This was opened and allowed to slowly oxidize for 12 hours prior to serving, but that was not enough. It needed more air/time. It took over night to really open and was better on day 2. Despite this being a Robert Parker 100 point wine, this is not what people think of when talking about "Parkerized" wines.
This showed well despite its youthfulness but its best days are certainly ahead. A blend of 85 % Cabernet Sauvignon 15 % Cabernet Franc. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, cedar, and spice. On the palate, plenty of cassis fruit. Very firm tannins. Lots of depth but its hard to see the bottom. Tight but does show a lot of fruit with a very nice texture. It is delicious today but would recommend 8 hours of air if opening. This should continue to mature and improve over the next decade or more and drink well for ten to fifteen more after that. Right now it
What a beautiful showing for this red wine. This has aged beautifully despite having 15.5% abv. Another in a long line of high alcohol Napa Wines that have stood the test of time. It is a blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, and 1% of each cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, black cherries, leather, spice and slight cedar. Full bodied. On the palate, this is vibrant with layers of fruit over a nice earthy/leathery base. Cassis and black cherries. Medium tannins. This is mature but not old by any means. This sho
I am a huge fans of the many wineries that Thomas Rivers Brown makes wine from and this is one more. A delicious, modern but not over the top Napa Cabernet. Purple in color with a thin ruby rim. Opaque and bright. The nose is great with cassis, slight char, and baking spices. Full bodied. Nice acidity. Lively energy. The palate has a very nice cassis with underlying char. Long finish.
This is a blend of 72% Cabernet Franc and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is really in a nice place right now. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has black cherries, cherries, slight tobacco, spices and slight dried floral notes. Full bodied. On the palate, this has a nice backbone of acidity. Cherries and black cherries with some underlying forest floor/tobacco. It unwinds in the glass to show a nice complexity. Good finish. This won't get better but should be outstanding drinking for the next ten to fifteen years. It drinks well on its own but is better with food. Roasted poultry would
This is a nice value play from Raymond. It retails for around $20, but can often be found for less. There is 1% Merlot in the wine. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has plums, black raspberries and slight spice. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Easy to drink. Light tannins. Good balance. Probably should be consumed over the next few years. Good on its own, a nice match with a burger.
This is the entry level wine from one of the better producers in Priorat. A blend of 35% Garnacha, 35% Mazuelo and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is spicy with black cherries and a touch of dill. On the palate, this is soft with bitter cherries. It has firm tannins. Bitter on the finish. It doesn't seem like this will get better but it shows no real signs of age. Still, iits probably best to drink in the next three to five years.
This is a Bordeaux blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Malbec, 20% Merlot and 10% Petite Verdot. Ehren Jordan serves as the consulting winemaker. Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, plums slight chocolate and spice. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this drinks easy. Very tasty wine with some depth. Black cherries, chocolate, plums and cherries on the palate. Nice finish. This drinks well on its own and would work well with a burger. Drink over the next five to seven years.
Dunn wines have a reputation for taking a long time to come around. This one is just getting there. The cork crumbled on opening. Decanted for sediment (and cork bits) and served. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is very nice with leather, cassis, slight tobacco and earthiness. The nose is mature but not past. On the palate, this has a wonderful texture. Lush but silky. The palate tastes great, not young but not quite at maturity. Cassis with underlying tobacco and earth. Deep. Great balance. Nice finish. Delicious. This drinks great on its own and should work wel
A. Rafanelli has built up a loyal following of fans and supporters for the Zins and Cabs (and other wines) and with good reason. At age 15,. this wine is in a prime spot. Deep ruby/purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is deep with cassis, leather, spice, slight herbal note and tobacco. Full bodied. Bright cassis fruit over spice and tobacco. Complex and deep. Nice balance. This is showing some maturity but should easily go another ten to twelve years at this level. It went great with eggplant parmigiana and would work just as well with a roast.
