December 8, 2020
Ideally ripe, structured and complex, the Obsidian Ridge The Chief is an outstanding, limited production Cab-based blend. The estate vineyard in Lake County’s Red Hills AVA is over 2500 feet high planted in obsidian/volcanic rock. Decant at least two hours (important) then taste roast herbs de Provence, wild blueberries, dried black cherries, dried cedar and sweet pomegranate seeds. Structured and bright from its natural acidity, the wines attributes are cohesive and harmonious. Again, you must decant well prior to imbibement for the full effect. Better yet, cellar until 2030 and enjoy through 2040 and beyond. % of Malbec and Petit […]
June 1, 2020
Martin Reyes, Master of Wine, crafted this wine by sourcing barrels of wine from a handful of great Napa wineries and making a blend. It is Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc-heavy with Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot adding nuance. An old-world nose of smoky berry/cherry, musk, cedar and pencil shavings, along with its heartbeat of acidity, definitely remind me of Bordeaux. In the mouth the density and expansiveness of Napa Cabernet comes through as flavors of creme de cassis, blackberries, leather handbag, cumin and toasty barrel with a drop of vanilla glide by. You can tell this wine comes from […]
August 7, 2018
“Most representative of Coombsville wine I’ve released,” states owner Gary Lipp. Ironic, since it’s not labeled as Coombsville (sometimes Coho Headwaters doesn’t hit the 85% AVA threshold – it does in 2014). The blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot. Speaking of Coombsville style, you get the savory character of the southeast Napa AVA. The likes of dark tobacco, bittersweet chocolate, espresso and truffle shake hands with ripe blueberry and black cherry. Vibrant acidity, medium/full body, careful use of French oak. It’s all there. This is a sleeper wine for the cellar. Pull this out in 2030, […]
August 7, 2018
Steady State Red Wine is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. Put this in your Cabernet Sauvignon section as the dark fruit flavors and the chewy texture point to Napa’s “King Grape” in style. Smell and taste black cherries, blueberries, some mint, vanilla bean and cocoa. I call this a “generous” wine as it shows everything its got. Still, it has just enough restraint (i.e. not sweet nor jammy) with acidity and tannins to support the wine. More Information Collusion is one of the wines owned/made by Grounded Wine Co […]
March 24, 2018
“Super Tuscan” style blend of 75% Sangiovese and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is powerful like a lady gymnast rather than a male weightlifter. Black currant, dark raspberry, cedar, orange tea and tobacco smells and flavors all tightly packed into this intense, youthful wine whose best days are well ahead of it (2025-2030 best drinking I think). 13.6% alcohol, medium/high tannins, low oak influence by Napa standards. If I had a child born in 2014 this would definitely make my birth year collection. The Rodeno Family, owners and winemakers of Villa Ragazzi, take Sangiovese seriously. Their Oakville home and vineyard […]
March 4, 2018
65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot, then Petit Verdot & Malbec. All five of the (modern day) Bordeaux grapes used. Howell Mountain, Calistoga and St Helena fruit (all vineyards with reputations of making bold, dark, structured wine). Bullseye hit by Tether in making a rich, strong, lush and accessible Napa Cab style, at a relatively accessible price. All dark, sun-soaked, deep black berries/cherries with fragrant Indian spices, toasty barrel, vanilla bean and dark chocolate all over the place. This is a rock-solid Cab Sauv based blend recommendation for $50. The talented Anna Monticelli, winemaker and co-owner (with Napa […]
February 20, 2018
“Massiglia” (the ancient name of Marseilles, the French Mediterranean home-town of owner Maurice Marciano) is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon and 29% Cabernet Franc. It is owned, grown and made and by Marciano Estate Winery in western St Helena. This is a generous, very rich, provocative red that, at first whiff, you know it’s one of Napa’s top-tier wines. Deep, strong dark red and black cherry liqueur, cocoa, baking spice and cola aromas move gracefully to a rich, lush, deep and frankly “yummy” flavor and texture. Mocha, cedar and warm chocolate croissant also come to mind, then a finish of […]
January 17, 2018
This blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot, all from St Helena’s “Lewelling Ranch,” represents one of Napa Valley’s best Cabernet values. And, for your cherry on top, note that it’s from the showy 2012 vintage. Generously endowed with toasty new French oak, get vanilla bean, cola, cinnamon, allspice and 12 year barrel-aged Bourbon, the fruit measures up. Concentrated black cherry, currant and blackberry mostly. If you like your Napa reds lavishly oaked, this is definitely for you. Petit Batard is the second label for XTANT winery. Total production is tiny: under 500 cases for both wines. Jeff Gaffner, […]