Best of the Best
…CORDON ChardonnaySonoma Coast “Reserve” 2014 $ 65DDWA Score: 90Value Rating: 2.1Good Value BLACK CORDON Cabernet SauvignonNapa Valley 2013 $ 80DDWA Score: 91Value Rating: 2.3Good Value TEETER TOTTER Cabernet SauvignonNapa Valley 2015 $ 55DDWA…
SIXTEEN by TWENTY Chardonnay 15
…About Black Cordon David and Karen Dunphy launched Black Cordon in the mid 2000s with their home “Black Cordon Vineyard” that looks over north Napa on the west side (Oak…
Por Que No? Red Wine 14
…introduction to something new. And finally, it’s an excellent value in the realm of Napa Valley red wines. The 2014 “PQN” shows summer sun-ripened black and blueberries, black pepper and…
Coho Merlot 2016
Sweet, rich aromas of black cherry liqueur, black licorice, cinnamon sticks and roast coffee. In the mouth the 2016 Coho Merlot Michael Black moves to the dark red fruit spectrum…
David Clinton Zinfandel Teldeschi 2017
Exceptionally spicy from start to finish, the David Clinton Zinfandel “Teldeschi” comes from 130 year old vines on the Dry Creek Valley’s east side. Amaro, black licorice, black pepper and…
LEAF & VINE Zinfandel Quartz Block 14
…of Gold Country. Ripe black and blueberry core is tamed by potent sensations of black olive tapenade, bramble, black pepper, sasparilla and mint. Brooding and complex with healthy tannins and…
POLIZIANO Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 14
85% Prugnolo Gentile (the local clone/name of Sangiovese), 15% Colorina, Canaiolo and Merlot. I like this wine’s wild red fruit intensity, dried violet & lavender notes, complimentary soil, black olive…
SIXTEEN by TWENTY Cabernet Sauvignon1204
…which I like very much…some don’t. Sports uplifting acidity, fine tannins and a multi-faceted character. About Black Cordon David and Karen Dunphy launched Black Cordon in the mid 2000s…
ROCCOLO GRASSI Valpolicella Superiore 12
…rich, deep, black pepper-y, liqueur-ish, juicy dark red wine that crosses over to the new-world palates. Get kirsch, pomegranate syrup, cracked black peppercorns, warm chocolate bars and chopped rosemary &…
FLYWHEEL Pinot Noir Naylor Ranch 14
New(er) on the wine scene, Flywheel makes tiny amounts (under 100 cases per wine is normal) of high character wines. This delicious Pinot brings together black and deep red cherries,…
ANDREA OBERTO Barolo 13
…are softened by the rich fruit and a killer 30 second Barolo finish of of dark soil, black olive and black tea. Great for drinking now (with a decant) or…
LE PETIT VICE Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
…little research and you’ll figure out the vineyards – I can’t put it in writing). Black cherry compote, rich toasty oak, black licorice, clove, caramel, cedar, blackberry pie, vanilla bean….
Read Holland Pinot Noir Deep End 2017
…little toasty French oak, black licorice, bay leaf and black tea, with the licorice jumping out more than the others in the 20 second finish. Flavors, textures and balancing acidity…
OBSIDIAN RIDGE Cabernet Sauvignon 15
…mile) elevation, volcanic soils (thus the name Obsidian Ridge). Deep core of blackberry, black currant and black cherry. The 2015 vintage has a more savory and earthy edge to it,…
POST & VINE Old Vine Field Blend 13
…aged. Bold flavors of black and blue fruits with integrated black pepper, pie spice, cocoa and anise notes. Medium/low acidity, smooth tannins and restrained (14.0%) alcohol. For a bigger red,…
Stellareese Grenache 2018
Loads of cracked black pepper, black licorice, caramel and berry liqueur smells introduce the Stellareese Grenache 2018. Spice and intense red fruits continue on the strong, high-octane palate. Wild mini-strawberries,…
Read Holland Pinot Noir “Deep End” 2018
Snappy, bright cherry and raspberry pre-breathing soon turns to summer-ripe red cherries and raspberries, cherry liqueur, black truffle, black tea, dried red rose petals and minerally earthiness. The wine gets…
Chateau Montmirail Vacqueyras Deux Freres 15
…for a $22 wine to open up. It starts with smells and flavors of sasafrass, raw meat, black pepper, black licorice and muted flavors of dark strawberry and blueberry. Over…
Pella Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Dry aged-beef, black licorice and dried wild mushroom (umami!) generously frame black cherry liqueur and dark pomegranate smells and flavors in the 2003 Pella Cabernet Sauvignon. This hefty, rich Cab…
Hudson Aleatico 2019
…in the Black Muscat family of grapes, but at my tasting this young wine was not showing the aromatics typical of Muscat. Lee Hudson explained that they come out over…
MERISI Petite Sirah 2014
The world needs more delicious Petite Sirahs. Had this on a sunny Saturday afternoon in January around the firepit…appropriate place for the wine. Boysenberry, black pepper, blueberry, cinnamon. 50% new…
SHANE Pinot Noir La Reine 15
…45 year old vines. Dark berries and cherries here with bits of pomegranate, black tea, lavender, cocoa and toasty oak (just 15% new French oak used). It’s full-bodied, nicely ripe…
CLOS du PRIEUR Terrasses du Larzac 15
75% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 5% Cinsault from the heart of the Languedoc, 30 miles from the Mediterranean & 50 miles from The Rhone Valley. Syrah’s lavender, dark raspberry and black…
TAPLIN Cabernet Sauvignon “Terra 9” 2013
Oh man, the Taplin Cabernet Sauvignon will knock your socks off with power, persistence and deliciousness. Smell and taste chocolate covered black cherries, black licorice, blackberry liqueur, roast beef fat,…
