also reviewed in this report), and the K Vintners label is reserved for Rhône variety releases. By and large, these are all not destemmed and brought mostly in neutral puncheons. As I’ve said in the past, these are the real deal and are brilliant wines. (Drink between 2020-2028). |
|
|
2013 |
The Cattle King Syrah |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (6/2016): The 2013 Syrah Cattle King is a smokin', layered, sexy, voluptuous Syrah that does everything right. Coming from the River Rock Vineyard in Walla Walla and the Upland Vineyard in Snipes Mountain, not destemmed and brought up all in larger barrels, this beauty offers a sensational perfume of smoked meats, pepper, licorice, black olives and assorted ripe black fruits. Deep, layered and concentrated, yet always light on its feet and elegant, this fabulous Syrah has a terrific mid-palate, a core of sweet fruit and blockbuster length. It's a tour de force in vintage and certainly one of the top wines. It needs a decant if drinking anytime soon, but should be at its best from 2020 to 2038. |
|
|
2012 |
The Creator Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 90+ (11/2015): (aged in 70% new barriques, which Leighton notes is a much higher percentage than is used for the Syrahs): Bright ruby-red. Sexy aromas of cassis, blackberry and licorice lifted by a floral topnote. Juicy, supple and perfumed, offering a fine-grained texture and a light touch to the nicely delineated dark berry and floral flavors. Firm tannins build with air. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2013 |
The Creator Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (11/2016): (the Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are co-fermented): Healthy dark red. Musky red berry and plum aromas are complicated by mocha, truffle, anise, lemon thyme, tarragon and licorice. Smooth, densely packed wine with enticing aromatic lift and subtle herbal nuances. Finishes with broad, fine-grained tannins and excellent length. (Drink between 2017-2023). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2016 |
The Creator Proprietary Blend |
$59 |
2 |
|
| |
| JD 97 (4/2019): An 80/20 split of Cabernet and Syrah from a site in the Walla Walla Valley, the 2016 Cabernet / Syrah The Creator Powerline Vineyard offers lots of bloody black and blue fruit, black olive, beef blood, and pepper herb aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, it has silky tannins and shows surprising elegance and finesse on the palate. It’s a “Wow” wine that should be snatched up by readers. This is another formidable lineup from Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, who have recently moved their winemaking facility from Walla Walla to just outside of Seattle. All of the pure Bordeaux variety blends/releases have been moved to the Wine of Substance label (also reviewed in this report), and the K Vintners label is reserved for Rhône variety releases. By and large, these are all not destemmed and brought mostly in neutral puncheons. As I’ve said in the past, these are the real deal and are brilliant wines. (Drink between 2021-2033) |
|
|
2013 |
The Deal Sundance Vyd. Syrah |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (6/2016): Coming all from the Sundance Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, the medium-ruby colored 2013 Syrah The Deal Sundance Vineyard is a unique, singular Syrah that gives up beautiful notes of kirsch, blackberries, sandy, dried soils and hints of olive tapenade. Full-bodied, concentrated, with a great mid-palate and satin-textured tannins, it will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for a decade after that. |
|
|
2014 |
The Deal Sundance Vyd. Syrah |
$35 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (6/2017): Coming from the Wahluke slope and 100% Syrah fermented (all native) with no destemming and aged in 30% new 500-liter or larger barrels, the 2014 Syrah The Deal Sundance Vineyard has a killer bouquet of black pepper, currants, blueberries, graphite and dried herbs. Full-bodied, seamless, pure and with no hard edges, it is indeed a screaming "deal"! |
|
|
2015 |
The Deal Sundance Vyd. Syrah |
$35 |
4 |
|
| |
| JD 95 (4/2018): All from the Sundance Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, the 2015 Syrah The Deal (100% Syrah, not destemmed and aged in 30% new puncheons) offers smoking notes of red and black fruits, black olive, smoked earth and a huge meatiness. Full-bodied, silky and seamless, with a rock, mineral, backward style. One of the highlight tastings I do in Washington State is unquestionably with Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, who together produce a sensational lineup of Rhône and Bordeaux blends, as well as a seriously good Tempranillo and Sangiovese. The majority of the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated cuvees have been moved from the K Vintners label to the Wine of Substance label, which are also reviewed in this report. All the Rhône blends are not destemmed, see native ferments, and are aged mostly in used French oak. These are the real deal and are brilliant wines. (Drink between 2020-2028) |
|
|
2009 |
The Hidden Syrah |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2011 |
The Hidden Syrah |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (6/2014): Aged in 100% new 500 liter barrels, the 2011 Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard is an incredible Syrah that gives up pure aromas and flavors of blackberry, ground pepper, minerality, and dried spices and hints of vanilla in its full-bodied, elegant and seamless profile. Slightly more mid-weight than prior vintages, yet with beautiful concentration and solid mid-palate depth, it has enough tannin and richness to evolve gracefully for over a decade as well. |
|
|
2014 |
The Hidden Syrah |
$74 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 99 (6/2017): I continue to feel that this is one of the top Syrahs coming out Washington today, and it certainly doesn't get the notoriety it deserves. The 2014 Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard is up there with the best of them and comes from a 93-acre vineyard that lies on a south-facing, gravel slope in the foothills of the Saddle Mountain range. This is one of the warmest and driest regions in the state. This deep ruby/purple tinged effort offers a sensational, deep, rich and concentrated style that closes down quickly in the glass. Black cherries, wet earth, lavender and incense characteristics dominate the bouquet, and it has a core of sweet fruit, ripe tannin and a blockbuster finish. Give bottles 2-4 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following decade or more.
VM 94 (10/2017): (from vines planted in 1999; four clones were co-fermented): Bright ruby-red. Very pure if slightly high-toned aromas of black cherry, currant and licorice, lifted by treble notes of wild herbs and lavender. Fat, sweet and plush, but with a distinctly sappy impression and strong mineral pungency giving its broad dark fruit and spice flavors a magically light touch. Wonderfully dense, spicy Syrah with a very long, rising finish. Leighton told me that this wine is "everything I want in a Syrah," noting that the 2009 version is "as young as this one" and needs a leg of lamb. Incidentally, this is the same vineyard on broken basalt and caliche that provides the fruit for the Barbera, Merlot and Primitivo wines made under the CasaSmith label. (Drink between 2018-2026). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2016 |
The Hidden Syrah |
$69 |
6 |
|
| |
JD 99 (4/2019): Flirting with perfection, the 2016 Syrah The Hidden is a classic example of the old saying “an iron fist in a velvet glove.” Beautiful notes of dark fruits, damp earth, iron, and crushed rocks as well as ground pepper all emerge from this full-bodied effort that has no hard edges, a terrific mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a finish that goes on for over a minute. It’s a brilliant, brilliant Syrah and one of the wines of the vintage. This is another formidable lineup from Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, who have recently moved their winemaking facility from Walla Walla to just outside of Seattle. All of the pure Bordeaux variety blends/releases have been moved to the Wine of Substance label (also reviewed in this report), and the K Vintners label is reserved for Rhône variety releases. By and large, these are all not destemmed and brought mostly in neutral puncheons. As I’ve said in the past, these are the real deal and are brilliant wines. (Drink between 2019-2031).
WA 96+ (12/2019): The nose of the 2016 Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard offers a round, open-knit and voluptuous expression of dark red and black fruit characteristics—dusty plum skin, blackberry jus and cherry compote—over a wet rock minerality and savory black spices with hints of sweet oak. Full-bodied, the palate is generous but still has a rigidity to the mid-palate, with a note of bitter espresso and gripping tannic backbone. Ending with a long, spicy finish, the wine is going to go the distance and live for decades if you can just forget about it in your cellar. It will be a lucky day if you add any of the 684-case production to your cellar.
VM 94 (12/2019): Bright red-ruby. Musky dark raspberry, leather, black pepper and a whiff of shoe polish on the complex nose; yet more evidence of how different all these Syrah cuvées are. A seriously vibrant, fine-grained midweight in the mouth, offering terrific perfumed lift to its nuanced flavors of raspberry, spices, lavender and dried oregano. A hint of almost lemony acidity and a suggestion of orange peel contribute to the overall impression of vibrancy and lift. Smooth tannins saturate the front teeth on the very long, spicy aftertaste. (from broken volcanic soils with a bit of limestone) (Drink between 2020-2028). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| 21 Grams |
2009 |
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (11/2012): Full ruby-red. Brooding, dark aromas of black cherry, raspberry, cola, licorice and brown spices. Lush on entry, then vinous and firm in the middle, with a strong acid spine currently keeping the wine's dark fruit flavors under wraps. The dusty, lightly saline, energetic finish features serious oak-driven tannins that will need bottle aging to harmonize. Lay this one down. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Alban Vineyards |
2009 |
Alban Estate Grenache |
$120 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (12/2012): Opaque purple. Heady aromas of candied blackberry, blueberry and licorice, complicated by pungent notes of vanilla, violet and allspice. Lush, intensely flavored and broad, offering deep dark berry and cherry compote flavors and an exotic floral nuance. Finishes smooth and very long, with resonating spiciness, a hint of licorice and sweet tannins. |
|
| Alpha Omega |
2009 |
Krupp Brothers Vyd. Syrah |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Anakota |
2009 |
Helena Dakota Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 95 (1/2020): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard explodes from the glass with wonderfully profound, expressive notions of baked plums, Black Forest cake, chargrill, molten rocks, tapenade and woodsmoke with nuances of dried flowers, bay leaves, truffles and unsmoked cigars. Full-bodied and firm, with fantastic freshness, the palate is laden with black fruit preserves and savory layers, finishing on a lingering savory note.
VM 93 (7/2019): Bright medium ruby. Musky aromas of blue and black fruits, violet, licorice and minerals, complicated by a liqueur-like suggestion and some sexy oak tones. Densely packed and fine-grained, conveying lovely inner-mouth mineral lift as well as a distinct thickness of texture to its flavors of dark fruits, spices and crushed rock. This wonderfully suave yet penetrating Cabernet offers a terrific combination of sweetness, vibrancy and definition. Finishes tactile and very long. Delicious! (14.5% alcohol) (Drink between 2019-2033). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2009 |
Helena Montana Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (10/2013): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard comes across as one of the most tannic, backward wines I tasted from any of the four vintages I was looking at during my extensive trip to Napa Valley in late August and early September. Very extracted with high tannins (almost excessive), this 2009 is built like an old style Bordeaux with lots of red and black fruits, graphite and noticeable oak. Forget it for a long, long time. |
|
| Aratas |
2009 |
Napa Valley Petite Sirah |
$50 |
4 |
|
| |
|
| Aubert |
2009 |
Ritchie Vyd. Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (2/2012): The 2009 Pinot Noir Ritchie Vineyard wraps around the palate with layers of deep black cherries, cola, spices and French oak. This is a big Ritchie endowed with gorgeous textural depth and a refined, sweeping finish. The influence of the Calera clone is felt in the wine’s weight and density. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2019. |
|
| Beringer |
2009 |
Chabot Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (5/2012): Medium ruby. Very pure, mineral-tinged aromas of blackberry, cassis and violet. Creamy on entry, then a bit narrower in the middle before opening nicely with aeration to show more sweetness and good depth. Elegant, intensely flavored cabernet with a rising finish featuring ripe tannins and a late note of dark chocolate. |
|
|
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 |
Chapitre 3 Syrah Signed Bottle |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2012): A bottling from selected barrels of Ciel du Cheval, Ranch at the End of the Road, and Boushey vineyards (such as was also rendered in 2005), Betz’s 2009 Syrah Chapitre 3 displays formidable tannins and a tight, almost tense character – flatteringly high glycerol notwithstanding – that easily explains why he didn’t release it until a year later than his other wines of this vintage. If the Cote Patriarche from this year merits my adjective “sinister,” this Chapitre 3 is playing bass notes way below the bar line. Blackberry and cassis mingle with soy, bitter chocolate, and charred roasted red meat. The berry juiciness here is strongly marked by bitterness of pit and invigorating crunch of seeds, contributing to a profound, reverberative finish at once brooding and energetically charged. This is going to be quite something to follow over the next ten or a dozen years. |
|
|
2009 |
La Cote Patriarche Syrah (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (10/2011): (from Red Willow Vineyard vines planted in 1986): Bright red-ruby. Wild, musky aromas of strawberry, flint, roasted meat, bacon fat, iodine and fresh blood. Lush and sweet in the mouth, with a wonderfully fine-grained texture that almost hides the wine's intensity and complexity today. The long, youthfully imploded finish features sweet tannins and a piquant note of white pepper. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
2009 |
La Cote Rousse Syrah (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
| 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. |
|
|
2009 |
La Serenne Syrah (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (10/2011): (100% Phelps clone, from Boushey Vineyard; the crop load was low in 2009 due to a poor set): Bright ruby-red. Pungent, musky aromas of blueberry, cocoa powder and flowers. Juicy and light on its feet, with lovely definition and grip to its berry and floral flavors. An intriguing wild streak runs through this wine from start to very long, firmly tannic finish. Not at all a thick style of syrah, but has the backbone to develop more nuance with bottle age. |
|
|
2009 |
Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$135 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (8/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille is made up of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, and 8% Merlot aged for 16 months in 65% new French oak. Doing a fine impersonation of a classified growth Pauillac, it offers up a nose of sandalwood, Asian spices, incense, herbal notes, violets, black currants, and blackberry. This sets the stage for an already complex, elegant, smooth-textured, structured wine that will evolve for another 5-7 years. This lengthy, impressive effort will offer prime time drinking from 2016 to 2029. |
|
| Blankiet |
2009 |
Paradise Hills Vyd. Proprietary Blend Signed Bottle |
$165 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 96 (5/2015): (82% Cabernet Sauvignon): Good deep red-ruby. Captivating aromas of cassis, plum, mocha, smoke and wild herbs. Plush and seamless on the palate, with an element of soil-driven salinity complicating the rich fruit flavors of red and blackcurrant, mulberry and plum. In a warmer style at 14.9% alcohol but with so much mid-palate stuffing that it does not come off as alcoholic. The building tannins are sweet and even, allowing the wine's fruit to linger. A spectacular result for 2009: wonderfully harmonious, ripe and long. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 95 (10/2013): The 2009 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard (81.8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16.7% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that achieved 14.9% alcohol) exhibits a beautiful perfume of scorched earth, chocolate, espresso beans, creme de cassis, plums and Asian spices. Full-bodied, deep and just beginning to strut its stuff, with formidable tannins in the finish, it has 20-25 years of upside potential. |
|
| Bonny Doon |
2009 |
Le Cigare Volant Reserve en Bonbonne Red |
$50 |
5 |
|
| |
JD 92 (8/2017): More youthful than the classic cuvée (the only difference between the two however is the élevage), the 2009 Le Cigare Volant Reserve was aged 18 months in airtight glass jars before being bottled unfiltered. Notes of black pepper, violets, earth and some meatiness flow to a medium-bodied, elegant, nicely concentrated wine that shows lots of Syrah character and complexity. Drink it over the coming 6-7 years.
VM 91 (8/2015): Deep red. Smoke- and spice-accented aromas of dried cherry, redcurrant and lavender, with a hint of anise in the background. Smooth and broad on entry, then tighter in the middle, offering bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that put on weight with aeration. The spicy quality comes back on a very long, sappy, penetrating finish that features fully resolved tannins and a whisper of spicecake. (Drink between 2018-2025). Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Booker Vineyard |
2009 |
Oublie Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 93 (12/2011): Possibly the most restrained of the lineup, the 2009 Booker Vineyard Oublie ("The Forgotten One") is a blend of 34% Grenache, 33% Counoise, and 33% Mourvedre that shows deep, earthy aromas of brambly black and blue fruits, toasted spice, asphalt, and licorice on the nose. Beautifully complex, with an almost Zinfandel like spice and bramble streak, this full-bodied, pure, and decadently textured red has beautiful freshness and focus, and a long, clean finish. There's solid ripeness here, but this grows on you and keeps you coming back for another glass. It will continue to shine for another 5-8 years easily.
VM 92 (11/2011): Vivid ruby. Red and dark berry aromas show impressive clarity, with notes of licorice, lavender and rose contributing complexity. Big and densely packed but light on its feet, offering intense raspberry, boysenberry and spice flavors. Juicy and precise on the finish, which clings with excellent tenacity. This wine's marriage of power and vivacity is impressive. Josh Raynolds.
WA 92 (8/2011): The 2009 Oublie is an unusual blend of equal parts Counoise, Grenache and Mourvedre. It is a gorgeous, sensual wine laced with ripe red fruit, dried herbs, flowers and spices. The layered, refined finish is especially beautiful. To be released in 2012. |
|
|
2009 |
Tempranillo |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93 (8/2011): The 2009 Tempranillo is impressive. Dark red fruit, flowers and spices come to life in this rich, textured red. The aromas and flavors caress the palate with considerable richness and depth. The finish is long and striking for its purity. The Tempranillo was aged in 80% new barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021.
VM 91 (10/2011): Deep ruby. Candied cherry, flowers, woodsmoke and cured tobacco on the assertively perfumed nose. Deep, broad and velvety, with impressive depth and sweetness to its cherry and cassis flavors. Picks up spiciness and notes of vanilla and bitter chocolate with air and finishes with excellent clarity and lingering spiciness. I like this wine's balance. |
|
|
2009 |
The Alchemist |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94 (8/2011): The 2009 Alchemist comes across as powerful, tightly coiled and quite inward. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot add considerable structure as layers of blue and black fruit saturate the palate. This is another powerful, long wine endowed with exceptional definition and a dark, brooding personality. In 2009 the blend is 65% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot and 10% Grenache. The wine saw 55% new barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.
VM 92 (10/2011): (65% syrah, 15% cabernet sauvignon and 10% each of petit verdot and grenache): Deep, glass-staining ruby. A sexy, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes dark berry preserves, cherry-cola, Asian spices and violet. No way I'd have guessed that syrah was the dominant variety in this lively wine, and I mean that in a positive way. Lithe and precise, given its size, with pure black raspberry and floral pastille flavors that stain the palate. A pure and focused blend with seductive finishing florality and superb length. |
|
|
2009 |
Vertigo Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93 (8/2011): The 2009 Vertigo is another impeccable wine graced with exquisite silky red fruit, flowers and spices, all of which meld together seamlessly in this round, harmonious wine. The balance, length and elegance on the palate are first class from start to finish. In 2009 the blend is 48% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 17% Mourvedre, aged in 60% new French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.
VM 92 (10/2011): (48% grenache, 35% syrah and 17% mourvedre): Deep ruby. Sexy, palate-coating raspberry and blackberry flavors are complicated by Asian spices, smoke and cola. Broad, silky and alluringly sweet, with striking intensity to its deep red and dark fruit and candied rose flavors. Shows Outstanding energy and focus on the long, seamless, resoundingly spicy finish. |
|
| Bryant Family Vineyard |
2009 |
DB4 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$145 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2011): The 2009 DB 4 flows across the palate with heady notes of rose petals, sweet red berries and truffles. It is a gorgeous, totally sexy wine that captures the essence of the Bryant house style at a price that is affordable for mere mortals. Finessed, silky tannins grace the exceptional, polished finish. This is a terrific showing from Don Bryant and his team. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2021. |
|
| Bunnell Family Cellar |
2009 |
Lia |
$20 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 88 (6/2014): A blend of 28% Mourvedre, 28% Cinsault, 14% Syrah and the balance Petite Sirah, the 2009 Lia gives up loads of briar and bramble to go with notions of mulberry, cooked red and blackberry fruit, licorice and cedar. This medium to full-bodied, rounded, textured and delicious effort should be consumed over the coming couple of years. |
|
| Cadence |
2009 |
Bel Canto Red Mtn. Cara Mia Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$100 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (12/2011): (80% cabernet franc, 10% merlot and 10% petit verdot): Bright ruby-red. Highly aromatic nose offers black fruits, licorice, bitter chocolate and Christmas spices. Then almost shockingly velvety on the palate, with an insinuating sweetness to the deep black fruit and violet flavors. Finishes spicy, violety and very long, with broad, building tannins that saturate the entire mouth. These wines are awfully impressive in the context of the vintage and seem set for a slow and graceful evolution in bottle. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2009 |
Camerata Cara Mia Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$110 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92+ (12/2011): (73% cabernet sauvignon and 9% each cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot): Bright ruby-red. Claret-like aromas of currant, red cherry, flowers, minerals, licorice, cola and menthol. Juicy, spicy and pliant, with a silky texture and a medicinal reserve to the crushed cassis and spicecake flavors. Finishes with serious but sweet tannins and a wave of fruit. I might have guessed Saint-Julien in a blind tasting. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Cakebread Cellars |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Carlisle |
2009 |
Cardiac Hill Syrah |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 93+ (6/2011): Opaque purple. Smoky red and dark berry aromas are complemented by classic syrah notes of olive tapenade, minerals and black pepper. Tangy, spice-accented black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors are braced by dusty tannins and pick up an exotic violet note on the back end. Taut, focused and very fresh, finishing with excellent cut and peppery persistence. This is still a baby. This was also fermented with 40% whole clusters, said Officer. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 93 (2/2012): The 2009 Syrah Cardiac Hill is a gorgeous, thrilling wine laced with bacon fat, tapenade, savory herbs and plums. It possesses gorgeous aromatic delineation and fabulous length. The intense, mineral-drenched finish argues for cellaring the wine for at least another 2-3 years, but readers are going to have a very hard time keeping their hands off this gem. Cardiac Hill is a very cold site. The wine (100% Syrah) was vinified with 40% whole cluster and aged in French oak barrels, 27% new. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. |
|
|
2009 |
Pelkan Ranch Syrah |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (5/2011): Inky purple. Potent aromas of cassis, cherry liqueur, blueberry, exotic spices, violet and graphite. Incredibly deep, powerfully structured wine with sappy dark fruit flavors laced with espresso, violet, cola, star anise and cracked pepper. For all its power this wine comes across as almost racy, with wonderful lift and energy from bright, juicy acidity. The deep, sappy blackcurrant and blueberry flavors refuse to let up on the long, spicy finish. No stems were used here and the wine was raised in 50% new French barriques. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Caymus |
2009 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$95 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon |
$235 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Col Solare |
2009 |
Proprietary Red |
$65 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 93+ (6/2013): The most structured and tannic of the lineup and a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Malbec that was harvested during the second week of September, the 2009 Col Solare obviously comes from a warm vintage. Offering up ripe, decadently styled aromas of blackberry, kirsch, licorice and classic Red Mountain crushed stone-like minerality (42% of the blend is from Red Mountain) on the nose, it is a big rich 2009 that has solid mid-palate depth and layers of fruit that only partially cover full-throttle tannin. Needing time to round into shape, it will benefit from another 2-3 years of bottle- age and have a solid 15+ years of overall longevity.
VM 92 (10/2025): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon wafts up with mentholated freshness, mixing balsamic-laced black cherries, clove and minty herbs. It's round and cooling on the palate, with tart red berry fruits and a subtle citrus tinge. This tapers off with a gentle tug of residual tannins and medium length, leaving a slight sour twang to resonate. (Drink between 2025-2030). Eric Guido. |
|
| Culler |
2009 |
Syrah |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Syrah Scuffed Label |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Dancing Hares |
2009 |
Proprietary Blend |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 94 (11/2013): The 2009 Dancing Hares Red Wine is deep, plush and inviting. Dark red berries, plums, smoke, tobacco, licorice and menthol all flesh out in the glass. Sensual and beautifully layered throughout, the 2009 is impeccable in its balance. It should be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Antonio Galloni.
WA 93 (10/2013): The 2009 Dancing Hares is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in 90% new French oak. It exhibits a dark ruby/purple color, supple, sensual tannins and notes of incense, red and black currants, licorice, and hints of wet pebbles as well as baking spices. This attractive, medium to full-bodied red suggests a hypothetical blend of a top Bordeaux with the fruit intensity and purity of a high end Napa proprietary red. This beauty can be enjoyed now and over the next 15 years. |
|
| Den Hoed |
2009 |
Andreas Wallula Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$69 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 95 (6/2013): My favorite of these new releases, and possessing a fantastic mix of richness and structure, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Andreas is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 30 months in 90% new French oak. Featuring knockout richness and depth, this massively fruited, yet elegant effort offers up aromas of black currants, licorice, tobacco leaf, mint and mulled spices to go with an unctuous, chewy texture on the palate. Count me a fan of this big, rich, butremarkably balanced and fresh wine. There’s certainly some tannin present on the palate, but the overall impression here is one of polish and richness. Enjoy it over the coming decade or so. Drink now-2024+.
VM 90 (11/2013): Good full, bright ruby. Very ripe, savory aromas of dark cherry and bitter chocolate. Mellow and deep on the palate, showing an inviting nutty quality to the raspberry, redcurrant and plum fruit flavors. Finishes with broad, ripe tannins and noteworthy persistence. Offers a lovely balance between its body and its acid/tannin structure. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Donum |
2009 |
East Slope Pinot Noir |
$85 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Russian River Reserve Pinot Noir |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Doubleback |
2009 |
Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon |
$85 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (12/2012): Only around 30% of Bledsoe’s and Figgins’ 2009 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon – which incorporates 10% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot – is estate-grown, but that percentage is expected to double over the next three years, and eventually Bledsoe envisions an estate wine. Creme de cassis and jellied elderberry dominate the proceedings here, with a lovely but not overdone sense of sweetness, and inflected by hints of dried green herbs, cedar, and a welcome, soy-like saline savor that ensures a mouthwatering finish. While quite evident, the abundant tannins here are fine-grained and in no way disturb the impression of seamlessly pristine fruit. I suspect this will be worth following for at least the better part of a decade. |
|
| Efeste |
2009 |
Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon Slightly Depressed Cork |
$60 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Ehlers Estate |
2009 |
1886 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Merlot |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Petit Verdot |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Epoch Estate Wines |
2009 |
Authenticity Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Paderewski Vyd. Block B Syrah |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Paderewski Vyd. Veracity Proprietary Blend |
$60 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (11/2011): (36% grenache, 32% mourvedre and 32% syrah, aged in 38% new French barrels and the rest in puncheons; 15.7% alcohol): Bright purple. Intensely perfumed aromas of blackberry, blueberry, anise and violet, with a touch of cinnamon in the background. Juicy, palate-staining red and dark berry flavors show excellent clarity and depth, with a suave floral pastille quality on the back half. The red fruit element carries through on the smooth, very long finish. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Etude |
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 Red Wine |
$60 |
9 |
|
| |
| 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 Red Wine |
$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 Red Wine |
$60 |
1 |
|
| |
| 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 IV Red Wine |
$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 Reserve Syrah |
$60 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (6/2013): The 2009 Collaboration Series Reserve Syrah is similar to the 2005 and 2006 Reserve Syrahs with its up-front, sexy and almost slutty kirsch and blackberry liqueur-styled fruit, graphite, roasted meats, dried flowers and underbrush-like aromas and flavors. Despite the extended time in barrel, it remains supremely pure and fresh, which, let me tell you, is not always the case with wines that have spent over three years in barrel! Full-bodied, supple and hard to resist, with a core of sweet fruit, a layered, rich texture and a big finish, it is ready to go now and I see no reason to delay gratification. A decade or more of longevity is most likely on the conservative side. Drink now 2022. |
|
|
2009 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series Sangiovese |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series V Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 88 (12/2012): The 2009 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Collaboration Series V represents a self-described attempt by McBride and Johnson – in collaboration with Chris Gorman – to render a “head-turning wine” showcasing this vineyard’s oldest Cabernet vines. It’s all Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented as well as aged in all-new oak, and dominated by scents of flavors of creme de cassis, chocolate, vanilla, caramelized wood resin and banana oil. For as much as its scents are confectionary and torrefied, I expected a more superficially sweet palate impression, but any such tendency is checked by a very prominent mouthful of tannin, and this finishes with a slightly dry spot and considerable gum-numbing and chew. I hope it was just going through a tough patch when I tasted it, and I won’t try to forecast its future evolution on the basis of this one acquaintance, other than to express tentative skepticism. |
|
|
2009 |
Collaboration Series V Red Wine |
$70 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Frank Family |
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
| Futo |
2009 |
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon |
$209 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Gorman |
2009 |
The Bully Cabernet Sauvignon |
$60 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 90 (12/2012): Blended with a manifestly potent 10-15% of Petit Verdot (the stats he handed me differed from those on his web site), Gorman’s Red Mountain 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon The Bully was, like most of his reds, aged for 21 months in 100% new barriques, and you certainly can’t claim that there is too little vinous stuff here to have stood up to that regimen! Stewed and confitured black fruits are mingled with roasted beet, toasted walnut, vanilla, and pencil lead. Massive and tannic even as it is extremely sweetly fruited, this finishes with a lick of mouthwatering salinity and a Washington-typical twang to its amped-up guitar. There being no wine-sensing equivalent of ear plugs, some tasters are forewarned and others – I trust you’ll know who you are – will be more profoundly moved than this one. I really hope I can revisit this in a few years but I’m not able to predict the direction it’s headed. |
|
| Gramercy Cellars |
2009 |
Lagniappe Syrah |
$59 |
2 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (6/2012): Showing even better from bottle than barrel (or, said in another way, I under rated it), the 2009 Gramercy Cellars Syrah "Lagniappe" (100% Syrah fermented with 15% whole cluster) is a smoking Syrah that shows the cooler-climate side to Washington State Syrah. Meaty, gamey, and complex, with loads of sweet raspberry and blackberry fruit, ground pepper, smoked meats, lavender, and wild herb like aromas on the nose, it is medium to full-bodied on the palate, with a layered texture, juicy acidity, and a round, seamless, and surprisingly supple profile. It’s impressive now, yet will be even better in 3-4 years, and drink well for 12-15. |
|
| Grgich Hills |
2009 |
Miljenko’s Old Vine Zinfandel |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Hayfork |
2009 |
Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon |
$59 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch is a bold, juicy wine bursting with blackberries, blueberries, flowers and mint. It shows gorgeous balance in an overt, forward style best suited for drinking over the near and mid term. Layers of flavor build to the effortless, textured finish. The 2009 is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot that spent 19 months in French oak barrels, 70% new. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2019. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Hidden Ridge |
2009 |
Impassable Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$150 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Paul Hobbs |
2009 |
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$225 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (6/2012): Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Napa Valley) Inky purple. Complex, heady bouquet evokes red and dark berry preserves, incense and dried flowers, with star anise and allspice overtones gaining strength with air. Juicy, palate-staining black raspberry and cassis flavors show excellent depth, with chewing tobacco and vanilla nuances contributing complexity. Finishes seamless and sweet, with outstanding energy and persistence. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2009 |
Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$199 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (6/2012): Inky purple. High-pitched aromas of red- and blackcurrant, Indian spices and potpourri, with hint of vanilla lending depth. Bright and focused on the palate, offering intense dark berry and bitter cherry flavors that expand and gain sweetness with air. Soft tannins come on late and add shape to the very long, spicy, seamless finish. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2009 |
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$249 |
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
| Hobel Wine Works |
2009 |
Engelhard Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Inglenook |
2009 |
Rubicon Rutherford Red Wine |
$109 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (12/2012): A big, imposing wine, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is going to need some time to shed its tannin and baby fat. There is plenty of weight and gravitas in the glass. Smoke, tar, chocolate, licorice and dark red raspberries are all woven into the virile, authoritative finish. In 2009 the blend is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc. (Drink between 2017-2029) |
|
| Januik |
2009 |
Reserve Red Wine (1.5 L) |
$125 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (11/2012): Good bright ruby-red. Subdued but pure nose hints at black cherry. Very silky on entry, then concentrated, serious and suave in the middle, with supple flavors of dark plum and cassis complicated by cocoa powder and sexy chocolatey oak. Finishes with ripe, pliant tannins and lovely lingering sweetness. Attractive already but has the structure to age. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| James Johnson Vineyard |
2009 |
Bisou Cabernet Sauvignon |
$59 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (12/2011): Ripe, silky tannins frame an expressive core of dark red fruit, flowers, mint and sweet spices in the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Bisou. The 2009 shows the typical flavor profile of this site, but with more volume and depth than has often been the case. All of the aromas and flavors build effortlessly to the rich, creamy finish. (Drink between 2013-2021). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Juslyn |
2009 |
Perry’s Blend Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95 (10/2013): A sexy, upfront, lush, opulently-styled effort, the 2009 Perry’s Blend Estate is a 440-case blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. This crowd-pleaser boasts medium to full body, a dense plum/purple color, and sweet black raspberry and blueberry fruit intermixed with notions of flowers, espresso and white chocolate. Enjoy this stunning red wine over the next 10-15 years.
VM 92 (12/2012): The 2009 Red Blend Perry's Blend impresses for its silky fruit and sensual, totally inviting personality. Freshly cut flowers, spices and raspberries all meld together in this graceful, medium-bodied wine. All the elements are very nicely balanced, while the Spring Mountain tannins are largely tamed. The 2009 is 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. (Drink between 2014-2024). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2009 |
Spring Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (10/2013): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, is one of my favorite wines from this area of Napa Valley. It offers lots of red, blue and black fruits intermixed with a floral component as well as sweet tannin. Combining the gorgeous ripeness and abundant fruit of Napa Cabernet with a Bordeaux-like tannic structure, this young 2009 is still an infant, but it can be enjoyed now, although another 4-6 years of bottle age will improve it even more. It is capable of lasting two more decades. |
|
| KaDieM |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$59 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Kenefick Ranch |
2009 |
Pickett Road Red Wine |
$59 |
4 |
|
| |
|
| Kosta Browne |
2009 |
Amber Ridge Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 92+ (6/2011): Deep ruby. More musky and powerful than the Keefer Ranch bottling, showing dark berry and cherry character and notes of smoked meat and mocha. Broad, chewy and powerful, offering rich cherry compote and black raspberry flavors and a note of bitter chocolate. Quite a bit richer than the excellent 2008, which is lovely right now, by the way. Finishes on a sneaky note of candied rose, with solid punch. Give this some time in bottle. |
|
|
2009 |
Rosella’s Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$123 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (6/2011): Vivid ruby. Expressive aromas of raspberry, strawberry, blood orange and sexy oak spices. Concentrated and lush, with spicy red fruit and candied rose flavors framed but not overwhelmed by smoky oak. Shows very good balance and finishes bright and sappy, with supple tannins and lingering floral character. |
|
| Larkmead Vineyards |
2009 |
Firebelle Red Wine |
$65 |
12 |
|
| |
| 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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
2009 |
Solari Cabernet Sauvignon |
$159 |
7 |
|
| |
VM 93 (8/2019): Dark red with ruby tones. Aromas of black raspberry, kirsch, mocha and graphite are lifted by a strong floral topnote and complicated by some oaky torrefaction. Plush, rich and deep, with its concentrated black fruit flavors currently muted by a medicinal menthol element. Plenty of texture and sweetness here but the wine is in a somewhat monolithic stage today. The building tannins currently cut off the wine's fruit a bit on the slightly aggressive finish. This bottle suffered by being tasted after the pair of 2010s but its underlying rocky minerality suggests that there's much more to come. Incidentally, Larkmead finished harvesting by the end of September in 2009 and thus escaped the impact of the rainstorms in early October. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 94 (1/2020): Deep garnet colored, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari charges out of the gate with bold black fruit preserves, notes of blackberry compote, crème de cassis and dried mulberries plus underlying notes of mossy tree bark, tilled soil, camphor and tobacco leaf plus a hint of spice box. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a rugged frame of chewy tannins and plenty of freshness supporting the muscular black fruits, finishing on a lingering stewed tea note. |
|
| Lewis Cellars |
2009 |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$100 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Linne Calodo |
2009 |
Outsider |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (8/2011): The 2009 Outsider is a rich, sensual wine bursting with fruit. It reveals marvelous depth and balance. Layers of dark fruit, menthol and mint wrap around the intense finish. I especially like the pliancy and generosity here. Outsider is 78% Zinfandel and 20% Syrah and 2% Mourvèdre. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2009 |
Overthinker |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Problem Child |
$50 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2011): The 2009 Problem Child shows off gorgeous inner perfume, juicy red cherries, menthol and licorice, all of which come together beautifully in this gorgeous wine. The intensity of the fruit flows gracefully to the striking, inviting finish. There is weightless, transparent quality along with expressive aromatics that makes this a totally beguiling wine. The blend is 76% Zinfandel, 15% Syrah and 9% Mourvedre. The unique qualities of Zinfandel add considerable character to this unique, gorgeous red. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. |
|
|
2009 |
Sticks and Stones |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (8/2011): The 2009 Sticks and Stones is a gorgeous wine laced with fragrant red cherries, plums, flowers, spices and sweet herbs, all of which come together beautifully. Soft and textured throughout, the 2009 Sticks and Stones shows gorgeous length and an attractive, open-knit personality. Bright red fruit notes reappear on the finish. In 2009 the blend is 64% Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre and 7% Syrah. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Long Shadows Wineries |
2009 |
Chester Kidder Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
5 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (6/2013): A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah, 17% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc that spent 30 months in 100% new French oak, the 2009 Red Wine Chester-Kidder is made by Long Shadow’s manager, Gilles Nicault, and comes from a variety of vineyards in the Columbia Valley. A big, rich wine that does everything right, it has an inky purple color to go with intense creme de cassis, raspberry, toast and spiced meat aromas on the nose. Surprisingly polished and supple on the palate, with juicy acidity, it has layers of fruit, a medium to full-bodied texture and serious length on the finish. Enjoy it over the coming 10-12 years. Drink now-2025. |
|
|
2009 |
Pedestal Merlot |
$60 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (12/2012): (83% merlot, 12% cabernet sauvignon and 5% malbec): Bright ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of black cherry, melted licorice and minerals. Sweet, ripe and strong, with a distinctly sappy quality to its black cherry and sexy oak flavors. This struck me as more masculine than the 2008 version and every bit as fresh--and in need of longer bottle aging. Finishes classically dry and long, with solid backbone. |
|
|
2009 |
Pedestal Merlot (1.5 L) |
$125 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (12/2012): (83% merlot, 12% cabernet sauvignon and 5% malbec): Bright ruby-red. Very ripe aromas of black cherry, melted licorice and minerals. Sweet, ripe and strong, with a distinctly sappy quality to its black cherry and sexy oak flavors. This struck me as more masculine than the 2008 version and every bit as fresh--and in need of longer bottle aging. Finishes classically dry and long, with solid backbone. |
|
|
2009 |
Pirouette Red Wine |
$59 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 93+ (12/2012): (58% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 12% cabernet franc and 3% malbec; 15% alcohol): Deep, bright medium ruby. Ripe, inviting aromas of cassis, black raspberry, blackberry and black licorice. Large-scaled, sweet and rich; wonderfully glossy in the mouth, with concentrated dark fruit flavors complemented by a strong element of sweet oak. This big boy finishes with lovely lingering perfume, excellent length and terrific tannic grip. This wine fermented in 400-liter wood barrels with wild yeasts. Today, this joint project of Augustin Huneeus Sr. and Philippe Melka is my early favorite among these 2009s. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2009 |
Pirouette Red Wine (1.5 L) |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93+ (12/2012): (58% cabernet sauvignon, 27% merlot, 12% cabernet franc and 3% malbec; 15% alcohol): Deep, bright medium ruby. Ripe, inviting aromas of cassis, black raspberry, blackberry and black licorice. Large-scaled, sweet and rich; wonderfully glossy in the mouth, with concentrated dark fruit flavors complemented by a strong element of sweet oak. This big boy finishes with lovely lingering perfume, excellent length and terrific tannic grip. This wine fermented in 400-liter wood barrels with wild yeasts. Today, this joint project of Augustin Huneeus Sr. and Philippe Melka is my early favorite among these 2009s. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Mayacamas Vineyards |
2009 |
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon |
$159 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 96 (2/2023): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a potent, heady wine. Dark fruit, plum, mocha, licorice, gravel and incense are all amplified. At 13 years of age, the 2009 retains tons of baby fat and intensity. I would consider cellaring it for a few years, as there is a lot of wine here. This unctuous, flamboyant style is a bit shocking to be honest, and yet it works so well. (Drink between 2022-2043). Antonio Galloni.
WA 92 (12/2023): This year's library release is the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, which still retains a vibrant dark garnet hue in the glass. On the nose, it offers up notes of dusty earth, slightly attenuated cassis and pie cherries, plus some attractive herbal nuances. It's medium-bodied and streamlined in shape on the palate, weighing in at just 13.25% alcohol, with a tart, lingering finish and just a dusting of fine tannins. It's an old-school style, very distinct from the ripe, plush wines that have largely taken over Napa Valley today, but it should still have plenty of fans.
JD 91 (12/2023): Coming from a cooler year, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon has a Bordeaux-like vibe in its red and darker, almost blue fruits as well as floral and herbal, cedary undertones. Clearly mature, yet with plenty of life ahead of it, this medium-bodied, charming, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon shines for its complexity, balance, and nuance. Enjoy bottles over the coming 10-12+ years. (Drink between 2023-2035). |
|
| Maybach |
2009 |
Materium Cabernet Sauvignon |
$175 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 94 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Materium is a gorgeous, polished wine graced with exquisite detail, clarity and focus. Tobacco, cedar and sweet spices add complexity to the fruit in this powerful, expressive 2009. Layers of dark red fruit, mocha and mint wrap around the striking, seamless finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2019.
VM 92-95 (6/2011): Full ruby-red. Reticent, subtle nose hints at cassis, tar, licorice pastille and smoke; conveys a darker quality than the 2008. Dense, backward and deep, with black fruit and licorice flavors showing an almost grapey primary character today. Focused, structured and tannic wine, extremely unevolved today. Seems less sweet than the 2008. Hard to taste now but this is likely to be long-lived. Winemaker Thomas Brown told me that the wine has been racked just twice to this point and will be bottled in June. |
|
| 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.
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. |
|
| Ch. Ste. Michelle |
2009 |
Austral Wahluke Slope Red Wine |
$15 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Cold Creek Vyd. Red Wine |
$15 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Ethos Reserve Syrah |
$25 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (11/2012): Saturated dark ruby. Port-like ripeness to the aromas of black cherry, licorice, clove and violet. Suave on entry, then quite savory in the middle, with lightly saline flavors of black fruits, licorice and chocolate lifted by slightly elevated acidity. This seamless, concentrated syrah finishes with dusty, ripe, chocolatey tannins that call for a year or two of patience. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Morlet Family Vineyards |
2009 |
Passionnement Cabernet Sauvignon |
$179 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94+ (7/2019): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of cassis, black cherry, violet and licorice, with an emerging note of black pepper; lovely perfume. Plush, fine-grained and sweet, with flavors of black fruits, violet and graphite minerality dominating. Not quite as pliant or harmonious as the Coeur de Vallee but very long and firm on the rising aftertaste, with firm but noble tannins ensuring a continued slow evolution in bottle. This very concentrated, densely packed wine possesses very good energy but still conveys an element of medicinal reserve and needs patience. No, this boasts terrific energy and precision. (15.2% alcohol) Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Mount Eden Vineyards |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$145 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (11/2013): Deep ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented cherry and blackcurrant aromas are energized by zesty minerals, picking up pipe tobacco, cedar and dried rose nuances with air. Fleshy and broad but focused too, offering intense dark berry flavors and a suggestion of bitter chocolate. A sweet vanilla quality rounds out the impressively persistent finish, which shows superb clarity and solid but well-knit tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Myriad |
2009 |
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (5/2012): (a blend of four Darnajou and two Taransaud barrels): Bright deep ruby. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice and cocoa powder. Extremely primary and dense, with a salty complexity to the rich flavors of crushed berries, violet and bitter chocolate. Big, rich and tactile wine, finishing with serious but noble tannins and a lingering note of dark chocolate. A bit lower in pH than the Georges III but every bit as sexy today in spite of its youth. |
|
|
2009 |
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon Scuffed Label |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (5/2012): (a blend of four Darnajou and two Taransaud barrels): Bright deep ruby. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice and cocoa powder. Extremely primary and dense, with a salty complexity to the rich flavors of crushed berries, violet and bitter chocolate. Big, rich and tactile wine, finishing with serious but noble tannins and a lingering note of dark chocolate. A bit lower in pH than the Georges III but every bit as sexy today in spite of its youth. |
|
|
2009 |
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$250 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (5/2012): (a blend of four Darnajou and two Taransaud barrels): Bright deep ruby. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice and cocoa powder. Extremely primary and dense, with a salty complexity to the rich flavors of crushed berries, violet and bitter chocolate. Big, rich and tactile wine, finishing with serious but noble tannins and a lingering note of dark chocolate. A bit lower in pH than the Georges III but every bit as sexy today in spite of its youth. |
|
|
2009 |
Beckstoffer Georges III Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$225 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (7/2019): Healthy ruby-red. Red and dark fruits, tobacco leaf, wild herbs, black pepper, mocha and sweet oak on the nose; conveys a distinctly leafy/menthol Cabernet Sauvignon element. Savory and moderately sweet on the palate, offering a refined texture and a blend of sweet red and darker fruit and chocolate flavors. A bit more chocolatey and less herbal in the mouth than on the nose, but with a faint peppery quality and lively framing acidity giving the wine a refreshing juiciness. This youthful midweight conveys accurate varietal character and energy, finishing with firm but rather suave tannins and no rough edges. Like the Dr. Crane, this vineyard is owned by the Beckstoffer family. (14.8% alcohol) (Drink between 2020-2032). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Notre Vin |
2009 |
Howell Mountain Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| O'Shaughnessy |
2009 |
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon |
$119 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 94 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder is impeccable from start to finish. It shows marvelous detail and completeness in its perfumed red berries, mint, flowers and licorice. Tar, ash and a host of other darker nuances add considerable complexity. This is a marvelous showing. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.
VM 93+ (5/2012): (100% cabernet sauvignon): Good bright ruby-red. Slightly higher-toned on the nose than the Howell Mountain offering, with sexy oak spices lifting aromas of blackberry, black cherry, licorice and bitter chocolate. Offers noteworthy intensity to its dusty spice and blackberry flavors. Fatter and sweeter than the Howell Mountain bottling. Finishes with lovely ripe tannins and building length. The tannins here make those of the Howell Mountain come off as a bit clenched. This is excellent. |
|
| Opus One |
2009 |
Proprietary Blend (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,129.99 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 94+ (6/2013): The 2009 Opus One is impeccable. It brings together the silkiness of the 2007 with the power and darkness of the 2008, a combination that is hugely appealing, to say the least. With a little air, the 2009 can be enjoyed young, but it is best cellared for at least a few years, which will allow some of the baby fat to drop off. The blend is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot and 1% Malbec. Antonio Galloni.
JS 93 (5/2014): Aromas of orange peel, currants, olives and subtle rosemary. Full body with a beautiful balance of fine tannins and a fresh finish. Super-refined and beautiful. Better in 2015 but just drinking beautifully now. This 81% cabernet sauvignon, 9% cabernet franc, 4% merlot, 4% petit verdot and 2% malbec. |
|
| Outpost |
2009 |
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 93 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a very typical wine from this appellation. Spices, grilled herbs and new leather add considerable complexity to the dark fruit. I especially admire the finesse and fabulous overall sense of harmony here. This is a highly representative Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
VM 90-93 (6/2011): Good ruby-red. Subdued but pure aromas of dark berries, violet and licorice; smells serious! Then dense, thick, rich and deep in the mouth, with dark flavors of cassis, blackberry, licorice and menthol. Boasts a large structure, with the rather powerful tongue-dusting tannins arriving early. This youthfully medicinal, classic Howell Mountain cabernet will need at least five years of cellaring upon its release. |
|
|
2009 |
True Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$150 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard is a much more opulent wine that in many ways is less typical of Howell Mountain. It is an especially seamless Cabernet Sauvignon loaded with dark fruit, flowers and mint, all of which are supported by insistent veins of minerality. All of the flavors build effortlessly to the muscular, inviting finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021.
VM 93-95 (6/2011): Good ruby-red. Complex, musky aromas of plum, redcurrant, smoked meat, mint, chocolate, dried flowers and wild herbs; conveys a strong rocky quality. Then rich, fat, sweet and seamless, with the impression of wildness carrying through on the palate. The big, building tannins reach the incisors, but here they are suaver and finer-grained than those of the basic Outpost cabernet. Finishes very long, with a savory minerality and a lovely light touch. Offers terrific potential. |
|
| Paloma |
2009 |
Palomita Hamilton Vyd. Syrah |
$40 |
5 |
|
| |
|
| Peirson Meyer |
2009 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Signed Bottle |
$59 |
4 |
|
| |
VM 95+ (12/2012): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is typical of the year in this part of Napa Valley, where the wines are rich, broad and voluminous. Less floral and refined today than the 2008, the 2009 is built on a serious core of deep, expressive fruit. Juicy dark raspberries, flowers, spices and mint are layered into the generous finish. The 2009 could use another year in bottle to shed some baby fat, but it is exceptionally beautiful and polished, even today. There is so much hidden potential here.
WA 88 (10/2013): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits the vintage’s chunky, monolithic, tannic style with notes of dark fruits, white chocolate and earthy undertones. It will be even better with a few more years of bottle age, and should keep for 12-15 years. |
|
| Pott |
2009 |
Her Majesty’s Secret Service Cabernet Sauvignon |
$119 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (5/2012): Bright medium ruby. Currant, spicecake, tobacco and loam on the complex, musky nose. At once smooth and juicy, rich and saline, with strong soil tones complicated by dark berry fruit. Lovely sophisticated claret-like texture and weight. The broad finish features dusty, fine-grained tannins and excellent subtle length. |
|
| Quilceda Creek |
2009 |
Galitzine Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 96 (6/2013): Also incredibly concentrated, with burly structure and a mountain of tannin, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard (99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot) delivers a seriously intense array of blackberry and kirsch-styled fruit, licorice, charcoal and spice box on both the nose and palate. Aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak and a big, broad shouldered, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, it possesses a rocking mid-palate and fabulous length on the finish. Really showing the power of its Red Mountain terroir, it needs 4-5 years of bottle age to become civilized and will have decades of evolution. Drink 2017-2034.
VM 94+ (11/2012): (includes 1% merlot): Bright medium ruby. Cassis aroma lifted by sandalwood. Densely packed and intense, with terrific energy to its chewy flavors of dark berries, licorice pastille and minerals. Less plush and harmonious today than the estate's flagship cabernet but this superconcentrated wine (made from a yield of just 1.5 tons per acre, according to Paul Golitzin) boasts a serious tannic spine and great energy and length. Should be the best release for this bottling. It's blacker than the cabernet and less seamless today but I would not bet against this chewy bottling in the long run. |
|
|
2009 |
Palengat Proprietary Blend |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97 (6/2013): Much more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, the 2009 Palengat (86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot) shows the warmer vintage with ripe red and black fruit, licorice, roasted meat and hints of singed herbs on the nose. Fantastically polished on the palate, with silky tannin, full-bodied richness and a layered mouthfeel, it is a knockout effort that will have 15-20 years of prime drinking. Drink now-2029.
VM 93 (12/2012): Good full ruby. Aromas of blackcurrant and licorice. Rich, deep and concentrated, with an almost Kahlua-like liqueur quality to its dense, exotic flavors of cassis, dark chocolate, mocha and orange peel. Very rich blend with an impressively long finish featuring fine tannins and hints of licorice pastille, dark berries, sexy Taransaud spices and black walnut. From vines planted at 3 x 6 feet, according to Paul Golitzin, "about as dense as it gets in this state." |
|
| Quivet Cellars |
2009 |
Hulda Block Las Madres Vyd. Syrah |
$36 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Ramey |
2009 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (4/2013): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent choice for readers who want to drink a Ramey wine without waiting the decade or so it takes most of his wines to truly open up. Dark red berries, savory herbs, mint and licorice all jump from the glass. A large-scaled, voluptuous wine, the 2009 is juicy, expressive and wonderfully resonant. Layers of fruit continue to build to the rich, enveloping finish. The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is quite a mouthful! Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. |
|
| Rasa Vineyards |
2009 |
In Order to Form a More Perfect Union |
$69 |
5 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (6/2012): The first vintage for this wine and a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, and 23% Cabernet Franc that was aged in 60% new French oak, the 2009 Rasa Vineyards In Order to Form a More Perfect Union delivers spectacular aromatics, a seamless, full-bodied texture, and blockbuster length on the finish. Showing notes of crème de cassis, tobacco, charred toast, sweet oak, and spice cabinet on the nose, this stays gorgeously light, elegant, and fresh on the palate, while at the same time showing fantastic intensity, a concentrated mid-palate, and ripe tannin that emerges with more time in the glass. This is impressive any way you slice it, and while it is no doubt a spectacular drink now, it deserves 4-5 years of bottle age, and should keep for upwards of two decades. |
|
|
2009 |
Plus One Kiona Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
3 |
|
| |
| JD 95 (6/2012): Showing superb Cabernet character, as well as the minerality and tannin structure of Red Mountain, the 2009 Rasa Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Plus One Kiona Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged half in new French oak, and half in neutral barrel. It exhibits classic Cabernet aromas of black currant and creamy blackberry styled fruit that’s intermixed with notions of freshly crushed stone, roasted meats, sweet oak, and spice box on the nose. This flows to a full-bodied, gorgeously proportioned wine that has fantastic concentration, a layered, seamless texture, and building tannin that emerges with time in the glass. There’s plenty of structure here; give bottles 3-4 years in the cellar, and then plan on drinking over the following 15+ years. |
|
|
2009 |
Principia Reserve Syrah |
$79 |
3 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (6/2012): The estate’s top Syrah and sourced from a number of top vineyards, the 2009 Rasa Vineyards Syrah Principia Reserve, aged mostly in neutral French oak, is pure and decadently fruited, with brilliant aromas of crème de cassis, smoked blackberry, truffle, sweet oak, and creamy licorice on the nose. These qualities carry over to the palate where the wine is full-bodied and powerful, with a concentrated mid-palate, a rich, full texture, and ripe, polished tannin that frames the finish. Overall, blockbuster stuff that is already complex and approachable. Nevertheless, it should ideally be given 2-3 years of bottle age, and then consumed over the following decade or longer. |
|
| Realm |
2009 |
The Bard Proprietary Blend |
$100 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (12/2011): The 2009 The Bard is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with a dash (7%) of Petit Verdot. It possesses striking inner perfume and dazzling richness in its fruit, with layers of flavor that build effortlessly to the textured, vivid finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. |
|
|
2009 |
The Tempest Proprietary Blend |
$85 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (5/2012): (53% merlot, 42% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot): Good full ruby-red. Aromas of black fruits, minerals, licorice and spicy oak. Dense, bright and concentrated, with a slightly high-toned character to the rather plush flavors of cassis and bitter chocolate. A bit youthfully medicinal today, not particularly sweet but structured to age. A step up in depth and structure from the Bard and the Falstaff bottlings, combining the texture of merlot with the firm spine of cabernet. |
|
| Rhys |
2009 |
Family Farm Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$55 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 94 (8/2011): The 2009 Pinot Noir Family Farm is one of the more delicate, ethereal wines in the lineup. Fermentation with 100% whole clusters gives the Family Farm a distinctly floral bouquet and graceful fruit. It is an impeccably elegant wine from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2019.
VM 93 (6/2011): Bright red. Perfumed aromas of raspberry preserves, Asian spices and rose oil, along with a hint of mocha. Sappy, penetrating and fresh, with juicy red berry and cherry flavors, silky texture and a late kick of spices. Open-knit and very easy to drink, finishing with impressive clarity and lingering red fruit notes.
BH 91 (10/2011): (from San Mateo County fruit; 13.4%). Distinct floral and spice notes add nuance to the elegant and airy red berry fruit aromas that lead to rich, supple and forward middle weight flavors that possess fine detail and purity to the delicious and beautifully long finish. Among the Rhys wines, the Family Farm and Skyline Vineyards are those which are built more along the lines of finesse than power. Drink 2015+. Outstanding! |
|
| Ridge Vineyards |
2009 |
Monte Bello |
$275 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 98 (8/2012): The 2009 Monte Bello (72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot is simply magnificent. Layers of dark red fruit, flowers, spices and licorice are all woven together in this utterly impeccable wine. The 2009 is an especially huge, intense Monte Bello, yet a sexy, silky core of fruit lies within the imposing frame. Everything comes together in this glorious, radiant wine. Baugher describes 2009 as a year with cold weather early on, followed by heat in early June and July. The fruit was brought in on October 12th, just before an intense downpour swept through the region. There is a purity and silkiness supported by structure in the 2009 that is impossible not to admire. Simply put, this is another utterly magnificent, towering masterpiece from Ridge. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Rivers Marie |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a gorgeous, rich wine layered with mint, tobacco, spices, cedar and licorice. It shows gorgeous textural depth and tons of aromatic nuances. This is a fabulous wine loaded with class and personality. It isn’t the biggest wine here, but it is exceptionally polished. Wow! Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. |
|
|
2009 |
Corona Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$90 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Roberto Corona Vineyard, from a site on the Oakville bench, is the richest of these 2009 Cabernets from Rivers-Marie. It bursts from the glass with jammy, opulent fruit and a big, full-bodied personality. Blue and black fruit, mint, licorice and sweet spices wrap around the finish. The 100% new oak comes through here. I am not sure this wine needs all the oak and makeup. There is plenty of pedigree already. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. |
|
| Round Pond |
2009 |
Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
| 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. |
|
| Rudius |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$49 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (5/2012): Good dark red. Vibrant nose offers cassis, blueberry, licorice, coffee and cocoa powder lifted by a violet topnote. Supple, pliant and fruit-driven, with enticing sweetness to the pure flavors of dark berries and chocolatey oak. At once livelier and more generous than the 2008 version, offering considerable early appeal. This seamless cabernet finishes with dusty tannins and lovely chocolatey persistence. |
|
| Mark Ryan |
2009 |
Dead Horse Red Wine |
$51 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2012): The Mark Ryan 2009 Dead Horse blends with its Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Cabernet Franc, 11% Malbec, 8% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, enlisting four-year-old vines in as yet little-known but superbly-situated Obelisco Vineyard to supplement fruit from its tongue-in-cheek namesake (Ciel du Cheval) and Klipsun. Cassis, cedar, and dark tobacco inform the nose as well as a palpably dense, subtly chewy and vivaciously juicy palate. A briny, mineral and at the same time sweetly savory suggestion of anchovy paste adds irresistibly saliva-inducing savor to the long finish of this impeccably balanced bottling that ought to be worth following for at least ten or a dozen years. |
|
|
2009 |
Long Haul Red Wine |
$51 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2012): Mark Ryan’s 2009 Long Haul – sourced from Klipsun and Ciel du Cheval with some Stillwater Creek in a supporting role – blends 27% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec, and a jot of Petit Verdot with its Merlot. Profuse bittersweet floral perfume and black fruits make for an alluring aromatic display and are beautifully-integrated with mint, black tea, and bitter-edged resinous herbs on an expansive and polished palate, leading to the long, subtle interplay of a memorably complex finish. This ought to be worth following for at least a decade. |
|
| Saxum |
2009 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$139 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2011): The 2009 Bone Rock is a round, enticing red laced with sweet, succulent dark cherries, plums, flowers and spices. It shows remarkable intensity and fabulous balance. Bone Rock is made from the first blocks planted in the James Berry vineyard and is predominantly Syrah, while the James Berry Vineyard (the wine) is Grenache focused. In 2009 the blend was 57% Syrah, 31% Mourvedre and 12% Grenache. The Syrah component was vinified with 100% stems and saw a maceration lasting 50 days. The wine was aged in 60% new oak. Smith bottled the 2009 in May 2011, earlier than the norm (around 30 months), as he wanted to preserve the freshness he had in the tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. |
|
|
2009 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$129 |
2 |
|
| |
| JD 98 (6/2012): Also showing at the top end of the barrel rating, the spectacular 2009 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard (70% Syrah and 30% Mourvedre aged for 24-26 months in barrel) is the most elegant, seamless Booker Vineyard I’ve tasted from this estate (and seems much more finesse driven now than when compared to my thoughts from barrel). Beautifully fresh and perfumed on the nose, with raspberry, crème de cassis, roasted meat, and spring flower like qualities, this full-bodied, voluptuously styled beauty has copious amount of sweet fruit, a silky, sexy texture, and a lengthy finish where more structure and tannin emerges. Despite all of the fruit here, this still needs short term cellaring. Give bottles 2-3 years, and then plan on drinking over the following 12-15+ years. |
|
|
2009 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$119 |
8 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (8/2011): The 2009 Broken Stones is sourced from all of the estate’s vineyards, which in this vintage includes Padereweski fruit for the first time, although most of the fruit was sourced from James Berry. Today it comes across as rather tightly wound and implosive, although with air the wine’s potential becomes more evident. Dark cherries, licorice and smoke wrap around the intense finish. Floral notes add the final layers of complexity and nuance. This is another fabulous effort. In 2009 the blend is 60% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, 12% Petite Sirah and 8% Grenache. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021. |
|
|
2009 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$149 |
6 |
|
| |
VM 98 (8/2011): Simply put, the 2009 James Berry Vineyard is one of the greatest young wines I have ever tasted from California, or anywhere for that matter. Bright, floral aromatics lead to expressive red fruit in this impossibly elegant, dazzling wine. A melange of rose petals, mint and licorice follows as the James Berry shows off its breathtaking clarity and finesse. Fine-grained, chalky tannins frame the exceptional finish. Frankly, I am surprised this is the first wine of the tasting. Where does one go from here? The 2009 James Berry is a bit of departure from previous vintages. This is the highest percentage of Grenache ever used in the blend, and a large portion of the Grenache was aged in concrete, an approach Smith has borrowed from producers in the Rhone. Originally Smith had intended to age less of the Grenache components in concrete, but the low yields of the vintage forced him to age about two-thirds of the Grenache in concrete. Call it a happy coincidence, but it certainly looks like things turned out well. Readers should do whatever they can to taste this fabulous wine. In 2009 the James Berry Vineyard is 57% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre and 12% Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021.
JS 97 (10/2011): Beautiful aromas of violets and sandalwood. Bright fruit too, with citrus, zest and mineral notes. Full, yet compacted and dense. Long and spicy yet minerally and fruity.
VM 96 (10/2011): (57% grenache, 31% mourvedre and 12% syrah): Deep, bright violet. Intensely perfumed black raspberry and blueberry on the nose, with seductive Asian spice, lavender and incense qualities emerging with air. Sappy red and dark berry liqueur flavors are lifted by juicy acidity picking up suave spice and floral pastille notes on the back end. Velvety tannins provide shape but are absorbed by the lush fruit, which carries through an extremely long, sappy, incisive finish. |
|
|
2009 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$315 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 98 (8/2011): Simply put, the 2009 James Berry Vineyard is one of the greatest young wines I have ever tasted from California, or anywhere for that matter. Bright, floral aromatics lead to expressive red fruit in this impossibly elegant, dazzling wine. A melange of rose petals, mint and licorice follows as the James Berry shows off its breathtaking clarity and finesse. Fine-grained, chalky tannins frame the exceptional finish. Frankly, I am surprised this is the first wine of the tasting. Where does one go from here? The 2009 James Berry is a bit of departure from previous vintages. This is the highest percentage of Grenache ever used in the blend, and a large portion of the Grenache was aged in concrete, an approach Smith has borrowed from producers in the Rhone. Originally Smith had intended to age less of the Grenache components in concrete, but the low yields of the vintage forced him to age about two-thirds of the Grenache in concrete. Call it a happy coincidence, but it certainly looks like things turned out well. Readers should do whatever they can to taste this fabulous wine. In 2009 the James Berry Vineyard is 57% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre and 12% Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021.
JS 97 (10/2011): Beautiful aromas of violets and sandalwood. Bright fruit too, with citrus, zest and mineral notes. Full, yet compacted and dense. Long and spicy yet minerally and fruity.
VM 96 (10/2011): (57% grenache, 31% mourvedre and 12% syrah): Deep, bright violet. Intensely perfumed black raspberry and blueberry on the nose, with seductive Asian spice, lavender and incense qualities emerging with air. Sappy red and dark berry liqueur flavors are lifted by juicy acidity picking up suave spice and floral pastille notes on the back end. Velvety tannins provide shape but are absorbed by the lush fruit, which carries through an extremely long, sappy, incisive finish. |
|
|
2009 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 97 (8/2011): The 2009 Paderewski Vineyard is a new bottling from a site Smith developed for Bill and Liz Armstrong, the owners of Epoch. Zinfandel, Syrah, Petit Sirah and Mourvedre are planted in separate plots but co-fermented. Layers of dark fruit meld into flowers, mint, sweet spices, menthol, eucalyptus and plums, with marvelous density and harmony. This shows superb aromatic complexity and tons of nuance to match its absolutely striking personality. It is a dazzling effort, especially for a young vineyard in just its third leaf. The blend was 39% Zinfandel, 38% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah and 10% Mourvedre. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021.
JD 93-96 (12/2011): The 2009 Saxum Paderewski Vineyard, 39% Zinfandel, 38% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, and 10% Mourvedre, yields and complex array of bramble driven fruits, violets, licorice, and spice on the nose. Upfront and intensely perfumed, this full bodied, round, supple blend is beautifully textured through the middle, and carries a healthy dose of rustic tannin on the finish. Straight up delicious, this beauty will be a hedonistic delight on release, with 10-12 years or more of prime drinking!
VM 93 (10/2011): (39% zinfandel, 38% syrah, 13% petite sirah and 10% mourvedre, all co-fermented): Inky purple. Seductively perfumed aromas of dark berry preserves, potpourri, Asian spices, anise and mocha. Broad, sweet and spicy in the mouth, showing Outstanding vivacity to its black and blue fruit flavors accented by clove and candied flowers. Finishes spicy and lucid. This is the first release for this bottling.
JS 93 (10/2011): This is full and spicy with blackberry and spices with a chalk and dried fruits. Round and velvety. A little warm but I like the spices. This is wine from a vineyard on Peachy Canyon road. Solid core of fruit here. 39% Zinfandel, 38% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah, and 10% Mouvedre. Drink now or hold. |
|
| School House |
2009 |
Spring Mountain District Pinot Noir |
$50 |
8 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Spring Mountain District Pinot Noir Heavily Scuffed Label |
$50 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Schrader |
2009 |
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$325 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Schrader Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is one of the more plush, overt wines in this lineup. There is tremendous depth in the fruit in this massive, sweeping wine. The aromas and flavors build towards the cascading finish. The Schrader is a decidedly big, muscular wine that emphasizes power over detail. The Schrader is predominantly clone 4 from the D2 block, with a dollop of clone 6 from the D2 block and clone 337 from the B2 block. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029. |
|
|
2009 |
CCS Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$275 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96+ (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard comes across as big, tight and powerful. This is one of the more reticent, inward of the 2009 Schraders. Tar, licorice, menthol and violets are some of the notes that wrap around the intense, virile finish. Today the CCS is a touch compact. It will merit a higher score if the fruit fills out a little more. CCS is clone 4 from the C1 block. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. |
|
|
2009 |
RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$295 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard comes across as dark, plush and inviting, but with greater inner focus and minerality than some of the other wines here. Graphite, smoke, tar and licorice are some of the notes that wrap around the intense, juicy finish. I especially admire the way the RBS grows in the glass as it turns more explosive over time, yet never loses its more refined shades of expression. The RBS is 100% clone 337 from the B1 and B2 blocks. According to winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, it is the addition of fruit from B2 (new this year) that gives the 2009 much of its personality. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. |
|
| Sea Smoke |
2009 |
Botella Pinot Noir Lightly Scuffed Label |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (8/2012): The 2009 Pinot Noir Botella sweeps across the palate with deep, rich layers of dark fruit. Smoke, licorice, incense and leather develop in the glass. The Botella is one of the more extroverted, juicy Pinots in this lineup. The wine’s persistence, depth and overall sense of harmony are all first-rate. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. |
|
|
2009 |
Ten Pinot Noir |
$119 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 92+ (10/2011): Opaque ruby. Pungent, expressive bouquet offers dark berry compote, cola, vanilla bean and incense qualities, along with slow-building spiciness and notes of clove and mocha. Lush, palate-coating blackberry and mulberry flavors are lifted by gentle acidity and complicated by notes of spicecake and candied violet. Tannins build with air and carry through a very long, sweet, oak-spicy finish. This is a baby.
WA 89 (8/2012): One of the Sea Smoke flagships, the 2009 Pinot Noir Ten impresses for its depth and sheer power. Layers of flavor flow through to the huge, dramatic finish in a full-bodied, intense Pinot. Once the intensity of the fruit fades, there is not much development in the glass, which results in an overall impression of one-dimensionality. The Ten is made from all ten Pinot clones planted on the property. While a solid effort, I expected more from this offering, which also happens to be the wine through which I discovered Sea Smoke years ago. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. |
|
| Seven Stones |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$200 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a huge wine bursting with dark fruit, licorice, scorched earth, tar and grilled herbs. This is an especially big, hulking 2009 that is likely to require a measure of patience. Massive tannins frame the fruit through to the virile finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. |
|
|
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon Lightly Scuffed Label |
$200 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a huge wine bursting with dark fruit, licorice, scorched earth, tar and grilled herbs. This is an especially big, hulking 2009 that is likely to require a measure of patience. Massive tannins frame the fruit through to the virile finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. |
|
| Sharecropper's Wine Company |
2009 |
Pinot Noir |
$8.50 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Sheridan Vineyard |
2009 |
Singularity Syrah |
$55 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (12/2012): Sheridan’s pure Syrah 2009 Singularity has picked up a lot of caramelized resin and firm, formidable tannin, but there is also a wealth of cepage-typical virtues: richly ripe cherry with creme de cassis and chocolate; sage and mint both pungent and metaphorically cooling; black pepper and charred, roasted red meat. What’s more, in comparison with other Sheridan bottlings from this vintage, the tannins here are practically svelte and silken! (Okay, that’s an exaggeration, you understand: there’s still plenty to chew here.) There is even a suggestion of crushed stone to undergird and add interest to the sustained finish. Check this again in 2-3 years and anticipate at least that much time again to ponder and savor its virtues. |
|
| Sleight of Hand |
2009 |
The Archimage Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Charles Smith |
2009 |
Royal City Syrah |
$99 |
6 |
|
| |
| 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. |
|
| Charles Smith K VIntners |
2009 |
Stoneridge Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Soos Creek |
2009 |
Champoux Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
12 |
|
| |
|
|
2009 |
Ciel du Cheval Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Stags' Leap Winery |
2009 |
Napa Valley Petite Sirah |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Tenor Wines |
2009 |
1:1 Proprietary Blend |
$70 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 90 (6/2013): Looking at the Bordeaux-blend efforts, the 2009 1:1 is the estate’s flagship wine and is comprised of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 12% Malbec and 6% Merlot that spent 20 months in 100% new French oak. Revealing classic Bordeaux-like aromas of creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, spring flowers and hints of spice box, this full-bodied effort has a concentrated, firm feel on the palate with bright, if not racy, acidity that gives a slight metallic edge to the substantial tannin. I’d like to see more overall integration on the palate; nevertheless, there’s lot to like here and it’s certainly impressive for the sheer wealth of material and overall high drinkability. I would give bottles another year or two before checking in to see how it is developing; it should have at least a decade of longevity after that (and hopefully warrant a higher score).
VM 90 (11/2013): Saturated, bright medium ruby. Blackberry, cassis, licorice, spicecake and bitter chocolate on the slightly medicinal nose. Plush, creamy and sweet on the palate; a silkier, creamier, more open-knit version of the 2010, for drinking earlier. Plum and chocolate flavors pick up currant and menthol notes on the very ripe, seamless finish. Nothing a bit dry about these tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Terlato Vineyards |
2009 |
Episode Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$169.15 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| The Vineyardist |
2009 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$150 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2013): The spectacular 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% new French oak for 20 months that finished at 14.8% alcohol. It displays a classic mountain profile of lead pencil shavings, charcoal embers, creme de cassis, blackberries, licorice and a meaty, truffle-like character. Full-bodied and rich as well as exceptionally well-delineated with polished tannins and a savory, intense mouthfeel, this stunning debut Cabernet exudes enormous potential.
VM 95 (2/2012): Dirk Fulton and Becky Kukkola purchased the estate, which traces its lineage back to the late 19th century, in 2000. Jim Barbour replanted the vineyards and Mark Herold is in charge of winemaking. The 2009 is the first wine to be released from this steep, hillside site on Diamond Mountain. I also tasted the 2010, but it was too reduced to evaluate. The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is a huge, hulking mountain Cabernet bursting with black fruit, crème de cassis, licorice, smoke, tar and spices. The 2009 shows dazzling richness and tons of power, not to mention tons of personality and character. Mark Herold used 85% new oak barrels for the 2009. With a little less new oak, the wine's signature aromatic and flavor profile might come through with even more clarity. Still, the 2009 is pretty striking just as it is. (Drink between 2014-2024). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Philip Togni |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$159 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 95+ (12/2011): The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon is stunningly beautiful and seductive in its red fruit, mint and tobacco. This is a surprisingly accessible vintage for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Today it looks like an excellent choice for readers who want to explore the wines of this iconic producer – as long as it doesn’t close down in bottle. Togni’s 2009 is notable for its exceptional elegance, finesse and pedigree. There is plenty of Spring Mountain structure, but today the 2009 is disarmingly sexy and radiant for such a young wine. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.
VM 92+ (5/2012): Good medium red. Wild aromas of redcurrant, tobacco, meat, mocha and cedar, with a whiff of pepper (another sample that had been open for 72 hours took on a somewhat darker fruit character). A very smooth and suave midweight, with ripe acidity giving definition and energy to the mid-palate. Not a particularly fleshy style of 2009 but wonderfully balanced wine, with a firmness from the addition of the press wine. The long finish features big but supple tannins. This wine may well merit a higher rating with six or seven years of bottle aging.
WA 88-90 (12/2010): The newest vintage is the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, which is a more delicate, lighter-styled effort very much in keeping with the character of this year. A healthy dark ruby color perhaps lacks some of the opacity and density of past great vintages, but the wine shows dusty, earthy, blue and black fruit aromas, medium body, good freshness and elegance as well as the aforementioned lighter style. This cuvee will be drinkable upon release and should age for 10+ years. |
|
| Venge |
2009 |
Scout’s Honor Napa Valley Proprietary Blend |
$39 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (12/2011): The 2009 Zinfandel Scout's Honor is a big, super ripe wine loaded with sweet, jammy fruit. It shows good textural elegance and depth, although admittedly, this is not a style I am crazy about. The blend is 55% Zinfandel, 22% Petite Syrah, 14% Charbono and 9% Syrah. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Winter Estate |
2009 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| Woodward Canyon |
2009 |
Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (12/2012): Woodward Canyon’s Walla Walla 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from their estate with just a 7% contribution from DuBrul, and, rather surprisingly, incorporates small amounts of Syrah and Mourvedre as well as the more predictable Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Iodine and cherry pit intriguingly and successfully serve-up counterpoint to seamlessly rich, ripe cassis and cherry. A vaguely toasty, resinous sense from the 50% new wood is subtly integrated into the rich folds of fruit, and this finishes with a superb sense of energy and invigoration as well as sheer length. It ought to be well worth following for at least a decade. |
|
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Spain |
| Dominio de Pingus |
2012 |
Flor de Pingus (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$694.99 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (9/2014): Vivid ruby. Heady aromas of fresh blackberry, boysenberry and smoky minerals are complicated by pungent hints of vanilla, violet and allspice. Lush, intensely flavored and focused, offering deep dark berry and cherry compote flavors and a suave spicecake nuance. Finishes smooth, sweet and very long, with resonating spiciness, a hint of licorice and fully absorbed tannins. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2013 |
Flor de Pingus (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$671.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Flor de Pingus (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,377.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Flor de Pingus (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$688.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94+ (1/2023): There is around 20% new oak in the 2020 Flor de Pingus, and because it has a little younger vines (there was a land-consolidation project in La Horra in 2006!), there'll be some Garnacha starting in 2021 and maybe some oak vats for aging too. All this shows the direction, where he found structure and volume in the palate, with textured tannins. It's harmonious and elegant, aromatic and floral, perfumed and showy, with contained ripeness and around 14% alcohol. The palate is quite powerful, with abundant but fine tannins. 110,000 bottles were filled in July 2022. |
|
|
2021 |
Flor de Pingus (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,269.98 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Flor de Pingus (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,326.99 |
4 |
|
| |
|
|
2006 |
Pingus (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$6,037.99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98 (6/2010): The 2006 Pingus is a spectacular effort. A glass-staining saturated opaque purple, it delivers an other-worldly perfume of smoke, lavender, mineral, scorched earth, and an amalgam of kinky black fruits. Voluptuous on the palate in a measured way, it has superb balance, layered, complex flavors, ripe tannin that is entirely covered by the fruit, and a decade of aging potential. This monumental wine will evolve effortlessly for 10-15 years and offer a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2036.
VM 95 (10/2008): Opaque purple. Powerful, mineral-driven aromas of blackberry, blueberry, creme de cassis, incense and floral oils. Fresh dark berry flavors are youthfully crunchy and strikingly pure, with mounting spiciness and minerality. Silky tannins add support to the broad, palate-staining fruit but quickly fade away, allowing the exotic dark berry flavors to stand out. The mineral element clings impressively on the long, sappy, sweet finish. A superb showing, and no doubt the last time I'll get to try this as it costs more per bottle than my car is worth. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2007 |
Pingus (12x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$13,880.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98 (6/2010): Vintage conditions required a stricter selection for the 2007 Pingus. The aromatics are more brooding but seriously multifaceted. Smoke, pencil lead, truffle, Asian spices, blackberry, and licorice notes are followed by a chewy, dense, rich, powerful wine with fully integrated oak, savory black fruits, ripe tannins, and a decade of aging potential. Drink it from 2020 to 2037 if not longer.
VM 95 (10/2009): Glass-staining ruby. Pungent, mineral-driven aromas of black raspberry, bitter cherry, smoky minerals and potpourri, plus a sexy smoky note of cola. Sweet and powerful, with brilliant definition and intensity to the ripe dark berry and cherry flavors. Lush and creamy but energetic, with silky tannins giving shape to the expansive fruit. Highly concentrated but very young wine with a strong, sappy, penetrating finish that echoes the floral note. This is a weighty wine but there's no excess fat or thickness. Stash it away for at least another six years. |
|
|
2011 |
Pingus (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,708.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2013 |
Pingus (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,150.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2014 |
Pingus (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,271.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2015 |
Pingus (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,819.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2016 |
Pingus (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$8,400.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2017 |
Pingus (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,840.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Pingus (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,968.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Pingus (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,993.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Pingus (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,372.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2022 |
Pingus (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,670.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Pingus (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,252.99 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Pingus (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,893.99 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Pingus (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$6,116.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2019 |
Psi Ribera del Duero |
$31 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93+ (10/2021): The 2019 PSI combines their knowledge of the vineyards and their new winery. They learned a lot in 2018, a more heterogeneous vintage, and their sorting machine for grapes had to work a lot. 2019 was more homogeneous, an easier harvest when most people made better wine. In the winery, they invested in a simple building but top technology. They used some 10% Garnacha in the blend, which was done one year after aging the lots separately. It really reminds me of the young wines from Ribera del Duero from the early 1990s, with some aromas of orange peel, earthy and smoky (very mild) and with fine-grained tannins. It has good ripeness at 14% alcohol and integrated acidity but great balance. It showcases the style of the 2019s here, fresher than expected and still a sunny vintage, when 2018 was more crystalline. A triumph over the natural conditions of the year. |
|
|
2019 |
Psi Ribera del Duero Nicked Label |
$31 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93+ (10/2021): The 2019 PSI combines their knowledge of the vineyards and their new winery. They learned a lot in 2018, a more heterogeneous vintage, and their sorting machine for grapes had to work a lot. 2019 was more homogeneous, an easier harvest when most people made better wine. In the winery, they invested in a simple building but top technology. They used some 10% Garnacha in the blend, which was done one year after aging the lots separately. It really reminds me of the young wines from Ribera del Duero from the early 1990s, with some aromas of orange peel, earthy and smoky (very mild) and with fine-grained tannins. It has good ripeness at 14% alcohol and integrated acidity but great balance. It showcases the style of the 2019s here, fresher than expected and still a sunny vintage, when 2018 was more crystalline. A triumph over the natural conditions of the year. |
|
|
|