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Inventory updated: Wed, Sep 09, 2026 04:02 PM cst
2012 Saxum Broken Stones Proprietary Blend
Vintage: 2012
Region: USA Red
Color/Type: Red
Size: 750 ML
Tasting Notes:
WA 97 (8/2015): The 2012 Syrah Broken Stones is a beauty. Made from 79% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah and the rest Grenache, Mourvedre and Roussanne, it offers up full-bodied, decadent, yet incredibly pure notes of creme de cassis, smoked earth, pepper and violets. Seamless and silky, yet with a great mid-palate and notable tannin, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will have 15 years or more of overall longevity.
VM 95 (9/2015): Saturated purple. Spectactular perfume of fresh blueberry, boysenberry, incense, vanilla and smoky minerals, with suave allspice and star anise nuances coming up as the wine stretches out. Sweet, incisive and pure on the palate, offering an array of dark fruit liqueur and floral pastille flavors, along with suggestions of cola and spicecake. Leaves sexy lavender and blue fruit notes behind on an extremely long, vibrant finish that's firmed and focused by silky, fully integrated tannins. Josh Raynolds.
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| Saxum |
2004 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend  |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (9/2006): (85% syrah, with 12% grenache and 3% mourvedre; 15.8% alcohol) Deep, bright ruby-red. Deeply pitched aromas of black raspberry, violet, gunflint, tobacco, tar and cola. Lush and sweet but firm and imploded; deeper and more concentrated than the "regular" James Berry bottling but less evolved. Finishes with superb breadth and viscosity, but has the ripe acids-not to mention the rocky minerality-to maintain its shape and balance. Wonderfully deep wine. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2008 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$119 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (8/2011): The 2008 Bone Rock comes across as quite delicate and perfumed in its expressive bouquet. Hints of smoke, mint and tar add complexity to the dark, black fruit in this beautifully balanced wine. I find a bit more complexity and nuance in the 2008 than in the 2009. I especially like the aromatic lift and freshness here. The 2008 Bone Rock is 83% Syrah (75% whole clusters), 13% Mourvedre and 4% Grenache. The wine spent 30 months in French oak and was bottled in January 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020. |
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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. |
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2011 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$139 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 97+ (5/2018): The 2011 Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock opens in the glass with complex aromas of ripe black fruits, rich spice, cracked pepper, licorice and savory notions of grilled meats. On the palate, it's full-bodied, fine-grained and intensely concentrated, with a firm, tight-knit core and unusual energy. The finish is long, precise and penetrating. While the 2011 vintage tends to be tainted by association with the challenges producers faced on California's North Coast, conditions were not so adverse in Paso Robles: at Saxum, the year seems to have produced some of the most tight-knit wines of Justin Smith's career, and the wines have the potential to be unusually long-lived. |
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2012 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$150 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 99 (8/2015): The 2012 Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock is the star of the show in 2012. Borderline perfection, it has straight up awesome notes of black and blue fruits, pepper, crushed violets and searing chalky minerality that shows on both the nose and palate. Full-bodied, seamless and elegant, it's a stacked, concentrated, layered Syrah that never puts a foot wrong. Give it 2-4 years and enjoy bottles through 2032. |
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|
2013 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$175 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 99 (8/2015): Flirting with perfection, the 2013 Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock is one of the wines of the vintage. Made from 80% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and 5% each of Grenache and Roussanne, which saw a big chuck of whole clusters, it offers sensational aromas and flavors of black raspberries, violets, pepper and crushed rock that literally come leaping out of the glass. Full-bodied, seamless, elegant, yet concentrated and incredibly pure, with a finish that won't quit, this beauty will stand beside some of the greatest Hermitages out there. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 10-15 years. Unfortunately, due to ridiculously low yields, there won't be a Bone Rock released in 2014 or 2015, so don't miss this beauty! |
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2010 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Syrah |
$149 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 99 (6/2014): Coming from a steep, terraced plot of head-trained Syrah, the 2010 James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock (90% Syrah and 10% Roussanne) is easily the most structured, intense wine in the lineup. Sporting absolutely off-the-hook aromas of smoked meats, black fruits, liquid mineral, pepper, and cigar wrapper, it flows onto the palate with a thick, incredibly rich texture that somehow manages to stay light and fresh. A total behemoth, it needs time to fully flesh out, yet is up there with some of the most monumental young wines I’ve tasted. It should be forgotten for 3-4 years, and then consumed over the following two decades.
VM 96 (12/2012): (includes 11% roussanne and made with 50% whole clusters; 15.6% roussanne): Opaque ruby. A heady, alluringly perfumed bouquet displays scents of cherry compote, black raspberry, potpourri and incense. Deep, sweet and pliant, showing remarkably intense, concentrated red and blue fruit preserve flavors and a sexy floral pastille nuance. Shows superb clarity and energy on the gently tannic finish, which leaves sappy red fruit and floral notes behind. |
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2008 |
Booker Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$125 |
2 |
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WA 98 (8/2010): The 2008 Booker Vineyard (92% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre, which had also been bottled immediately before my visit) has an opaque purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of black cherry, black currant, licorice, incense, and some Asian spices. The wine has seamless lushness, a voluptuous texture, stunning purity, and a very long, 40-second-plus finish. Booker is another top site that I believe was planted with Justin Smith’s help. It is a 40-acre vineyard sitting on similar limestone soils. This incredible wine would probably benefit from a couple of years of cellaring, as the structure is more present, no doubt due to the high level of Syrah in the wine. It should evolve for 10-15 more years.
VM 94 (11/2010): (syrah with a bit of mourvedre) Inky ruby. Raspberry and cherry preserves on the nose, with complicating notes of rose oil, Szechuan peppercorn and allspice. Impressively complex, sappy red berry compote flavors are given grip by a touch of cherry pit and gain sweetness with air. For such a massive wine there's uncanny energy here as well. The finish repeats the floral and spice notes and clings with superb clarity and intensity. |
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2011 |
Booker Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$99 |
3 |
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| |
WA 96 (8/2014): Beautifully done, and probably the most elegant, seamless version of this cuvee I’ve tasted, the 2011 Booker Vineyard offers terrific aromas and flavors of liquid violets, sappy underbrush, smoked , exotic spices and plenty of crushed rock-like minerality that are all carried by layers of sweet cassis and black raspberry. There’s a northern Rhone-like character here, but it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, fantastic mid-palate concentration, and a seamless, layered and multi-dimensional mouthfeel that’s hard to resist. Made from 67% Syrah and 33% Mourvedre and aged in 300- and 350-liter hogsheads (and fermented with varying degrees of whole cluster), this beautifully pure, polished and complex effort will benefit from short-term cellaring and have over 15 years of overall longevity.
VM 94 (12/2013): Dark purple. Potent aromas of cassis, cherry liqueur, blueberry, Moroccan spices, violet and smoky minerals. Impressively deep but energetic, offering sappy dark fruit flavors laced with notes of mocha, violet, cola, five-spice powder and cracked pepper. Decidedly rich but this comes across as almost elegant, with impressive lift and energy thanks to bright, juicy acidity. The deep, sappy black and blue fruit flavors refuse to let go on the long, spicy finish.
VM 94 (7/2014): Pomegranate, plum, exotic spices, smoke and graphite are some of the many notes that are found in the 2011 Booker Vineyard. An exceptionally beautiful wine, the 2011 possesses remarkable depth and intensity. Expressive floral and citrus overtones develop in the glass, adding considerable brightness and aromatic nuance. Even though the 2011 is gorgeous today, my sense is it is holding back much of its potential. |
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2005 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 92-94 (8/2007): The 2005 Booker Vineyard (a new offering from a hillside vineyard closer to Highway 101) is a 400-case blend of 92% Syrah and 8% Grenache. This is quite full-bodied, powerful wine with loads of structure, unmistakable minerality, and moderately high tannin. The wine has sweet cassis, black cherry, and currant fruit, some hints of wet rocks, and firm tannins in the finish. Perhaps the most backward of all these wines, it seems to merit 3-4 years of bottle age and should evolve for possibly up to two decades.
VM 93 (12/2007): (92% syrah and 8% grenache) Bright purple. Powerfully scented nose offers smoky cassis and bitter cherry aromas, along with cured meat, violet and cigarbox; really smells like Cote-Rotie! Sweet and round, displaying intense red and dark berry preserve flavors and a strong mineral undertone, finishing with building tannins. Balances depth and energy as well as earth and fruit. A fascinating wine. |
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2008 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$119 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 98 (8/2010): The 2008 Booker Vineyard (92% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre, which had also been bottled immediately before my visit) has an opaque purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of black cherry, black currant, licorice, incense, and some Asian spices. The wine has seamless lushness, a voluptuous texture, stunning purity, and a very long, 40-second-plus finish. Booker is another top site that I believe was planted with Justin Smith’s help. It is a 40-acre vineyard sitting on similar limestone soils. This incredible wine would probably benefit from a couple of years of cellaring, as the structure is more present, no doubt due to the high level of Syrah in the wine. It should evolve for 10-15 more years.
VM 94 (12/2010): (syrah with a bit of mourvedre) Inky ruby. Raspberry and cherry preserves on the nose, with complicating notes of rose oil, Szechuan peppercorn and allspice. Impressively complex, sappy red berry compote flavors are given grip by a touch of cherry pit and gain sweetness with air. For such a massive wine there's uncanny energy here as well. The finish repeats the floral and spice notes and clings with superb clarity and intensity. |
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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. |
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2010 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$129 |
3 |
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JD 98 (12/2012): Also spectacular, the 2010 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard - a blend of 81% Syrah and 19% Mourvedre - is about as textbook a representation of a Paso Robles Syrah as I can think of. Locked and loaded with notions of ripe black and blue fruits, smoke, bouquet garni, espresso, and licorice, it is unabashedly full-bodied, rich, and yet elegant on the palate. Showing real class, as well as first-rate freshness, superb depth and concentration, and masses of tannin, this blockbuster syrah needs a solid 3-4 years of bottle age to flesh out and will keep for 15-20 years or more.
WA 94-96 (8/2012): From another of the great vineyards in Westside Paso Robles, the 2010 Booker Vineyard comes across as big, dark and brooding. Black fruit, game, licorice and tar are some of the many notes that take shape in this huge, intense Syrah-based wine. The 2010 was aged in 350-liter barrels, 60-70% new, all of which the wine handles beautifully. Layers of fruit continue to blossom in the imposing, expansive finish. The blend is 81% Syrah and 19% Mourvedre. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
VM 94 (12/2012): (81% syrah and 19% mourvedre): Inky purple. An explosively perfumed bouquet evokes spicy red and dark berry liqueur, Indian spices, vanilla and floral oils. Spicy black raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavors are complicated by notes of violet pastille and show a plush, seamless texture. Gains weight with air but retains clarity. The spicy note carries through an impressively long, juicy finish, which features ripe, harmonious tannins. |
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2012 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (8/2015): A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2012 Booker Vineyard is a blend of 73% Syrah and 27% Mourvedre that was aged 20-26 months in 60% new French oak. It's a classic expression of the vineyard and offers up lots of smoked meats, cracked pepper, wild herbs and tons of dark fruit. Big, full-bodied, thick and chewy, it has gorgeous purity and sweetness of fruit. It shows surprising finesse and elegance with time in the glass, but make no mistake, it's a big, rich and decadent beauty that will benefit from short-term cellaring and age for 15+ years. |
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2004 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 94 (6/2008): The 2004 Saxum Broken Stones needs some air time to show well and even showed a slight sprits at first. There's tons of ripe, high toned and candied red fruit aromas on the nose but with air, it picked up more dark fruit, exotic spice and subtle herb notes. A couple hours into the evening and this had really smoothed out and improved. The palate is impressive with fantastic fruit, a mouth filling, lush texture and a clean, long finish. Soft, lush and ripe, this is drinking great.
WA 92 (8/2006): The 2004 Broken Stones is a 600-case blend of 75% Syrah, 22% Grenache, and 3% Mourvedre. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a sweet perfume of black cherries, cassis, and flowers. Medium to full-bodied and savory, with sweet tannin and a supple, approachable style, this fleshy, well-balanced red should age nicely for a decade or more.
VM 91 (10/2006): (75% syrah, 22% grenache and 3% mourvedre; 15.6% alcohol) Good bright ruby. Highly complex, perfumed aromas of raspberry, blackberry, violet, bitter chocolate, tobacco, flowers, pepper and underbrush. Sweet and juicy, with a gentle texture and concentrated flavors of blackberry and dark chocolate. Very suave, silky wine, finishing with lush tannins and subtle length. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2008 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
4 |
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WA 94 (8/2010): The 2008 Broken Stones (79% Syrah, 13% Grenache, and the rest Mourvedre) has a bluish purple color to the rim, with the classic nose of camphor, charcoal, black currant, and blackberry with hints of licorice and smoke. This intense wine displays great fruit, some structure, and a beautifully seamless texture. It is more evolved and open than the 2007 was at the same time, and just slightly less profound. It should drink nicely for at least a decade.
VM 93 (12/2010): (79% syrah, 13% grenache and 8% mourvedre) Opaque purple. Exotic, floral and spice-accented black and blue fruits on the nose, with hints of fruitcake, vanilla and cola emerging with air. Impressively deep and powerful, offering sweet dark berry preserve and smoky spice flavors and a touch of candied violet. The extremely persistent finish is broad, sweet and penetrating, leaving smoke and spice notes behind. I like this wine's blend of depth and energy. |
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2009 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$119 |
8 |
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| 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. |
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2010 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
1 |
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JD 96 (12/2012): Even more perfumed and upfront aromatically, the 2010 Saxum Broken Stones is a brilliant effort. A multi-vineyard blend of 63% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache, and 3% Petite Sirah that was aged mostly in new French oak, it offers up a gorgeously pure array of black raspberry, charcoal, licorice, lavender, and assorted floral qualities on the nose. This flows to a full-bodied, deft, and elegant palate that has no hard edges, a weightless feel, and masses of fine, yet firm tannin on the finish. Give bottles another year or three, and then drink over the following 12-15 years.
VM 94 (12/2012): (63% syrah, 19% mourvedre, 15% grenache and 3% petite sirah; 15.3% alcohol): A complex, smoky bouquet evokes red and dark berry liqueur, candied flowers and Asian spices. Supple and juicy on the palate, with zesty acidity giving spine and lift to the powerful black raspberry and mulberry flavors. The smoky note comes back on the strikingly long, mineral-driven finish, which is focused, sweet and extremely long.
WA 92-94 (8/2012): A rush of dark Syrah fruit announces the 2010 Broken Stones. Menthol, tar and sweet spices develop with time in the glass, adding considerable complexity and nuance. This is a seriously rich, intense wine endowed with deep layers of fruit and a huge, muscular finish. Here, too, I sense the wine is a bit tight, but it should be ready to go in another 6 months or so. The blend is 63% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache and 3% Petite Sirah. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. |
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2011 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$99 |
1 |
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WA 96 (8/2014): The brilliant 2011 Syrah Broken Stones comes from a cooler block of the James Berry Vineyard and checks in as a blend of 78% Syrah, 18% Mourvedre and 4% Petit Sirah. Relatively forward (especially when compared to the locked up Bone Rock), with fabulous purity and freshness, it exudes notions of creme de cassis, blueberry, pepper, crushed flowers and sweet oak on the nose. Full-bodied, seamless and elegant, yet with building richness and rock star length, it’s an elegant version of the cuvee to drink over the coming 15 years or more.
VM 95 (7/2014): A dark, mysterious beauty, the 2011 Broken Stones is laced with expressive dark red and black stone fruits, iron, smoke and French oak. This is one of the more explosive wines in Saxum's range of 2011s. The Broken Stones finishes with substantial depth and power. While oak levels have come down quite a bit here in recent years, Broken Stones is one wine in this range where the oak influence is noticeable. The blend is 78% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre and 4% Petite Sirah.Antonio Galloni. |
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2012 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$119 |
5 |
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| |
WA 97 (8/2015): The 2012 Syrah Broken Stones is a beauty. Made from 79% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah and the rest Grenache, Mourvedre and Roussanne, it offers up full-bodied, decadent, yet incredibly pure notes of creme de cassis, smoked earth, pepper and violets. Seamless and silky, yet with a great mid-palate and notable tannin, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will have 15 years or more of overall longevity.
VM 95 (9/2015): Saturated purple. Spectactular perfume of fresh blueberry, boysenberry, incense, vanilla and smoky minerals, with suave allspice and star anise nuances coming up as the wine stretches out. Sweet, incisive and pure on the palate, offering an array of dark fruit liqueur and floral pastille flavors, along with suggestions of cola and spicecake. Leaves sexy lavender and blue fruit notes behind on an extremely long, vibrant finish that's firmed and focused by silky, fully integrated tannins. Josh Raynolds. |
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2005 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
1 |
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WA 94 (6/2008): The northern Rhone-like 2005 Heart Stone Vineyard is a blend of 44% Syrah, 33% Grenache, and 23% Mourvedre. A meaty nose with roasted Provencal herbs, cassis, blackberry, licorice, and smoke emerges from this Hermitage-styled effort. Structured and firm, it will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age, and should evolve effortlessly for a decade or more. The bottled 2005s are all performing well.
VM 92 (12/2007): Deep ruby. Room-filling bouquet of red and black fruits, Asian spices, fresh violet and lavender and suave vanillin oak. Vibrant, palate-staining raspberry and blackberry flavors deliver sweet depth, with zesty minerality adding energy. Silky tannins slowly build on the long, spicy finish. Seamless and elegant; this is more open than the Broken Stones today. |
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2006 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
1 |
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WA 93 (8/2009): A blend of 38% Syrah, 36% Grenache, and 26% Mourvedre, the 2006 Heart Stone Vineyard offers up scents of flowers, lavender, black cherries, raspberries, blackberries, underbrush, and forest floor. Justin Smith uses a lot of whole clusters in his fermentation, which seems to give his wines structure as well as nuance. This is the most French-like of Saxum’s 2006s, and it comes across like a restrained, northern Rhone-like effort that is only hinting at its ultimate potential. It will benefit from 1-3 years of cellaring, and should evolve for 10-15 years.
VM 92 (12/2008): ( 38% syrah, 36% grenache and 26% mourvedre) Bright red. Sexy, strongly floral aromas of strawberry, black raspberry and candied flowers, with a suave Christmas spice quality. Sappy and sweet, with vivid red fruit and floral pastille flavors and a seductive overlay of cinnamon and mace. Bright minerals add lift and cut to the sappy finish. This was fermented with about 35% whole clusters. |
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2007 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
1 |
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WA 98 (8/2010): The late-released 2007 Heart Stone, which spent 28 months in a combination of barrels, demi-muids, and pungeons, turned out to be a final blend of 65% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and 14% Mourvedre. Like all of Justin Smith’s 2007s, it is a riveting, sensational wine that carries its heavy weight, profound richness, and intensity very gracefully. That is no doubt an effect of the limestone soils of this region. Blackberry and smoked meats as well as some garrigue and floral notes are followed by a dense, rich, pure, multi-layered wine that just screams for grilled poultry or meats! Bottled unfined and unfiltered (and as I recall, 25-35% stems/whole clusters were used during fermentation), this is a fabulous wine that combines power and elegance. It should drink well for at least a decade or more.
JD 98 (11/2010): The lightest and most vibrant of the ‘07s, the 2007 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard is a blend of 65% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and 14% Mourvedre, from limestone soils, which saw close to 30% whole cluster and spent 26 months in oak. The Grenache really shows and the wine exhibits exceptional aromatics of spiced red fruits, underbrush, flowers, and graphite on the nose. This develops beautifully in the glass and shows awesome purity and precision. Silky and elegant on the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied and perfectly balanced, possessing a layered, rich, yet light texture, vibrant acidity, and a very long, focused finish that highlights fine-grained, ripe tannin. I love the delineation this shows, and while superb right now, I think this will benefit from 2 to 3 years in the cellar and then drink beautifully for 12 to 15 years.
VM 93+ (11/2010): (65% syrah, 21% grenache and 14% mourvedre) Opaque purple. Explosive aromas of black raspberry, cherry pit, pomegranate molasses and Asian spices. Densely packed red and dark fruit flavors show intense spiciness and unfurl slowly to offer sexy floral character. Dense but with unlikely energy and finesse; this is just hinting at its potential. Josh Raynolds. |
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2008 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
2 |
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| WA 93 (8/2010): The 2008 Heart Stone, a blend of 47% Syrah, 39% Grenache, and 14% Mourvedre, is very elegant but evolved and supple, with beautiful kirsch and black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, camphor, pepper, and a hint of lavender. More evolved than the 2007 was at a similar stage, but with slightly lower alcohols, its velvety tannins stand out in this rich, plush, opulent, voluptuously textured wine. Drink it over the next 7-10 years. |
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2010 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
3 |
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| |
WA 95 (6/2014): More dense and rich, the 2010 Heart Stone Vineyard is a co-fermented blend of 51% Syrah and 49% Grenache that comes from a small 7-acre, south-facing vineyard located on the western side of Paso Robles. Aged mostly in large oak puncheons for 20-28 months, it offers up a savory, complex bouquet of kirsch and blackberry-like fruit, meat juice, Provencal herbs, dried licorice, and dusty minerality. Gorgeous on the palate as well, with a deft, elegant texture, building richness, and layers of chewy tannin, this beauty is reasonably approachable now, yet will be even better in 2-3 years. It will drink well for 12-15 years.
VM 94 (12/2012): (51% syrah and 49% grenache; 15.7% alcohol): Inky ruby. Powerful aromas of cherry-cola, blackberry, smoky minerals and violet, with a sexy oak spice nuance in the background. Lush and creamy on the palate, offering sweet, deeply concentrated dark berry flavors and a refreshing jolt of smoky minerals. Finishes bright and delineated, with lingering notes of cinnamon and candied flowers. |
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2011 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
2 |
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WA 95 (8/2014): The 2011 Heart Stone Vineyard is a blend of 58% Syrah, 37% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre that was brought up in mostly concrete, with 20% in puncheons. Showing beautifully from barrel, it didn’t disappoint from bottle and has a perfumed, elegant feel to its purple fruits, lavender, violets, white pepper and underbrush-like aromas and flavors. The whole cluster inclusion shows here, yet it has fantastic purity, fine tannin and integrated acidity. Give it another year in the cellar and enjoy bottles through 2025.
VM 93-95 (8/2012): The 2011 Heart Stone Vineyard comes across as a bit more ethereal than some of the other 2011s here, but there is plenty of understated depth and resonance to be found in the dark cherries, sweet herbs, flowers and spices. The 2011 is 41% Syrah, 39% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre. The use of 60% whole clusters gives the 2011 much of its aromatic lift. This is very, very beautiful. The 2011 was all done in concrete.
VM 93 (12/2013): (58% syrah, 37% grenache and 5% mourvedre; no new oak and 14.8% alcohol, which is quite low by Saxum standards): Opaque purple. Highly perfumed aromas of dark fruit preserves, violet, olive tapenade and cracked pepper, with an exotic blood orange nuance emerging with aeration. Weighty but surprisingly lithe on the palate, offering sweet blueberry and mulberry flavors and strong floral and spicecake accents. Closes spicy and long, with supple tannins making a late appearance and adding gentle grip. |
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2004 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
2 |
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| |
VM 93 (10/2006): Deep ruby-red. Slightly high-toned aromas of cherry, truffle, cotton candy and smoked meat. Silky-sweet and seductive on entry, then sappy and spicy in the middle, with terrific acidity framing and lifting the blueberry and violet flavors. Wonderfully sweet wine, finishing with smooth tannins and lovely perfume. A superb example of the captivating blends being made in Paso Robles from Rhone Valley grapes. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 91 (8/2006): The deep ruby/purple-hued 2004 James Berry Vineyard (500 cases) is a blend of 38% Syrah, 36% Grenache, and 26% Mourvedre. Sweet kirsch, licorice, cassis, and floral notes are found in this supple, round, tasty effort. Reminiscent of a 2003 Cotes de Nuits grand cru red Burgundy, it is complex as well as surprisingly forward. However, I suspect there is plenty in reserve. It will be interesting to follow this wine’s evolution. I do not think it will be one of Proprietor Justin Smith’s blockbusters, but it’s a beauty. |
|
|
2008 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$139 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 98 (8/2010): The 2008 James Berry Vineyard (52% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre, and 17% Syrah) saw some of its Grenache aged in the concrete eggs that are now catching on among some of the top producers on California’s Central Coast. With strong minerality from the limestone soil, this exuberant, fleshy, full-bodied wine is already drinking well. (I believe it was actually bottled just a day or two before my visit, which makes its performance that much more remarkable.) Dense purple, with sweet notes of barbecue smoke and meats as well as roasted herbs, extravagant black cherry, black currant, and blackberry fruit are all present in this wine, but there is plenty of underlying structure that comes from both the minerality and the Mourvedre component. Pure, full-bodied, but again, impressively elegant and nuanced, this is a tour de force and another prodigious example of this extraordinary vineyard site.
VM 95+ (12/2010): (52% grenache, 31% syrah and 17% mourvedre; 15.8% alcohol) Glass-staining ruby. A drop-dead bouquet displays red and dark berry preserves, potpourri, incense and smoky minerals. Sweet, sappy and penetrating, with open-knit raspberry and blackberry flavors complemented by notes of candied rose and violet. The palate-staining finish is broad, spicy and extremely persistent. This wine is approachable now but really deserves a good five more years of age. |
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|
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. |
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|
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. |
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|
2010 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$135 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 97 (6/2014): Sporting a vibrant ruby, semi-opaque color, the 2010 James Berry Vineyard is the most tight, backward version of this cuvee that I can recall. A blend of 52% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, and 22% Syrah, it has a decidedly savory bouquet of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, violets, bouquet garni, ground pepper, and graphite. Full-bodied and layered on the palate, with brilliant mid-palate concentration, superb freshness, and masses of tannin, this brilliant Rhone blend from Paso Robles will stand toe-to-toe with the best wines out there, but it is not for those seeking instant gratification and will require 4-5 years of bottle age. In 2010, the Grenache component was aged in a combination of concrete tank and oak puncheons, and this shows in both the aromatics and texture, with less obvious sweetness and more freshness. It will evolve gracefully for two decades.
VM 94 (12/2012): (32% grenache, 26% mourvedre and 22% syrah, mostly fermented in concrete; 15.8% alcohol): Glass-staining ruby. Ripe blackberry and cherry on the intensely perfumed nose and in the mouth. Dense but surprisingly energetic, offering sweet black raspberry and candied lavender flavors and a hint of cola. Supple tannins give shape to a long, sweet, strikingly lively finish, which echoes the floral note. |
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|
2011 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$225 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96+ (8/2014): Reminding me of a top 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape (the 2010 Raymond Usseglio Cuvee Imperiale to be exact), the 2011 James Berry Vineyard is a blend of 69% Grenache, 13% Mourvedre, 13% Syrah, 2% Counoise, and a splash of Roussanne, that was aged in a combination of concrete (Grenache) and larger oak puncheons. A fresh, detailed and more elegant example of the cuvee, it offers gorgeous notes of ripe berry fruit, loads of exotic spice, violets, pepper and lavender to go with a full-bodied, beautifully pure and layered profile on the palate. It’s no blockbuster, but has loads of energy and tension, as well as class and refinement. Give it 2-3 years in the cellar and enjoy it over the following decade or longer.
VM 94 (12/2013): (69% grenache, 15% mourvedre, 13% syrah, 2% counoise and 1% roussanne; 15.5% alcohol): Inky ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of red fruit liqueur, lavender and Asian spices, with a bright mineral overtone. Rich and fleshy but lively, offering intense raspberry and cherry-cola flavors and exotic star anise and floral pastille accents. Silky tannins sneak in late and add shape to a long, smooth and alluringly sweet finish. The grenache in this blend was raised in a large concrete vat. |
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|
2012 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 97+ (8/2014): There are 1,580 cases of the 2012 James Berry Vineyard and it reminds me of the 2009 Janasse Chaupin (which is one of Justin’s favorite wines). Incorporating more Mourvedre than normal, it’s made from 43% Grenache, 29% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah and 10% Counoise that’s aged in a combination of concrete and barrel. Rock star stuff, with fabulous black raspberry, cassis, spring flowers and charred meat aromas and flavors, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, yet stays lively, incredibly pure and elegant, with lots of fine tannin emerging on the finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar and have 15-20 years of ultimate longevity.
VM 94+ (7/2014): The 2012 James Berry Vineyard stands out for its textural finesse, sweetness and overall balance. Sweet spices, red berries and flowers all meld together in a decidedly silky James Berry. The 2012 is 42% Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre, 18% Syrah and 10% Counoise. More expressive today on the palate than in its aromatics, the 2012 remains a baby. |
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|
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. |
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|
2010 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 95 (7/2013): The 2010 Paderewski Vineyard is firing on all cylinders today. The Zinfandel is very much front and center in a big, boisterous wine full of personality. Mocha, chocolate, spice and plum notes caress the palate in a succulent, highly expressive wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. This is without question the biggest and most exuberant of the Saxum wines. Today it is stunning. The 2010 is 35% Zinfandel, 26% Mourvèdre, 19% Tempranillo, 11% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah.
WA 95 (8/2012): The 2010 Paderewski Vineyard caresses the palate with layers of expressive, sensual fruit. Zinfandel plays the leading role in the Paderewski, and that comes through loud and clear in the wine's inner perfume and sweetness. The 2010 boasts gorgeous length and purity, even if it is a bit tight from its recent bottling. Paderewski is a little warmer than some of the other sites Saxum works with, which seems to give the wine a note of softness that is immensely appealing, especially with some time in the glass. The 2010 is 35% Zinfandel, 26% Mourvedre, 19% Tempranillo, 11% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.
VM 94 (12/2012): (35% zinfandel, 26% mourvedre, 19% tempranillo, 11% syrah and 9% petite sirah; 16.1% alcohol): Opaque purple. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays scents of spice-accented black raspberry, cherry, violet and incense, with a bright mineral quality gaining power with air. Densely packed but impressively vibrant, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors that show iqueur-like depth and intensity. Floral pastille and raspberry notes carry through a long, sappy, seamless finish. |
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|
2011 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 97 (8/2014): Kicking off the 2011s and about as seductive and sexy as they come in the vintage, the 2011 Paderewski Vineyard is an eclectic blend of 34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvedre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah that comes from a warmer terroir of chalky, calcareous soils. Full-bodied, seamless and perfectly balanced, it offers brilliant aromas and flavors of black raspberry, rose petal, bramble and violets that are to die for. A big wine to be sure, yet it stays remarkably elegant, poised and fresh on the palate, with no hard edges and an approachable, utterly impossible-to-resist profile that keeps you pouring another glass. Enjoy this gorgeous wine anytime over the coming 10-12 years.
VM 94 (12/2013): (34% zinfandel, 31% mourvedre, 16% tempranillo and 10% syrah; 15.7% alcohol): Inky purple. Powerful, expansive aromas of dark berry compote, cola, dark chocolate and licorice, with a smoky mineral quality adding vivacity. Sappy, deeply pitched blackberry and cassis flavors are sharpened by juicy acidity and gain sweetness with air. Shows Outstanding clarity and power on the finish, which features supple tannins and sweet, clinging dark berry preserve and floral pastille notes.
VM 94 (7/2014): One of the more immediate wines in this range of the 2011s, the Paderewski Vineyard, is voluptuous and textured to the core, with huge dark red/black fruit, spice and leather notes. The Paderewski is dense and powerful, with plenty of immediacy but a touch less overall complexity than some of the other wines in the range. Still, the marriage of varieties in this Zinfandel-based red is terrific. In 2011, the Paderewski is 34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvèdre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah. |
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|
2011 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$225 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97 (8/2014): Kicking off the 2011s and about as seductive and sexy as they come in the vintage, the 2011 Paderewski Vineyard is an eclectic blend of 34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvedre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah that comes from a warmer terroir of chalky, calcareous soils. Full-bodied, seamless and perfectly balanced, it offers brilliant aromas and flavors of black raspberry, rose petal, bramble and violets that are to die for. A big wine to be sure, yet it stays remarkably elegant, poised and fresh on the palate, with no hard edges and an approachable, utterly impossible-to-resist profile that keeps you pouring another glass. Enjoy this gorgeous wine anytime over the coming 10-12 years.
VM 94 (12/2013): (34% zinfandel, 31% mourvedre, 16% tempranillo and 10% syrah; 15.7% alcohol): Inky purple. Powerful, expansive aromas of dark berry compote, cola, dark chocolate and licorice, with a smoky mineral quality adding vivacity. Sappy, deeply pitched blackberry and cassis flavors are sharpened by juicy acidity and gain sweetness with air. Shows Outstanding clarity and power on the finish, which features supple tannins and sweet, clinging dark berry preserve and floral pastille notes.
VM 94 (7/2014): One of the more immediate wines in this range of the 2011s, the Paderewski Vineyard, is voluptuous and textured to the core, with huge dark red/black fruit, spice and leather notes. The Paderewski is dense and powerful, with plenty of immediacy but a touch less overall complexity than some of the other wines in the range. Still, the marriage of varieties in this Zinfandel-based red is terrific. In 2011, the Paderewski is 34% Zinfandel, 31% Mourvèdre, 16% Tempranillo, 10% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah. |
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|
2012 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$135 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96+ (8/2014): Surprisingly tannic and structured for a wine that’s normally the most approachable and sexy, the 2012 Paderewski Vineyard checks in as a blend of 45% Zinfandel, 36% Mourvedre, 12% Tempranillo and 7% Petite Sirah. It possesses the classic chalky minerality of the vineyard to go with exotic perfumed notes of black raspberry, plums, brambly underbrush and assorted background meatiness. This all flows to a full-bodied, elegant and polished wine that has solid mid-palate depth and chewy, firm tannin on the finish. Give this a year or more in the cellar and enjoy bottles through 2024.
VM 92+ (7/2014): Zinfandel is especially prominent in the 2012 Paderewski Vineyard. Dark red cherries, kirsch, sweet spices and wild flowers are all laced together in a silky, gracious wine. The Paderewski is quite pretty, but also a bit subdued, perhaps because of its recent bottling. It will be interesting to see if the 2012 fleshes out in bottle. The blend is 45% Zinfandel, 36% Mourvèdre, 12% Tempranillo and 7% Syrah. |
|
|
2010 |
Terry Hoage Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 95+ (12/2012): The 2010 Saxum Terry Hoage Vineyard is a blend of 46% Syrah, 33% Grenache, and 21% Mourvedre that comes from Jennifer and Terry Hoage’s west side Paso vineyard. Less gamey than when tasted from barrel, it offers up a pure, beautifully fresh bouquet of red and black fruits, spring flowers, ground pepper, leather, and wet stone like minerality that flows to a rich, fabulously concentrated, and textured palate. Showing the savory, mineral characteristics of the vintage, as well as noticeable underlying tannin, this gorgeous effort needs short term cellaring, and will thrill for over a decade.
WA 94+ (8/2012): Here in its first vintage, the 2010 Terry Hoage Vineyard bursts onto the palate with rich, dark fruit. The weight power and richness of Syrah comes through beautifully in the layered, sumptuous wine. Flowers, licorice, mint, tobacco and grilled herbs wrap around the finish. The 2010 boasts serious density and fabulous overall balance. It is terrific first effort. The blend is 46% Syrah, 33% Grenache and 21% Mourvedre. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2020.
VM 94 (12/2012): (46% syrah, 33% grenache and 21% mourvedre, a third fermented with whole clusters; 15.1% alcohol): Vivid ruby. Seductive, highly perfumed nose displays strikingly pure raspberry and floral aromas. Fleshy red and dark berry flavors are enlivened by intriguing blood orange and floral pastille accents and become spicier with air. Picks up a suggestion of mocha on the finish, which is impressively focused, balanced and long. |
|
|
2011 |
Terry Hoage Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (8/2014): More approachable and a sexy, seamless and layered effort, the 2011 Terry Hoage Vineyard (51% Grenache and 49% Syrah) has a distinct floral quality to go with fabulous creme de cassis, black raspberry, violets and licorice aromas and flavors. Possessing full-bodied richness and an elegant, focused and pure style, it benefits from a decant if drinking anytime soon, and will have over a decade of longevity.
VM 93 (12/2013): (51% grenache and 49% syrah; 15.3% alcohol): Opaque ruby. Highly expressive scents of red- and blackcurrant, cherry, smoky minerals, licorice and flowers. Fresh and precise but deeply concentrated, with sweet red berry compote and cassis flavors, supple texture and an exotic floral pastille quality. Becomes spicier with air and finishes pliant and long, with subtle tannins and a whiplash of peppery spices. |
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|
2012 |
Terry Hoage Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 97 (8/2014): Just bottled five weeks ago, the 2012 Terry Hoage Vineyard (330 cases) is a thrilling blend of 51% Syrah, 31% Grenache and 18 % Mourvedre. It has an up front approachable and sexy feel in its cherry blossom and black raspberry fruit, crushed flowers and spice aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated and with sweet tannin, it’s the most ready-to-go in the lineup, yet will still have 10-12 years of longevity.
VM 92+ (7/2014): Silky and layered in the glass, the 2012 Terry Hoage Vineyard is a bit laid back for a site that has typically yielded more forward, fruit-driven wines. Plum, sweet spice and mint notes are all laced together nicely in the glass. Overall, the 2012 is a very pretty, feminine wine built more on grace than power. The 2012 is 51% Syrah, 31% Grenache and 18 Mourvèdre, picked a little earlier than the other wines in the range. |
|
|
2013 |
Terry Hoage Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$115 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (8/2016): Lastly, the 2013 Terry Hoage Vineyard is a forward, exotic effort that's made from 57% Syrah, 29% Grenache and 14% Mourvedre. It is one of the more fresh and lively wines in the lineup, with notes of passion fruits, jolly rancher, plums, spice and green herbs (Justin always finds a touch of watermelon rind from this site). This beauty is full-bodied, silky and beautifully textured on the palate, with impeccable balance and a great finish. Drink this puppy anytime over the coming decade or so.
VM 93 (9/2015): Inky ruby. A wild, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, sandalwood, vanilla and smoky minerals, with a suave floral pastille nuance coming up with air. Broad, seamless and sweet on the palate, offering intense black raspberry and lavender flavors and a deeper suggestion of bitter chocolate. Energetic and deep, with no excess fat. Finishes with superb clarity and persistence, leaving a sweet red fruit liqueur note behind. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| Alban Vineyards |
2012 |
Alban Estate Grenache |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (9/2016): Glass-staining ruby. A complex, intensely perfumed bouquet displays aromas of black raspberry liqueur, blueberry, Asian spices and violet, and a smoky mineral nuance emerges with air. Coats the palate with vibrant red and blue flavors; juicy acidity and a jolt of white pepper provide vivacity and lift. Impressively balanced for its heft, finishing with powerful thrust and smooth tannins that fold quickly into the sappy dark fruit. I'd have guessed that there was more Syrah in here. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2012 |
Lorraine Alban Estate Syrah |
$189 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (8/2016): Bottled in April of last year (as were all of the 2012 Syrahs), the 2012 Syrah Lorraine Vineyard has the classic sweetness and suppleness of this cuvee as well as tons of black raspberry, toasted bread, creamy licorice and floral notes. Full-bodied, ultra-pure, seamless and polished, it stays nicely focused and straight on the palate and has incredible elegance for wine of this size. Drink it anytime over the coming 15-20 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Pandora Proprietary Blend Lightly Scuffed Label |
$259 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 100 (8/2016): A perfect wine any way you look at it, the utterly profound 2012 Pandora is 100% Grenache that was brought up all in barrel. Massively concentrated and textured, yet ethereal and nuanced, it offers a huge bouquet of black currants, licorice, smoked herbs, chocolate and toasted spice. Bravo to the team at Alban for this incredible, full-bodied, seamless beauty that's easily one of the greatest wines I've tasted from California. |
|
|
2012 |
Reva Alban Estate Syrah |
$175 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97 (8/2016): There are 750 cases (which means good yields for John, although any normal person would call 1.5-1.75 tons per acre financial suicide) of the 2012 Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard, and it's a terrific vintage for this cuvee. Elegant, pretty, even finesse driven, with its classic marine and salty bouquet of smoke, purple fruits, olives and violets, this full-bodied Syrah has no hard edges, integrated acidity and a great finish. It's reasonably approachable now, but deserves 2-4 years of cellaring.
VM 93 (9/2016): (raised in French oak for 44 months) Bright violet. Ripe cherry, dark berries and a hint of fruitcake on the intensely perfumed nose, and a smoky mineral quality in the background. Sappy blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors gain depth and sweetness with air. Opens up and becomes spicier on the impressively persistent, dark-fruit-dominated finish, which features supple tannins and lingering smokiness. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Arterberry Maresh |
2012 |
Maresh Vyd Pinot Noir |
$45 |
5 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (3/2015): The 2012 Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1970, 1972, 1974 and 1978, therefore some of the oldest in the Willamette Valley (65% and 35% Pommard and Wadenswil clone respectively). Jim Maresh described it as the "prettiest Pinot I work with." Matured for 22 months in used barrel, the bouquet is very well defined and intense with darker fruit than the Juliard: blackberry, fig, smoke and Provençal herbs, especially wild fennel. The palate is sweet, pure and intense on the entry with animated red and black fruit interlaced with rosemary and sage notes. I love the focus here, the personality encased in this Pinot Noir. This is pulled out from the top drawer, a superb Pinot that should age without too much trouble over the next decade, though it will need a year or two in bottle just to shave off those rough edges. Around 600 cases produced. |
|
| Aubert |
2012 |
CIX Pinot Noir |
$109 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 93+ (2/2014): Aubert's 2012 Pinot Noir CIX Vineyard comes across as subtle and understated in this context. A wine of silkiness and texture, the 2012 is laced with expressive dark red fruit and gorgeous inner sweetness. The flavors are dark, racy and impeccably balanced. This parcel is planted with a Vosne-Romanee suitcase clone, which seems to give the wine a lot of distinctive aromatics.
WA 89-91 (12/2013): The 2012 Pinot Noir Cix Estate was made from suitcase clones from Vosne-Romanee. It exhibits abundant notes of forest floor, blackberries, blueberries and spicy oak along with dry tannins in the finish. The wine is multi-dimensional and rich, but the tannins are not yet fully resolved which kept my score low. It should drink well for 8-12 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Ritchie Vyd. Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir |
$99 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 93+ (2/2014): Aubert's 2012 Pinot Noir CIX Vineyard comes across as subtle and understated in this context. A wine of silkiness and texture, the 2012 is laced with expressive dark red fruit and gorgeous inner sweetness. The flavors are dark, racy and impeccably balanced. This parcel is planted with a Vosne-Romanee suitcase clone, which seems to give the wine a lot of distinctive aromatics.
WA 89-91 (12/2013): The 2012 Pinot Noir Cix Estate was made from suitcase clones from Vosne-Romanee. It exhibits abundant notes of forest floor, blackberries, blueberries and spicy oak along with dry tannins in the finish. The wine is multi-dimensional and rich, but the tannins are not yet fully resolved which kept my score low. It should drink well for 8-12 years. |
|
|
2012 |
UV Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 94 (2/2014): A classic expression of the Russian River emerges from the 2012 Pinot Noir UV Vineyard. Sweet black cherries, hard candy, cloves, mint and spices meld together in a rich, sumptuous Pinot endowed with plenty of distinction. The flavors are dark, bold and juicy to the core. The 2012 will appeal most to readers who enjoy the exuberance of Russian River Pinots.
WA 92-94 (12/2013): An exceptional perfume of rose petals, loamy soil, raspberries, blueberries and spring flowers jumps from the glass of the 2012 Pinot Noir UV-SL. Primarily Calera clonal material with some Vosne-Romanee suitcase clones, it was fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged 12 months prior to being assembled in tank and then bottled without fining or filtration. This beauty should age effortlessly for 10-12 years. |
|
|
2012 |
UV-SL Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (2/2014): The 2012 Pinot Noir UV-SL Vineyard is the most complete of these Pinots. It is also by far the most intense. Dark red cherry, plum, spice and menthol notes all take shape in the glass. The style is broad, ample and super-ripe. Amazingly, with time in the glass, the wine comes together very nicely, but it really does need a lot of time. A juicy, boisterous finish rounds things out. The UV-SL is the Pinot that most clearly defines Mark Aubert's deeply personal approach to Pinot Noir. |
|
| Bedrock Wine Co. |
2012 |
Kamen Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (5/2014): (80% new oak): Inky ruby. Smoky cherry and dark berry aromas, with hints of licorice, tobacco and vanilla in the background. Spicy and focused on entry, then deeper and broader in the middle, offering juicy blueberry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. The vanilla note comes back strong on the penetrating finish, which is smooth, smoky and very persistent. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Kamen Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon Scuffed Label |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (5/2014): (80% new oak): Inky ruby. Smoky cherry and dark berry aromas, with hints of licorice, tobacco and vanilla in the background. Spicy and focused on entry, then deeper and broader in the middle, offering juicy blueberry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. The vanilla note comes back strong on the penetrating finish, which is smooth, smoky and very persistent. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Kirschenmann Vyd. Zinfandel |
$59 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (6/2014): Vivid ruby-red. Intensely perfumed scents of cherry skin, redcurrant, rhubarb, anise and fresh bay, along with a chalky mineral undertone. Dry, nervy and pure, offering vibrant red fruit and floral pastille flavors and complicating spiciness. Gains weight and power with air and finishes with incisive minerality and excellent persistence. There's something intriguingly nebbiolo-like happening here. This dry-farmed vineyard was planted in 1915. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2012 |
Mixed Blacks Weill a Way |
$59 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (2/2014): A plump, juicy red, the 2012 Mixed Blacks Weill a Way Vineyard is also one of the more approachable wines in this range. Dark red and black fruit, savory herbs, licorice and tobacco all jump from the glass in a flashy, layered wine to drink now and over the next few years. This is yet another super-impressive effort from Bedrock. Best of all, the Weill Away offers a bit more near term appeal than some other 2012s. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2012 |
Papera Ranch Heritage |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (2/2014): The 2012 Papera Ranch Heritage, a Zinfandel-based field blend red, is another drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Dark cherries, plums, tobacco, licorice and new leather all burst from the glass. The style is rich, intense and voluptuous, but all the elements are in the right place. Today, the flavors are really popping. The 2012 is 54% Zinfandel plus an assortment of grapes, including Carignane, Petite Sirah, Valdigue, Cabernet, Trousseau Gris and others from a site planted in 1934. |
|
| Belle Pente |
2012 |
Estate Reserve Pinot Noir |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Beringer |
2012 |
Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$115 |
5 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (10/2014): Revealing the great blending skills of Beringer’s winemaking team, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is a winner. Having purchased Private Reserves for many years, I can attest that they age incredibly well. The 1991, one of the great successes of that vintage, is still aging beautifully at nearly 25 years of age. The sensational 2012 (10,000 cases) boasts an opaque purple color along with abundant aromas of charcoal, burning embers, cr?me de cassis, chocolate, blackberries and licorice. The long, complex, compelling, full-bodied texture along with terrific purity and a savory, rich mouthfeel result in a classic, quintessential Napa Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next 20-25 years. |
|
| Bethel Heights |
2012 |
Aeolian Estate Pinot Noir |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Betz Family Winery |
2012 |
La Cote Patriarche Syrah (1.5 L) |
$140 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (6/2014): A cuvee that’s not produced in every vintage, the 2012 Cote Patriarche comes all from the Red Willow vineyard and mostly from the oldest Syrah vines planted in Washington. Inky purple in color, with mineral-laced blackberry, cassis, crushed flowers, smoked earth and licorice, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, a seamless texture and an overriding sense of elegance that carries through the finish. Knockout stuff, it too will have 15+ years of longevity. |
|
|
2012 |
La Serenne Syrah (1.5 L) |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (6/2014): As for the Syrah-driven wines, they do two main cuvees, one focusing on Boushey Vineyard, the La Serenne, and the other on Red Mountain, the La Cote Rousse. The 2012 Syrah La Serenne is a 100% Syrah that was aged in 50% new French oak prior to bottling. I think the greatest vintage of this cuvee to date, it boasts an incredibly inky purple color to go with notions of creme de cassis, damp earth, graphite, smoke and licorice that flow to a full-bodied, voluptuously textured profile on the palate. Despite all of the richness, it stays thrillingly focused and shows the purity and elegance of the site. Enjoy it anytime over the coming 10-15 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$135 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95+ (6/2015): Containing the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ever, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, with is all from Red Mountain, and saw 19 months in new French oak. It's an inky colored, classic Betz Family wine that's loaded with perfectly ripe black fruits, lead pencil shavings, scorched earth and the searing minerality and dusty earth quality that comes only from Red Mountain. Full-bodied, structured and layered, with rockin' purity and focus, give it 7-8 years of bottle age and drink it over the following two decades.
VM 94+ (12/2014): (14.5% alcohol; includes 2.5% each Merlot and petit verdot; aged in 70% new oak): Bright red-ruby. Ineffable wild aromas of blackberry, espresso, licorice, pepper, mint tea and cinnamon, complicated by a whiff of game. Boasts an utterly aristocratic texture and great lift but shows little obvious sweetness in the early going. Great incipient complexity to the suave, fine-grained flavors of red fruits, spices, flowers and minerals. More taut and backward on the end than the Clos de Betz but not at all hard, this seriously structured cabernet displays a slow-building, inexorable finish, with tannins buried in flavor. (I also tasted a sample of Betz’s 2012 Le Parrain (“the godfather”) Cabernet Sauvignon shortly before bottling. Made entirely from clone 8 and aged in very expensive Taransaud Quintessence barrels, this beauty offers knockout perfume of black raspberry, blackberry, violet and minerals; a supple, savory, sharply delineated palate with pungent pepper and violet high notes lifting the dark berry, saline mineral and sexy oak flavors; and extremely suave tannins that spread out to saturate the palate on the superb rising finish. This special bottling, previously made in 2005, offers an uncanny combination of density and weightlessness. I rated it 94-96 but note that it will not be released until the autumn of 2015.) |
|
| Bevan Cellars |
2012 |
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon |
$175 |
7 |
|
| |
|
| Booker Vineyard |
2012 |
Fracture 24 Syrah |
$99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96-99 (8/2014): The 2012 Fracture 24 shows similar cassis, vanilla bean and licorice-styled aromas, but has a slightly more savory undercurrent, with smoked meats and wild herbs as well. It too is full-bodied, deeply concentrated and layered, with incredible depth and richness that stays classy and pure. This beauty flirts with perfection and will have a decade or more of longevity.
VM 93 (7/2014): The 2012 Fracture is gorgeous. Silky, layered and impeccable on the palate, the 2012 is a wine of pure textural balance. The flavors are bright, floral and much more lifted than is often the case. Sweet rose petals, mint and cinnamon are some of the many notes that flesh out on the racy, silky finish. The 2012 is nicely layered in the glass, but also fairly laid back by Paso standards. |
|
|
2012 |
Fracture Syrah |
$89 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (8/2014): There are roughly 293 cases of the 2012 Fracture to go around, and it checks in as a blend of 100% Syrah that was aged 18 months in French oak. A big, rich and decadent effort, it’s another spectacular effort from this estate that does everything right. Creme de cassis, chocolate, spice-box, graphite and ground pepper all come together beautifully here, and this beauty has a forward, supple and full-bodied style that’s hard to resist. More elegant and open than past vintages, I’d drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years, but it will evolve for longer. |
|
|
2012 |
Oublie 24 Proprietary Blend Cracked Wax Capsule |
$99 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93-95 (8/2014): Slightly more savory and rich than the straight Oublie release, the 2012 Oublie 24 gives up more bouquet garni, black fruits and ground herbs to go with a full-bodied, fabulously concentrated feel on the palate. It too has a southern Rhone-like feel and should drink nicely on release and evolve gracefully for 7-8 years.
VM 92-94 (7/2014): Dark red cherry, plum, smoke, mint, tobacco and cedar are some of the many notes that blossom in the 2012 Oublie 24. Pliant, expressive and nuanced, the 2012 is above all else a wine of pure silkiness. There is a lot to like here. Next to the straight Oublie, the 24 is a bit more seamless, vibrant and perfumed. |
|
|
2012 |
Oublie Proprietary Blend |
$85 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (8/2014): There are roughly 293 cases of the 2012 Fracture to go around, and it checks in as a blend of 100% Syrah that was aged 18 months in French oak. A big, rich and decadent effort, it’s another spectacular effort from this estate that does everything right. Creme de cassis, chocolate, spice-box, graphite and ground pepper all come together beautifully here, and this beauty has a forward, supple and full-bodied style that’s hard to resist. More elegant and open than past vintages, I’d drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years, but it will evolve for longer. |
|
|
2012 |
Remnant 24 Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94-96 (8/2014): Still in barrel, the 2012 Remnant 24 (identical blend to the regular release) will see 24 months in oak before bottling. It’s also worth noting that since there was no My Favorite Neighbor produced in 2012, this cuvee received all of the grapes that would normally go into that cuvee. While billed as a catch-all blend, it tastes like anyone else’s top wine and offers loads of sweet black fruits, damp underbrush, chocolate and roasted herbs to go with a full-bodied, rich, layered and downright sexy profile. There’s no shortage of tannin here either, so a year of cellaring is recommended. It will have 10-15 years of longevity, but bottles wouldn’t last that long at my house. |
|
|
2012 |
Ripper Grenache |
$79.20 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (8/2014): The 2012 The Ripper (always 100% Grenache), which checks in at 13.6% alcohol, is a fabulous effort that was brought up all in neutral 500-liter French oak barrels. Loaded with notions of kirsch, dried flowers, rose petal and underbrush, it’s about as seamless and elegant as this cuvee gets, yet it’s still no lightweight and has full-bodied richness and depth. Showing plenty of fine tannin on the finish, it is hard to resist now, but should have a solid 10-12 year drink window.
VM 94 (7/2014): A dark, voluptuous wine, the 2012 Ripper bursts from the glass with dark red and black stone fruits, spices, new leather and menthol flesh out in the glass. In 2012, the Ripper is much darker and riper than normal, with less varietal character than has been the case of late. In 2012, Eric Jensen managed the canopies to get as much hang time as possible, which resulted in extended hang time and a harvest that was about three weeks later than normal. Personally, I have enjoyed Booker's Ripper most when the Grenache characteristics are emphasized to a greater degree. The 2012 was done entirely in neutral 500 liter barrels. |
|
|
2012 |
RLF Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2014): A new cuvee for me, the 2012 RLF (which is named after Eric’s father-in-law, Randy Lee Fannin, who died in a tragic incident in 2011) is a blend of 71% Grenache and 29% Syrah that was aged in a combination of used and new barrels. Tasting like a high-quality Chateauneuf du Pape, it offers perfumed black raspberry, framboise, crushed flowers, lavender and herbs de Provence aromas and flavors. This flows to full-bodied, silky and sexy wine that has impeccable balance, a rounded, supple texture and a great finish. It’s hard to resist now, and I see no reason to delay gratification either. |
|
|
2012 |
Vertigo 24 Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95-97 (8/2014): Still in barrel, the 2012 Vertigo 24 release shows a similar level of purity to go with killer aromatics (black raspberry, bouquet garni and licorice), full-bodied richness and a layered, decadent style on the palate. It has a tad more richness and depth than the straight bottling, and is an incredible red.
VM 91-93 (7/2014): The 2012 Vertigo 24 has a little more tannic spine than the straight Vertigo. Dark red stone fruits, spices, mint and new leather are all very much alive. Although quite supple and expressive, the 2012 also has plenty of drive and energy. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2012 |
Vertigo Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (8/2014): The 2012 Vertigo is a blend of 57% Syrah, 32% Mourvedre and 11% Grenache that spent 18 months in French oak. It has fabulous purity to go with notions of sweet red and black berries, crushed flowers, licorice and rose petal on the nose. This flows to a medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless red that has no hard edges, building richness, and a graceful, lightly textured feel that never seems heavy or cumbersome. It will thrill for upward of a decade. |
|
| J. Bookwalter |
2012 |
Chapter 5 Red Wine |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Conflict Conner-Lee Vyd. Red Wine |
$25 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (6/2015): In the same ballpark quality-wise as the Protagonist release, with probably a longer drink window, the 2012 Conner Lee Vineyard Conflict is made from 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 5% Syrah. Finishing malo in barrel and aged 20 months in 70% new French oak, it has classic plum, black raspberry, chocolate, lead pencil and spice-laced aromatics. This give way to a full-bodied, nicely concentrated, gorgeously pure 2012 that still has oak to integrate, yet will have over a decade of longevity. |
|
| Chateau Boswell |
2012 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Cadence |
2012 |
Bel Canto Red Mtn. Cara Mia Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$59 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (6/2015): I think the most approachable in the lineup, the 2012 Bel Canto has a complex, perfumed style in its dried flowers, dried spices, vanilla and black cherry and black raspberry-like fruit profile. A blend of 84% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot that spent 20 months in 50% new French oak, it’s full-bodied, concentrated and structured on the palate, yet has perfect balance and a great texture. Few in the US are doing Cabernet Franc better this, and I suspect it will hold nicely for 15-20 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Camerata Cara Mia Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
5 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (6/2015): Sensational stuff, the 2012 Camerata (91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc) is big, burly effort that offers classic Red Mountain structure and depth. Giving up lots of black cherry, crushed rocks, dried violets and graphite, it is savory, powerful and concentrated on the palate. It needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will hold for two decades after that. |
|
|
2012 |
Camerata Cara Mia Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$110 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (6/2015): Sensational stuff, the 2012 Camerata (91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc) is big, burly effort that offers classic Red Mountain structure and depth. Giving up lots of black cherry, crushed rocks, dried violets and graphite, it is savory, powerful and concentrated on the palate. It needs 4-5 years of cellaring and will hold for two decades after that. |
|
|
2012 |
Tapteil Vyd. Red (1.5 L) |
$80 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93+ (11/2015): Bright ruby-red. Red berries, cocoa powder and licorice on the nose. Tightly wound and youthfully imploded, conveying an impression of density without weight. Dark fruit and mineral flavors show terrific lift but are extremely backward in the early going. "Drink this with a big steak or hold it for four years," suggests Ben Smith, adding that the 1999 Tapteil is great right now. Finishes with a firm tannic spine and outstanding subtle length and lift. This wine was aged in 40% new oak and was racked a total of just three times. Incidentally, I also got an early look at the 2013 Tapteil, and that impressively intense wine may need even longer aging than the '12, due in part to its higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. (Drink between 2019-2029) Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Cakebread Cellars |
2012 |
Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon |
$175 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Carlisle |
2012 |
James Berry Vineyard Syrah |
$50 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (6/2014): (20% whole clusters, 27% new oak and 15.9% alcohol): Inky purple. Sexy aromas of cassis, cherry compote, roasted coffee and incense. Supple, pliant and deep in black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors. Becomes spicier and more energetic with air and picks up a smoky nuance that lingers on the long, sweet, intensely spicy finish. I was shocked to see that alcohol number as the wine doesn't betray it at all. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Caymus |
2012 |
40th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon (1.0 L) Lightly Scuffed Label |
$249 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2014): They appear to be immune to some of winedom’s less than intelligent trends and fads that we see from time to time, and the result is a spectacular 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon 40th Anniversary offering. Its dense purple/black color is followed by copious quantities of crème de cassis and blackberry fruit, silky tannins, a voluptuous texture and stunning purity as well as length. This full-bodied effort is a fabulous example of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a tribute to this amazing family. It is so good now, why wait? However, I’m sure that like most vintages of Caymus, it will last for 20-25 years. Amazing!
VM 85 (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon 40th Anniversary from Caymus hits the palate with a rush of dark cherry, plum, Coke, chocolate, brandy, spices and sweet new oak. There is good texture, viscosity and immediacy to the fruit at first, but the sickly sweet new oak and vanillin become overpowering soon after, totally covering the fruit and attenuating the mid-palate and finish. Thankfully, the finish is short. Even by today's standards in Napa Valley, this is a decidedly sweet style of Cabernet Sauvignon quite unlike pretty much anything else I tasted this year. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Ceritas |
2012 |
Peter Martin Ray Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (2/2016): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Peter Martin Ray Vineyard has developed into a very attractive, mid-weight wine. Grilled herbs, mint, licorice, dark red cherry and leather grace the palate in a feminine, gracious Cabernet Sauvignon with gorgeous Santa Cruz Mountains personality as well as distinct Pinot-leaning inflections. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Chappellet |
2012 |
Napa Valley Malbec |
$49 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$575 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 99+ (10/2014): The dense purple-colored 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill Estate (one of Napa’s fashionable go-to terroirs) exhibits a striking bouquet of spring flowers, blueberries, raspberries and blackcurrants. This is a compelling wine with profound depth and flavor, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a velvety integration of tannin, acidity and wood. Pushing perfection in Cabernet Sauvignon, this multidimensional, skyscraper-like offering has all the intensity one expects, but it never comes across as heavy. This gives it an ethereal character that is nearly impossible to articulate, but genius is often hard to explain. It is clearly a major superstar of a great vintage.
VM 94+ (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill is rich and explosive, with tons of concentration, depth and structure. Dark blue and black fruit, mocha, smoke, menthol, licorice and spices all burst from the glass as this huge, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon shows off its pure class. Readers will have to be patient with the 2012, a wine that will blow the roof off the house with its unbridled power. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2012 |
Pritchard Hill Estate Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$279 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 98 (3/2024): Seemingly just entering maturity, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill boasts stunning fresh, vital notes of redcurrants and raspberries, accented by intricate details of dried sage and bay leaf. It's amazingly silky and supple, a charming, softly tannic effort that somehow combines intense levels of concentration with almost indescribable harmony and finesse.
VM 94+ (10/2024): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill is rich and explosive, with tons of concentration, depth and structure. Dark blue and black fruit, mocha, smoke, menthol, licorice and spices all burst from the glass as this huge, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon shows off its pure class. Readers will have to be patient with the 2012, a wine that will blow the roof off the house with its unbridled power. (Drink between 2020-2042). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Clark-Claudon |
2012 |
Eternity Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Eternity Cabernet Sauvignon |
$139 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Constant |
2012 |
Diamond Mountain Vyd. Merlot |
$60 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (12/2014): Wild flowers, licorice, savory herbs, dried rose petals and cherries are some of the many notes that emerge from the 2012 Merlot, a wine that impresses for its character and personality. A wine more of place than anything else, Constant's Merlot remains compelling. Readers should expect a nuanced, savory mountain Merlot built on complexity and an understated sense of power. (Drink between 2017-2032). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Corra |
2012 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of different vineyards from Pritchard Hill, Rutherford and Oakville, is a beautifully balanced wine displaying a dense ruby/purple color along with a sweet nose of cedarwood, Christmas fruitcake, crème de cassis and loamy notes. Full-bodied, velvety, dramatic and sensual, the aromatics and forwardness suggest drinking it over the next 10-15 years. |
|
| DeLille Cellars |
2012 |
Doyenne Grand Ciel Vyd. Syrah |
$25 |
13 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2015): A similar purple/ruby, semi-opaque color to the Signature Syrah, the 2012 Doyenne Syrah Grand Ciel Vineyard has more minerality (no doubt due to coming from Red Mountain) to go with lots of blackberry, graphite, pepper and crushed violet notes. Like the Signature Syrah, it shows the vintage nicely with lots of concentration, integrated acidity and a big finish, where the wine's structure becomes more apparent. It will benefit from short-term cellaring and have 10-15 years of overall longevity.
VM 92+ (11/2015): Good dark red. Lovely perfume of cherry, cranberry, white pepper, spices and dusty flowers. Lovely fine-grained Syrah with a savory restraint to its highly aromatic red berry and spice flavors complicated by a hint of game. Made from a slow-to-ripen Entav clone. Finishing quite firm, even a bit youthfully sullen, this already complex Syrah needs time to evolve. (Drink between 2019-2028). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Doyenne Signature Syrah |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2015): The ruby/purple colored 2012 Doyenne Syrah Signature is a classic Washington State Syrah that does everything right. Giving up vivid notes of salted blackberries, fresh plum, violets and spice, this balanced 2012 has full-bodied richness, nicely integrated acidity and a clean, nicely focused finish. More fresh and lively than the Grand Ciel release, it still has rock-solid concentration and fantastic purity of fruit. Give it another year in bottle and drink it through 2027.
VM 92 (11/2015): Bright medium ruby. Very ripe aromas of cherry, mocha and wild herbs are lifted by high notes of clove and spearmint oil. Saline and classically dry, offering a lovely refined texture to its flavors of raspberry, fresh herbs and dark chocolate. Finishes savory and persistent, with serious building tannins. This very suave Syrah has the balance to age. (Drink between 2017-2026). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon |
$100 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 93+ (11/2015): Bright medium red. Deep aromas of cassis, black plum, minerals and licorice complicated by noble herbs and lifted by a violet topnote. Intensely flavored and perfumed but quite tight in the early going, conveying an exhilarating impression of weightlessness. The dark fruit flavors are complemented by notes of bitter chocolate and licorice. Already smooth but youthfully clenched. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins. Less generous and sweet than the Chaleur Estate Red Wine but this is still a baby. (Drink between 2020-2033). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Metier Red Blend |
$25 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 93 (12/2014): Bright ruby. High-toned aromas of blackberry, wildflowers and Moroccan spices. Juicy, fine-grained and light on its feet, conveying wonderfully perfumed flavors of blackberry, wild herbs and flowers, cumin and black olive. Really explosive fruit here, extended by lively acidity through a long, floral finish. This beautifully balanced wine combines Old World savoir faire with New World fruit intensity. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 92 (6/2015): The estate's Southern Rhone-style release, the 2012 Doyenne Metier Proprietary Red Blend is 39% Grenache, 39% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah and the rest Cinsault. Deep ruby and mostly opaque, it offers up classic black cherries, black raspberries, roasted herbs, pepper and hints of leather to go with a medium to full-bodied, ripe, layered and balanced feel on the palate. Possessing more than a passing resemblance to a quality Chateauneuf du Pape, this is a great Rhone blend from Washington. |
|
|
2012 |
Red Willow Vyd. Malbec |
$25 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (11/2015): Bright, deep ruby. Aromas of cassis, blueberry, kirsch and violet, with a touch of tar in a Nebbiolo way; almost liqueur-like. The juicy, spicy, high-pitched dark berries come across as classically dry owing to the wine's firm underlying backbone. This seriously structured, tannic, backward wine needs time in the cellar, or a piece of beef. Half of this wine received an extended maceration lasting eight weeks, which winemaker Chris Upchurch says has given it more of a grape-skin phenolic quality. (Drink between 2019-2028). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Denner |
2012 |
The Dirt Worshiper Syrah Blend |
$50 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 94+ (8/2015): The estate's Northern Rhone-inspired release and a blockbuster in the making, the 2012 The Dirt Worshipper Estate checks in as a blend of 95% Syrah, 3% Viognier and 2% Roussanne. It was fermented with 50% whole clusters and saw 20 months in 15% new French oak. It's a beautiful wine that has classy notes of cracked pepper, olive paste, bacon fat and sweet black raspberry fruit. These give way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant, seamless and youthful wine that has striking purity of fruit and plenty of fine tannin. It needs 2-3 years of cellaring and will keep through 2027. |
|
|
2012 |
The Ditch Digger Grenache Blend |
$50 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94 (8/2014): Just bottled, the 2012 Ditch Digger checks in as a blend of 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre and the balance Cinsault and Counoise. Fermented with 50% whole clusters and aged 80% in used 500-liter barrels and the balance in concrete, it offers a southern Rhone-like bouquet of kirsch and blackberry fruits, ground herbs, pepper and spiced meats. This flows to a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and yet fresh and elegant wine that will have upward of a decade of longevity.
VM 90 (7/2014): The 2012 Ditch Digger is fabulous. Dense, layered and beautifully textured on the palate, the 2012 is built on serious concentration. Sweet red cherries, mint, hard candy and menthol inform a juicy, racy Rhone blend with tons of near and medium term appeal. The 2012 was done predominantly in 500-liter barrels, with 50% whole clusters. (Drink between 2014-2022). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Donelan |
2012 |
Two Brothers Pinot Noir |
$55 |
18 |
|
| |
| VM 89 (1/2015): Crushed rose petals, raspberries, mint and cinnamon are some of the notes that lift from the glass in Donelan's 2012 Pinot Noir Two Brothers. I would prefer to drink the 2012 sooner rather than later. Over the last year, some of the radiance and sweetness that was present in barrel has faded. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| L' Ecole No. 41 |
2012 |
Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$45 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 90 (6/2015): Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that comes from a number of vineyards in Walla Walla, the 2012 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon offers lots of jammy blackberry and black raspberry fruit, creamy licorice, grilled bread and spice in a medium to full-bodied, balanced, textured package. Given the depth through the mid-palate and the sweet tannin on the finish, I suspect this could be drunk anytime over the coming decade or more. |
|
| Elk Cove Vineyards |
2012 |
Five Mountain Pinot Noir |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Olenik Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Epoch Estate Wines |
2012 |
Authenticity Proprietary Blend |
$60 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Estate Proprietary Blend |
$35 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Paderewski Vyd. Block B Syrah |
$60 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Paderewski Vyd. Veracity Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Paderewski Vyd. Zinfandel |
$35 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Etude |
2012 |
North Canyon Pinot Noir |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Yamhill Vista Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Failla |
2012 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir |
$45 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Force Majeure |
2012 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series I Red Wine |
$55 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 94 (6/2015): The 2012 Collaboration Series I is a rocking blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance an even split of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Perfumed, lifted and fresh, with notes of spring flowers, mint, graphite, liquid black cherry and raspberry-like fruit, it has full-bodied richness, solid mid-palate depth and plenty of fine tannin. It’s made by Ben Smith and shows his more classic style. Give it 2-5 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles over the following decade or more. I’m being conservative on the drink window and it will evolve for longer.
VM 91 (11/2015): Deep ruby-red. Dark berry, cocoa powder and herb aromas are lifted by captivating violet and lavender high notes. Flavors of red fruits, spices and fig come across as riper and more syrupy than the Cadence wines, but subtle herbal and saline nuances provide lift. Finishes with serious, tongue-dusting tannins, a substantial oak element and a faint youthful dryness. A very successful, savory blend but made in a style that Smith describes as "more boisterous" than his own Cadence bottlings. (Drink between 2018-2025). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series V Cabernet Sauvignon |
$60 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 97 (6/2015): Made by Chris Gorman, the 2012 Collaboration Series V Cabernet Sauvignon Ciel du Cheval is a blockbuster. Big, bombastic, full-bodied and decadent, it still stays classy and elegant, with lively black raspberry, cassis, caramelized cherries, crushed flowers and high-class oak all emerging from the glass. Enjoy this pedal-to-the-metal Cabernet over the coming two decades.
VM 89 (11/2015): (14.9% alcohol; made by Chris Gorman): Dark ruby-red. Cassis, licorice, chocolatey oak and a whiff of leather on the slightly medicinal nose. Densely packed and full, conveying an almost port-like sweetness to the flavors of cassis, black cherry and licorice. This chewy, plush wine is a bit youthfully clenched today; perhaps a few years of cellaring will bring more complexity. Finishes with tongue-dusting tannins and very good length. |
|
|
2012 |
Force Majeur Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$60 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 95+ (6/2015): Made by Todd Alexander and coming from the new estate vineyard, the 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is backward and structured, with gorgeous dark fruits, scorched earth, graphite and crushed rock giving way to a full-bodied, concentrated tannic feel on the palate. This is a serious effort that will need a decade of cellaring, yet should have 25+ years of overall longevity.
JD 95+ (1/2018): The 2012 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the estate vineyard located high up on Red Mountain. It offers a perfumed, masculine and mineral-laced bouquet of crushed violets, blueberries, plums and wild herbs to go with a full-bodied, rich, structured style on the palate. While there's plenty of upfront fruit, it has building tannin, tons of minerality, and a great finish, all suggesting it needs short term cellaring. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 15-20 years. (Drink between 2020-2040).
VM 92 (11/2015): Bright, dark ruby. Black cherry, cassis, minerals and licorice on the tight nose, with a faint herbal quality. Sweet flavors of dark berries and spices show lovely plushness and depth. Nicely concentrated but still a bit youthfully clenched and a bit dry on the back end, even if the tannins are fine-grained and suave. Very impressive Cabernet but extremely primary today and in need of patience. This bottling comes from the winery's steep estate vineyard on Red Mountain. (Drink between 2019-2025). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Frank Family |
2012 |
Carneros Pinot Noir |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (5/2014): Bright medium red. Musky, reduced aromas of strawberry, earth, menthol and sassafras. At once juicy and round, with moderate mid-palate weight to the flavors of cranberry, strawberry and spices. This essentially supple, fruit-driven pinot finishes with sweet, soft tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Reserve Sangiovese |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Reserve Zinfandel |
$20 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Garric Cellars |
2012 |
George Cabernet Sauvignon |
$49 |
7 |
|
| |
|
| Grace Family Vineyards |
2012 |
Blank Cabernet Sauvignon |
$159 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (10/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is an attractive, mid-weight wine. Sweet red cherry, raspberries mint and eucalyptus flesh out nicely in the glass. The 2012 could use a bit more mid-palate generosity and overall depth, but it is solid nonetheless. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Gramercy Cellars |
2012 |
John Lewis Reserve Syrah |
$75 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 95+ (6/2015): The 2012 Syrah John Lewis comes from the Les Collines Vineyard in Walla Walla and is 100% Syrah that saw 80% whole clusters and 18 months in mostly neutral French oak puncheons. Tight, backward and nicely structured, with bright acidity, it has layered aromatics of black fruits, black olives, cracked pepper, dried violets and tobacco leaf. This is a sensational Syrah that has deserve 4-5 years of bottle age, and will have 20-25 years of overall longevity. |
|
|
2012 |
Lagniappe Syrah |
$59 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (12/2014): (14.2% alcohol; mostly from Red Willow fruit; vinified with 50% of its stems; aged in 9% new oak): Bright ruby-red. Knockout perfume combines black raspberry, violet, bacon fat and smoke, plus a whiff of game. Densely packed and intense, boasting terrific clarity and thrust to its dark fruit, floral and spicy oak flavors. Really seductive pliancy and sweetness here, not to mention impeccable balance. The classically dry, slowly building finish leaves the palate saturated with flavor. As impressive a Syrah as I’ve tasted to date from Gramercy Cellars, probably because it’s not as low in alcohol as previous vintages. Clearly, Harrington is no longer as obsessed with making low-alcohol “sommelier wines.” As he now puts it, “every vineyard has its sweet spot” for ripeness. A great Washington Syrah. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$85 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 98 (1/2018): A sensational Cabernet that doesn't put a foot wrong, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from Gramercy sport a deep ruby color to go with fabulous notes of crème de cassis, lead pencil, graphite, and hints of tobacco. Rich, full-bodied, seamless and ultra-pure, with building tannin and a heady, decadent finish, this is serious all around and will see its 30th birthday in fine form. Hats off to the team at Gramercy for this blockbuster! (Drink between 2016-2042) |
|
| Greer |
2012 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$195 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 98 (1/2026): A killer effort from this great vintage for the Valley, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up currants, spice, leafy tobacco, and cedar pencil on the nose. Checking in as the usual 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 19 months in 60% new French oak, it's round, lush, and hedonistic on the palate, with fine tannins, no hard edges, and that open, seamless, sexy style of the vintage. Drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years or so. Drink 2026-2040. (Drink between 2026-2040) |
|
| Grgich Hills |
2012 |
Miljenko’s Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Lightly Scuffed Label |
$80 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Hall |
2012 |
Bergfeld St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon |
$200 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Jack’s Masterpiece Cabernet Sauvignon |
$129 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Hayfork |
2012 |
Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (12/2015): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch, which is actually a great value in the scheme of Napa pricing, is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot that was aged for 20 months in 70% new French oak. The wine displays gorgeous licorice, lead pencil shavings, black currants, loamy soil undertones and a touch of barrique. Dense purple, it has a full-bodied, multi-layered mouthfeel and a stunning finish with good acidity and velvety, well-integrated tannin, alcohol and wood. This is a scrumptious, full-throttle Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 15 or so years. |
|
| Hendry |
2012 |
Block 14 Malbec Very Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$20 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Block 24 Primitivo |
$20 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Hidden Ridge |
2012 |
55% Slope Cabernet Sauvignon |
$59 |
7 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon 55 Degrees Slope exhibits an opaque ruby/purple color as well as beautiful, sweet crème de cassis, Asian plum sauce, licorice and forest floor notes. Full-bodied with velvety tannins, and impressive concentration, texture and length, this superb Cabernet can be drunk early in life because of its velvety opulence or cellared for two decades. |
|
|
2012 |
Impassable Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$179 |
4 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Impassable Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$225 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Hill Family Estate |
2012 |
Clarke Vyd. Napa Valley Syrah |
$30 |
7 |
|
| |
|
| Horsepower Vineyards |
2012 |
The Tribe Vyd. Syrah |
$149 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 97 (6/2015): More gamy, bloody and meaty than the Sur Echalas Vineyard Syrah, the 2012 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard is a full-bodied, elegant, concentrated and structured effort that gives up complex notes of savory dark fruits, beef blood, dried herbs, pepper and olives. It's another incredible Syrah that needs short-term cellaring, but will have two decades of evolution.
VM 93+ (11/2015): (14.1% alcohol; as with the Echalas Vineyard, the Tribe is cultivated with draft horses): Dark ruby. Aromas of black cherry, liquefied lamb tartare, paprika and black licorice, plus a note of medicinal reserve. Hugely sweet and concentrated but carrying a good bit of unabsorbed CO2 and showing less finesse today than the Cayuse Syrah bottlings from the 2012 vintage. Inky and primary, with strong underlying minerality. This is distinctly Brune while the Echalas Syrah is more Blonde. Finishes with substantial ripe tannins and a slight bitter edge that will require cellaring. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Inglenook |
2012 |
Rubicon Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon |
$139 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 95 (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon, which used to be a proprietary blend and had a somewhat rustic, Italian personality, has now been put under the Inglenook Vineyard designation. Where the Cabernet Sauvignon was a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot, the Rubicon has abandoned any Italian varietals in favor of a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot. I think it’s safe to say this is potentially the best Rubicon made to date. It’s not to denigrate other vintages, but there is a finesse and elegance combined with great richness and an avoidance of any rusticity that plagued some of the other vintages – which is to be admired. At three times the price, it’s not three times the wine of the Cask Cabernet Sauvignon. It possesses a dense purple color, beautiful, sweet crème de cassis notes with a floral underpinning. I don’t see any of the Rutherford dust, per se, but there is an undertone of earthiness. The wine is full-bodied, rich, potentially complex and certainly capable of lasting 20 to 30 or more years. This is a great young Rubicon that will have its peak in 5-7 years and last 25-30.
VM 93 (10/2015): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is deeper, inkier and sweeter than the Cask, with quite a bit more new French oak influence. Espresso, mocha, licorice, cloves and new leather are fused together in an unctuous, resonant Cabernet loaded with mid-palate sweetness and intensity. Radiant and generous, the 2012 will provide readers with a long window of pure drinking pleasure once the tannins soften a bit. Today, the 2012 comes across as a bit less expressive than on other occasions. (Drink between 2018-2032). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Jonata Winery |
2012 |
La Tierra de Jonata Sangiovese |
$45 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 93 (8/2015): Made from 100% Sangiovese from Ballard Canyon, the 2012 La Tierra de Jonata has a vivid ruby/semi-opaque color to go with beautiful cherry and strawberry fruits, spice, licorice and crushed flowers. A medium to full-bodied red, it has terrific purity and integrated acidity, both of which give it an elegant, seamless style that's surprisingly approachable. Drink it anytime over the coming 8-9 years.
VM 90 (8/2015): The 2012 Tierra is an attractive wine, but over the last year it has acquired a deeper, darker register that wasn't present at the outset and that masks some of the varietal character. Drink this powerful Sangiovese-based red over the next handful of years. A dollop of Syrah rounds out the blend. The Tierra was aged mostly in larger format French oak barrels, 25% new. Not surprisingly, most of the Sangiovese at Jonata has now been ripped out. The wines, while pretty, also appear to have been a bit unpredictable. (Drink between 2015-2020). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Juslyn |
2012 |
Perry’s Blend Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
8 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (10/2015): The proprietary red, a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 17% Cabernet Franc, is the 2012 Perry’s Blend. This was aged almost 30 months in 50% new French oak and 50% second-year barrels. Gorgeous aromatics of unsmoked cigar tobacco, spring flowers, black and red currants, a touch of raspberry and blueberry are followed by a sexy, delicious, lush, medium to full-bodied wine with beautiful balance, purity, and overall texture. This is hard to ignore, but then again, it is another very showy 2012. This wine should continue to drink well for 12-15 years at the minimum, but who has such patience? |
|
| K Vintners |
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. |
|
|
2012 |
The Hustler Syrah |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95-97 (6/2015): Still in barrel at the time of this tasting, the 2012 Syrah The Hustler is a blockbuster-styled Syrah that's overflowing with notions of sweet red and black fruits, toasted bread, cured meats and cedar. Only made in special vintages (it was previously made in '03, '07 and '09) and aged 38 months in French oak, it's full-bodied, decadent and layered, with a weightless, elegant, seamless feel. Coming all from the Morrison Lane Vineyard (it's actually the Morrison Lane Syrah with extended barrel aging), it should be ready to go on release and dish out tons of pleasure over the following decade or more. The extended elevage has given this a more upfront feel, yet I suspect it will also allow it age more slowly as well. |
|
| Keever |
2012 |
Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (12/2014): Dark red cherry, plum, wild flowers, cinnamon and mint lift from the glass in Keever's 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2012 is floral, mid-weight and gracious, with a classic sense of structure and lovey overall balance. This open, accessible Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific choice for drinking over the next few years. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Kokumi |
2012 |
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir |
$16.15 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Kosta Browne |
2012 |
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (10/2014): The straight 2012 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a gorgeous Pinot. Subtle and nuanced, yet no lightweight, it offers layers of mulled red and black fruits, cinnamon, loamy earth and dried flowers on the nose. Every bit as good on the palate, with a medium to full-bodied, supple and layered profile, it has excellent mid-palate depth, a fabulous texture and a clean finish. It's already hard to resist, but it will evolve nicely through 2022. |
|
|
2012 |
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir |
$70 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (10/2014): The straight 2012 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is a gorgeous Pinot. Subtle and nuanced, yet no lightweight, it offers layers of mulled red and black fruits, cinnamon, loamy earth and dried flowers on the nose. Every bit as good on the palate, with a medium to full-bodied, supple and layered profile, it has excellent mid-palate depth, a fabulous texture and a clean finish. It's already hard to resist, but it will evolve nicely through 2022. |
|
|
2012 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir |
$74 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Kutch |
2012 |
McDougall Ranch Pinot Noir |
$55 |
11 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (5/2015): A big, punchy wine, the 2012 Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch hits the palate with bold dark cherries, pomegranate, spices, new leather and savory herbs. This is one of the most intense, overt wines I have tasted from Jamie Kutch, yet all the elements are in the right place. As good as it is today, the 2012 will be even better in a few years. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Larkmead Vineyards |
2012 |
Firebelle Red Wine |
$95 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2014): Living up to its barrel tasting notes, the 2012 Proprietary Red Firebelle (54% Merlot, 21% Malbec, 13% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon) was aged 18 months in 62% French oak. Sweet blackcurrant, blackberry, licorice, chocolate and loamy soil notes are followed by a savory, expansive, opulent, dense yet approachable and exuberant wine. It is best consumed over the next 12-15 years.
VM 91 (12/2014): Larkmead's 2012 Firebelle is a dark, voluptuous beauty. Black fruit, spices, plums, mocha, licorice and leather meld together in an intense, powerful wine bursting at the seams with intensity and power. With time in the glass, the 2012 finds a bit more focus and finesse. Rose petals, mint, mocha, lavender, and cinnamon are layered into the finish in a striking Firebelle to drink now and over the next 15 years, give or take. (Drink between 2017-2031). Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2012 |
LMV Salon Proprietary Blend |
$100 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 94 (10/2014): The fabulous 2012 Proprietary Red LMV Salon is a 1,090-case blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Cabernet Franc. It reveals a refined nose of mulberries, blueberries, raspberries, spring flowers and forest floor. A dense, ripe, opulent, medium to full-bodied 2012, I rated it slightly lower than last year from barrel because it seems somewhat closed. Give it another 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 15+ years.
VM 93+ (8/2019): Good dark red. Redcurrant, cherry, mocha and spices on the nose. In a powerful style like the 2012 Solari but creamier and more luscious, perhaps due in part to the addition of 33% Cabernet Franc, the highest percentage for the estate to this point. This wine really fills the mouth while avoiding heaviness. Finishes very long and nicely delineated, with harmonious tannins. As with the 2012 Solari, total polyphenols were considerably lower than in most recent vintages, but none of these wines lack for tannic support. (15.4% alcohol) (Drink between 2022-2035). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Napa Valley Red Wine |
$50 |
5 |
|
| |
|
| Lava Vine |
2012 |
Knights Valley Syrah |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Lewelling Vineyards |
2012 |
St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon shows lots of Pauillac-like crème de cassis, cedar wood, forest floor and fruitcake. There’s a touch of white chocolate, a nice influence of spicy and the wine is full-bodied, fleshy and opulent. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. |
|
| Lewis Cellars |
2012 |
Hillstone Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$80 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Mason’s Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Napa Valley Merlot |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Linne Calodo |
2012 |
Outsider |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (8/2014): The 2012 Outsider is a more elegant and graceful effort that has lots of baking spices, cherry pie and licorice in its medium to full-bodied, forward and approachable feel. Made from 72% Zinfandel, 22% Syrah and the balance Mourvedre, this beauty is nicely balanced, silky and lightly textured. Enjoy it over the coming 4-5 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Overthinker |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (9/2015): Inky purple. Spicy black and blue fruits, incense, violet and Asian spices on the flamboyantly perfumed nose. Densely packed, mineral-tinged blueberry and bitter cherry flavors show superb depth and vivacity and a seamless texture, with zero excess fat. Juicy, precise and alluring sweet, delivering an uncanny blend of richness and energy. Sappy and focused on the gently tannic, penetrating finish, with the berry and floral notes echoing. (Drink between 2021-2028) Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2012 |
Perfectionist |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2014): The 2012 Perfectionist is mostly Syrah, yet incorporates 12% Grenache and 11% Mourvedre. Fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged mostly in concrete (one puncheon was used), it has complex, savory aromas and flavors of red and black fruits, bouquet garni, crushed rock and smoked herbs all emerging from the glass. While savory and rich, it shows that whole cluster doesn't mean rustic, and this beauty is full-bodied, seamless and incredibly polished on the palate, with no hard edges and high-quality tannin. It's another superb blend from Matt that will have a decade or so of evolution. |
|
|
2012 |
Problem Child |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (8/2014): Similarly styled (to the 2012 Nemesis), with its sweet berry fruit, bramble, licorice and hints of tar, the 2012 Problem Child is another seamless, sexy blend from Matt that dishes out tons of sweet fruit while staying fresh and lively. Made from 74% Zinfandel, 14% Syrah and 12% Mourvedre, this full-bodied, fruit-forward effort can be consumed anytime over the coming 5-7 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Sticks and Stones |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (8/2014): The 2012 Sticks and Stones is a smoking blend of 63% Grenache, 19% Mourvedre and 18% Syrah. Cherry blossom, cassis, wild flowers and licorice can all be found in this full-bodied, supple and elegant wine. It has no hard edges, but thrilling purity and a sexy style that keeps you coming back to the glass. Bottles wouldn't last long at my house, but this will evolve gracefully on its balance and purity. |
|
| Long Shadows Wineries |
2012 |
Chester Kidder Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (6/2016): The finest vintage for the cuvee to date, the 2012 Chester Kidder is 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Syrah and 11% Petit Verdot, all of which saw a long 40-day maceration followed by just under three years in barrel. It’s a serious, age-worthy beauty that sports an inky purple color to go with notes of ripe black currants, toast oak, spice-box and espresso roast. Full-bodied, luxuriously textured and concentrated, it has ample underlying tannin and needs 4-5 years of cellaring. It will see its 30th birthday in fine form! |
|
| Matthews |
2012 |
Blackboard Colombia Valley Red Wine |
$15 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 89 (12/2014): Bright medium red. Ripe, dark aromas and flavors of black raspberry, blackberry, dark chocolate and smoke. A spicy, juicy midweight in a Saint-Emilion style. Firm tannins and lively acidity will not get in the way of enjoying this wine now. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 89 (6/2015): The 2012 Blackboard Red is a kitchen-sink blend of 33% Syrah, 26% Cabernet Franc, 18% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Malbec. Vinified in stainless steel and aged 16 months in once- and twice-used French oak, it’s a rock-solid effort that gives up plenty of ripe black fruits, peppery herbs and graphite in a medium to full-bodied, fruit-driven, fresh and easy-drinking style. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years. |
|
| Maybach |
2012 |
Amoenus Cabernet Sauvignon Signs of Old Seepage; Wine-Stained Label |
$169 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95 (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus exhibits that Calistoga earthiness along with fabulously rich blackcurrant fruit intermixed with darker berries, loamy soil notes and high-quality, unsmoked cigar tobacco. Deep, full-bodied and opulent, this terrific Cabernet Sauvignon has some upfront drinkability, but also the structure and muscle to last 15-20 years.
JS 95 (7/2015): A rich and flamboyant red with dark berry, chocolate and spice character. Verges on jammy. Full, round and rich. Long finish. Tannin tension holds it together. Drink or hold. |
|
| Maze |
2012 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$85 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Miner |
2012 |
The Oracle Proprietary Blend |
$50 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 85-87 (10/2014): Their flagship wine, the 2012 The Oracle is the most complete of the four new Miner Family Vineyards red wine releases, offering black and red currants, spice box, a good attack and aromatics, then tailing off ever so slightly. It’s medium-bodied, well-made and very good if one is not too critical. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. |
|
| Ch. Montelena |
2012 |
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 93+ (10/2015): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is one of the more open-knit, young Cabernets I can remember tasting at Montelena. Crushed flowers, sweet tobacco, mint, red cherries and plums are some of the signatures. Resonant and silky, the 2012 will drink well pretty much upon release, although today it comes across as less expressive than it was last year. Even so, there is plenty of vintage 2012 radiance and suppleness throughout.
WA 93 (1/2015): From bottle a solid 93. Surprisingly lush and charming for a young Montelena, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has a deep ruby/purple color, with earthy, black cherry and blackcurrants. The wine has very ripe tannins, and is medium to full-bodied with Outstanding purity and balance. Most Montelena estate Cabernets have traditionally required patience, but this one is set for drinking now and over the next 20 years.
JS 93 (7/2015): A subtle red with red pepper, berry and sweet tobacco character. Full-bodied, balanced and refined. Very fine and polished tannins. Needs a few years to come completely around. Drink or hold. |
|
| Morlet Family Vineyards |
2012 |
Bouquet Garni Syrah |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 93 (8/2016): The 2012 Syrah Bouquet Garni, from a site in Bennett Valley, is deep, powerful and explosive, with huge fruit and terrific overall intensity. Black cherry, plum, spice, lavender and sage are front and center. Voluptuous, racy and ripe, the Bouquet Garni offers notable intensity from start to finish. Wilder, gamier notes develop with time in the glass. This is a super-classic Luc Morlet wine built on power and intensity. Antonio Galloni.
WA 96 (12/2014): Luc Morlet further demonstrates his genius with his Syrah called Bouquet Garni from Bennett Valley, which is bottled without fining or filtration. There are only around five barrels (125 cases) of this 100% Syrah that tastes like it includes some Viognier in the blend (because of the floral and lavender notes). The 2012 Syrah Bouquet Garni offers up fabulous notes of black truffles, lavender, roasted herbs, graphite, blackberries and meaty charcuterie. Other than a handful of Syrahs from Sine Qua Non, this French-tasting Syrah is the closest thing I have tasted to Guigal’s famous Côte Rôtie La Landonne. Drink this sensational Syrah over the next 10-15 years. |
|
| Outpost |
2012 |
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon |
$135 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is a 650-case, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 75% new French oak and 25% in older oak. True to the vintage, it is dramatic, ostentatious, savory and opulent. Its dense purple color is accompanied by sweet blackberry and blackcurrant fruit intermixed with notions of graphite, chocolate and vanillin. Lush, pure and voluptuously textured, it is an irresistible Cabernet to drink over the next 12-15+ years.
VM 93 (12/2014): A dark, sumptuous beauty, the 2012 is primary and quite seamless for a Howell Mountain wine. Dark blue and black fruit, grilled herbs, menthol, sweet tobacco and licorice are all layered into the gracious finish. There is a lot to like in 2012, especially its fleshiness and early accessibility. This mid-weight Cabernet Sauvignon should drink well for the next 10-15 years or so. |
|
|
2012 |
True Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$199 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 96+ (10/2014): There are 375 cases of the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard, which is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 90% new French oak. This cuvee ratchets up the levels of structure and tannin, but shares similar notes of blackberries, blueberries, floral, forest floor and spice. It is a broad-flavored, multidimensional wine built like a skyscraper. However, unlike the regular Cabernet Sauvignon, this offering requires patience because of some significant tannin. Forget it for 4-5 years and drink it over the next two decades.
VM 94+ (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard has closed down quite a bit since I last tasted it this past spring, which is probably a good thing for its long-term aging. Some of the typical 2012 vintage silkiness and polish is present, but the wine need at least a few years to become fully expressive. Hints of lavender, orange peel and sweet spices add intrigue on the supple, racy finish. This is a strong showing from Outpost. |
|
|
2012 |
True Vyd. Immigrant Proprietary Blend |
$239 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (10/2014): The 2012 True Vineyard Immigrant, a blend of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, and 28% Merlot aged 20 months in two-thirds new French oak, offers notes of forest floor, mulberries, black cherries, blackcurrants and unsmoked cigar tobacco. With sweet tannin, and a deep, broad, savory, medium to full-bodied style, this pure, sexy red can be enjoyed over the next 5-8 years.
VM 94 (12/2014): The 2012 Immigrant, Outpost's Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend, is another juicy, up-front wine with tons of near and medium term potential. Ample, rich and broad, the 2012 boasts superb depth and concentration. Dark blue and black-hued fruits open up on the mid-palate and finish, while a huge, super-ripe finish rounds things out. I imagine the 2012 will provide a wide window of drinking pleasure once it softens a touch. |
|
| Ovid |
2012 |
Experiment V6.2 Proprietary Blend |
$135 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Passing Time |
2012 |
Horse Heaven Hill Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 94 (4/2019): The first vintage, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills came all from the Discovery Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA and is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It has a Bordeaux-like structure and texture, with still youthful cassis and dark fruits intermixed with ample lead pencil, tobacco, and underbrush-like characteristics. With ripe tannins and impeccable balance, it’s going to age gracefully for 20 years or more.
VM 90+ (12/2014): Bright medium ruby. High-pitched nose offers scents of blackberry, licorice, violet, bitter chocolate and minerals, plus a whiff of cedary oak. Sweet, pliant and light on its feet on the front half, then more clenched on the back, showing a slightly medicinal character to its dark berry, violet and chocolatey oak flavors. A bit youthfully edgy today as the wine’s ripe fruit is battling its high, slightly streaky acidity. I’d like to see this wine again in four or five years. This promising attention-grabber is the first release from this new venture from ex-quarterbacks Dan Marino and Damon Huard; Chris Peterson is the winemaker here. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Pott |
2012 |
Actaeon Quixote Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$185 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Actaeon Quixote Vineyard comes from a site previously owned by Carl Doumani. (The Quixote Vineyard was recently sold to the Chinese.) This tightly knit, complex 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits notes of forest floor, damp earth, truffles, white chocolate and red and blackcurrants. This complete, refined wine will benefit from several years of cellaring and age nicely for 12-15 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Her Majesty’s Secret Service Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$239 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (10/2104): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Her Majesty’s Secret Service is another offering from Dr. Krupp’s Stagecoach Vineyard. It exhibits chocolaty, cedary, fruitcake notes, not the density and power of Pott’s other Cabernet Sauvignons, but good spice box and unsmoked cigar tobacco characteristics. Medium to full-bodied and slightly tannic, it is a beautiful wine that I may have underrated. Drink now-2027. |
|
|
2012 |
Kaliholmanok Cabernet Sauvignon |
$125 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 95+ (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Kaliholmanok Kicu Me Vineyard (the name of the indigenous Wappo native Americans who lived on top of Spring Mountain) possesses plenty of blueberry, black raspberry and spring flower characteristics. It comes from geologically diverse soils with lots of the red Aiken dirt present. A full-bodied, layered mouthfeel as well as tremendous density and purity are found in this sensational Cabernet. Slightly more backward than some of its siblings, it should drink well for 12-15+ years. |
|
| Pride Mountain Vineyards |
2012 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$90 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (10/2015): Pride's 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is soft, creamy and voluptuous. Sweet cherry, rose petal, mint, plum, cinnamon, new leather and cedar open up effortlessly in the glass, with silky tannins that add to the wine's sheer appear. The Cabernet Sauvignon captures the open-knit, radiant personality of the vintage to the fullest. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Quilceda Creek |
2012 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$165 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 98 (6/2015): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is brilliant. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, mostly from the famous Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, it was aged all in new oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered. It offers a captivating bouquet of black cherry liqueur and cassis-like fruit, Asian spice, coffee bean and lead pencil shavings to go with a full-bodied, ripe, seamless and hedonistic style on the palate. One of the more approachable, opulent examples of this cuvee, it has no hard edges, plenty of tannin and a massive, heady finish. Give it 2-4 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles through 2032.
VM 95+ (11/2015): (15.2% alcohol): Bright, deep, dark ruby. Penetrating aromas of dark berries, violet, minerals and fruity tropical dark chocolate. Boasts Outstanding intensity without any rough edges, showing superb thrust and grip to its youthfully powerful flavors of blueberry, minerals and spices. Finishes with huge tannins that dust the front teeth without coming off as dry. The pH here is around 4.0, according to Paul Golitzin, but this spectacular young Cabernet boasts plenty of energy and is likely to be long-lived. |
|
|
2012 |
Galitzine Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$129 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94+ (11/2015): (15.2% alcohol; 3% of this Cabernet comes from Wallula): Bright, dark ruby. Very refined, high-pitched aromas of blackberry, cassis, boysenberry and violet; smells lighter than the flagship Cabernet and more peppery. Dense, silky and weightless in the mouth, conveying a refined texture to its very intense flavors of cassis, licorice pastille and dark chocolate. Less fleshy and sweet today than the Cabernet but this wine is still youthfully imploded. Big, building tannins are less suave than those of the Cabernet, despite the fact that both wines are made with the same Cabernet Sauvignon clone. Finishes with a sexy cocoa powder quality that must be from the Taransaud barrels. |
|
| Rasa Vineyards |
2012 |
Creative Impulse DuBrul Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (6/2015): Coming all from the Dubrul Vineyard in Yakima Valley and a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot, the 2012 Creative Impulse Dubrul Vineyard has a more savory character in its black and red currants, black cherry, toasted spice, tobacco and dried-herb bouquet. This gives way to a big, ripe, layered and sexy 2012 that has medium to full-bodied richness, a rocking core of sweet fruit and a big finish. Like all of the wines here, the tannin is nicely polished and builds incrementally through the mid-palate and finish. Much more red fruit and spice-driven than the other Bordeaux blends here, it's not a classic Cabernet, yet has tons of character and should have 15 years or more of longevity, and drink nicely for most of it! |
|
|
2012 |
Fianchetto XL Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (6/2015): Another new wine in 2012, the 2012 Fianchetto is a blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc and 22% Merlot, all from the XL Vineyard in Walla Walla. Its dark ruby, mostly opaque color is followed by a big, powerful and ripe 2012 that has loads of dark fruits, tobacco leaf, toasted spices, hints of lead pencil and a touch of graphite all soaring from the glass. Possessing tons of fruit, a big mid-palate and a heady, lengthy finish, this blockbuster effort will be even better in another 1-2 years, and drink admirably through at least 2027. |
|
|
2012 |
In Order to Form a More Perfect Union |
$69 |
5 |
|
| |
| WA 93+ (6/2015): Checking in as a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 20% Merlot and the balance Petit Verdot, the 2012 In Order to Form A More Perfect Union is both a classic Washington State Bordeaux blend, as well as a classic wine from this estate. It exhibits a deep ruby, mostly opaque color to go with lots of blackcurrants, grilled toast, graphite and dried-violet aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, pure, silky and yet still savory and focused, with a light, balanced feel, good acidity, and plenty of fine tannin that show on the chocolate-laced finish, it's a beautiful wine that can be drunk anytime over the coming 10-15 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Plus One Kiona Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (6/2015): Showing slightly more oak and chocolate than the Perfect Union release, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Kiona Vineyard Plus One offers lots of chocolaty dark fruits, espresso, roasted herbs and graphite to go with a medium to full-bodied, elegant, nicely textured and structured profile on the palate. Shining for its elegance and balance, drink it anytime over the coming 10-15 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Tilting at Windmills Proprietary Blend |
$59 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (6/2014): Also Grenache-dominated, yet incorporating 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Syrah, the 2012 Tilting At Windmills is also rock star stuff. Decadently styled, with creme de cassis, melted licorice, road tar and spice, this full-bodied effort has superb mid-palate depth, an unctuous texture and sweet tannin that coats the palate on the finish. It’s impressive and will have a decade or more of longevity. |
|
| Rhys |
2012 |
Horseshoe Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$85 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 94+ (4/2015): A ripe, layered effort that took plenty of air time to come together (I followed all of these wines over two days), the 2012 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard offers gorgeous cherry and raspberry-like notes to go with ample spice-box, dried flowers and smoky characteristics on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and elegant, it has solid mid-palate density, bright acidity and a big finish. This seemed slightly soft right on opening, but when I came back to the bottle a few hours later, it has come together brilliantly. This beauty should be at it's best from 2017-2027+.
VM 94 (7/2014): Racy and explosive to the core, the 2012 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard hits the palate with a compelling melange of dark red and black stone fruits, cloves, new leather and menthol. Here the style is all about voluptuousness and texture, two qualities the 2012 has in spades. The Horseshoe was fermented with 20% whole clusters, but they are barely evident given the wine's pure intensity and volume. This full-bodied, exceptionally balanced Pinot from Rhys is striking from start to finish. Antonio Galloni.
BH 91 (1/2015): Once again there is an all but invisible touch of wood setting off the cool, elegant and complex nose that is composed of dark cherry, raspberry, floral, tea and spice nuances. There is a lovely sense of energy to the well-delineated and beautifully refined flavors that possess a dusty mouth feel before terminating in a balanced and delicious finish that is subtly persistent. Here too there is a subtle hint of warmth but it is sufficiently slight that is does not affect the overall sense of harmony. Drink 2020+. Outstanding! |
|
| Rivers Marie |
2012 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (12/2014): Rivers-Marie's 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon brings together the richness of the year along with pretty savory notes that balance some of the more overt fruit. Iron, smoke, cedar and dried red cherries are all laced into the super-expressive finish. This is one of very best Napa Valley Cabernets in its price range. The 2012 was made from three sites; Pellet (Calistoga) and Bourn and Bressler, both in St. Helena. Antonio Galloni. |
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|
2012 |
Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga is a killer effort. Sweet blueberry, black raspberry and blackberry fruit along with notes of vanilla, toast, licorice, incense and spice box emerge from this full-bodied, classic Napa Cabernet. With good acidity, ripe tannin and a broad, savory, multidimensional mouthfeel, this fabulous wine represents 200 cases of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 75% new oak. The finished alcohol is 14.3%. It should drink well for 15-20 years.
VM 93 (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga emerges from a single block in what is widely considered the best part of the Larkmead estate. Dark black fruit, graphite, game, smoke and pencil shavings wrap around a core of dark fruit in a powerful, explosive Cabernet built on intensity and inner sweetness, although time in the glass brings out the wine's more seductive qualities. This broad, ample Cabernet Sauvignon should drink beautifully for a number of years. This is a strong debut vintage for the Calistoga Cabernet. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2012 |
Corona Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (10/2014): The opaque purple-hued 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Crona Vineyard, from gravelly, stony soils in the western Oakville hills, is the most intense, massive, structured and tannic wine of this group of 2012s. Aged in 75% new oak (250 cases produced), it offers up notes of licorice, graphite, vanillin, baking spices, blueberries and blackberries along with stupendous extract, richness and structure. Drink it over the next 20+ years. |
|
| Round Pond |
2012 |
Rutherford Proprietary Blend |
$40 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Rutherford Ranch |
2012 |
Merlot |
$20 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Mark Ryan |
2012 |
Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon |
$51 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 93+ (6/2015): A step up over the Long Haul, the 2012 Dead Horse Ciel du Cheval Vineyard is a rocking blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged 21 months in once used barrels, it’s a full-bodied, concentrated, thrillingly pure Cabernet Sauvignon that has classic black fruits, smoke tobacco and crushed rock aromatics. Big, structured, and tannic, with nicely integrated acidity, it’s another red that will benefit from 4-5 years in the cellar. It will have over two decades of longevity. |
|
|
2012 |
Long Haul Red Wine |
$51 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (6/2015): The 2012 Long Haul Ciel du Cheval Vineyard is another terrific Bordeaux blend from this team. Made from 49% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, it was vinified in stainless steel and aged in once used French oak barrels. It exhibits subtle hints of coffee bean in its red and black fruits, roasted meats, spice and licorice-styled bouquet, and picks up more and more floral nuances with time. Full-bodied, tight, focused and a little backward, it opens up nicely in the glass, has integrated acidity and a clean finish. Give it 2-4 years and drink it through 2032. |
|
|
2012 |
Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon |
$53 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93+ (6/2015): Inky colored, with tight, focused notes of graphite, iron, crushed rock, charcoal and black fruits, the 2012 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon will be a longer-term prospect. A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot, it’s full-bodied and massively structured, with polished tannin, yet a focused, linear feel. A little more mid-palate flesh would be good here, but I think this will come around beautifully with 4-5 years in bottle. The élevage here was 21 months in 79% new French oak and there were only 300 cases made. |
|
| Sanguis |
2012 |
Loner R12-b John Sebastiano Vyd. Pinot Noir Torn Label |
$70 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (12/2014): Brilliant ruby-red. Smoky cherry and dark berry aromas are complicated by licorice and spicecake. Spicy and focused on entry, then deeper and broader in the mid-palate, offering potent black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of candied rose. The smoke and spice notes come back on the youthfully tannic finish, which is sweet, sappy and very persistent. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Saunter Wines |
2012 |
Clone 685 Red Head Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Eagle Summit Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$120 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Saxum |
2012 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$150 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 99 (8/2015): The 2012 Syrah James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock is the star of the show in 2012. Borderline perfection, it has straight up awesome notes of black and blue fruits, pepper, crushed violets and searing chalky minerality that shows on both the nose and palate. Full-bodied, seamless and elegant, it's a stacked, concentrated, layered Syrah that never puts a foot wrong. Give it 2-4 years and enjoy bottles through 2032. |
|
|
2012 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (8/2015): A candidate for the wine of the vintage, the 2012 Booker Vineyard is a blend of 73% Syrah and 27% Mourvedre that was aged 20-26 months in 60% new French oak. It's a classic expression of the vineyard and offers up lots of smoked meats, cracked pepper, wild herbs and tons of dark fruit. Big, full-bodied, thick and chewy, it has gorgeous purity and sweetness of fruit. It shows surprising finesse and elegance with time in the glass, but make no mistake, it's a big, rich and decadent beauty that will benefit from short-term cellaring and age for 15+ years. |
|
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2012 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 97+ (8/2014): There are 1,580 cases of the 2012 James Berry Vineyard and it reminds me of the 2009 Janasse Chaupin (which is one of Justin’s favorite wines). Incorporating more Mourvedre than normal, it’s made from 43% Grenache, 29% Mourvedre, 18% Syrah and 10% Counoise that’s aged in a combination of concrete and barrel. Rock star stuff, with fabulous black raspberry, cassis, spring flowers and charred meat aromas and flavors, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, yet stays lively, incredibly pure and elegant, with lots of fine tannin emerging on the finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar and have 15-20 years of ultimate longevity.
VM 94+ (7/2014): The 2012 James Berry Vineyard stands out for its textural finesse, sweetness and overall balance. Sweet spices, red berries and flowers all meld together in a decidedly silky James Berry. The 2012 is 42% Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre, 18% Syrah and 10% Counoise. More expressive today on the palate than in its aromatics, the 2012 remains a baby. |
|
|
2012 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$135 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96+ (8/2014): Surprisingly tannic and structured for a wine that’s normally the most approachable and sexy, the 2012 Paderewski Vineyard checks in as a blend of 45% Zinfandel, 36% Mourvedre, 12% Tempranillo and 7% Petite Sirah. It possesses the classic chalky minerality of the vineyard to go with exotic perfumed notes of black raspberry, plums, brambly underbrush and assorted background meatiness. This all flows to a full-bodied, elegant and polished wine that has solid mid-palate depth and chewy, firm tannin on the finish. Give this a year or more in the cellar and enjoy bottles through 2024.
VM 92+ (7/2014): Zinfandel is especially prominent in the 2012 Paderewski Vineyard. Dark red cherries, kirsch, sweet spices and wild flowers are all laced together in a silky, gracious wine. The Paderewski is quite pretty, but also a bit subdued, perhaps because of its recent bottling. It will be interesting to see if the 2012 fleshes out in bottle. The blend is 45% Zinfandel, 36% Mourvèdre, 12% Tempranillo and 7% Syrah. |
|
|
2012 |
Terry Hoage Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 97 (8/2014): Just bottled five weeks ago, the 2012 Terry Hoage Vineyard (330 cases) is a thrilling blend of 51% Syrah, 31% Grenache and 18 % Mourvedre. It has an up front approachable and sexy feel in its cherry blossom and black raspberry fruit, crushed flowers and spice aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated and with sweet tannin, it’s the most ready-to-go in the lineup, yet will still have 10-12 years of longevity.
VM 92+ (7/2014): Silky and layered in the glass, the 2012 Terry Hoage Vineyard is a bit laid back for a site that has typically yielded more forward, fruit-driven wines. Plum, sweet spice and mint notes are all laced together nicely in the glass. Overall, the 2012 is a very pretty, feminine wine built more on grace than power. The 2012 is 51% Syrah, 31% Grenache and 18 Mourvèdre, picked a little earlier than the other wines in the range. |
|
| Scarlett Wines |
2012 |
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon |
$50 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Scarlett Estate is the superstar of this trio. Winemaker Mike Smith has fashioned a beautiful Cabernet revealing lots of crème de cassis, cedarwood and spice box intermixed with a subtle hint of oak. Full-bodied as well as elegant, it reminds me of some of the great BV Private Reserves from the 1950s and 1960s. Multilayered with sweet tannin, this concentrated blockbuster is remarkably elegant and complex. Consume it over the next two decades. |
|
| School House |
2012 |
Spring Mountain District Pinot Noir |
$60 |
10 |
|
| |
| WA 88 (10/2015): The 2012 Pinot Noir has autumnal vegetative notes, some forest floor, fresh black and red currants, plums, and a hint of underbrush. It is elegant, medium-bodied and best drunk over the next 2-3 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Spring Mountain District Pinot Noir Scuffed Label |
$60 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 88 (10/2015): The 2012 Pinot Noir has autumnal vegetative notes, some forest floor, fresh black and red currants, plums, and a hint of underbrush. It is elegant, medium-bodied and best drunk over the next 2-3 years. |
|
| Schrader |
2012 |
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$295 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (10/2014): Nearly as prodigious is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard, which is Clone 4 and Clone 6 blended together from the Beckstoffer to Kalon Vineyard, this is the highest in alcohol of the 2012s at 14.6%. It was aged in a combination of 50% new Darnajou and 50% new Taransaud barrels. This wine is one of the tighter, more backward of the 2012s, with more structure, tannin, muscle, a masculine personality, oodles of black and blue fruits and a massive mouthfeel, but is somehow much more primary and younger tasting than the other wines. Forget it for a few years and drink it over the following 20-25 years. |
|
|
2012 |
T6 Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$295 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6, which is from Clone 6 in a different block of Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, is aged in 86% new Darnajou and 14% new Taransaud. This wine is not terribly different, but Clone 6 is believed to be old Bordeaux clones brought over to Napa Valley and propagated. The wine has terrific fruit intensity, blackcurrants, blackberry, licorice, creosote and espresso roast. Deep, full-bodied, powerful and rich, this, again, shows the vintage’s voluptuous texture, full-bodied power and richness. |
|
| Sea Smoke |
2012 |
Botella Pinot Noir |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Ten Pinot Noir |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (8/2015): A much bigger, richer Pinot Noir, the 2012 Pinot Noir Ten is a cellar selection chosen with the focus on structure and richness. Brought up in 65% new French oak, it has sensational purity and depth in its sweet black raspberry, crushed violets, spice and subtle oak aromas and flavors. These all carry over to the palate where the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and textured, with notable tannic grip. It's another wine from this estate that deliver tons of flavor authority while never seeming heavy, cumbersome or over the top. I wish more estates would make wine in this style. |
|
| Seven Stones |
2012 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$215 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Sheridan Vineyard |
2012 |
L’Orage Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 93+ (6/2015): A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc that spent 24 months in 75% new French oak, the 2012 L'Orage is reminiscent of a quality Pauillac with its lead pencil shavings, blackcurrants, tobacco leaf and spice-laced aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, elegant and seamless on the palate, with solid mid-palate depth and fine tannin, it needs 2-3 years in bottle and will drink well through 2027. |
|
|
2012 |
Singularity Syrah |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (6/2015): While not produced in 2011 due to frost damage, the 2012 Singularity is a gorgeous Syrah, from yields of less than a half-ton per acre, that was aged in 100% new French oak. Inky colored and downright voluptuous, with decadent notes of roasted meats, mulled black fruits, chocolate and pepper, it hits the palate with massive amounts of fruit, a stacked, concentrated mid-palate and sweet tannin that round out the finish nicely. Enjoy this full-throttle, pedal-to-the-metal red over the coming decade or more. |
|
| Signorello |
2012 |
Padrone Cabernet Sauvignon |
$139 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 97 (10/2018): Blended of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Cabernet Franc, the 2012 Padrone is very deep garnet in color and showing the opening signs of evolved fruit character—incense, exotic spices, new leather and pencil lead—over a core of crème de cassis, preserved red plums, kirsch and potpourri plus wafts of bay leaves and dusty soil. Full, rich, plush and seductive in the mouth with loads of red fruit and herbal sparks, it finishes long and earthy. |
|
|
2012 |
Padrone Proprietary Blend |
$139 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 90-92 (11/2013): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Padrone is dark and sumptuous from start to finish. Mocha, plums, smoke, new leather and French oak all flesh out in this brooding, intense Cabernet Sauvignon. The style is explosive and full of 2012 vintage exuberance. There is a lot to look forward to. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Sinskey |
2012 |
POV Red Wine |
$50 |
3 |
|
| |
| Decanter 92 (12/2016): Robert Sinskey’s biodynamically-farmed reds show a refreshing dose of restraint for this sun-filled stretch of Napa. The POV (for “point of view”) is a Right Bank Bordeaux-inspired blend that’s easy to drink – all dark cherry and wild blackberry fruit accented with Mediterranean herbs. |
|
| Smith Madrone |
2012 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (8/2015): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is quite a bit more polished than the 2011. Ripe, voluptuous and very much in the style of the year, the 2012 is a showy wine, with plenty of intensity and resonance. At the same time, there is plenty of tannic backbone lurking beneath that gives the wine its power and overall structure. (Drink between 2016-2027). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Somnium |
2012 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Soos Creek |
2012 |
Champoux Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Stag's Leap Wine Cellars |
2012 |
Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon Bin-Soiled Label |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 90 (10/2014): Already bottled, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is similar to its siblings. It offers delicious blackcurrant fruit, not as much complexity as the Fay or S.L.V., but an attractive meaty, rich blackcurrant fruitiness, well-integrated wood, and hints of spice and oak. Fleshy and medium-bodied but also made in the elegant style sought by this winery, it should drink well for 10-15 years. |
|
|
2012 |
Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$199 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 96 (12/2015): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 reveals more oak on the nose, but is a much deeper, richer, fuller wine than the S.L.V. Dense ruby/purple to the rim, beautiful blackberry and cassis fruit, cedar wood, toast and earth jump from the glass. Full-bodied and layered, but with nothing out of balance, this is probably the strongest Cask 23 since the glory years of the mid-80s. Look for this wine to drink well young, yet age effortlessly for 25 years.
VM 91 (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon CASK 23 is the biggest and richest of these wines from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Broad and expansive on the palate, the 2012 is quite pretty, but stops short of being truly exciting. Blue and black fruits, violets and sweet spices add nuance on the perfumed, generous finish. |
|
|
2012 |
Cask 23 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$225 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96 (12/2015): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23 reveals more oak on the nose, but is a much deeper, richer, fuller wine than the S.L.V. Dense ruby/purple to the rim, beautiful blackberry and cassis fruit, cedar wood, toast and earth jump from the glass. Full-bodied and layered, but with nothing out of balance, this is probably the strongest Cask 23 since the glory years of the mid-80s. Look for this wine to drink well young, yet age effortlessly for 25 years.
VM 91 (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon CASK 23 is the biggest and richest of these wines from Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Broad and expansive on the palate, the 2012 is quite pretty, but stops short of being truly exciting. Blue and black fruits, violets and sweet spices add nuance on the perfumed, generous finish. |
|
|
2012 |
SLV Cabernet Sauvignon |
$159 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 92 (12/2015): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon S.L.V. is a paragon of elegance and finesse, yet doesn't cheat the taster on flavor. Dense ruby/purple with round, juicy, earthy black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, underbrush and forest floor, the wine is fragrant, medium to full-bodied, soft, seductive and round. This is a lovely, juicy, pure style of wine to drink over the next 10-15 years.
VM 91 (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon SLV stands out in this range for its precise, chiseled fruit and overall elegance. At the same time, there is plenty of depth and density in the glass. Ash, smoke, graphite and crushed rocks add nuance, but a hint of sweetness on the finish is a bit distracting. |
|
| T-Vine |
2012 |
Frediani Vyd. Charbono |
$45 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Frediani Vyd. Zinfandel |
$49 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Tensley Wines |
2012 |
Colson Canyon Vyd. Syrah |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94-96+ (8/2013): I wasn’t able taste through a full lineup of Tensley’s 2012, but what I was able to taste was certainly impressive. Overflowing with fruit and texture, the 2012 Syrah Colson Canyon has a stacked mid-palate, sweet tannin and a seamless, pure feel that I suspect will be hard to resist in its youth yet also age gracefully. It should certainly compete with, if not surpass, the fantastic 2011. Drink 2014-2027.
VM 93 (12/2013): Inky purple. Pungent dark fruit liqueur, cherry-cola and potpourri on the deeply scented nose, with hints of smoky minerals and black pepper adding complexity. Lush cassis and cherry compote flavors show impressive power, with exotic candied violet and Indian spice qualities building in the glass. Dusty tannins add grip to a long, sweet, and penetrating finish. A rich and lively wine. |
|
| The Vineyardist |
2012 |
Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon |
$169 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2014): The compelling 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from Clones 7, 33 and 337. It’s 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in a combination of 50% new Darnajou and the rest Taransaud. The wine hit 15.1% natural alcohol, and 285 cases were produced. This is a great mountain-style Cabernet Sauvignon with an inky purple color, a gorgeous nose of scorched earth, wet gravel, charcoal, blackberry and crème de cassis. Very full-bodied and exceptionally pure and deep, this is multidimensional with skyscraper texture in a fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon that is still young with tremendous upside. It can be approached now because it’s very much in keeping with the style of 2012, but five years of bottle age will do wonders, and I expect the wine will still be going strong in 25 or 30 years.
VM 95 (5/2024): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon marries the richness favored by winemaker Mark Herold with the more restrained style of the year. The result is a Cabernet Sauvignon that is maturing into a delicate, elegant wine. Red-toned fruit, graphite, blood orange, rose petal and mint are some of the signatures. There's terrific freshness, and also a bit less textural opulence than most wines made here during this period. The 2012 is beautifully done. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Thomas |
2012 |
Dundee Hills Pinot Noir Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$130 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (12/2016): Brilliant red. Vibrant aromas of red berry liqueur, Asian spices and rose oil, accompanied by smoky mineral and cola accents. Silky, penetrating raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors show excellent depth as well as vivacity thanks to a core of tangy juicy that adds lift and spine. Delivers plenty of flavor, as is the norm from this vintage, but there's a light touch as well, which one would expect from this winery. The very long, gently tannic finish features a subtle hint of smoked meat and leaves behind a refreshingly bitter cherry skin note. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Verite |
2012 |
La Joie Bin-Soiled Label |
$249 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Vineyard 7 & 8 |
2012 |
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 89 (5/2024): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is dark, powerful and super-concentrated. All things considered, the 2012 has aged well, which is a good thing, but it is not especially finessed. Black cherry, mocha, licorice, spice and bittersweet chocolate power through in this muscular, deep wine. Heavy oak emerges in hard tannins and strong torrefaction notes. I would prefer drinking this over the next 5-10 years, as more time in bottle is not going to help. (Drink between 2022-2027). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Wallis Family Estate |
2012 |
Diamond Mtn. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Waters |
2012 |
Forgotten Hill Syrah |
$39 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (12/2014): Saturated bright dark red. Lovely perfumed lift to the musky aromas of black raspberry, flint, earth, white pepper and violet. Juicy and taut, almost like a 2011 in its peppery coolness, lower alcohol and inner-mouth tension. Finishes with suave, fine-grained tannins and lovely peppery persistence. Ultimately a bit sweeter and more pliant than the Loess bottling. This cobblestone-rich vineyard planted at an elevation of 950 feet tends to ripen late. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Whetstone |
2012 |
Phoenix Ranch Syrah |
$25 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Andrew Will |
2012 |
Ciel du Cheval Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 95 (9/2016): A gorgeous wine that's loaded with that candied lavender, violets, lead pencil shavings, black cherries and licorice aromas and flavors that define this terroir, the 2012 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard is full-bodied, elegant and silky on the palate. It has polished tannin, impeccable balance between its alcohol, tannin and acidity, and a great finish. It's another beauty that will still benefit from short term cellaring and keep through 2032.
VM 92+ (12/2014): Saturated medium ruby. Superripe aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate and black walnut. Lush, sweet and chocolatey, with some very ripe notes to its dark fruit and nutty oak flavors. A bit musclebound and unrefined today, in need of time in bottle to shed some of its baby fat. Finishes with big, chewy, tongue-dusting tannins and repeating notes of burnished oak. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Mays Discovery Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 94 (6/2015): Another wine that’s possibly the best vintage to date, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Mays Discovery is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 18 months in 35% new oak. Inky colored, full-bodied, concentrated and layered, with impressive black raspberry, plum, licorice, wild herbs and spring flower-like aromas and flavors, it has enough texture and fruit to shine now, yet will be better with short-term cellaring, and have two decade of overall longevity.
VM 91 (12/2014): Bright medium ruby. Very ripe aromas of black cherry, blueberry, espresso and fruity tropical dark chocolate, along with a musky leesy nuance. Plush, fine-grained and deep but with good juicy definition and energy to the black fruit and violet flavors; no easy sweetness here. Finishes broad and dry, with firm, harmonious tannins, a musky whiff of game and excellent lift. This is actually rather tight and unforthcoming in spite of its fleshy texture. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2012 |
Two Blondes Vyd. Red Wine |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 92+ (12/2014): Healthy dark red. Black raspberry, blueberry, graphite and rocks on the showy nose, complicated by smoky and meaty nuances; smells sweeter and distinctly wilder than the Mays’ Discovery bottling. Plush, sweet and fine-grained but with lovely integrated acidity giving shape to the flavors of black raspberry, licorice and stone. Offers terrific palate coverage without any heaviness. This distinctly primary wine finishes with firm but fine tannins and excellent length. Has the balance to reward mid-term cellaring. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 92 (9/2016): The 2012 Two Blondes Vineyard is a total charmer that's loaded with notions of ripe currants, smoked tobacco, underbrush and lead pencil shavings. Medium-bodied, supple, forward and already approachable on the palate, with notable acidity and fine tannin, drink this beautiful 2012 over the coming decade. |
|
| Woodward Canyon |
2012 |
Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
11 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (6/2015): A beautiful Bordeaux blend, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series checks in as a blend of 100% Cabernet, from a number of vineyards (mostly Woodward Canyon, Champoux and Spring Creek), that spent 21 months in 50% new French oak. It’s a classy, full-bodied, seamless and sexy 2012 that exhibits lots of black cherry, black raspberry, toasted spices, licorice and dried herbs. The most approachable and forward of the Bordeaux blends, it will still have two decades of longevity. |
|
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Baron de Brane |
2019 |
Margaux Ex-Negociant |
$32.99 |
29 |
|
| |
VM 92 (2/2022): The 2019 Baron de Brane is a gorgeous second wine. Succulent black cherry, plum, spice and leather are front and center. This racy Margaux offers a compelling interplay of bright red-toned fruit and silky contours. Drink it over the next handful of years. Tasted two times.
JA 89 (10/2026): Inky plum colour, deep and rich damson and raspberry fruits, with touches of peony aromatics. This is good quality, confident stuff. An upscore from En Primeur.
JD 88 (4/2022): The second wine of Brane-Cantenac, the 2019 Baron De Brane is more Merlot-dominated and has a fleshy, medium-bodied, supple style as well as rock-solid aromatics of black cherries, cedar pencil, and chocolaty herbs. It's already drinking nicely yet should keep for a decade. |
|
|
2023 |
Margaux ex-Negociant |
$35.99 |
55 |
|
| |
JA 92 (4/2024): Baron de Brane once again sets the bar high once again in terms of 2nd wines, with fragrant floral aromatics, nuance and depth from the attack and continuing through the mid palate, firm tannins and concentrated black fruits. 20% new oak.
Decanter 92 (4/2024): Ripe and floral notes on the nose, really quite expressive and open aromatically. There’s a richness to the scents with ripe blackcurrants, cherries and touches of rose and violets too with some milk chocolate. Supple and tart, high acidity, juicy and ripe fruit, with crunchiness, quite lean but there’s great length with freshly picked mint and some cedar and herbal aspects. Crisp and clean, lovely purity and precision. Not so layered or plush but it’s fresh and inviting with lift and a lovely mineral undertone. Accessible. Ageing 12 months, 20% new oak. 14.5 press wine. Almost 100 IPT. 40% of production. (Drink between 2027-2038) |
|
| Ch. Boyd-Cantenac |
2020 |
Margaux |
$49 |
58 |
|
| |
| JA 95 (11/2025): Inky purple in colour with a fist of toasted oak on the aromatics, but here it is skilfully coupled with a punch of cassis and blueberry fruits, and a lift of violet flowers, and creamy smoked caramel. It's exceptionally good, for me the best of the lineup, with clear precision on show. One to look out for, easy to recommend. 80% new oak. Lucien Guillemet owner and winemaker. No external consultant. |
|
| Ch. Capbern |
2019 |
St. Estephe Ex-Negociant |
$32 |
32 |
|
| |
JD 94 (4/2022): I love the nose on the 2019 Château Capbern, a medium to full-bodied, spicy, rich, tobacco and cedar pencil-filled beauty with ripe yet building tannins, a great mix of richness and freshness, and a blockbuster of a finish. It's incredibly impressive, and while it offers pleasure even today, it deserves 5-6 years of bottle age, and I can't imagine it not evolving for two decades. (Drink between 2027-2042).
VM 89 (2/2023): The 2019 Capbern has improved since I tasted it just after bottling. Finally, it has developed a more elegant bouquet, mainly black fruit fused with cedar and undergrowth scents. It has mustered more classicism. The palate is medium-bodied with a strong graphite element on the entry, fine depth, quite fresh with a structured, gritty finish. Fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2025-2045). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Cos Labory |
2018 |
St. Estephe ex-Negociant |
$49 |
16 |
|
| |
VM 93 (3/2021): The 2018 Cos Labory is fabulous. An extra kick of richness from the warm year and a bit more Petit Verdot than usual result in a Cos Labory that is wonderfully savory, powerful and layered. Black cherry, plum, cloves, chocolate and dried herbs build as this potent, exotically ripe Saint-Estèphe opens in the glass. Today, the 2018 is dark, brooding and in need of cellaring. Cos Labory is a bit wild, but that just adds to its considerable allure. (Drink between 2025-2043). Antonio Galloni.
WA 93 (3/2021): The 2018 Cos Labory has a deep garnet-purple color, bursting from the glass with bold notes of warm cassis, blackberry compote and Morello cherries, plus suggestions of roses, unsmoked cigars and tree bark. The medium-bodied palate has a very sturdy frame of firm, grainy tannins and tons of freshness supporting the rather delicately played fruit, finishing long and earthy/minerally. The structure stands out a little now, which I enjoy, but for those preferring softer, rounder expressions, give this a good 3-5 years in the cellar and drink it over the next 15-20 years.
JD 90 (3/2021): Lots of rich red and black currants, tobacco, savory spice, and new leather notes emerge from the 2018 Château Cos Labory, a medium-bodied Saint-Estèphe with terrific overall balance, ripe, velvety tannins, lots of character, and outstanding length. It's well worth cellaring and drinking any time over the coming 15+ years. |
|
| Ch. de Francs |
2018 |
Francs Cotes de Bordeaux |
$20 |
12 |
|
| |
| JD 88 (3/2021): Bright cherry and mulberry fruits, a touch of cedary oak, and tobacco all emerge from the 2018 Château De Francs. Medium-bodied, with good overall balance and a clean finish, this is a solid, bistro-style drinker to enjoy over the coming 4-6 years. (Drink between 2021-2027) |
|
| Ch. de Pez |
2019 |
St. Estephe |
$44.99 |
18 |
|
| |
JD 93 (4/2022): Currants, plums, new leather, and cedar pencil notes all emerge from the 2019 Château De Pez, a nicely balanced, medium to full-bodied Saint-Estèphe that has plenty of classic character as well as class. With ripe, polished tannins and terrific purity, it can be drunk any time over the coming 20-25 years. (Drink between 2022-2047)
VM 92 (2/2022): The 2019 de Pez has gained tremendously in weight, power and substance. A wine of breadth and pure power, Pez possesses tremendous resonance and intensity, right out of the gate. Scorched earth, incense, plum, menthol and tar hit the palate. This rich, heady Saint-Estèphe has a ton to offer. Antonio Galloni.
WA 92-94 (6/2020): This year's blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 de Pez comes tumbling out of the glass with an astonishingly beautiful perfume of lilacs, black cherries and black raspberries over a core of stewed plums, clove oil, dark chocolate and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate is jam-packed with energetic black fruits, supported by a firm foundation of ripe, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and perfumed. I love where this once-malingering château is headed—bravo to winemaker Nicolas Glumineau from Pichon Lalande! |
|
| Ch. Fonbadet |
2019 |
Pauillac (375 ML) Ex-Negociant |
$22.99 |
22 |
|
| |
JD 93 (4/2022): Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and some cedary, spicy, lead pencil notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Fonbadet, a medium to full-bodied, rich, mouth-filling Pauillac with plenty of tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, good concentration, and outstanding length. It will evolve for 20+ years if stored properly. (Drink between 2022-2044).
VM 93 (2/2022): The 2019 Fonbadet, impressive from barrel, has a delineated bouquet of blackberry, bilberry and touch of licorice that gains intensity with aeration; this is a Pauillac with ambition. The palate is medium-bodied with grip and density, broad shoulders and a very saline finish. This should age supremely well. (Drink between 2025-2050). Neal Martin.
WA 90 (4/2022): From a 12-hectare estate sandwiched in between Pontet Canet, Pédesclaux and Lafite, the 2019 Fonbadet offers up aromas of cassis, plums, cocoa nib and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, lively and creditably concentrated, it's built around powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully chewy finish. |
|
| Ch. Haut Simard |
2012 |
St. Emilion ex-Negociant |
$39.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (1/2016): The 2012 Haut-Simard offers good mid-palate depth for the vintage, with a distinctly gamy, pleasantly rustic personality that distinguishes it in the Vauthier family's range of wines. Tobacco, savory herbs, leather and dark-fleshed fruits open into the finish. The tannins are a bit rough around the edges, but otherwise this is a fine effort. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Ch. Joanin Becot |
2018 |
Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux ex-Negociant |
$29.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 93 (3/2021): Emerging from the team of Beau-Séjour Bécot, the 2018 Château Joanin Bécot is based on 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc coming from the limestone soils of the Côtes de Castillon region. Lots of black cherry and redcurrant fruit as well as leafy herbs, dried flowers, chalky minerality, and camphor emerge on the nose. This carries to a medium-bodied, seamless 2018 with terrific overall balance, ripe yet present tannins, and outstanding length on the finish. Tasting like a topflight Saint-Emilion, it will benefit from a year or so in the cellar and impress for at least a decade. Readers looking for a brilliant Right Bank wine to put in the cellar should jump on this beauty. (Drink between 2021-2033).
WA 92 (4/2023): A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Joanin Bécot exhibits delicate aromas of blueberries, flowers and violets with touches of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, it’s a lively, rather delicate wine with a fleshy core of fruit and a crystalline texture overlaid with a fresh, penetrating finish that has racy acidity. The wine will offer a broad tasting window.
VM 89 (3/2021): The 2018 Joanin Bécot has retained the earthy, cedar-tinged bouquet that takes a few swirls of the glass to emerge. There is crisp black fruit here, pine fresh. The medium-bodied palate delivers fine grip on the entry and dusky black fruit mixed with tobacco and sage. Almost Left Bank in style toward the graphite-tinged finish. This is fine Joanin that should drink well for 8–10 years. (Drink between 2021-2030). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. La Gurgue |
2016 |
Margaux |
$39 |
26 |
|
| |
| JS 93-94 (4/2017): Tight and chewy with currant and blueberry character. Medium body, a lovely center palate and a subtle finish. Pretty continuation to the 2015. |
|
| Ch. Labegorce |
2016 |
Margaux ex-Negociant |
$42.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JA 94 (3/2023): Concentrated but restrained with old school charm and an abundance of muscular tannins, it's easy to feel the heart of this wine, packed with liqourice, slate, black chocolate, cassis, brambled hedgerow, aniseed and fennel, with plenty of grip. Years ahead of it, an impressive wine in this exceptional vintage, offering good value. Harvest September 4 to October 21. 50% new oak, technical director Marjolaine de Coninck.
JD 94 (2/2019): From an estate on the uptick and showing beautifully on two separate occasions, the 2016 Château Labégorce is a head-turner of a Margaux that’s based on 52% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that was brought up in 45% new oak, with the balance in once-used barrels. Sexy notes of blackcurrants, black raspberries, crushed flowers, sandalwood, and incense all flow to a medium to full-bodied, fabulously textured Margaux that carries ripe tannins, loads of fruit and richness, and a great finish. Since arriving in 2009, Marjolaine de Coninck has resurrected this estate and the wines now play with the top in the appellation. Give bottles 3-5 years and enjoy over the following two decades or more. (Drink between 2022-2042)
WA 93+ (11/2018): The 2016 Labégorce is composed of 52% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, aged in 45% new and 55% one-year-old French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it leaps out of the glass with gregarious cassis, kirsch and black raspberries, candied violets, dark chocolate and spearmint. Medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and with exciting intensity, it delivers a fantastically long, fragrant finish. 12,000 cases produced.
VM 93 (4/2026): The 2016 Labégorce has a very pretty nose with blackberry, briar, cedar and well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins, a little more acidity than its peers, segueing into a savoury, black pepper-tinged finish that shows admirable persistence and sapidity. This is a classy Margaux that is ageing with style. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. (Drink between 2027-2042). Neal Martin. |
|
| Ch. Lilian Ladouys |
2018 |
St. Estephe ex-Negociant |
$27.50 |
60 |
|
| |
JA 93 (7/2021): Owed by Jacky Lorenzetti (new owner also of Ch Lafon Rochet in the same appellation), this is one of those surefire estates that delivers St Estèphe power with a touch of luxury. There are layers of ripe black fruits and chewy tannins here, so it will benefit from a few more years in bottle or a serious carafing before drinking. 48hl/h yield, 35% new oak with both 225l and 400l barrels. Converting to organic farming as of 2020.
VM 92 (3/2021): The 2018 Lilian Ladouys is showing nicely now that the wine is in bottle. It has a riper bouquet compared to, say, the Calon-Ségur, more lush – a 2018 with wider appeal, featuring blueberry and cassis scents that soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that disguise the backbone of this Saint-Estèphe. It is not the most powerful Lilian Ladouys in recent years, safeguarding its linearity and strictness all the way through to the finish. But it conveys a sense of classicism and has abundant freshness that should see it age well over the next two decades. (Drink between 2023-2040). Neal Martin.
JD 92 (3/2021): A year-in, year-out value, the 2018 Château Lilian Ladouys checks in as 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot that was brought up in 35% new oak. Jammy blueberries, ripe cherries, damp earth, tobacco, and spicy wood notes define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a plump, rounded texture, opulent aromas and flavors, and a great finish. (Drink between 2021-2036) |
|
| Ch. Marsau |
2019 |
Francs Cotes de Bordeaux |
$29.95 |
60 |
|
| |
| Decanter 93 (1/2022): A svelte, seductive and seriously appealing 100% Merlot grown atypically on clay-dominant soils on one of the highest points of the Francs Côtes de Bordeaux. Wild strawberries, Morello cherries and subtle spices on the nose and palate, softly sweet, generous, round, plump, juicy and mouth filling, all harmoniously packaged and carefully balanced with freshness from start to finish. Complete and evocative with purity of expression. Seek it out. (Drink between 2023-2031) |
|
|
2022 |
Francs Cotes de Bordeaux 2023 en Primeur Release |
$29.95 |
12 |
|
| |
WA 92-94 (5/2023): This medium to full-bodied 2022 Marsau is an attractive wine produced from 100% Merlot. It has a delightfully pure bouquet of peony, violet, iris, menthol and cassis, followed by a crunchy and juicy yet fresh texture and then by a mineral-driven finish of remarkable purity, expressing elegant notes of licorice and pencil lead. Anne-Laurence and Mathieu Chadronnier have produced a red wine that punches above its weight. Bravo!
JA 92 (5/2023): Floral notes on the aromatics, shows the heavy spice of the vintage with black pepper, rosemary and turmeric notes, begins to lift through the palate as it opens. An unusual spot in Franc Côtes de Bordeaux with a lot of clay in the soils, and this is powerful and concentrated, with a flash of heat on the finish. 12ha vineyard, entirely clay, entirely Merlot, organic since 2018, no till farming, 25hl/h yield. Harvest September 7 to 12, to be aged 80% large oak casks (no new oak), 10% one year old, 10% neutral oak and amphora. |
|
| Ch. Pibran |
2020 |
Pauillac Ex-Negociant |
$39 |
18 |
|
| |
JD 93 (3/2023): Based on 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon that saw 50% new oak, the 2020 Château Pibran is a classic wine in the vintage that has a pure, layered, medium to full-bodied style as well as textbook notes of darker berries, cassis, irone, and tobacco. With ripe tannins, a good spine of acidity, and plenty of texture, it's going to evolve for 15-20 years in cold cellars. (Drink between 2023-2043).
VM 93 (2/2023): The 2020 Pibran is a potent wine. Black cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and chocolate are nicely dialed up in this rich, heady Pauillac. Soft, plush and exuberant, Pibran is a total charmer. Best of all, it will be ready to drink with minimal cellaring. Bright acids and floral notes lift the finish. (Drink between 2025-2035). Antonio Galloni.
WA 90+ (4/2023): Aromas of cassis, raw cocoa, licorice and loamy soil introduce the 2020 Pibran, a medium to full-bodied, layered and velvety wine framed by powdery tannins that assert themselves on the finish. |
|
| Ch. Sociando Mallet |
2020 |
Haut Medoc |
$38 |
48 |
|
| |
JS 94 (12/2022): This has a pretty nose with dark spices, nut shell and cedar notes with a dark fruit backbone, following through to a medium body with firm and finely polished tannins that go on and on. Refined and nicely balanced with velvety texture. Lingering and chalky finish. Try after 2026.
VM 93 (2/2023): The 2020 Sociando Mallet has retained its impressive aromatics from its showing in barrel with beautifully defined blackberry and raspberry fruit, pressed violet and light cedar aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with firm backbone, a little powdery in texture, fine backbone with ample freshness and tension towards its graphite-infused finish. Bravo! Neal Martin. |
|
| Clos Sainte Anne |
2018 |
Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux ex-Negociant |
$16.99 |
40 |
|
| |
|
| Esprit de Chevalier |
2020 |
Pessac Leognan ex-Negociant |
$28.99 |
26 |
|
| |
VM 92 (11/2024): The 2020 L'Esprit de Chevalier has a tad too much wood influence on the nose, but there is sufficient fruit to absorb it. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, fleshy, lively and detailed, with a dash of white pepper toward the finish. This is another delicious, classically styled Pessac-Léognan. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Drink between 2026-2042). Neal Martin.
JD 91 (3/2023): The 2020 L'Esprit De Chevalier is more restrained aromatically, yet has outstanding purity in its red and black fruits as well as notes of dried herbs, tobacco, chocolate, and damp earth. It's a medium-bodied, elegant, balanced, and certainly delicious second wine that will benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and shine for a decade. (Drink between 2023-2033)
WA 90 (4/2023): Fleshy and demonstrative, the 2020 L'Esprit de Chevalier bursts with aromas of sweet berries, plums and petals. Medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with polished tannins and an expansive finish, it will drink well young. |
|
| Fleur de Pedesclaux |
2019 |
Pauillac ex-Negociant |
$32.95 |
25 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (2/2022): The 2019 Fleur de Pédesclaux, matured in 30% new oak, has been increasing its Cabernet Sauvignon since 2009, when it was pure Merlot (and also undergoing organic conversion since 2013). Raspberry, blackberry, cedar and light tobacco scents unfurl in the glass. The palate is still quite fleshy and rounded, and lightly spiced, retaining that hint of Chinese five-spice toward the tender finish. A lovely second wine. (Drink between 2023-2033). Neal Martin. |
|
| G. d' Estournel |
2020 |
Medoc ex-Negociant |
$32.99 |
39 |
|
| |
JA 92 (1/2023): So interesting tasting this against a wide range of AOC Médoc wines. It's a more expensive bottle than many of them, but it is confident, crafted and full of personality. Cocoa bean, espresso, plentiful berry fruit, touches of mandarin peel and lemongrass to lift things on the finish, slate texture tannins, good stuff.
JD 89 (2/2023): A terrific wine, the 2020 Goulee By Cos D'Estournel sports a healthy ruby/purple hue as well as ripe aromatics of currants, sandalwood, damp earth, and leafy tobacco. This medium-bodied, silky, juicy, ready-to-go Médoc is perfect for enjoying over the coming 7-8 years. (Drink between 2023-2031)
VM 89 (2/2023): The 2020 Goulée by Cos d'Estournel is very pretty and aromatic. Élevage has filled out the layers nicely, but this remains a decidedly aromatic, mid-weight vintage for the château's Médoc. Sweet pipe tobacco, leather, mint, cinnamon and dried cherry build nicely in the glass. The 2020 has come together nicely. (Drink between 2024-2035). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Le C des Carmes Haut Brion |
2022 |
Pessac Leognan ex-Negociant |
$44.95 |
60 |
|
| |
WA 94 (3/2025): The 2022 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion is punching above its weight this year. Unfurling in the glass with a gourmand, lively and vibrant bouquet of raspberry, mulberries, rose, violet and cassis, it's medium to full-bodied, seamless and layered with refined, velvety tannins and a deep core of fruit, concluding with a harmonious, elegant profile that avoids any excess, enhancing its distinctive personality. Guillaume Pouthier, Guillaume Deschepper and their team have done a fantastic job at this address, delivering an exceptional wine.
JD 94 (2/2025): The 2022 C Des Carmes Haut-Brion is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, and the rest 1% Petit Verdot that was fermented with 30% whole clusters and aged 12 months in a new foudre (there's a small part in used barrels) followed by four months all in concrete tanks. There are fewer stems in this cuvée as the vines are younger, and it has a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by a spicy, peppery, complex perfume of darker berry and plum fruits, spring flowers, tobacco leaf, and a beautiful sense of minerality. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, elegant, and loaded with character, it's a singular Pessac-Léognan that will have two decades of longevity. (Drink between 2025-2045).
VM 92 (2/2025): The 2022 Le C des Carmes Haut-Brion, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) from gravelly soils, will be kept for one year in bottle before release. It has 13.3% alcohol, reduced by the 30% whole cluster contribution with infusion rather than maceration, using a coffee plunger concept to push down the cap in the vat. It aged for one year in barrel and one year on foudres. The nose presents blackberry, clove and curry leaf aromas, with a touch more mint than before. The medium-bodied palate has slightly chalky tannins and is fresh thanks to the whole bunch contribution. Quite linear and a little Syrah-like towards the finish, this lovely wine will age well over the next 12 to 20 years. (Drink between 2028-2048). Neal Martin. |
|
| Les Fiefs de Lagrange |
2010 |
St. Julien (375 ML) |
$32 |
58 |
|
| |
| WA 89-91 (5/2011): A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot, this has a very fine nose of blackberry, briary and a touch of black tea. Good definition and purity. The Petit Verdot add a little edginess to this wine that has fine tension if lacking a little length on the saturated, slightly chewy finish. Very good purity and precision though. |
|
| Les Griffons de Pichon Baron |
2019 |
Pauillac Ex-Negociant |
$49 |
20 |
|
| |
JD 94 (4/2022): The second wine of this great estate, the 2019 Les Griffons De Pichon Baron is a more Merlot-dominated release and is 59% Merlot and 41% Cabernet Sauvignon that saw 40% new oak. It has a gorgeous nose of ripe blackcurrant and darker cherry fruits as well as tobacco, smoked herbs, violets, and freshly sharpened pencils. Vibrant, pure, and complex aromatically, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, has the vintage's pure, elegant character, terrific depth on the mid-palate, and outstanding length. It's a wonderful, already approachable Pauillac that will deliver the goods over the coming 20+ years. (Drink between 2022-2044).
VM 90 (2/2023): The 2019 Les Griffons de Pichon Baron has a slightly evolved nose, red fruit mixed with melted tar and mixed herbs. The palate is better with firm tannins, fine acidity, quite a solid wine with admirable grip on the finish. Enjoy this over the next 10 to 12 years. Tasted blind at the Southwold annual tasting. (Drink between 2025-2035). Neal Martin. |
|
| | Bordeaux White |
| Baron de Brane |
2023 |
Bordeaux Blanc ex-Negociant |
$25.95 |
32 |
|
| |
|
| Ch. de Rayne-Vigneau |
2014 |
Sauternes (375 ML) ex-Negociant |
$34.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 95 (2/2017): A rich, exotic Sauternes, the 2014 de Rayne Vigneau exudes class. A mélange of apricot jam, wild flowers, mint and lemon confit fills out the wine's frame effortlessly. Ample, powerful and super-inviting, the 2014 shows beautifully today. This is one of the more over, extroverted Sauternes of the vintage. (Drink between 2017-2029). Antonio Galloni.
WA 94-96 (4/2015): The Château Rayne-Vigneau 2014 could be one of the standouts of the vintage. It was showing a little new oak on the nose, though readers should note that this sample was taken from a new Burgundy barrel. There are touches of vanilla infusing the honeyed fruit. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry. This is very balanced and poised with superb tension, energetic but classy, a sophisticated Sauternes that feels persistent and long in the mouth. Talented winemaker Anne Le Naour has crafted another beauty from this estate that deserves more respect. |
|
| Ch. Rieussec |
2024 |
"R" de Rieussec Bordeaux Blanc Sec ex-Negociant |
$39.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JA 94 (4/2025): This is succulent and precise, definitely one to look out, plenty of energy and lift through the palate, elderflower, citrus, white pepper, sage, lime zest, apricot, nectarine, saffron, steel and slate. Great stuff from Rieussec in this vintage. 3.15ph. |
|
| | Burgundy Red |
| Dom. Michele and Patrice Rion |
2023 |
Bourgogne Bons Batons ex-Domaine |
$39.95 |
22 |
|
| |
VM 88-90 (1/2025): The 2023 Bourgogne Rouge Bon Baton comes from a parcel adjacent to Ghislaine Barthod's on stonier soils, aged mostly in one-year-old barrels. Lightly perfumed on the nose, this conjures raspberry, strawberry and wild hedgerow scents, more complex than your common or garden Bourgogne Rouge. The palate is medium-bodied with satisfying concentration, not weighty or dense but light on its feet with commendable purity and grip on the finish. Traces of tobacco emerge on the aftertaste. Village Cru in quality. (Drink between 2026-2031). Neal Martin.
JM 87-89 (10/2024): An even purple colour. A very attractive stylish perfumed floral nose, with a little more body than the regular. Not massively concentrated but distinguished in its length. Sound acidity. The flavours stay with you. Drink from 2026-2030.
BH 86-89 (1/2025): A slightly riper and more deeply pitched nose features aromas of dark cherry, poached plum and freshly turned earth. The delicious if not especially dense flavors do possess a lovely sense of underlying tension before culminating in a youthfully austere, lingering and mildly austere finale. This is also very good for its level and worth checking out. Drink 2027+. Outstanding! |
|
| Dom. Patrick Javillier |
2023 |
Pernand Vergelesses Rouge ex-Domaine |
$39.99 |
50 |
|
| |
BH 89 (4/2025): Here too there is a mentholated top note to the fresh and more deeply pitched nose of poached plum, dark berries and more subtle earth nuances. There is better volume to the solidly concentrated middle weight flavors that possess both a finer texture and a discreet bead of minerality on the balanced, youthfully austere and slightly firmer finale. This is a quality Pernand villages. (Drink starting 2028).
JM 87-89 (12/2024): An even light crimson colour. While there is less fruit evident on the nose, there is more concentration than expected on the palate, with a certain density towards the back, in a crunchy strawberry raspberry style. Once the bouquet develops this will, become an interesting wine. |
|
| Patrice Rion |
2023 |
Bourgogne Pinot Noir ex-Domaine |
$32.99 |
44 |
|
| |
JM 86-87 (10/2024): A fine red to crimson colour, with an agreeable immediate red fruit nose, no great concentration but nicely made. Perfumed with some cherries, a slight hardness at the finish still needing time to soften – recently racked – and good acidity. Some young vines in this. Drink from 2026-2028.
BH 86-89 (1/2025): (from Chambolle vines.) An expressive and fresh nose offers up notes of red and blue pinot fruit laced with earth and discreet spice nuances. The supple, delicious and fleshy middle weight flavors conclude in a refreshing and long finish where a touch of rusticity eventually surfaces. Solid quality here. Outstanding! |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes de Nuits Villages Vieilles Vignes ex-Domaine |
$39.95 |
32 |
|
| |
VM 89-91 (1/2025): The 2023 Côte de Nuits-Villages comprises two-thirds fruit purchased from Clombanchien, and the rest Domaine fruit from En Luret lieu-dit. Blackcurrant and raspberry combine nicely on the nose, not concentrated per se, yet showing decent clarity and purity. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly granular texture on the entry, lightly peppered though there are no stems in the blend. Focused and harmonious toward the finish, this is a worthy follow-up to the 2022. (Drink between 2027-2037). Neal Martin.
JM 89-90 (10/2024): A mix of their own vines, one third from Au Leurey, and the rest purchases in Comblanchien. There is more depth to the purple colour here. A perfumed nose with a more sensual and floral bouquet redolent of the sunshine. Good acidity behind, medium density, some length. Drink from 2027-2030.
BH 88-91 (1/2025): (mostly from Belle-Vue in Comblanchien with small amounts of Les Loges, Les Leurey and Vaucrains.) This is aromatically similar to the Bon Bâtons but with notably more spice influence. The supple, delicious and energetic medium weight flavors possess a highly seductive, even velvety, texture while displaying very good length and depth on the balanced bitter pit fruit-inflected finish. Drink 2028+. |
|
| Pierre Boisson |
2023 |
Hautes Cotes de Beaune Rouge |
$39.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| | Burgundy White |
| Anne Boisson |
2023 |
Bourgogne Aligote |
$33.95 |
24 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Bourgogne Blanc Les Clous Perrons |
$47.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Bessin-Tremblay |
2023 |
Chablis ex-Domaine |
$37.99 |
47 |
|
| |
BH 89-91 (10/2024): Cool and airy aromas include those of Granny Smith apple, citrus rind and ample Chablis character, especially seaweed. The delicious middle weight flavors possess a lovely texture, especially for a villages Chablis, while displaying a subtle materiality on the youthfully austere and lingering finale. Lovely. (Drink starting 2027).
JM 88 (6/2025): Bottled in March 2025. Pale lime green. Fresh and chiselled nose, some lime blossom all as minerals, Plenty of energy, not at all too fleshy, backward. Drink from 2025-2027. |
|
| Dom. des Malandes |
2023 |
Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu Ex-Domaine |
$49.95 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 91 (7/2025): The 2023 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru has a well-focused, quite animated bouquet that unfolds in the glass with touches of orchard fruit and grassy meadow. The palate is balanced with a fine bead of acidity. This is lightly spiced but just needs a little more tension on the finish. Overall, it's a very well-made Mont de Milieu that should age nicely in bottle. Tasted blind at the BIVB offices in Chablis. Neal Martin.
BH 88-90 (10/2024): (from a parcel of .26 ha). A funky nose of leesy reduction and lactic character. By contrast there is good freshness to the rich, generously proportioned and succulent medium-bodied flavors that culminate in a delicious if somewhat short finish. This should improve once it’s racked but it’s awkward today. Drink 2027+ |
|
|
2023 |
Chablis 1er Cru Vau de Vey Ex-Domaine |
$46.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 90 (7/2025): The 2023 Chablis Vau de Vey 1er Cru, aged 50% in used oak, has a light, fresh apple blossom- and pear-scented nose with hints of pressed white flowers. The palate is well balanced with slightly honeyed citrus fruit and modest weight, though it needs more Neal Martin.
BH 89-91 (10/2024): (from a 3.52 ha parcel aged in 30% wood). A fresh, ripe and expressive nose reflects good Chablis typicity that includes quinine, sea breeze, lemon rind and cool white fleshed fruit. There is fine density to the delicious, intense and solidly voluminous flavors that offer better depth and persistence on the youthfully austere finale. Drink 2028+ |
|
| Dom. Patrick Javillier |
2022 |
Bourgogne Cuvee des Forgets ex-Domaine |
$43.99 |
60 |
|
| |
BH 87 (6/2024): Bright aromas of just sliced citrus, white peach and pretty floral nuances are complemented by delicious middleweight flavors that are supported by lemon-tinged acidity on the vibrant, lingering and refreshing finale. Moreover, this is not your usual 'pop and pour' Bourgogne as it has the legs to repay 4 to 7 years of keeping. Worth checking out. Drink 2027+. Outstanding Top Value!
JM 87-89 (10/2023): A similar colour, pale primrose perhaps. A little bit crisper and more classic in bouquet. Delicious white fruit, very balanced, feel the limestone, enough flesh yet with precision as well. A longer and more mineral finish than Forgets. |
|
|
2023 |
Bourgogne Cuvee des Forgets ex-Domaine |
$41.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JM 89-91 (12/2024): To bottle in the New Year. A fine mid lemon yellow with an engaging generosity of fruit already apparent on the nose. The Javilliers have manged to harness freshness with ripeness in a most engaging fashion. Apple and plum fruit throughout, with a fine long finish. Drink from 2026-2029.
BH 87 (6/2025): Smoky aromas include those of apple, pear and a pretty floral top note. There is fine density, particularly in the context of the 2023 vintage, to the attractively textured and punchy flavors that conclude in a supple and lingering finish that is perhaps a bit less dry than usual. Even so, this is lovely and worth considering. (Drink starting 2026).
VM 87 (3/2025): The 2023 Bourgogne Côte d'Or Cuvée des Forgets has a light grass clipping- and apple blossom-scented nose. The palate is fresh with admirable weight, more expressive than the aromatics at the moment, with citrus peel and a hint of apricot on the finish. Drink over the next five years. (Drink between 2025-2030). Neal Martin. |
|
|
2023 |
Bourgogne Cuvee Oligocene ex-Domaine |
$39.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 89 (3/2025): The 2023 Bourgogne Côte d'Or Cuvée Oligocène has a little more evidence of oak on the nose and a touch more yellow fruit than the Cuvée des Forgets. The palate is fresh and lively, mixing citrus lemon with orange rind and a dash of lemongrass towards the finish. Great value as always, this comes recommended. (Drink between 2025-2032). Neal Martin.
JM 89 (12/2024): Bottled end November. A slightly paler lemon yellow. Oligocene proposes a more cerebral aspect after the joyous Forgets. Ther is still an excellent concentration of ripe fruit, with a clear limestone backbone. Very good tension here with some lime notes as well as ripe lemon. Balanced and classy. Drink from 2026-2029.
BH 87 (6/2025): A more layered nose is comprised by notes of petrol, various white orchard fruit, acacia and a whiff of citrus confit. There is a bit more volume to the vibrant and utterly delicious middle weight flavors that retain a fine sense of detail on the drier, longer and more complex finale. This is an excellent Bourgogne and warmly recommended. (Drink starting 2027). |
|
| Dom. Potinet-Ampeau |
2018 |
Bourgogne Aligote ex-Domaine |
$29.99 |
59 |
|
| |
|
|
2020 |
Bourgogne Blanc Ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
28 |
|
| |
|
| Patrice Rion |
2023 |
Bourgogne Chardonnay ex-Domaine |
$32.99 |
60 |
|
| |
BH 86-88 (6/2025): Fresh and bright aromas include those of pear and apple compote, citrus rind and a hint of spice. There is equally good verve to the delicious and acceptably dense flavors that possess a succulent mid-palate that contrasts mildly with the youthfully austere and balanced finale. This could use better depth so a year, or perhaps two, of cellaring should help. (Drink starting 2026).
JM 86-87 (10/2024): A fine red to crimson colour, with an agreeable immediate red fruit nose, no great concentration but nicely made. Perfumed with some cherries, a slight hardness at the finish still needing time to soften – recently racked – and good ac |
|
| Pierre Boisson |
2022 |
Macon-Villages au Poirier Chanin |
$46.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Macon-Villages Blanc |
$31.99 |
24 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Rully Blanc Les Cailloux |
$42.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Pierre Morey |
2023 |
Bourgogne Aligote |
$31.99 |
20 |
|
| |
VM 88 (3/2025): The 2023 Bourgogne Aligoté, which had been bottled, offers lilting citrus peel and clementine scents on the nose that just need a little coaxing from the glass. The palate is well balanced with an underlying sapidity, slightly viscous in texture with veins of lemongrass towards the persistent finish. This is a fine upstanding Aligoté from Anne Morey. (Drink between 2025-2030).
BH 87 (6/2025): A textbook aligoté nose is comprised by notes of various citrus elements, spice and ripe green apple. The seductive, even suave, middle weight flavors possess excellent punch as well as an almost pungent minerality that seems to build on the bone-dry, youthfully austere and borderline rustic and tannic finale. This is an old school effort that will need a year or two of keeping first. A quality aligoté. (Drink starting 2027). |
|
| | Rhone Red |
| Dom. Coursodon |
2021 |
St. Joseph Rouge l’Olivaie ex-Domaine |
$39.99 |
60 |
|
| |
Decanter 92 (9/2022): Sparky herbal notes on the nose, with thyme and rosemary. There’s some roundness on the palate thanks in part down to the oak, which isn't overly dominating. Good presence on the palate thanks to the firm tannins, and a fairly long finish. A good option in 2021. 60-year-old vines, all destemmed, 15% new oak.
JD 90-92 (12/2022): The 2021 Saint Joseph L'Olivaie is rock-solid, offering pretty darker cherry and fresh fig-like notes as well as spice, game, and flowery incense nuances. This medium-bodied, supple, nicely balanced, and textured effort has outstanding potential and will certainly drink nicely right out of the gate. |
|
|
2022 |
St. Joseph Rouge l’Olivaie ex-Domaine |
$41.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 93 (5/2025): All Syrah aged 15 months in barrel (15% new), the 2022 Saint Joseph Olivaie offers red and black fruits, leafy herbs, sappy flowers, and spicy wood. Medium to full-bodied and beautifully balanced, with ripe tannins, it's a layered, elegant, and impressively made wine in a classic style. Drink bottles over the coming 8-10 years. Drink 2025-2035.
VM 91 (1/2025): The 2022 Saint-Joseph L'Olivaie mixes leafy accents with graphite, black cherry and a touch of cedar on the elegant aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, round and refreshing, the 2022 is a delicious Saint-Joseph that’s already starting to drink well. Drink between 2025-2030. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2023 |
St. Joseph Rouge l’Olivaie Ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 93-95 (5/2025): All Syrah, the 2023 Saint Joseph L'Olivaie brings another level of concentration, offering cassis, graphite, crushed stone, and classy oak on the nose. It has terrific purity, medium to full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. The overall balance and purity here are exceptional.
VM 90-92 (1/2025): Cedar, black cherry, wood smoke and pencil shaving introduce the 2023 Saint-Joseph L'Olivaie, a medium-bodied, deeply hued Northern Rhône Syrah. Touching the palate with elevated flavor concentration, the 2023 handles the oak well. I look forward to tasting the bottled version. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2020 |
St. Joseph Rouge Silice ex-Domaine |
$31.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 93 (12/2022): Saturated violet color. Displays fresh-mineral-accented aromas of fresh red and blue fruits and candied flowers, with hints of savory herbs and black pepper in the background. Juicy and lithe on the palate, offering appealingly sweet cherry and boysenberry flavors and a touch of licorice. Finishes long and smooth, with resonating red fruit character and round, even tannins that come on late. Josh Raynolds.
JD 91 (12/2022): A great introduction to the wines of this terrific vigneron, the 2020 Saint Joseph Silice has classic darker berry fruits as well as peppery herbs, violets, and some obvious minerality on both the nose and palate. These carry to a medium-bodied effort with good acidity, firm yet ripe tannins, and outstanding length.
JS 91 (2/2022): An interesting nose of blackberries and blueberries with some graphite and leather adding interest. Robust structure for a St.-Joseph with plenty of pepper and spice, but the fruit is more than adequate to carry all this. Good length, if not tremendously complex. Sustainable. Drinkable now, but best from 2023. |
|
|
2021 |
St. Joseph Rouge Silice ex-Domaine |
$28.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 91-93 (12/2022): The 2021 Saint Joseph Silice is also beautiful, with a round, supple, layered style that shines in the vintage. Black raspberries, spice box, dried flowers, and hints of violets give way to a medium-bodied, up-front, charming, layered 2021 that certainly stands out in the vintage.
Decanter 91 (9/2022): Neat, well-balanced and fresh, with sappy acidity. It's a relatively light St-Joseph, as is common for the vintage, but they've found a good balance and reflected the vintage as well as it could be. Gently herbal streak and a touch of juniper. |
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|
2022 |
St. Joseph Rouge Silice ex-Domaine |
$29.99 |
28 |
|
| |
JD 94 (5/2025): Showing the least amount of oak in Coursodon's lineup, the 2022 Saint Joseph Silice offers blackberries, peppery herbs, damp earth, and sappy flowers, all with remarkable purity and complexity. All Syrah, destemmed and aged 12 months in barrel, this cooler-fruited effort is terrific. Drink bottles over the coming 8-10 years. Drink 2025-2035.
VM 92 (1/2025): The 2022 Saint-Joseph Silice unfolds with ripe black cherry, pencil shaving, black tea, crushed violet and gently leafy subtleties. Medium-bodied at most, the 2022 is a classic, age-worthy Silice that’s gently structured by ripe tannins. Drink between 2025-2035. Nicolas Greinacher. |
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|
2023 |
St. Joseph Rouge Silice Ex-Domaine |
$31.99 |
60 |
|
| |
JD 92-94 (5/2025): The 2023 Saint Joseph Silice shows beautifully, with a pure, balanced, medium to full-bodied style as well as classic Saint Joseph minerality, the vintage's ripe red and darker, almost blue fruits, lots of spice and floral nuances, integrated oak, and outstanding length. All Syrah, destemmed and aged 12 months in barrel, it should shine right out of the gate
VM 90-92 (1/2025): The 2023 Saint-Joseph Silice evokes a classic aromatic profile so typical of the appellation. This accentuates its Syrah elegance through delicate graphite, red and black plum notes as well as spicy subtleties. The medium-bodied 2023 is shaping up to be a refreshing Saint-Joseph, closing with a resonant echo on the bright finish. It is very complete, even at this early stage. Drink between 2025-2033. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
| Dom. de Mourchon |
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Family Reserve Grenache ex-Domaine |
$36.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (2/2025): Almost all Grenache the 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Séguret Family Grenache was totally destemmed and spent 18 months in wooden conical trunk vats and barrels. It's a ripe, sexy, concentrated Grenache that has a rocking bouquet of black raspberries, black cherries, sandalwood, and peppery herbs. Reminding me of a great Gigondas, it offers medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, building tannins, and a great finish. It will shine over the coming 10-12 years. |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Family Reserve Grenache ex-Domaine |
$36.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (11/2025): This is gorgeous stuff offering black raspberries, violets, blood orange, and tons of peppery garrigue, as well as a beautiful sense of minerality. Based on 98% Grenache and aged 18 months in 600-liter oak containers, the 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Seguret Grenache Family Reserve is medium to full-bodied and has a pure, layered mouthfeel with remarkable purity and fine tannins. It will stand up to just about anything in the region, and there are 375 cases produced. Drink 2025-2040. |
|
|
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Family Reserve Syrah Ex-Domaine |
$36.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (11/2025): A bigger, richer wine, the 2022 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Seguret Syrah Family Reserve offers blackberries, chalky minerality, pepper, and gamey, meaty nuances. Based on 98% Syrah from vines planted in the 1950s and aged 18 months in oak barrels, it's medium to full-bodied and has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel with ripe tannins. It will continue to drink nicely over the coming decade, and there are 333 cases produced. Drink 2025-2035. |
|
|
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Grande Reserve Ex-Domaine |
$27.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (2/2025): The 2022 Cotes du Rhone Villages Segurey Grande Reserve is based on 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. Black raspberries, peppery herbs, spicy wood, and some meaty nuances all shine here, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a broad, layered mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. I love it today yet it's going to have a solid 10-12 years of prime drinking. |
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2025 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Loubie Rose ex-Domaine |
$16.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
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2024 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Nana ex-Domaine |
$17.50 |
60 |
|
| |
|
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2025 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Soubois Rose ex-Domaine |
$22.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Tradition Ex-Domaine |
$18.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 89 (2/2025): Blackberries, darker cherries, peppery garrigue, and plenty of curshed stone-like notes define the 2022 Cotes Du Rhone Seguret Tradition, a medium-bodied, structured, yet elegant Seguret that has tons of character. |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Tradition ex-Domaine |
$18.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 88 (11/2025): The classic cuvée of this terrific estate, the 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Seguret Tradition offers red and black fruits, crushed stone, garrigue, and pretty floral nuances. Based on 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah and aged 20% in trunconic oak vats with 80% in concrete vats, it's medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, with fine tannins and a good finish. This charming, balanced, elegant Seguret will keep for 5-7 years, and there are roughly 3,250 cases produced. Drink 2025-2032. |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Tradition (1.5 L) ex-Domaine |
$41.99 |
24 |
|
| |
| JD 88 (11/2025): The classic cuvée of this terrific estate, the 2023 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Seguret Tradition offers red and black fruits, crushed stone, garrigue, and pretty floral nuances. Based on 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah and aged 20% in trunconic oak vats with 80% in concrete vats, it's medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, with fine tannins and a good finish. This charming, balanced, elegant Seguret will keep for 5-7 years, and there are roughly 3,250 cases produced. Drink 2025-2032. |
|
| Dom. Duclaux |
2020 |
Cote Rotie La Chana ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
29 |
|
| |
JD 89-91 (2/2022): Starting with the 2020 Côte Rôtie La Chana, which includes 7% Viognier, this has a ripe, up-front, charming style as well as classic Côte Rôtie black raspberry fruits mixed with spice and bacon fat nuances. It's going to drink nicely right out of the gate.
WA 89-91 (1/2022): Blended from several parcels and barrels for my evaluation, the 2020 Cote Rotie La Chana usually contains approximately 7% Viognier and sees no new wood. It shows attractive aromas of raspberries and apricot on the nose, a medium to full-bodied feel on the palate and a savory finish that nicely balances mouthwatering acids and softly dusty tannins. It should drink well for the rest of this decade. |
|
|
2022 |
Cote Rotie La Chana Ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
53 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Cote Rotie La Germine ex-Domaine |
$46.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| Decanter 92 (10/2022): Spiced raspberry fruits on the nose, with a touch of blood orange. A dry, neat, compact style that will drink well young. Fine tannins reveal a gentle, light-bodied style with a good sense of freshness, if not concentration. Vines on gneiss, blonde soils. 20% whole bunch. Vinified in open concrete tanks. |
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|
2022 |
Cote Rotie La Germine Ex-Domaine |
$48.99 |
44 |
|
| |
JD 93 (5/2025): Incorporating 3% Viognier, the 2022 Côte Rôtie La Germine reveals a concentrated, rich, nicely structured profile of ripe black and blue fruits, crushed stone, and floral, sappy, gamey nuances. Medium to full-bodied, with plenty of mid-palate depth and a great finish, it was vinified with 20% whole clusters and aged 20 months in barrels and demi-muids (15% new). It, too, should have 10-15 years of longevity. Drink 2025-2035.
VM 89 (1/2025): The 2022 Côte-Rôtie La Germine evokes a fairly simple aromatic profile, opening with red and black cherry notes alongside touches of violet and spice box. Medium-bodied and refreshing, the 2022 is an elegant, early approachable Côte-Rôtie culminating with brightness on the moderately long finish. (Drink between 2025-2030). NIcholas Greinacher. |
|
| Dom. Vincent Paris |
2020 |
Cornas Granit 30 |
$44.99 |
20 |
|
| |
JD 93-95 (2/2022): Starting with what could be considered the entry level cuvée, the 2020 Cornas Granit 30 comes from further down the slope, from vines closer to the village. That's obviously not a bad thing, since this plump, full-bodied, beautifully textured Cornas has remarkable purity and elegance as well as richness. Blackberries, blueberries, subtle smoke, graphite, and violets all emerge from the glass, and it has a seamless, incredibly elegant texture.
VM 93 (12/2022): Dark violet color. Dark berry preserve, licorice, olive and exotic spice aromas, with a hint of espresso in the background. Sappy and broad on the palate, offering spice-tinged cherry-cola, blueberry and candied violet flavors with a spicy snap of black pepper. The floral note carries through a very long, dark fruit-driven finish, where gently chewy tannins add shape and closing grip. Josh Raynolds.
Decanter 93 (10/2021): Very herbal, with leafy herbs like tarragon alongside woody herbs such as rosemary. Blueberry and liquorice too. Middleweight style, good concentration of fresh, juicy berry fruit and good persistence. Fresh, intense, gently saline and well-balanced. A good value pick this year. From 10-year-old vines, all destemmed. (Drink between 2022-2028) |
|
| Domaine les Goubert |
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Sablet ex-Domaine |
$16.99 |
30 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Gigondas Cuvee Florence ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
37 |
|
| |
| JD 91-93+ (10/2023): Slightly deeper hued, the 2021 Gigondas Cuvée Florence has a terrific nose of darker berries, sandalwood, white chocolate, and pepper. It's a concentrated, medium-bodied, balanced 2021 offering solid mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. Based on Grenache and Syrah that sees an extended élevage in barrels, it should benefit from just a year or two of bottle age and have a solid decade of prime drinking. |
|
|
2024 |
IGP Vaucluse Principaute d’Orange Miss Grenouille ex-Domaine |
$19.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Jean-Luc Jamet |
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Rouge l’Enclave Ex-Domaine |
$34.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Rouge l’Enclave ex-Domaine |
$35.99 |
33 |
|
| |
|
|
2022 |
IGP Collines Rhodaniennes Rouge Syrah Valine Ex-Domaine |
$29.99 |
28 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Vin de France Syrah Valine ex-Domaine |
$31.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Mourchon |
2022 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Ex-Domaine |
$45.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (11/2025): A cuvée whose quality has soared over the past four to five years, the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a brilliant effort in an arguably more challenging, heatwave-driven vintage. Sporting a ruby translucent hue, it boasts a brilliant perfume of ripe black cherries, redcurrants, peppery garrigue, and loamy earth with beautiful aromatic complexity. On the palate it's medium to full-bodied, has a ripe, layered mouthfeel, soft tannins, and a great finish. It's very much in the ripe, forward, sexy style of the vintage yet stays pure, graceful, and is just impossible to resist. It's not a long-term ager, so drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years. Drink 2025-2032. |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Ex-Domaine |
$14.99 |
54 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (11/2025): Lots of peppery red and black berry fruits, garrigue, and spice-driven aromatics emerge from the 2023 Côtes Du Rhône, with a hint of flowers. It's medium to full-bodied, has a round, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a juicy finish. It's one seriously good Côtes du Rhône that you could pretty much put up against anything in the appellation – count me impressed. This should have 10-12 years of prime drinking as well, and I'd be happy with a case in the cellar. Drink 2025-2037. |
|
|
2024 |
Cotes du Rhone ex-Domaine |
$14.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| | Rhone White |
| Dom. Coursodon |
2021 |
St. Joseph Blanc Silice ex-Domaine |
$29.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (12/2022): The 2021 Saint Joseph Silice Blanc has a Burgundian-like sense of reduction as well as beautiful quince, white flowers, honeyed minerality, and a kiss of background spice and toastiness. It's medium-bodied and has a clean, classy style that's going to evolve for 7-8 years in cold cellars. |
|
|
2023 |
St. Joseph Blanc Silice ex-Domaine |
$43.99 |
44 |
|
| |
JD 92 (5/2025): Based on 100% Marsanne, the 2023 Saint Joseph Silice Blanc reveals melon, honeyed flowers, spice, and toasted notes, showing impressive purity and cleanliness. It's fleshy on the palate, with beautiful balance and good purity, and while it has a slightly hazy color, it remains an impressive white. Drink bottles over the coming 4-6 years. Drink 2025-2031.
WA 91 (3/2025): Fresher and livelier than its Paradis Saint-Pierre counterpart, the 2023 Saint-Joseph Silice Blanc reveals aromas of confit citrus, spring blossoms and pear. Moderately weighted and delicately enveloping, it's juicy and layered with bright acids, concluding with a mouthwatering, floral finish.
VM 90 (1/2025): Flinty elements introduce the 2023 Saint-Joseph Blanc Silice, accompanied by notes of cedar, ripe pear, white peach and lemon flesh. Full-bodied, round and generous, the 2023 bundles vibrant energy and checks out with persistence on the sapid finish. This is an exquisite white Saint-Joseph. Drink between 2025-2027. Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2024 |
St. Joseph Blanc Silice Ex-Domaine |
$38.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. de Mourchon |
2024 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Soubois Blanc Ex-Domaine |
$22.99 |
20 |
|
| |
| JD 90 (11/2025): Based on 90% Viognier and 10% Roussanne and aged in demi-muids with weekly bâtonnage for six months, the 2024 Côtes Du Rhône Villages Seguret Soubois Blanc shows a light gold hue and offers crisp stone fruit, honeyed flowers, and a hint of orange blossom. It's medium-bodied, fresh, focused, and crisp, with terrific purity and balance. There are 191 cases produced. Drink 2025-2029. |
|
|
2025 |
Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret Soubois Blanc ex-Domaine |
$22.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. du Tunnel |
2024 |
Saint Peray Cuvee Prestige Ex-Domaine |
$48.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 97 (2/2026): Honeyed melon, crushed stone, mint, and hints of orange blossom all define the 2024 Prestige, an incredibly pure Saint-Péray that has so much to love. It's medium-bodied, has undeniable minerality, and outstanding length. You could put this up with the crème de la crème of the vintage, and while it plays in the fresher style of the vintage, it brings tons of character. Drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years. Drink 2026-2041. |
|
|
2024 |
Saint Peray Marsanne Ex-Domaine |
$37.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (2/2026): All Marsanne, the 2024 Saint-Péray Marsanne offers a gorgeous nose of honeyed quince, sappy white flowers, spice, and crushed stone. It's medium-bodied and has a focused, juicy, yet still nicely concentrated mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and outstanding length. It plays in the fresh, juicy, focused style of the vintage and will evolve gracefully over the coming decade. Drink 2026-2036. |
|
|
2024 |
Saint Peray Roussanne Ex-Domaine |
$45.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (2/2026): Orchard fruits, honeyed mint, and sappy herb/floral nuances emerge from the 2024 Saint-Péray Roussanne, which is medium-bodied, juicy, fresh, and focused on the palate. I love its overall purity, and it picks up a beautiful sense of salinity with time in the glass. It has another decade or more of longevity ahead of it. Drink 2026-2036. |
|
| Dom. Duclaux |
2021 |
Condrieu Les Caillets ex-Domaine |
$46.99 |
26 |
|
| |
|
| Jean-Luc Jamet |
2021 |
Cotes du Rhone Blanc Couzou ex-Domaine |
$25.99 |
12 |
|
| |
| JD 89 (5/2024): The 2021 Côtes du Rhône Couzou Blanc is based on Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier, all from more granitic soils. It has a light gold hue as well as a subtle nose of ripe stone fruits, honeyed orange, and spice, and it's medium-bodied, nicely textured, and nicely balanced on the palate. It has a good sense of freshness, but it's certainly a rich white that's going to shine on the dinner table. |
|
|
2022 |
Cotes du Rhone Blanc Couzou Ex-Domaine |
$26.99 |
43 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Cotes du Rhone Blanc Couzou ex-Domaine |
$34.99 |
36 |
|
| |
|
| Mourchon |
2024 |
Cotes du Rhone Blanc La Source Ex-Domaine |
$16.99 |
25 |
|
| |
|
|
2025 |
Cotes du Rhone Blanc La Source ex-Domaine |
$16.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| | Southern France |
| Ch. de Pibarnon |
2020 |
Bandol ex-Chateau |
$44.99 |
15 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (7/2026): Under seven years of age, this 2020 Bandol Pibarnon keeps all its promises. It has taken time to develop and grow more complex, with delicate oak notes and others more smoky and typical of the terroir: sour cherry jam, leather, and precious wood. The texture is frank, coating, broad, and round, and the balance will confirm itself over the next 10-15 years. Best from 2027-2035. Antoine Petrus |
|
|
2021 |
Bandol ex-Chateau |
$46.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (5/2026): The 2021 Bandol leans fully into a classical style, opening with licorice, dried herbs, blackberry and peppery undertones as a beautiful spiciness grows steadily in the glass. Medium- to full-bodied, it is shaped by gently chalky tannins that lend real composure. The savoury finish is marked by pepper, subtle fleshiness and understated authority. (Drink between 2028-2046). Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2021 |
Bandol ex-Chateau |
$46.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (5/2026): The 2021 Bandol leans fully into a classical style, opening with licorice, dried herbs, blackberry and peppery undertones as a beautiful spiciness grows steadily in the glass. Medium- to full-bodied, it is shaped by gently chalky tannins that lend real composure. The savoury finish is marked by pepper, subtle fleshiness and understated authority. (Drink between 2028-2046). Nicolas Greinacher. |
|
|
2023 |
Bandol Blanc ex-Chateau |
$49.99 |
27 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (7/2024): The elegant and perfumed 2023 Bandol Blanc from Château de Pibarnon is a real success this year, despite a challenging vintage in the region. It evokes aromas of citrus, spring flowers, curry leaves and white fruits mingled with spicy notes. Medium-bodied, perfectly balanced and fleshy, it has a fleshy core of fruit, bright acids and a long, mineral and saline finish. This blend of 55% Clairette, 30% Bourboulenc and the rest of a mix of other white grapes is an outstanding wine. |
|
|
2022 |
Bandol Rose ex-Chateau |
$36.99 |
60 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2023): The citrusy, mentholated 2022 Bandol Rosé was crafted with a blend of 65% Mourvèdre and 35% Cinsault and matured six months in barrels. It displays aromas of pomegranate, citrus, spring flowers, iodine, jasmine and crushed stones, followed by a beautifully defined texture, a fleshy core of fruit and racy acids that underpin a delicate, well-delineated and calcareous finish. It's going to drink nicely in its youth, but I suspect it will also age gracefully over the next 2-5 years.
VM 91 (5/2023): The 2022 Rosé is savory and sweet with a rich blend of rosemary, sage and tomato leaf, giving way to dried cherries. It's silky-smooth and round with a buzz of minerality and brisk acidity up front as ginger-spiked nectarine forms toward the close. This tapers off with a salty flourish. Spice and citrus notes keep the mouth watering. Eric Guido. |
|
|
2023 |
Bandol Rose ex-Chateau |
$34.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 93 (5/2025): The 2023 Bandol Rosé is a powerful, classy Rosé that delivers the proverbial “iron fist in a velvet glove.” Deep and rich, the 2023 takes its time in the glass, gradually unfurling layers of waxy cherry fruit, Mediterranean herbs, raspberry liqueur, , crushed oyster shell and dried apricot. There’s an impressive phenolic core and a wealth of complexity here, not to mention a long, long finish. This is a very serious wine with the stuffing to improve in the cellar. Billy Norris.
WA 92+ (7/2024): A blend of 65% Mourvèdre and 35% Cinsault, the 2023 Bandol Rosé from Château de Pibarnon offers up a delicate, complex bouquet of spices, licorice, red berries, lemon, spring flowers and herbs. Medium-bodied, enveloping and beautifully structured, it’s round and juicy with a delicate, lively core of fruit and a mineral, calcareous finish. This is a classical rosé wine from Bandol. |
|
|
2024 |
Bandol Rose ex-Chateau |
$37.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (6/2025): The 2024 Bandol Rosé is another stunning wine from Provence. Revealing a complex, fresh bouquet of red berries, pomegranate, grapefruit and spices, it's medium- to full-bodied, fleshy and round, with a supple, elegant core of fruit supported by moderate tannins, finishing long and delicately saline. |
|
|
2021 |
Bandol Rose Nuances ex-Chateau |
$47.99 |
14 |
|
| |
| JD 95 (7/2026): With the 2021 Bandol Nuances, Pibarnon produces a near-perfect rosé. The pale ruby color leads into spiced, smoky aromas of white pepper, redcurrant jam, and peppery touches, while numerous fine tannins coat the palate to provide power, character, and length. Drink now. Antoine Petrus. |
|
|
2022 |
Bandol Rose Nuances ex-Chateau |
$46.99 |
40 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Le Roc des Anges |
2016 |
Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes Asterolide |
$31 |
15 |
|
| |
|
| Les Restanques de Pibarnon |
2021 |
Bandol ex-Chateau |
$38.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Bandol ex-Chateau |
$38.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| | Alsace |
| Klipfel |
2012 |
Riesling Cuvee Louis Klipfel |
$18 |
18 |
|
| |
|
| | Champagne |
| Charpentier |
NV |
Tradition Brut Champagne |
$38.99 |
57 |
|
| |
|
| | Other France |
| Dom. Richard Rottiers |
2023 |
Moulin a Vent Ex-Domaine |
$24.99 |
54 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (4/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent was bottled a month before my visit. This has fine purity on the nose. The 20% used oak knits everything together nicely, though not as powerfully as the 2022. The palate is medium-bodied and silky, with fine tannins and red cherry and crushed strawberry notes leading to a smooth, easy-drinking finish. The 2023 is very fine. Neal Martin. |
|
|
2023 |
Moulin a Vent Champ de Cour Ex-Domaine |
$26.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 92 (4/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Champ de Cour was bottled one month before my visit. It has a lifted and more intense bouquet than the Mortperay, with floral scents of rose and violet emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied and well balanced, with supple tannins and a precise, graceful finish that lingers in the mouth. The 2023 is superb. Neal Martin.
WA 90+ (3/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Champ de Cour, aged in oak barrels, stands out as the most lavish offering of the lineup, showcasing deep sappy notes of prunes, cherries, licorice and cacao powder. However, it maintains a poised balance thanks to a refreshing edge of ginger spice and graphite. Full-bodied and with ripe acidity, the wine exhibits a firm structure that signals its aging potential with tightly woven, youthful tannins. |
|
|
2023 |
Moulin a Vent Dernier Souffle Ex-Domaine |
$27.99 |
59 |
|
| |
VM 93 (4/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Dernière Souffle is bottled a couple of months later than other cuvées. It has redcurrant and cranberry aromas on the nose, with light earthy scents in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red berry fruit, more grip than the Champ de Cour and more substance on the finish. This positively brims with potential. Neal Martin.
WA 91 (3/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Dernier Souffle is a luscious fruit-forward wine, yet one of refinement, with notes of rose petals, juicy cherries, vine smoke and sweet spices. It's full-bodied, with ripe acidity and a concentrated, sappy-fruited core. This richness is framed by smoothly integrated tannins that impart a velvety texture, with a dimensional finish toned with graphite. This is a generously proportioned wine that will undoubtedly benefit from time in the bottle or, at the very least, a spell in the decanter to unwind. |
|
|
2022 |
Moulin a Vent Mortperay ex-Domaine |
$24.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (4/2024): The 2022 Moulin-à-Vent Mortperay comes from clayey soils just below Fleurie; the vines here are 70 years old. It aged in old barrels sourced from Chablis. It has another mineral-driven nose but with more roundness and depth than the classic bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, very well-balanced and poised, touches of freshly rolled tobacco on the finish. Excellent. Neal Martin. |
|
|
2023 |
Moulin a Vent Mortperay Ex-Domaine |
$26.99 |
60 |
|
| |
VM 90 (4/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Mortperay comes from a parcel next to Fleurie on clay soils. It was bottled in January and offers Morello cherry, rose petal and cassis scents on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with finely knit tannins. This is pure and elegant in style, with touches of sour cherry and raspberry . Neal Martin.
WA 90 (3/2025): The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Montperay, slated for release in 2025, comes from 80-year-old vines located at the periphery of the Clos de la Roilette in Fleurie. The wine unfurls with a lush bouquet of stewed blueberries and cherries, accented by mocha spice and sweet soil. On the palate, the layered wine unfolds along a horizontal trajectory with subdued acidity that imparts a certain softness and density to its texture. |
|
| Pascal Aufranc |
2018 |
Julienas Les Cerisiers ex-Domaine |
$15.99 |
15 |
|
| |
|
| Richard Rottiers |
2023 |
Brouilly Ex-Domaine |
$24.99 |
20 |
|
| |
VM 89 (4/2025): The 2023 Brouilly comes from purchased fruit grown on granite soils. Pretty red cherry and crushed strawberry aromas blossom in the glass. The palate is well balanced and transparent, with light tannins. It's a little fleshier than expected, featuring brambly red berry and bergamot notes on the finish. It's lovely, though not long-term. Neal Martin.
WA 89 (3/2025): The 2023 Brouilly, from purchased grapes near Odenas, is a classic bistro wine. It's juicy, with notes of lilacs, raspberries and plums and tones of crushed stones that give the wine some dimension. It's medium to full-bodied, with a balanced density of fruit and bright acidity that keep it fresh. |
|
| | Germany |
| Weingut Georg Gustav Huff |
2020 |
Niersteiner Hipping Riesling Trocken |
$39.99 |
20 |
|
| |
|
| | Italy |
| Antonio Vallana & Figlio |
2020 |
Gattinara |
$43.99 |
22 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (2/2025): Vallana's 2020 Gattinara is powerful, rustic and a bit rough around the edges, and yet it conveys so much genuine, uncomplicated character. Dark fruit, new leather, licorice, dried herbs and mint are some of the notes that take shape as this rambunctious Gattinara gradually opens in the glass. Don't look for finesse here. (Drink between 2025-2035). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Cantina Tibaldi |
2023 |
Langhe Favorita ex-Domaine |
$23.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2024 |
Langhe Favorita ex-Domaine |
$24.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Langhe Nebbiolo ex-Domaine |
$25.99 |
19 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Roero Arneis Bricco delle Passere Riserva ex-Domaine |
$24.99 |
29 |
|
| |
|
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2023 |
Roero Arneis Bricco delle Passere Riserva ex-Domaine |
$26.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
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2020 |
Roero Roccapalea ex-Domaine |
$29 |
34 |
|
| |
|
|
2021 |
Roero Roccapalea ex-Domaine |
$33.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Caprili |
2023 |
Rosso di Montalcino |
$21.99 |
21 |
|
| |
| JD 90 (1/2025): The bright ruby 2023 Rosso Di Montalcino jumps from the glass with bright mixed berry fruit, peaches, crushed flowers, and sweet tea. The palate is juicy, with a snap of fresh acidity, fine tannins, and a clean finish. This is a total charmer of a Rosso to drink now or over the next 5-6 years. (Drink between 2025-2031). Audrey Frick. |
|
| Cavallotto |
2022 |
Barbera d’Alba Superiore Vigna Cuculo ex-Domaine |
$36.95 |
33 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Barbera d’Alba Superiore Vigna Cuculo ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (4/2026): The 2023 Barbera D'Alba Superiore Vigna Cuculo pours a youthful red/purple hue and was fermented in stainless steel before aging 18 months in large Slavonian oak casks. It opens with wild black cherries, delicate rustic earth, incense, and violets. Medium-bodied, it’s vibrant and well-balanced, with fine tannins and a savory citrus lift that carries through the finish. A traditionally raised Barbera with both energy and structure, about 8,000 bottles were produced. Drink 2026-2036. Audrey Frick. |
|
|
2022 |
Langhe Nebbiolo ex-Domaine |
$37.99 |
55 |
|
| |
|
|
2023 |
Langhe Nebbiolo ex-Domaine |
$42.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 91 (4/2026): The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo is aged for 18 months in large Slavonian oak casks and pours a youthful ruby red color. It offers a ripe perfume that’s a bit shy, but the palate really shines, offering ripe red berries, a bit of rustic earth, fresh tobacco, and incense. Medium-bodied, zesty, and refreshing, with a good balance of sunny pure fruit, fine tannins, and refreshing acidity, it’s a very appealing Nebbiolo to drink now or over the next 8-10 years. A star in this category, no doubt, it’s delicious and I would snap it up. Drink 2026-2036. Audrey Frick. |
|
| Luigi Maffini |
2021 |
Cenito Cilento Aglianico |
$43.99 |
14 |
|
| |
| VM 93+ (5/2024): Wilted violets and ground cloves complicate a burst of dried wild blueberries and exotic spice as the 2021 Cenito smolders up from the glass. This is pure elegance—silky and polished, yet lifted and energetic, with a textural wave of ripe red and black fruits that flow across a stream of vibrant acidity. A caking of salty minerals mingles with fine tannins as the 2021 tapers off with staining length and youthful structure, leaving a tart blackberry concentration that puckers the cheeks. (Drink between 2026-2034). Eric Guido. |
|
|
2024 |
Kratos Fiano |
$24.99 |
45 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (8/2026): Quite mineral-driven in style, the 2024 Fiano Kratos wafts up with salty sea air, crushed rocks and lemon-spiked green apples. The palate is zesty, with a bump of riveting acidity on the entry to energize its tart orchard fruits. It tapers off with sour lime and a saline saturation. Eric Guido. |
|
| Sottimano |
2023 |
Langhe Nebbiolo ex-Domaine |
$23.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (10/2025): The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo, all young vines from Basarin, is terrific. Pliant and expressive, the 2023 is a superb choice for readers looking for a wine that overdelivers. Macerated cherry, plum, lavender and blood orange open first. Exotic floral and spice overtones develop with a bit of time in the glass. More than anything else, I am so impressed with the wine's textural depth and balance. The 2023 was done a modified, light style of submerged cap maceration for about a week that worked wonders. Élevage was nine months in cask. And the young vines are now nearly 30 years old! Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2023 |
Langhe Nebbiolo (1.5 L) ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
20 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (10/2025): The 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo, all young vines from Basarin, is terrific. Pliant and expressive, the 2023 is a superb choice for readers looking for a wine that overdelivers. Macerated cherry, plum, lavender and blood orange open first. Exotic floral and spice overtones develop with a bit of time in the glass. More than anything else, I am so impressed with the wine's textural depth and balance. The 2023 was done a modified, light style of submerged cap maceration for about a week that worked wonders. Élevage was nine months in cask. And the young vines are now nearly 30 years old! Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Tenuta Cocci Grifoni |
2024 |
Tara Pecorino |
$15.99 |
37 |
|
| |
|
| Tenuta di Carleone |
2022 |
Chianti Classico |
$34.99 |
20 |
|
| |
WA 94 (10/2025): This is one of the most original wines from the appellation. The Tenuta di Carleone 2022 Chianti Classico sees partial whole-cluster fruit and up to three months of extended fermentation. The wine opens to a medium-garnet color with a shiny element to its appearance. The bouquet is similarly bright and punchy with lots of tart red and blue fruits. Fruit for this 55,000-bottle release is sourced from across this 32-hectare estate in Radda in Chianti. This wine is extremely giving and bright at the moment.
VM 92 (7/2025): The 2022 Chianti Classico is gracious, elegant and polished, as these wines so often are. Crushed flowers, herbs, mint, pine and light citrus overtones exalt the natural brightness of Sangiovese. This translucent, weightless Chianti Classico is a real beauty. (Drink between 2025-2037). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Tenuta Santome |
NV |
Prosecco Brut |
$13.50 |
28 |
|
| |
|
| Ultima Pietra |
2025 |
Gemina Rose |
$40 |
23 |
|
| |
|
| | Port |
| Quevedo |
2006 |
Late Bottled Vintage Port |
$29.99 |
52 |
|
| |
|
|
2010 |
Quinta Vale d’Agodinho Port |
$49.99 |
15 |
|
| |
|
| | USA Red |
| Behrens Family (Erna Schein) |
2005 |
Herrick-Moulds Cabernet Sauvignon |
$50 |
14 |
|
| |
| VM 91-94 (6/2007): Medium ruby. Aromatic nose combines currant, iron, mocha and pepper. Sweet, silky and pliant, with a captivating sugar/acid balance. This really vibrates on the palate. Finishes with suave tannins and terrific sappy, peppery length. This has the suavity and balance to age gracefully for a decade or more. |
|
| de Negoce |
2017 |
OG N. 123 Napa Valley Merlot |
$15 |
12 |
|
| |
|
|
2022 |
OG N. 480 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel |
$15 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| DeLille Cellars |
2011 |
Doyenne Grand Ciel Vyd. Syrah |
$25 |
12 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (6/2014): Slightly richer and more concentrated than the Signature Syrah, yet still playing in the elegant, seamless style of the vintage, the 2011 Doyenne Syrah Grand Ciel Vineyard is 100% Syrah that was aged in 35% new French oak. Possessing beautiful black raspberry, currants, licorice, crushed rock-like minerality and hints of graphite, this beauty flows onto the palate with full-bodied richness, fabulous purity of fruit and a seamless, silky texture that carries through the finish. Give it a year or two and drink bottles through 2024. |
|
|
2012 |
Doyenne Grand Ciel Vyd. Syrah |
$25 |
13 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2015): A similar purple/ruby, semi-opaque color to the Signature Syrah, the 2012 Doyenne Syrah Grand Ciel Vineyard has more minerality (no doubt due to coming from Red Mountain) to go with lots of blackberry, graphite, pepper and crushed violet notes. Like the Signature Syrah, it shows the vintage nicely with lots of concentration, integrated acidity and a big finish, where the wine's structure becomes more apparent. It will benefit from short-term cellaring and have 10-15 years of overall longevity.
VM 92+ (11/2015): Good dark red. Lovely perfume of cherry, cranberry, white pepper, spices and dusty flowers. Lovely fine-grained Syrah with a savory restraint to its highly aromatic red berry and spice flavors complicated by a hint of game. Made from a slow-to-ripen Entav clone. Finishing quite firm, even a bit youthfully sullen, this already complex Syrah needs time to evolve. (Drink between 2019-2028). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Donelan |
2013 |
Cuvee Moriah Proprietary Blend |
$50 |
12 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (7/2017): The 2013 Cuvee Moriah is 87% Grenache and 13% Syrah that’s all from the Dry Stack Vineyard in the Bennett Valley. It has a gorgeous (as well as complex) bouquet of ripe cherries, cranberry, dried flowers and incense. This carries to an ethereally textured, elegant Grenache that that has sweet fruit, medium-bodied richness and a great finish. It’s not going to make old bones, but it’s going to be impossible to resist over the coming 4-5 years. This may be my favorite vintage of this cuvee to date. |
|
| Failla |
2012 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir |
$45 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Girasole |
2019 |
Mendocino Pinot Noir |
$16.99 |
16 |
|
| |
|
| Kutch |
2013 |
Falstaff Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$45 |
12 |
|
| |
VM 91 (1/2015): Rose petals, mint, spices and sweet red berries are all laced together in the 2013 Pinot Noir Falstaff Vineyard. This is the most lifted and aromatic of the wines in this range. The 2013 is intensely saline, lifted and perfumed. It will appeal most to readers who enjoy aromatic, mid-weight Pinots. The 2013 is all about precision and nuance. It is also a bit light, even within the context of this style. (Drink between 2015-2025). Antonio Galloni.
BH 91 (10/2015): Notes of dried rose petal, anise, herbal tea, red currant and a hint of cinnamon introduce silky-textured medium-bodied flavors that deliver fine length on the dusty, balanced and lingering finale. This too will need a few years but less than either the Sonoma Coast or Bohan, as the overall palate impression is notably finer. Note however that the balance should allow this to age, and improve, gracefully for up to a decade. (Drink starting 2019). |
|
| Matthews |
2010 |
Blackboard Colombia Valley Red Wine |
$15 |
12 |
|
| |
|
|
2006 |
Colombia Valley Claret |
$25 |
12 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (12/2009): Dark red. Expressive aromas and flavors of currant, plum, tobacco, graphite and chocolatey oak. Supple and juicy, with moderate sweetness and flesh. Slightly tart acidity gives shape and lift to this blend, which finishes with dusty, building, oak-driven tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Colombia Valley Syrah |
$20 |
20 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (12/2013): (15.4% alcohol; aged in once-used puncheons and once-used barriques ): Saturated bright ruby. Very primary, dark aromas of blackberry, licorice and illegal resiny herbs, lifted by a high-pitched violet perfume. Dense, juicy and suave but quite tightly wound in the style of the vintage. Dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors work more savory than sweet. This very young, long wine finishes with very fine-grained, suave tannins and a hint of bitter chocolate. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Newton |
2019 |
The Puzzle Red Wine |
$49 |
55 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (2/2023): The 2019 Red Blend The Puzzle checks in as mostly Cabernet Sauvignon but includes 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, and 1.5% each of Malbec and Petit Verdot. This vivid blue-hued 2019 has a great nose of both black and blue fruits as well as sappy green herbs and crushed stone. Almost austere on the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, has firm tannins, good mid-palate depth, and outstanding length. I’d give bottles at least 3-4 years in the cellar. (Drink starting 2026). |
|
| Sojourn Cellars |
2022 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
60 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (6/2024): The 2022 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast was raised in 50% new French oak and was entirely destemmed. Pouring a youthful, ripe ruby color, it’s highly aromatic with floral and fruity aromas of sweet cola spice, mixed berries, and preserved flowers. Medium-bodied, it retains good energy and freshness as well as wonderful purity on the palate, with fine tannins and a clean, chalky textured finish. It is a beautiful entry to the range and is going to have a wide window for enjoyment over the next 6-8 years. Audrey Frick. |
|
| Sullivan |
2003 |
Estate Reserve Merlot |
$50 |
16 |
|
| |
|
| Varner |
2014 |
Spring Ridge Vyd. Upper Picnic Bloc Pinot Noir |
$45 |
53 |
|
| |
VM 95 (8/2018): The 2014 Pinot Noir Upper Picnic is all class. Silky tannins and expressive, perfumed aromatics give the wine unreal finesse. Just as compelling on the palate, the 2014 is absolutely exquisite in its understated, nuanced expression of the Santa Cruz Mountains. What a gorgeous wine it is. The Upper Picnic is the most elegant of these four Pinots. (Drink between 2018-2026). Antonio Galloni.
JD 94 (2/2019): I loved the 2014 Pinot Noir Upper Picnic Block Spring Ridge Vineyard. This beauty boasts fabulous red fruits, spice, dried flowers, and rose petal notes, with a hint of California bay leaf developing with time in the glass. Possessing a silky, rounded, elegant texture, medium body, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish, it’s a truly thrilling Pinot Noir that can be drunk today or cellared for 7-8 years. (Drink between 2018-2026). |
|
| Vincent Wine Co. |
2017 |
Bjornson Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$35.99 |
18 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (8/2020): Brilliant red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red fruits, potpourri, exotic spices and candied rose, along with a hint of smoky minerality. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering penetrating raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that show fine definition and back-end lift. Intensely flavored and finely delineated, with an impressively long, perfumed finish that delivers firm mineral cut and resonating florality. (Drink between 2022-2029). Josh Raynolds. |
|
| | USA White |
| Bevan Cellars |
2021 |
Dry Stack Vyd. Sauvignon Blanc |
$35 |
13 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (8/2022): A blockbuster of a Sauvignon Blanc, Bevan's 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Stack Vineyard comes from an Italian clone planted in gravelly soil in the Bennett Valley and is raised, I believe, in barrel. Bottled unfiltered so it has touch of haziness in its gold hue, it offers a heavenly bouquet of caramelized lemon zest, mint, orange blossom, honeyed flowers, and brioche. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, it has incredible concentration, a layered, pure mouthfeel, good freshness, and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It's not for those craving lightweight aromas and flavors and has the weight and richness of a great Chardonnay. Drink this beauty over the coming 2-3 years. |
|
| Bunnell Family Cellar |
2012 |
Helene Yakima Valley White Wine |
$20 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Convene (Dan Kosta) |
2021 |
Russian River Valley Chardonnay |
$48.99 |
50 |
|
| |
| Decanter 98 (2/2024): Dan Kosta and Shane Finely have worked together since 2006, when Finley, at age 26, began working in the cellar at Kosta Browne. These guys are having a lot of fun with Convene, the label Kosta launched in 2019. After their entry-level bottlings, the Convene label represents the 'Premier Cru' level wines, while DK Grail is the 'Grand Cru' tier. They are unquestionably 'Holy Grail' worthy. Finley and Kosta are big fans of longer ageing and extended lees contact with their Chardonnays. We tasted in February 2024, and they'd just bottled their 2022s. Super expressive nose with wonderful ripe fruit flavours alongside butterscotch and toasty brioche. Wonderfully rich and full-bodied with plenty of salty mineral tension. Partial malolactic fermentation means the wine retains great tension, vibrancy, and freshness. Flavours run the spectrum from Meyer Lemon to apricots and white peaches. Crushed Marcona almonds are entangled in the finish, and I find this a balanced expression of California Chardonnay with the right amount of toasty richness and acidity. |
|
| DeLille Cellars |
2016 |
Chaleur Estate Blanc |
$30 |
16 |
|
| |
|
| Gambal Work |
2017 |
Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay ex-Domaine |
$43.99 |
45 |
|
| |
|
| Girasole |
2019 |
Mendocino Chardonnay |
$10 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Hourglass |
2024 |
Estate Sauvignon Blanc |
$33.99 |
24 |
|
| |
JD 94 (12/2025): Based on 86% Sauvignon Blanc/Musque and 14% Semillon from Napa and Sonoma County fruit and aged six months with 30% in oak barrels, the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc offers classic, fresh lime, ripe citrus, mint, and stony minerality aromatics. It's medium-bodied, has a bright, fresh, focused, pure mouthfeel, beautiful balance, and outstanding length. There are roughly 2,600 cases produced. Drink 2025-2035. (Drink between 2025-2035).
VM 90 (11/2025): The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc is an airy, gracious, aperitif-style white drink now and over the next few years. Citrus peel, sage, tomato leaf and mint are all finely sculpted. (Drink between 2025-2029). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Lewis Cellars |
2016 |
Sonoma County Chardonnay |
$36 |
19 |
|
| |
|
| Scherrer Winery |
2019 |
Scherrer Vyd. Chardonnay |
$43.99 |
14 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (1/2022): The 2019 Chardonnay Scherrer Vineyard is a powerful, wild wine. Soaring aromatics and a deep structure give this Alexander Valley Chardonnay tons of character. Orchard fruit, mint, tangerine oil and dried flowers all open in the glass. There's something exotic about the 2019 that is undeniably appealing. The creamy, substantial finish is a thing of beauty. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Sojourn Cellars |
2023 |
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ex-Domaine |
$41.99 |
60 |
|
| |
|
| Stony Hill |
2024 |
Chardonnay |
$43.99 |
36 |
|
| |
| Decanter 94 (2/2026): Fruit from 1967-planted vines, the oldest Chardonnay vines in the Napa Valley, is at Haynes and Quartz Creek on alluvial soils. This wine balances plush fruit, fleshy pears, 30% new oak for 10 months, and only partial malolactic fermentation. This is a wine of elegance that balances white peach flesh, mineral-driven, mountain Chardonnay, and is oh so fresh. (Drink between 2026-2034). |
|
| | Other White |
| Quevedo |
2011 |
Oscar’s White Douro |
$9.99 |
31 |
|
| |
|
|