November 29, 2020
“Arcanum” is a Dolcetto-based, non-vintage red blend. This dark berry fruit, brooding, earthy/spicy quality is not what you expect from Dolcetto (I wonder what % is Dolcetto? Guessing around 50%.) Smell and taste black figs, blackberries, dry aged beef, pipe tobacco, tea leaves. Ripe core of fruit in the middle with savory flavors all around it. Reminds me of a Southern Italian red: nice and rustic. $21 is a great deal for this wine. More Information Prima Materia’s vineyard is in western Lake County. Volcanic soils, 1500 feet elevation, continental climate (very hot days and cool nights). Not your typical […]
March 9, 2020
I really like this wine. Smells and tastes of fresh red berries, French toast (just the smell), black licorice and pomegranate. This is ripe buy stays away from the popular over-ripe red blend style. I prefer the non-jammy character of the Decoy Red Blend. This can be found for under $20/bottle in some retail outlets in and around Napa. If you find it for $17-18/bottle, buy a bunch and share it for most any occasion, casual or kind of fance. The blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon followed by Merlot, Zinfandel, Petit Sirah and Syrah. Decoy Wines are part of the […]
February 17, 2020
The 2016 ¿Por Qué No? is a four grape blend, starting with Cabernet Sauvignon at 48% followed by Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and finally Petit Verdot (1%). It’s part from Tres Sabores’ Rutherford Bench “Estate” vineyard and Calistoga. It tastes of freshly-picked and summer-ripe raspberries, blueberries, pomegranate and red cherries. Cedar, black licorice and freshly-baked bread compliment the fruitiness. The Cabernet Sauvignon (which is the highest % of Cab the “PQN?” has ever had) adds grace and layers to the wine. Medium acidity and gentle tannins. It’s very good now, but I’m guessing it will unwind, add flesh and be at […]
October 23, 2019
A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 5% Petite Sirah, Chiron Virtue and Vice is almost all mountain fruit (Spring Mountain Cab, Howell Mountain Merlot). I really like how this red blend flies out of the gate with ripe black cherry and raspberry flavors followed by black pepper, vanilla and clove. Mouth-filling, full-bodied and easy-going tannins point to a “bigger” red wine made for drinking anytime. It will last longer than you’ll keep it around. Virtue and Vice was aged for 2+ years in all French oak, 20% new. Microscopic production at 70 cases. Starting with the 2015 […]
April 2, 2019
Tres Sabores winery’s red blend started in 2001 as a “leftover wine.” Now it’s an “intentional wine” in which grapes are brought in (grown/purchased) specifically for this wine. Always delicious in a ripe, spicy, robust style. I just had the latest, the 2015 (note the bottle time the Por Que No? gets – unique for such a red blend. This is a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. The grapes come from Tres Sabores’ Estate vineyard on Rutherford Bench, another vineyard in Rutherford and Calistoga. The wine pours out dark ruby. The ripe, dark berry fruits pop out […]
September 1, 2018
Almost a Bordeaux style blend, Brandlin Prince & Pedro Red Blend is 60% Merlot, 15% Syrah (the outlier), 10% Cab Sauv, 10% Cab Franc, 5% Malbec. Lots of fruit, medium/full body, ripe and dark berries and cherries, and SPICE! The Syrah and Malbec, at 20%, make an impact. Black licorice, white pepper, mint and spicy cocoa weave through the wine, start to finish. Gentle tannins and medium/low acidity point to an easy to enjoy, yet intriguing, red wine. This is all from the “Brandlin Vineyard,” owned and farmed by the esteemed Cuvaison Winery. More Information The Brandlin Prince & Pedro Red Blend […]
April 23, 2018
A unique blend of 50% Syrah, 27% Barbera, 16% Petite Sirah and 7% Zinfandel. Fresh berry and spice aromas, bright and pure red fruits, palate-perking acidity, low oak, touch of dried herbs de Provence and black pepper. This is a super-tasty “Bistro Red” that drinks really well with or without food. More Information Omen and Oro Bello is owned and made by Alex Remy – born and raised in Languedoc region of France, he now lives and works in Napa as a winemaker, business owner, teacher and winemaking consultant. His Oro Bello wines are delicious, honest expressions of the grapes […]
April 22, 2018
Blend of 45% Tannat, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc. Get ripe, dark blackberries and blueberries, cocoa, allspice, roast coffee beans, black licorice and black pepper. Medium acidity, low tannins, ripe but not overly so, rich and super-easy to like. If you’re familiar with Tannat you might expect high tannins. Not the case…this is smooth and supple. Pour this for a group and all will enjoy it! Aged for 18 months in 15% new and 85% neutral French oak barrels. From Y Rousseau Winery: “French winemaker Yannick Rousseau’s love affair with wine began at age five with […]
April 22, 2018
This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Petite Sirah and Malbec comes from a handful of Napa vineyards. A “Modern Red Blend” style for sure, this is low-acid, jammy, super-ripe and big-flavored. Toasty, seductive oak, black cherry liqueur and cocoa starts in the aroma and continues on in the flavor. Rich, spicy and chewy on the finish with black olive, new leather and melted chocolate with tannins finally kicking in on the 15 second finish. This is definitely a wine to drink with full-flavored food, especially marinated & grilled (or braised) red meats! Strala Vineyards is the merging of […]
February 20, 2018
A blend of 44% Syrah, 33% Barbera and 22% Grenache qualifies it as a “Modern Red Blend” by recipe, but it’s not as “over the top” in style as most versions. This has a great nose of smushed up fresh raspberries and dark red plums plus cracked black peppercorns and coriander. Taste more of the same…the berries really stand out and they are delicious. Medium body, ideal acidity (bright but not quite tangy) and carefully oaked (30% new French). This is delight to drink. FRITH is owned by Restaurant veteran Cory Lane (I met Cory when he worked in […]