Loaded with ripe, dark, enthusiastic cherry and pomegranate flavors, the Stellareese Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 leads with the fruit and follows it up with spice and sweet barrel. Cola, musk, vanilla bean and clove frame all its fruitiness: that cherry & pomegranate plus blackberry and plum preserves. Smooth, ample tannnins, vibrant core of acidity and a harmonic finish make for a delicious, quintessentially new-world style of Napa Cab. 100% single-vineyard Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 40% new French oak. More Information Rachel Stellareese Davies started Stellareese in 2007 while at T-Vine Cellars, working for Greg Brown. In 2013 the winemaking moved […]

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 musk permeate the raspberry/cherry liqueur, wild strawberry and pomegranate fruitiness. Such spice, from black pepper to Moroccan spices to brown pie spices. Juicy, healthy and integrated tannins, refreshing acidity. So well put together. Love this Zin.  Aged in previously used American oak barrels, 15.2% alcohol. More information Two Napans, first names David and Clinton, transformed their winemaking hobby into a business in 2010 and have steadily improved the quality and […]

The Coho Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 starts with a Bordeaux-ish earthy-minty spice and warm berry fruitiness. In the mouth the Cab is medium/full bodied, carefully extracted and layered. Deep red berry and pomegranate fruits, crushed bay and mint leaves, sassafras and toasty vanilla bean (50% new French oak aged). Exceptionally delicious at its relatively young age, and also built to age and improve up to, probably beyond, 2030. In a difficult vintage for Napa Cabernet, this is one of the best I’ve had to date. The Coho mantra is on the back label: “Swim against the flow. Lightning glimpsed through water; […]

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 with pomegranates, deep raspberry and very ripe plums on the fruit side & five-spice, cola, cinnamon toast and mocha on the non-fruit side. Pleasing core of acidity and super-fine tannins. This is a real winner from Coho that you should pluck up before it’s too late. Coho owner Gary Lipp is approaching 20 years of owner and operating Coho Winery. Since his Day One he’s insisted Coho prioritize grace & […]

Cut from the same cloth stylistically as Heitz and Chateau Montelena, but from a different part of Napa, the Localism Cabernet Sauvignon is super-aromatic, layered and classy. Smell the blueberry, pomegranate, bay laurel, leather handbag and toasty five grain bread. The taste quickly evolves into ripe blackberries, cocoa, earthy tobacco and pomegranate. Like an outdoor rock concert that starts before dusk, Localism Cabernet starts solid and relaxed before building up to rolicin’ good time.  Best drinking starts in 2028 (my best guess). 5% Cab Franc/Petit Verdot, 60% new French oak, 40% once used. From “Schwartz Vineyard” in Napa’s Coombsville District, […]

Smell cassis, fresh blackberry, plum compote and crushed garden herbs. In the mouth the 2018 Dancing Crow Cabernet Sauvignon, albeit young, is mouth-filling and flashy. Doses and dabs of cedar, cigar box included, all with a warmth from careful use of French and Hungarian oak. Tasty now, but the takeaway is the delicious future of this outstanding-value Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet comes from two AVAs: Red Hills and Big Valley – both over 2000 feet elevation where the growing days are hot and the nights are cool. 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendocino and 15% Malbec blended in. Dancing Crow Vineyards is […]

2021 addendum to April 2020 posting: Re-tasted with Gary Luchtel then took it home to make video below. Youthful glow remains. Has the same arousing aromatics noted last year as well as its bright, intense berry/darker citrus and herbal tea flavors. It was a most enjoyable drink. That said, I’ve recalibrated my optimum drinking zone to 2023 and beyond. April 2020: Grabs you with its sweet, ripe dark red cherry nose, quickly moving to framboise, blood orange and red roses. More of the same in the taste along with coriander, black licorice and a careful touch of French oak (2/3rd […]

Dark color, spicy ripe berry nose, strong flavor with low acid and soft tannins. The dark cocoa, wild mushroom and black licorice complement the oodles of concentrated blackberry, black currant and dried black fig flavors. While not so many wine drinkers know Aglianico, many do know strong red wine and like it. Such drinkers will very much like the Prima Materia Aglianico. Notes from Prima Materia owner/winemaker Pietro Buttitta: “Grown at 1450’ elevation on red, obsidian-strewn soil resulting from Mt. Konocti’s volcanic upheaval, Aglianico is Prima Materia’s most important bottling. Our biggest, boldest red. Black fruits with black cherry, licorice, baking […]

Stealing from co-owner/winemaker Scott Schultz, the Jolie Laide Gamay “Barsotti” 2019 is “Wild strawberry and summer herbs with cranberry tartness.” Running alongside the strawberry nose is watermelon Jolly Rancher, dried orange peels, violets and black tea. Tartness indeed, although I prefer tangy…same thing but sounds better. Because I know the vines grow in granite, I taste the rock (just like I do in Cru Beaujolais – nothing wrong with riding the power of suggestion) plus peach pit, white pepper and lots of baby strawberries and raspberry. Its healthy tannic structure unwinds with plenty of air – I find the wine […]