BV (Beaulieu Vineyards) Napa Valley Tapestry Reserve Vertical and Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard Red Blend Wine Tasting
What fun when we took a bottle of Beaulieu Vineyards Tapestry Reserve 2004 to Bill & Beth's and Bill
pulled out a 2008 to compare in this impromptu mini-vertical tasting. To round out the comparison tasting, Bill also served a
Fred Constant Napa Valley Diamond Mountain Vineyard Red Blend from 1995. We tasted these with artisan cheeses, bacon wrapped figs, and Angelis Italian lasagna.
We've been fans of BV Tapestry for a long time with our collection dating back a dozen vintages to the mid-nineties. Tapestry as it's name so aptly states, is a blend of classic Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and accent portions of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. The predominant Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the historic BV Ranches No.1 and No. 2 vineyards in Rutherford, selected from specific blocks of reserve-quality grapes that give Tapestry the combined attributes of rich character and softer tannins for relatively early approachability. To complement the Rutherford Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is added from Beaulieu’s vineyard in the Los Carneros region and the remaining grapes in the Blend from various Napa Valley vineyards.
Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Valley Tapestry Reserve Red Wine Blend 2008
Wow. Immediately I stated that this is the most expressive Tapestry I can remember with its vibrant full floral perfume. Dark ruby color with a slight purple hue, medium-full bodied, polished, smooth and nicely balanced - big bright vibrant expressive floral tones that are pervasive throughout accented by sweet ripe black currant and black berry fruits, a layer of vanilla, hint of cassis and tangy cinnamon spice and pleasant sweet oak with fine smooth polished tannins with that clinging long floral essence that holds for minutes.This was remarkably approachable for such a recent vintage. Barrel aged in 50% new oak. RM 91 points.
Classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70)%, Merlot (16%), portions of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1198005
http://www.bvwines.com/
Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Valley Tapestry Reserve Red Wine Blend 2004
Dark garnet colored, medium-full bodied, a bit tight and closed initially, it took more than an hour for this to open up and fully reveal black berry fruits, a layer of anise and tones of cedar, black tea and smokey oak on a moderate tannin lingering finish. RM 89 points.
The 2004 Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Tapestry was barrel-aged for 20 months, with 70 percent new barrels, to add warm vanilla nuances. For even more complexity, they used a tapestry of different oak barrels; over half were French, with the balance being American, Hungarian and Russian.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=410294
Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard Red Blend Wine 1995
From high atop Diamond Mountain at the northern end of Mayacamas Range above the town of Calistoga, Fred and Mary Constant and consulting winemaker Paul Hobbs produce Bordeaux style red wine blend wines. We visited Diamond Mountain and Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard during our 2011 Diamond Mountain Napa Valley Wine Experience. Sitting at the summit at the top of the mountain, the site offers spectacular views overlooking both Napa and Sonoma highlands from over 2100 feet elevation. Constant is among the oldest wineries in the valley with history dating
back to the late 1800's.
Dark purple color, medium bodied, subdued black berry and black cherry fruits with trace of tobacco, tea and leather on a moderate, short soft tannin finish. RM 87 points.
Cabernet Sauvignon 73%, Merlot 18%, Cabernet Franc 9%
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=36373
http://www.constantwine.com/
We've been fans of BV Tapestry for a long time with our collection dating back a dozen vintages to the mid-nineties. Tapestry as it's name so aptly states, is a blend of classic Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and accent portions of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. The predominant Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the historic BV Ranches No.1 and No. 2 vineyards in Rutherford, selected from specific blocks of reserve-quality grapes that give Tapestry the combined attributes of rich character and softer tannins for relatively early approachability. To complement the Rutherford Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is added from Beaulieu’s vineyard in the Los Carneros region and the remaining grapes in the Blend from various Napa Valley vineyards.
Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Valley Tapestry Reserve Red Wine Blend 2008
Classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70)%, Merlot (16%), portions of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1198005
http://www.bvwines.com/
Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Valley Tapestry Reserve Red Wine Blend 2004
Dark garnet colored, medium-full bodied, a bit tight and closed initially, it took more than an hour for this to open up and fully reveal black berry fruits, a layer of anise and tones of cedar, black tea and smokey oak on a moderate tannin lingering finish. RM 89 points.The 2004 Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Tapestry was barrel-aged for 20 months, with 70 percent new barrels, to add warm vanilla nuances. For even more complexity, they used a tapestry of different oak barrels; over half were French, with the balance being American, Hungarian and Russian.
Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard Red Blend Wine 1995
Dark purple color, medium bodied, subdued black berry and black cherry fruits with trace of tobacco, tea and leather on a moderate, short soft tannin finish. RM 87 points.
Cabernet Sauvignon 73%, Merlot 18%, Cabernet Franc 9%
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=36373
http://www.constantwine.com/
 |
| Even on a rainy day, Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyards offer picturesque views in a spectacular setting. |
