Neiman Cellars Napa Valley Caldwell Vineyard Red Wine 1998

Neiman Cellars Napa Valley Caldwell Vineyard Red Wine 1998

Huge floral fragrance and rose petal tastes predominates from start to finish, accented by leather and a hint of charcoal, black cherry, black berry, cedar, and tar on a long full tannin finish. Consistent tasting notes from earlier tasting. 
RM 90 points. 


Tasted from the cellar w/ L Bill & Beth, BYOB at Angeli's Restaurant, our favorite neighborhood trattoria.

 http://cellartracker.com/w?..

Bill astutely exclaimed this tasted like a Marqaux! Alas, on researching the Caldwell Vineyard one finds this is not mere coincidence. From the Caldwell Vineyard website we learn that John Caldwell sought more than inspiration from Bordeaux.  From Caldwell Vineyard.com - "A trip to France and a chance visit to Chateau Haut Brion inspired his interest in clonal research. He planted his first block (including a few vines smuggled in from Bordeaux) in 1982 and harvested Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc in 1985. Positive comments from some of the industry’s most respected palates inspired John to expand his plantings. He also built a nursery to supply the state’s top wineries with the latest clones and rootstocks from France.
In the early 1990s, the Caldwell property gained international exposure thanks to the highly praised Chardonnay and Merlot vineyard-designate bottlings from Pahlmeyer Winery. Since that time, the acreage devoted to vines have expanded dramatically and the list of clients has grown to include Phelps, Mura, Maris, Neiman, and Viader."

The first Caldwell Proprietary Red Wine was produced in the same vintage year, 1998 as this release offering from Neiman Cellars.

Also tasted ...

Branson Coach House Single Vineyard Greenock Block Barossa Valley South Australia Shiraz 2004

Dark inky color, full bodied, tongue coating full flavors of black fruits, a hint of raspberry and blueberry, graphite & mineral on a smooth polished moderate tannin finish. Starting to fall off slightly from earlier tastings.

RM 91 points.
From B&B's cellar.

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=246545