92-95rp
“The 2009 Echezeaux flows across the palate with layers of gracious, elegant fruit. It is a supremely silky wine with plenty of intensity but no heaviness whatsoever. This is classy and refined all the way. Meo’s parcel is in Le Rouge du Bas. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2034.” 92-95rp
92-94bh
“from a .44 ha parcel of 50+ year old vines located in Les Rouges du Bas. A highly-spiced nose of purple and cassis is sprinkled with warm earth and anise notes that leads to rich, intense and quite generous broad-shouldered flavors that brim with seemingly buckets of tannin-buffering dry extract that culminate in a palate staining and strikingly persistent finish. I very much like the balance and while this is certainly firm, it's not hard or aggressive.” 92-94bh
94rp
"The 2009 Continuum comes across as much more understated. It has plenty of silkiness and finesse, but less of the size and shape of its older sibling. Dark cherries, espresso, exotic spices and licorice are woven together in a fabric of notable elegance and harmony. The 2009 Continuum is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, 82% of which came from estate-grown fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.
I was super-impressed with the wines I tasted from Continuum Estate, Tim Mondavi’s new venture on Pritchard Hill, not far from Chappellet and Bryant. Mondavi is gradually moving towards 100% estate fruit, but these early vintages include some fruit from vineyards in Oakville and Stags Leap. Continuum is distinguished by a fairly large presence of Cabernet Franc. This is one of the most exciting new properties in Napa Valley."
90rp
"The deep ruby/purple-tinged 2006 Syrah Napa is a darker, denser effort displaying notes of blackberries, black currants, cherries, spice and earth along with broad, rich, medium to full-bodied flavors, lovely richness, a seamless integration of acidity, tannin and alcohol, and a bold, dramatic mouthfeel and finish. It should drink nicely for 6-8 years." 90rp
This Syrah is made from fruit grown in the Santa Ynez valley along the central coast of California, a region much cooler in climate than Napa Valley. This produces a beautiful medium-bodied Syrah with very enticing lifted aromas of strawberry rhubarb pie and ripe, plum-like fruit. The wine has a soft, supple, yet vibrant mouthfeel; good body, but quite smooth. It is lush, yet juicy, chock full of spicy, red fruit character, cranberry and a touch of smokiness.
92rp
"The 2009 Pirate TreasuRed is deeper, silkier and a touch more seductive than the 2008. Here the fruit profile tends towards redder fruit, with hints of flowers, mint and tobacco that add complexity. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018." 92rp
Using seven varieties, the "treasure of the seven seas" is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, and Petite Sirah. Pirate TreasuRed will arrive properly in a six-bottle treasure chest box. The bottles resemble rum bottles with the label an old map of the Napa Valley. The wine is bold and Cab-like with the other varietal flavor profiles overlapping, showing off the magic of the blend.
Unlike almost every other Muscat wine available, this is NOT a dessert wine, but rather a dry white table wine to be enjoyed alone or with unique cuisine. Bottled in beautiful blue, the singular essence of this wine will awaken your palate for any special occasion. Equally delicious as a summer wine served chilled, or paired with holiday fare in the cooler months, our Moscato Azul is winning many fans with its flair, flavor, and finesse.
93rp
"The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, from a vineyard on Pritchard Hill, is a gorgeous wine layered with black plums, cherries, smoke, camphor and licorice. The 2008 is a gracious, understated Cabernet that impresses for its balance, class and harmonious finish. The wine keeps getting better in the glass, as hints of tar, smoke and licorice flow through to the dense finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018." 93rp
Full-bodied and lush, yet never heavy, Miner Wild Yeast Chardonnay shows off flavors of ripe pear and melon with butterscotch and hazelnut notes balanced by oak spice and bright acidity. This is a wildly expressive wine that will reward a few years of patient cellaring. The grapes are fermented using only indigenous or "wild" yeast cultures found on the skins of the grapes themselves, in the vineyards and within the walls of the winery. Barrel Aging: 14 months in 70% new French oak
92st
" Blackberry, cassis and boysenberry aromas complemented by licorice, violet, menthol and bitter chocolate. Juicy, intensely flavored and quite fresh but a bit youthfully disjointed, with a firm tannin/acid spine supporting the crushed dark berry and menthol flavors. The wine's substantial tannins will need time to knit, but this wine retains good aromatic freshness." 92 Steve Tanzer
1.5L
"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity bursts from the glass with an exciting array of dark red berries, flowers, licorice and sweet spices. Floral notes reappear on the finish, adding brightness and lift. This gorgeous, mid-weight Cabernet Sauvignon should continue to drink beautifully for at least a handful of years. In 2009 the blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 2% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017." 92rp
Special Vertical case from Ch Montelena - 2 bottles each of
2002 95+rp
2003 93-95rp
2004 93st
"Stefano Perrone makes a number of delicious wines, but truly excels with his Moscati and other sweet wines. I always try to have a few bottles on hand." Robert Parker
"The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Quarry Vineyard reveals gorgeous depth in an understated, cool style. The Quarry is all about delineation and subtlety, both of which it has in spades. Mint, violet and cassis are some of the nuances that come to life in the glass as this elegant, finessed wine shows off its class and pedigree. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2028." 94rp
"The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Rock Cairn Vineyard impresses for its plush, dark fruit and open, inviting personality. The balance of fruit and tannins is exceptional here, and renders the wine immensely pleasing, even at this early stage. A voluptuous, sexy finish rounds things out in style. The Rock Cairn is one of the more feminine, graceful wines in this line up of rich Cabernets. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024." 93rp
"The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Branding Iron Vineyard is one of the more brooding wines in this lineup. Iron, dark cherries, tobacco and incense are some of the nuances that emerge from this taut, structured Cabernet Sauvignon. It shows terrific length and follow-through to the virile, potent finish. This is a decidedly focused, structured wine that needs time for the tannins to start melting away. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028." 93rp
At Orin Swift we purchase Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for Mercury Head and Papillon. Every year we buy more grapes than we need for the two blends. We do this so we always have multiple vineyards and corresponding wine characteristics to choose from. We also experiment with different grape maturity levels, French barrel producers, and fermentation techniques. This is done to try to learn more with each vintage and create a wine with greater complexity and balance. These multiple lots either add something to the final blend or become their own parts, parts we consider to be separate among equals. We blended these separate but equal parts together in a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon called Palermo.
Tasting Notes - Aromas of dark, brooding fruit with subtle French oak in the background lead into a smooth entry of ripe cherry and fig. The mid-palate is subtle and stretches with loads of bright acidity and candied cassis. Layers of stone fruit and ribena lead into a round, supple, lingering finish of integrated soft tannins that roll on and on. This wine is amazing now and has another 8 to 10 years in it at least!
78% Cabernet Sauvignon 18% Merlot 4% Cabernet Franc
Hillside, well-drained vineyards from the Napa Valley
15.5% Alc. Aging: 16 months in French Oak, 30% new
2009 Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon
Mercury Head is the slang term for the authentic Liberty Dime which serves as the wine's "front label". As a kid Dave Phinney collected these dimes. Years later, after getting one with some change, he was reminded how striking they are.
Tasting Notes - Ripe aromas of cassis, violet and boysenberry lead into a lush mouth-coating entry. The mid-palate has hints of dark cherry amd bramble fruit framed by bright acidity and subtle structure. The finish is soft and extremely long with chains of ripe tannins.
95% Cabernet Sauvignon
5% Merlot
Morisoli and Taplin Vineyards 15.5% Alc./Vol.
Aging: 18 months in French oak, 30% New
Colby Groom is now 13 years of age. Just prior to his 10th birthday he underwent back to back open heart surgeries. He is now a seasoned volunteer with the American Heart Association and was inspired to raise money for heart research through creating a wine with his Dad,notable winemaker Daryl Groom and Colby Red was born. Colby Red is a flavorful California cuvee of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Shiraz, Merlot & Petite Sirah.
"A ripe, juicy style, with lots of green almond, fig and pear notes backed by more quince and melon on the rounded, opulent finish. Almost sticky in feel, but the underlying acidity keeps it all fresh and pure. The finishes drives on, with added length as this airs in the glass. Drink now through 2025. 700 cases made." 94ws
“Bright and expressive, offering a velvety mouthful of raspberry, cherry, blackberry and sage flavors, finishing with a hint of smoke. Shows depth and persistence. Drink now through 2018.” 91ws
Lush fruit flavors of blackberry and blueberry mix with a core of spice and dried herb notes in this fresh and silky red, which has lightly chewy tannins, followed by lingering hints of dark chocolate and cardamom on the finish. Drink now through 2016. Wine Spectator Top 100 #54.” 92ws
“Sean Larkin’s main project is producing these two brilliant wines that seem to score highly no matter what the vintage.More chocolate, espresso roast, toast and earth jump from the glass of the opaque ruby/purple-colored 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. Although still somewhat primary, it is a full-bodied, powerful, impressive Cabernet that should drink well for 15-20 years.” 92rp
“This is gorgeous, with notes of ginger, orange, clementine, white peach and green fig all bouncing off one another, but working harmoniously through the richly detailed finish. A lingering green tea note hangs on for added length as this puts on weight with air. Drink now through 2025. 760 cases made. Wine Spectator Top 100 #3.” 96ws
“The impressive, dense purple-colored 2005 E Pluribus offers up aromas of spring flowers, camphor, incense, crushed rocks, graphite, and blueberry as well as blackberry liqueur. Stylistically, it is closest to the Melbury (even though that vineyard is on the other side of Napa Valley). This beauty should be at its peak between 2011-2030+.” 96rp
From the Wahluke Slope of Washington state, where Charles Bieler (a Frenchman who has made roses in Provence, France, since 1992) and Charles Smith (of Washington's K Vintners, Magnificent Wine Co. and Charles Smith Wines) made their rose from grapes grown in the slope's Talcott Vineyard. This light-copper wine has aromas of berries and summer fruit. The delicate fruit has a nice tang and then goes bone dry -- very refreshing. It's a great sipper if you prefer a dry style.
This new project form uber-value winemaker Michael Pozzan represents some of the best flavor for the money that we have seen in a long time.
The texture of the wine is impressive with somewhat rustic tannins that stand up on the palate with a cascading flush of fruit on the backend as it pushes through to the finish. There is no doubt that this is a unique vineyard that warrants special attention. These special qualities are a function of the wonderful combination of not only soil and climate but also of the great care, attention and passion that goes into caring for the grapes.
We have been eagerly awaiting the new release ever since we depleted the 2008. Intense red and violet colors. Seductive aromas of berries, vanilla and candies. Harmonious and full bodied. Long finish with well structured tannins. 100% Malbec."
These fantastic cult wines from Washington have not been for sale in Texas in over a decade!
"Gary Figgins and son, Chris, keep tweaking things in the vineyards and cellar as they move toward totally biodynamic farming. As usual, their wines are benchmarks against which others must be measured." Robert Parker
69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petite Verdot, 11% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc
Ratings History - 2007-96rp, 2006-97rp, 2005-97rp, 2004-97rp, 2003-97rp
77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 4% Carmenere, 3% Malbec
Ratings History - 2007-94rp, 2006-95rp, 2005-94rp, 2004-95rp, 2003-96rp
“We were able to get this old vines fruit from the Firestone family’s vineyards planted in the ‘70’s. It was 75% stainless steel fermented and 25% barrel fermented. We are just plain giddy about this wine. We picked these grapes just as ripeness was near; there was a tad of botrytis and a few raisins in the tight clusters to balance the high acid, lean, and gripping wine that emerged right after fermentation. With proper élevage, some barrel age, and a little time, we coaxed this beauty into the bottle. Everyone who has tasted it spends an inordinate amount of time smelling and tasting the nuances and elegant grape essences the wine presents. “ Doug Margerum
“Rostaing’s grand vin, 2007 Coteaux du Languedoc is a completely different animal from its “vassal,” and not just on account of the inclusion of Grenache. Beef marrow and lightly-cooked cherry and blueberry tinged with cinnamon, nutmeg, resin, and toasted pecan set the carnal and spicy tone here, although there are also hints of resinous scrub. Sleek and refined, with a flattering creaminess and the subtle spice of oak seamlessly allied to the spice of fruit, this finishes with lift and invigoration yet at the same time imposing richness and lip-smacking salinity. It should evolve interestingly for 4-6 years.” 91-92rp
“Top 30 Pinot Noir Wineries : "Monterey County is one of the most exciting outposts on the California Pinot Noir frontier, and one of its most impressive producers is ROAR." The Wine Spectator
“Rough-hewn, dense and chunky, exhibiting intense, concentrated flavors of mineral, blackberry, wild berry, cedar and gravel. Full-bodied and backward, this offers a muscular presentation that's best given plenty of air or cellar time. Best from 2011 through 2017.” 90ws
“Complex, rich and full-bodied, with layers of ripe fig, melon, honeysuckle, and spice, unfolding gracefully, gaining depth and nuance and finishing with a cleansing aftertaste. Drink now through 2014. 450 cases made.”93ws
“Alvaro Palacios established his namesake winery in 1989. Finca Dofi and L’Ermita vineyards are farmed biodynamically. All of the wines are bottled without filtration. The 2007 Finca Dofi ups the ante. It is sourced from a single vineyard with a cepage of 60% Garnacha and 40% Cabernet, Syrah, and Merlot aged in 100% new oak. It displays a more expressive nose of mineral, Asian spices, smoke, espresso, black cherry, and licorice. On the palate it is dense but approachable. It merits several years of cellaring, and its optimal drinking window extends from 2013 to 2022.” 93rp
“The stunning 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot) is the finest Cabernet this estate has yet produced from their Howell Mountain holdings. A dense purple color to the rim as well as an exquisite bouquet of black raspberries, blueberries, camphor, creme de cassis, smoke, and crushed rocks are followed by sweet fruit, gorgeous density, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a layered, multidimensional mid-palate and length. With no hard edges, this flawless wine should drink well for 20-25 years.” 95rp
“Built for comfort as much as speed, the 2008 vintage is packed with fruit and ready to roll, reminding us of our outstanding 2002 Reserve Cabernet. Like the rich interior of a Ferrari GTB, the nose is showy, ripe and rustic with black currant, clove, tar and exotic oak spices. Under the hood this blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot shows plenty of extract and fleshy fruit delivering seamless power and expansive mouth feel. Moderate, chocolaty tannins engage mid-palate to gradually tighten the chassis and bring a lively quality to the ride.” Randy Lewis
This Cote du Rhone comes from a vineyard only a short distance from the Mediterranean Sea. Grenache and Syrah grapes thrive in this hot and dry climate and produce wines that are hardy in style but seductive in taste. In the nose, you'll find concentrated aromas of wild cherry and blackberry fruit alongside more exotic flavors of anise, white pepper, cocoa, and fig. Full but firm in texture with a burst of berries and spice on the palate. This wine is an ideal match for juicy roasts, savory stews, and even mom's meatloaf. If there was such a thing as comfort wine, this would be it!
A perfect blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec sourced from a world class vineyard located at an elevation of 2,000 ft on the Sonoma Valley side of Mount Veeder. The steep, southern-facing slopes result in small, concentrated grapes with pure flavors and a pronounced sense of place. This wine offers rich flavors of cassis and mocha enhanced by smoky notes. The velvety mouthfeel and long, elegant finish add style to this classic Cabernet Sauvignon, which is perfect for pairing with herb-crusted roasted rack of lamb, grilled rib eye steak and hearty cheeses. Fire up the grill and open a bottle!
This delicious Washington Cabernet has been out of stock for a while as the wholesaler waited for the next vintage.
Declassified Barbaresco from the world’s best grower’s co-op.
“The 2009 Langhe Nebbiolo is made from the coop’s youngest vines and given a relatively short six months in large neutral oak. This mid-weight, juicy Nebbiolo is sleek and refined in its floral red fruit and spices, with good intensity and terrific overall balance. It is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years.” Robert Parker
“A strong personality, with firm, rich tarry berry, mineral, sage and underbrush flavors that are tightly wound and slow to unfold, though as they do they reveal greater depth and concentration, offering a promising future. Best from 2010 through 2017. 890 cases made.” 91ws
No Reserve wines were produced in 2006 so this bottling contains all of the production from the single vineyard Crus.
“The 2006 Barbaresco is a gorgeous, generous Barbaresco loaded with ripe dark fruit. This is an especially harmonious, refined Barbaresco from the Produttori that is also somewhat unusual for its dark, brooding personality. Licorice, leather and tar linger on the powerful finish. Today the wine is remarkable for its depth and concentration, while the aromatic complexity will develop in bottle. Simply put, this is a marvelous effort. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2031.” 92rp
Mia Klein of Selene is the winemaker here – 715 cases made. 10% of the profits from this wine go to Coprodeli, a non-profit that builds schools, clinics and housing in the most impoverished areas of Peru.
“Fruit and oak combine in this young, sensuous wine to make for immediate drinkability, but it’s agreeable. Floods the mouth with ripe, forward flavors of blackberry pie with the smoky-sweet crust, and there are notes of cola, black currant liqueur and Indian spices. This is a very fine, elegant Cabernet, with superfine tannins. It should age well throughout the decade.” 94we
This is the first release from a new vineyard source from this legendary Chardonnay producer .
Only 5 6-packs of this wine are available. The 2008 has not been rated. 2007-98rp , 2006-96rp, 2005-95rp.
“This appropriately named wine is the project of Tim Mondavi, whose father, Robert, was the great visionary of high quality for Napa Valley's wines. After the shocking sale of the flagship Robert Mondavi Winery, Tim set up shop high on Pritchard Hill, not far from Bryant Family Vineyard and Colgin. The new project continues to display exceptional promise. Kudos to Tim Mondavi for continuing the legacy of his family.” Robert Parker
“Sean Larkin’s main project is producing these two brilliant wines that seem to score highly no matter what the vintage.More chocolate, espresso roast, toast and earth jump from the glass of the opaque ruby/purple-colored 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon. Although still somewhat primary, it is a full-bodied, powerful, impressive Cabernet that should drink well for 15-20 years.” 92rp
Lush fruit flavors of blackberry and blueberry mix with a core of spice and dried herb notes in this fresh and silky red, which has lightly chewy tannins, followed by lingering hints of dark chocolate and cardamom on the finish. Drink now through 2016. Wine Spectator Top 100 #54. 92ws
“Bright and expressive, offering a velvety mouthful of raspberry, cherry, blackberry and sage flavors, finishing with a hint of smoke. Shows depth and persistence. Drink now through 2018.” 91ws
