Festive wine for Christmas Social Gathering

Festive wine for Christmas Social Holiday Gathering 

We hosted our church ERT (Emergency Response Team) for a Christmas Holiday Social gathering. Linda prepared a buffet of ham, Swedish meatballs, BBQ Ribs and platters of artisan cheeses and a large selection of Christmas cookies. 

As is customary, Linda had our house decorated for the holidays …

Many folks brought Christmas cookies and boxed candies and nuts, and Pat P brought his wife’s (https://karenthebaker.com/) incredible, fabulous cheesecake, which was wonderfully paired with the Ice Wine. 

For the occasion I opened a medley of wines, each a response to a query or request upon touring our wine cellar. 

There’s always room, and an audience for Champagne! 

G. H. Mumm Grand Cordon Brut Rose’ NV

We visited the G.H. Mumm estate vineyards during our tour of Champagne with son Alec back in 2006.

This comes packaged in a festive holiday bottle with a red ribbon sachet molded in the clear glass bottle with gold painted markings that shows the natural rust orange pink color of the contents.

Winemaker Notes - “G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé celebrates the bold power of Pinot Noir (60%), the signature grape of Maison Mumm. Chardonnay (22%) is added to the blend to enhance the floral aspects of the wine, and Pinot Meunier (18%) brings a softness and round, ripe fruit character. During the blending process, the Cellar Master adds 14% still red wine from our prestigious vineyard sites to create the beautiful rosé color. The wine is aged for a minimum of 24 months before disgorgement.

Blend: 22% Chardonnay, 60% Pinot Noir, 18% Pinot Meunier

This was rated 92 points by James Suckling and 91Wine Spectator.

The (14%) still red wine added to the blend to highlight the color, mutes the effervescence somewhat, this release having a bit less than customary.  

Rust orange pink colored, medium bodied, bright sprites of dusty rose petals highlights red berry and citrus fruits with notes of grilled nuts and toasted brioche, with orange peel, briny oyster shell and saline notes o a tangy zesty acidic finish. 

RM 88 Points. 

Wine Spectator described it this way; “A bright, mineral-driven rosé Champagne in an aperitif style, with a fine, airy mousse and a delicate mesh of wild strawberry, mandarin orange peel, toast point, and ground ginger and cardamom spices.” 

During a tour of our wine cellar, the conversation turned to Bordeaux varietal red wine, large format magnums and Ice Wine, which set the stage for the following bottles. 

Folks were intrigued by the whole concept of Ice Wine and were eager to try it so I pulled from the cellar this authentic Riesling Ice Wine from the Niagara escarpment. 

Stratus Niagara Peninsula Riesling IceWine 2008

We discovered this producer and tasted and acquired this wine during our tour of the Niagara Peninsula Escarpment Wine Region back in 2012. 

The Stratus estate winery and surrounding vineyards is located just south of the historic town of Niagara-on-the-lake, north of Niagara Falls on the Niagara Peninsula Escarpment that separates Lake Ontario to the north and Lake Erie and Buffalo, NY to the south. 

Their 55-acre farm, set in the Niagara Lakeshore appellation of Niagara-on-the-Lake, just three km from the Lake Ontario lakeshore, is planted to 16 grape varieties. This breadth, allows them to produce a  diverse portfolio of red and white wines including several small-lot single varietal bottlings and this special production Ice Wine. 

The Stratus Niagara Peninsula Riesling Icewine 2008 is a highly-rated, sweet dessert wine, great for  pairing with fruit desserts or enjoyed standalone as an apertif.. 

Well known Canadian Wine Reviewer Natalie MacLean rated this release 94 points. 

Golden honey colored, full bodied, rich unctuous, viscous, complex, sweet tropical peach, honeysuckle, apple, citrus and stone fruits with notes of drizzled honey and cinnamon spice with vibrant acidity on the finish.

RM 92 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1392908

https://stratuswines.com/

Some of our guests requested a Bordeaux varietal red wine so I opened a Cabernet from Columbia Valley Washington State. Seeking a wine in the ‘Goldilocks’ zone, not too old, not too young, I pulled a 2004 vintage release in large format magnum. I happened to have both standard 750 and 1.5 liter bottles of this release. Large format bottles generally age more gracefully, so the magnum would be more likely to be in that optimal drinking window. 

Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Ssauvignon 2004

This is from the family owned and operated Woodward Canyon, founded in 1981 by Rick and Darcey Smith, and now joined by their children, Jordan and Sager. The Smith family has five generations of farming and family farm ownership in the Walla Walla Valley.

The winery was named for the canyon where Rick's family farmed for multiple generations and where the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard is now located. Woodward Canyon was the second winery in the Walla Walla Valley. Rick was President of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Growers Association, the precursor to the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance, when the growers petitioned and received federal approval for the Walla Walla Valley Appellation (AVA) in 1984. 

Rick planted the first of thirty-five acres of the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard in 1977 on the family dryland wheat ranch. The hillside vineyard now includes Cabernet Ssauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah. 

In addition to estate grown grapes, the winery purchases grapes from select growers and is a partner in Champoux Vineyard which lies above the Columbia River in the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. 

Rick is partnered with wife Darcey who took the position of General Manager at Woodward Canyon in 2000. They are joined by daughter Jordan and son Sager, who are co-owners and serve as General Manager and Vineyard Manager respectively. Born and raised in Walla Walla, they grew up in the wine industry running around the dusty hills of the Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard.

After graduating from Lewis & Clark College in 2006, Jordan returned to Walla Walla to start a career in the wine industry, working in many different capacities from managing sales at Tertulia Cellars to running the lab at Long Shadows Vintners. She joined the Woodward team in 2013 and worked in Consumer Sales in 2018 before taking on the role of General Manager in 2021. 

Sager attended culinary school in Seattle at the Art Institute and spent ten years working as a line cook in numerous French restaurants such as Rovers, Luc, and Cafe Presse, where he developed an appreciation of the synergies of food and wine. He returned to Walla Walla, and served as Woodward Canyon's resident chef while studying in the Walla Walla Community College Enology and Viticulture program. After graduation he manages viticulture on the Woodward Canyon estate vineyard and aids in producing small-lot wines with his father Rick.

In addition to fruit sourced on their 35-acre Estate Vineyard, they source fruit from some of the most-established Washington State growers including Champoux, Klipsun, Sagemoor and Tapteil vineyards.

The Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyard is the western most vineyard in Walla Walla Valley AVA, roughly 15 miles west of Walla Walla, Washington. The Vineyard lies within a 320 acre farmstead containing 35 vineyard acres planted and several more acres of green belts that support native species such as western juniper, ponderosa pine, western sagebrush, arrowleaf, balsamroot, and perennial wildflowers. 

We visited Woodward Canyon Winery when toured the area during our Walla Walla AVA Wine Experience in 2018.

Woodward Canyon produce a portfolio of premium, age-worthy cabernet sauvignons, Bordeaux-style blends and merlots as well as chardonnays. They have always focused on quality taking precedence over quality. 

This particular label is from the Woodward Canyon Artist Series that began in 1992. In addition to serving as their flagship wine, the intent of the special program label is to showcase the finest cabernet sauvignon in Washington State. The vineyards used in the Artist Series are among the oldest and most highly regarded in the state with typical vine age around 35 years old. Each year the special label features a work or art from a different West Coast artist. This 2004 release features artwork of Todd Telander, depicting the resident red-tailed hawk that hangs out behind the winery.

Wine pundit Dr. Owen Bargreen, Rick Small and Woodward Canyon Winemaker, Kevin Mott conducted a a comprehensive vertical tasting of the Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon lineup starting with the 1992 vintage which featured HERE the vintage notes and reviews. 

https://www.woodwardcanyon.com/assets/client/File/Artist%20Series.pdf

This 2004 Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from grapes grown at Champoux, Klipsun, Sagemoor, Tapteil, and Woodward Canyon Estate, five if the most highly regarded vineyard properties in Washington State. Woodward Canyon combines them in this blend to produce an extraordinary wine. 

Winemaker notes - “This wine has a beautiful nose of spicy oak and cedar integrated with ripe black fruits and cherry. A firm rich mouth feel begins with cassis and black berry leading towards chocolate and mocha. The finish is generous and long, yet there is still restraint. While this wine can be enjoyed now it will definitely benefit from additional cellaring and, with proper storage, should develop for ten years or more.”

This release was rated 93 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 91 points by Wine Enthusiast.

At twenty-one years the label and foil, and most importantly, the fill level and cork were pristine. This met my highest expectations with its elegance and complexity, still near the apex of its taste profile, but not likely to improve any further with aging. 

Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, complex, concentrated yet elegant, finely balanced and polished black berry and cherry fruits accented with notes of spicy oak, cedar, cassis and tobacco leaf with hints of mocha chocolate. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?296725

https://www.woodwardcanyon.com/

https://x.com/WoodwardCanyon

Big Reds Celebrate Big Red Win

Big Reds Celebrate Big Red Win

We gathered at son Alec’s to watch the B1G TEN Championship - IU, Indiana vs OSU, Ohio State. I took a special vintage Big Red wine for the occasion. Son Ryan brought another Big Red from one of our favorite, legendary producers, for a fabulous comparison tasting, and pairing with a selection of pizzas. 

I also took a Alec’s birthyear vintage label that has a legacy tied to Ryan’s employer for a special tasting celebrating our father-son family gathering for a special occasion. 

 We ordered a selection of pizza’s from nearby Freedom Brothers Pizza at Market Meadows, Naperville.

I wrote about this birth year vintage wine in earlier blogposts, Steak Night Red Wine Flight,  and about the Oakville Ranch property, its history and terroir in a previous, earlier detailed blogpost.

Oakville Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1990

This is from Oakville Ranch Vineyards and Winery, a hillside property in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains on the far eastern edge of the renowned Oakville AVA just above where Silverado Trail at Oakville Cross Road. 

This producer has some special significance due to its historic legacy.  The property was purchased by the late Bob Miner, co-founder or Oracle Corp, and his wife, Mary Miner, in 1989. the same year the Miner’s harvested and produced their first wine from the property. The original property was a rugged 370-acre estate, tucked into a rocky shelf 1000 feet above the Napa Valley floor consisting of primarily chaparral, woodlands made up of scrub oak, manzanita and other drought tolerant evergreens.  

Bob remained with Oracle until 1993, and after he succumbed to cancer at age 52 in 1994, Mary took over the management of the property. 

Since then, the principles increased vineyard plantings to 70 acres of predominantly Bordeaux varietals. In 2020 Oakville Ranch purchased the neighboring Saunder’s Vineyard and its approximately 10 acres of vines. The remainder of the ranch remains in its natural state, with indigenous grassy meadows, native woodlands and winding streams sustaining native flora and fauna. Today, they produce five wines and a total of 750 cases.

At 1,000 feet above the valley floor, the Oakville Ranch vineyards produce grapes that speak from the appellation’s signature red volcanic soil with a mountain accent. The property is among some of the most premium vineyard real estate in the valley – with several prestigious wineries as neighbors (including Ovid and Dalla Valle). 

The name Oakville Ranch predates the Miner family ownership, dating back to the early 1980s. The ranch was purchased in 1980 by five different ownership parties including John Scully and Don Kelleher, owner of Kelleher Family Vineyard and owners of Brix Restaurant just north of Yountville. For several years, the property was rented out as a retreat.

Prior to the 1980’s, the property was owned by lawyer William (Bill) McPherson of the Fairfield based firm, McPherson & Barnett and his wife Kim, who unsuccessfully ran for state senate in 1973. He maintained existing vineyards on the property. 

In the early 1940s the property was associated with Mert E. Robertson and a J.P. Twomey. According to an article from the Napa Journal in 1942, the U.S. Army raised horses on the property, intent on improving the quality and quantity of riding horses in the county.

The Miner’s also used to own the property that is now home to Miner Family Winery which is owned by Dave Miner, Bob’s nephew, who for some time managed the operations at Oakville Ranch. There is no physical winery on Oakville Ranch, the wines are produced at a facility in the Oak Knoll District. Farmer Phil Coturri has overseen the management of the Oakville Ranch vineyards since 2007.

The property ranged in elevation from about 600 feet to around 1,100 feet. Most of the property is in the Oakville sub appellation but a very small section is in Pritchard Hill. The shallow red, rocky soil is low in nutrients, ideal for producing small bunches of grapes with higher skin to juice ratios, with yields extremely low compared to valley floor grown fruit.

Oakville Ranch sources from specific vineyard blocks for their own wines. The remainder of the fruit produced on the property is sold under contracts to a select number of premium winery clients and noted winemakers including Rosemary Cakebread, Helen Keplinger and Andy Erickson. 

Oakville Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1990

This release was awarded 93 points by Wine Spectator and 92 points from Robert Parker. 

At thirty-five years of age it was still holding its body, color and fruit and was showing minor signs of diminution from aging. The cork was moist and saturated and was extracted in parts with and ahso two pronged cork puller. 

Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, bright expressive concentrated but nicely balanced and integrated black currant, cherry and plum fruits with notes of cedar, cassis, spice and oak with moderate balanced tannins on the long finish. 

RM 90 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=83701

https://www.oakvilleranch.com/ 

https://twitter.com/OakvilleRanch

@OakvilleRanch 

I then opened another vintage aged Napa Cab from our cellar. 

Outpost Winery Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

This Big Red is from Outpost Winery, located high atop Howell Mountain on Summit Lake Drive about 10 minutes outside of the small town of Angwin. At an elevation of 2200 feet the property is above the Napa Valley fog line at 1200 feet, the demarcation point between Napa Valley and Howell Mountain AVA designations. This elevation even experiences occasional light snowfall in the winter – in February 2022 up to 14 inches fell on Howell Mountain, blocking roads and causing a significant number of trees to fall. 

The property was originally part of Lamborn Family Vineyards, which sits across the road, started in 1971 when Bob and Mike Lamborn, father and son, purchased 40 acres on Howell Mountain. Eight of the acres were planted to vines. Grapes were planted here as far back as the 1880s. The first debut vintage release  in 1982, made by winemaker Randy Dunn, a friend and neighbor. The legendary acclaimed winemaker Heidi Barrett started making Lamborn wines in 1996. 

We visited the wonderful and hospitable Mike and Terry Lamborn at their estate high atop Howell Mountain during our Napa Valley Howell Mountain Wine Experience 2008 (shown below). 

In 1998 the Lamborns sold this property to Terry and Juli Pringle, who founded Outpost, built what is the current winery building, and produced their first wine that year. The first release was 400 cases of Zinfandel, produced by winemaker Ehren Jordan (of Failla Wines). It was produced at Turley Wine Cellars where Thomas Rivers Brown was assistant winemaker who became winemaker for Outpost in later vintages, including this one. 

Winemaker Thomas Brown continued to oversee production of the Outpost Wines, but he also made wine for a number of other premium labels and remains as consulting winemaker. 

Outpost is primarily known for their organically farmed Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon on the 42-acre estate (28 acres are planted to grapevines). Nearly all their wines are 100% varietal. Howell Mountain is a noted Zinfandel growing region in Napa Valley and a number of small ‘neighboring’ wineries also produce wines from this variety. 

Contributing to concentrated and rich wines are the property’s high elevation with its rocky and iron-rich soils combined with gentle cooling breezes and sunny western exposure.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate says: "The Outpost wines have very distinct personalities, and stand quite apart from most of what is being made in Napa Valley today. The estate is located on Howell Mountain, in a very distinct microclimate that features a condensed growing season."

The Pringles sold the property in 2003 to Frank and Kathy and Dotzler, a native Chicagoan who ran a computer equipment company. They shared a passion for wine and honeymooned in Napa Valley in 199 which lead to their purchase of a twenty-acre site on Howell Mountain which they named True Vineyard. They planted nine acres planted to Bordeaux varieties and released their first vintage in 2008. Exploring building their own True Vineyard winery, they purchased the neighboring Outpost property with the existing winery. 

In July of 2018 the winery and the Outpost and True vineyards were sold to France based AXA Millésimes, owners of prestigious wineries across the globe, including Bordeaux's Château Pichon Baron, Château Pibran, and Château Suduiraut; Burgundy's Domaine de l'Arlot; Portugal's Quinta do Noval (Douro); Hungary's Disznókő (Tokaj); and in the U.S., besides Outpost Wines (Napa), Platt Vineyard on the Sonoma Coast.

After the sale of the vineyard to AXA Millésimes grapes from the 2021 vintage were produced and then the vineyard was completely replanted by mid 2022, overseen by Matt Hardin and Josh Clark of Hardin Clark Vineyard Management. The site was replanted to primarily Cabernet Sauvignon but also with smaller blocks of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Outpost Winery Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

This was a mini comparison toasting to Lamborn Howell Mtn Cabernet, from the adjoining vineyard and near vintage that we tasted a couple days later and featured in this blogpost - Oakville Grill and Cellar, Fulton Market, Chicago.

At twenty years of age, the foil and most importantly, the fill level and cork were pristine, as shown, and the painted glass overweight bottle had no paper label.

International Wine Cellar rated this 91 points and noted it was blended with 5% Cabernet Franc. 

This was aged on seventy-five percent new French Oak.  

Dark inky purple, a hint of bricking starting to show at the edge, full bodied, concentrated, expressive, complex, full round blackberry and black plum fruits with notes of cassis, dark mocha chocolate, spice, tobacco and leather with subtle note of graphite with firm round tannins on the long finish. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?219944

https://www.outpostwines.com/

Ryan then opened from his cellar this ultra-premium Napa Cabernet from one of our favorite producers. 

Melka "Metisse - Jumping Goat Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

We’re huge fans of Phillip Melka and his wines which we have featured and written about often in these pages - such as these blogposts: 

Melka CJ Napa Valley Cabernet BYOB at Carnivore & Queen

Pirouette Red Blend at Sullivan’s Steakhouse Naperville

Château Boswell Napa Valley Estate Reserve Red Wine 2016

This is from the Melka Estate St. Helena Jumping Goat Vineyard, located on the eastern side of Saint Helena, at the base of the Mayacamas mountain range that forms that eastern wall of Napa Valley. On the valley floor, the old river bench site is mostly large gravelly sediments and a small portion of thinner clay and is protected from the northern and western winds. The 3 1/2 acre estate was planted in 1999, and is said to be reminiscent of the Graves area of Bordeaux.

The 2014 Métisse Jumping Goat is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot. It was aged in 70% new French oak for 18 months, just 385 cases were produced. 

This blockbuster, limited production, highly allocated wine was rated 96 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 94 points by Vinous.

Winemaker notes - “This wine has our most loyal following and it is no surprise as to why. Similar to the Graves region in Bordeaux, the wine is perfumey, with a velvety texture so signature of the Jumping Goat. Aromatics of dark fruit, graphite, tar and creosote are complimented in a wine that exhibits opulence and softness harmoniously. The finish on this fabulous 2014 is bigger than previous years and we suggest decanting a good three hours prior to serving.”

Dark inky garnet colored, full-bodied, dense, concentrated and complex yet silky smooth elegant and polished, ripe blackberry and dark plum fruits with aromatic floral perfume, notes of creosote, leather, smoke, bittersweet chocolate, licorice and spice with hints of camphor and graphite, finishing with moderately sweet, refined tannins. 

RM 94 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?2459646

https://www.melkaestates.com/

Clark Claudon Estate Cabernet with BBQ

Clark Claudon Estate Cabernet with BBQ 

With left over BBQ Beef Brisket from earlier in the week, (Sharko’s BBQ with Yakima Valley Syrah), I pulled from the cellar an aged vintage Napa Cabernet. What a delightful surprise to find this exceeding expectations for a superb food wine pairing - accentuating and amplifying the enjoyment of both. 

We hold two decades of vintages in our ‘vertical collection’ of this label, dating back to the inaugural release in 1994. It’s times like this that we are rewarded for having a deep, aged cellar collection. 

I wrote about this producer and wine in detail in these pages in an earlier posting, which is excerpted and updated here: 

Clark-Claudon Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

In an earlier, similar situation, we also posted: we opened an old favorite wine from our extensive collection from one of our favorite producers, with BBQ Beef Brisket and mashed potatoes, and a selection of cheeses and sourdough bread, previously in this earlier blogpost:

Clark-Claudon Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Clark-Claudon Vineyards located in the Vaca Mountain range high above Oakville, Napa Valley, was founded in 1993 by Thomas Clark and Laurie Claudon Clark. The couple had lived and worked in Napa Valley for 20 years as grape growers but eventually decided to make wine under their own name. 

The Clark-Claudon estate is situated on the ‘backside’ of Howell Mountain in an area known as Pope Valley. We have fun with this label as fellow Pour Boy Bill and Beth C's maiden name is Pope. Clark-Claudon's 17 acres of vineyards are carved out of a 117 acre property located on the north east side of Howell Mountain between Ink Grade and Howell Mountain Road, from 800 ft to 1,200 ft elevation. It’s shallow, mountain soils, cool evening breezes and excellent sun exposure are ideal for a low yield of small, intense Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot grapes. The 17 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon are planted with clone 7 which grows well in hillside rocky soil and produces small berries with concentrated flavors. A small vineyard block is planted to Petite Verdot. After completing their initial vineyard planting, Clark decided to leave the remaining 100 acres of forests, creeks, meadows and ponds in their natural state which serves as a preserve for native birds and wildlife.

Interesting, following my discussions in another earlier blogpost, I wrote about the terroir and appellation, and specifically about the line of demarcation being at the 1200 foot elevation level to differentiate between Howell Mountain and Napa Valley designation, due to effects of the fog from the valley that reaches up to that ceiling level. 

We have another such-situated Napa/Howell Mountain Cabernet. Similar to the Viader Napa Valley Cabernet Red Blend from earlier tastings, and the Blue Hall Vineyard Camiana Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that we drank the other night, this Clark Claudon Napa Cab vineyard is at 1000 foot elevation on the lower reaches of Howell Mountain. 

That terroir distinction doesn't apply here as the Clark Claudon property is on the backside of Howell Mountain which never sees the fog that is experienced on the Napa Valley side of the hill. 

We have been collecting this label since its introduction back in 1993 and hold two decades of vintages since. We first met Tom Clark and Laurie Claudon-Clark during our Napa Wine Experience 1999 when we hosted them at one of our wine producer dinners. That night, held at what was then Pinot Blanc Restaurant in St Helena (see picture above), we tasted Clark Claudon 1995-96 against ten year old 1989 Bordeaux, BYOB from our home cellars. 

During our Napa Wine Experience visits of 1997 through 2000 we hosted gala tasting dinners with the "'Undisccovered Dozen', emerging new wine producers to watch", featured in an article in Wine Spectator Magazine. Many of these producers released their inaugural vintage releases in or about the 1994 vintage. Those producers and winery visits included Plumpjack, David Arthur, Clark-Claudon, Robert Craig, Del Dotto, Elan, Paradigm, Pride Vineyards, Snowden, Nils Venge and White Cottage and are featured variously on my winesite http://www.unwindwine.com. A complete index of my tasting notes of these wines over the years is on the site at this link to California Producers Index. These producers make up a foundation of our wine cellar collection even today. In many of these wines, we still have vertical selections, several dating back to those early release vintages.   

We love the distinctive unique Clark-Claudon packaging with the tall slender bottles. An interesting and trivial wine-geek's observation about the Clark-Claudon branding and packaging; as mentioned, we hold close to a score of vintages of this label. 

All our vintage holdings but this one, the 2004 release, are packaged with the wax cap inside the rim of the bottle, topping the cork, as shown left. This one, 2004, has a 'traditional' foil top of the bottle (shown below). Not sure why?

This release was awarded 93 points from Wine Enthusiast who wrote, " ... it really needs time. Give it until after 2008, if you can keep your hands off, and will come into its own after 2010."

A decade later, going on seventeen years, this release is holding its own very nicely and showing no signs of diminution whatsoever. The fill level, label and most importantly the cork were in perfect condition.

Wine Enthusiast wrote, "The 2004 Clark-Claudon Napa Cabernet Sauvignon blends fruit from all over the winery's estate, combining multiple expressions of the fruit. The higher portions of the estate yielded fruit that was rich, deeply colored with intense tannins. The lower portions of the estate produced softer, more perfumed wine."  Tonight's tasting was consistent with previous tastings in 2015, 2016 and most recently in the Spring of 2021. In 2016 I wrote it was more expressive than earlier tastings. I sense this is at its peak, not likely to improve further, but grand and capable of aging several more years none-the-less.

At nineteen years, the fill level, label, foil and most importantly the cork were all still in pristine condition.  

Like before, the room filled with dark berry fruit aromatics as soon the cork was pulled. This was dark garnet colored, rich, full, concentrated, but nicely integrated and elegant black berry and black currant fruits with accents of cassis, mocha, floral and notes of spicy oak and hints of black cherry on a lingering fine-grained silky tannin finish.

What I did not expect was an extraordinary ‘bourbon barrel’ sprite in the wine that was a perfect complement to the tangy BBQ brisket and sauce. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=229261

In seeking to replenish this bottle with a more recent vintage of this wine, I looked in distribution and found none in Chicagoland, but got this response when searching national beverage superstore Total Wine - "We could not find this item at Pensacola, FL (our select store), But we found it at Denver, CO." We'll be reaching back to the producer directly, as well as looking in the secondary market. 

I’ve recently picked up a couple new labels of this producer on-line which I am holding and am eager to try - their ‘Eternity’ label and Three Stones Vineyard release.

A couple days later, we opened another vintage release of this label, for a mini vertical comparison tasting. 

Clark-Claudon Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

The 2001 vintage proved to be in that ‘Goldilock’s zone’, not too old to be past its prime drinking window, and not too young, such that it was now fully integrated and showed maturity from aging. 

Like the slightly younger release from a few days earlier, the label, wax capsule (caplet?) (in lieu of foil), fill level and the apparent cork seemed to be in pristine condition, albeit for the age, at twenty-four years. 

In light of the wax capsule or caplet, I set aside the also two pronged cork puller and attempted to extract the cork using a traditional waiter’s hinged cork screw. Alas, the cork pulled apart leaving the last quarter remnant in the neck of the bottle. I was able to extract the remains, intact using the Ahso. I should’ve known better and used the ahso from the start. 

The tasting profile was similar to the later vintage release, above, although the vibrant fruit and spice sprites were slightly subdued, giving way to some graphite, hints of smoke and leather tones, perhaps revealing vintage differences, as well as the additional four years of age. 

At twenty-one years, this was at the end of its optimal tasting window, and starting to decline going forward, hence time to drink in the near term of the next year or so.  

This release was rated 92 points by Wine Advocate, who compared it to “a great vintage of Chateau Margaux, tannic, backward, with a Bordeaux-like structure as well as a deep, rich, full-bodied personality.”

RM 90 points. 

https://go.cellartracker.com/wine/436561

https://www.clarkclaudon.com

@ClarkClaudon 

Earlier tasting posts ...   

http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2015/01/clark-claudon-howell-mountain-napa.html

http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2015/12/festive-holiday-dinner-showcases.html

http://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2016/05/clark-claudon-napa-valley-cabernet.html

https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2021/03/clark-claudon-napa-cabernet-2004.html

Hazy Blur Shiraz with Pizza

Hazy Blur South Australia Shiraz with Pizza

After a day of travel returning home from our Destin (FL) vacation rental, we ordered in Pizza from our favorite neighborhood pizzeria. We pulled from the cellar and opened a vintage aged big Aussie Shiraz as a ‘pizza wine’ accompaniment. 

HazyBlur Adelaide Plains South Australia Shiraz 2004

We’ve had a long history of exploration of the broad range of labels of this producer’s South Australia Shiraz including three times of this particular label. Their style is one we enjoy with big, full, round, fruit forward and concentrated fruits. 

I’ve featured this producer in more detail in earlier posts, that they derive their whimsical name from the mirage visual effects from the heat rising off the vineyards. 

Our records show we’ve tasted and posted notes of this particular label three times, all seventeen years ago, prior to or in the earliest days of this blogpost on this platform - December 23, 2008, January 7, 2008, April 4, 2008

Earlier posts of tasting notes of this label -

In December of 2009, I wrote - Dense and spicy, with a rich core of blueberry, plum and cherry fruit that rises through a layer of fine tannins to take over the finish. 91 Points

(2,270 Cellertracker views)

A year earlier in December of 2008 - I wrote: Fruit filled and forward - full flavored loganberry, cherry, graphite mineral core, then a subtle, full, rich raspberry. 89 Points

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Earlier that year in April of 2008 - I wrote: The Hazy Blur is fruit filled and forward with a full flavored loganberry, cherry, graphite mineral core, and a subtle, full, rich raspberry. 89 Points

Our records show numerous notations from our long history of exploration with the range of labels of South Austrailian Shiraz’ from this producer.

Hazyblur South Australia Kangaroo Island Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - December 4, 2010
HazyBlur Baroota Shiraz 2004 - May 18, 2006, December 31, 2007, December 31, 2009
HazyBlur Baroota Shiraz 2003 - Oct 16, 2006
HazyBlur Adelaide Plains South Australia Shiraz 2004 - December 23, 2008, January 7, 2008, April 4, 2008
HazyBlur Adelaide Plains South Australia Shiraz 2003 - April 20, 2005
HazyBlur Adelaide Plains South Australia Shiraz 2001 - January 20, 2009
HazyBlur South Australia Kangaroo Island Shiraz 2006 - July 17, 2010
HazyBlur South Australia Kangaroo Island Shiraz 2004 - February 14, 2007, December 31, 2009
HazyBlur McLaren Vale Shiraz 2004 - December 31, 2009

We still hold a half dozen labels from this producer, and, tonight, we opened the oldest vintage in our cellar as part of cellar inventory management, one from the 2004 vintage release.

HazyBlur Adelaide Plains South Australia Shiraz 2004 

At 20 years, the label, foil, and most importantly the fill level and cork, were still appropriate - the cork showing some signs of slight seepage, but still moist, soft and intact (as shown).

Tonight’s tasting was consistent with earlier notes. 

Dense and spicy, with a rich core of blueberry, plum and cherry fruit that rises through a layer of fine tannins to take over the finish.

RM 90 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=150188

Robert Craig Mt Veeder Cab with Tomahawk Ribeye

Robert Craig Mt Veeder Cab with Tomahawk Ribeye

Back home from our vacation getaway to Destin, FL, we enjoyed a grilled Tomahawk ribeye beefsteak and vintage premium Napa Cabernet for Sunday night dinner. 

This steak was one of many Linda acquired for a gala family celebration dinner recently. 

I pulled from the cellar this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the Mount Veeder estate winery of the late Robin Williams, comedian and actor. I selected this label after seeing the several vintages of the ultra-premium Tesseron Pym Rae on the Premium Limited and Rare wine list at Ravello Restaurant Montgomery the other night, each listed for $750. The Tesseron global beverage empire acquired the Robin Williams estate after his passing, rebranding the wines sourced from this historic vineyard. Previously, the grapes were sold to Robert Craig winery who bottled this single appellation Mt Veeder label for more than two decades. 

It should be noted, the Tesseron Pym Rae release is a single vineyard designated select bottling. Notably, we also hold in our cellar two other single vineyard designated select bottling from the Pym-Rae vineyard, one released by Pilcrow, the other by Marco DiGuilio, in addition to the Tesseron label. We’ll look forward to featuring these perhaps in a comparison tasting, in a future review posting. 

We visited the Robert Craig estate winery high atop Howell Mountain on several occasions, including the Robert Craig Howell Mountain Harvest Party '09. Robert Craig Napa Valley Cabernets are instantiated in at least six different labels including this vineyard designated select Mt Veeder, and are one of the largest producer holdings in our cellar collection.

The previous time we served this wine at one of our wine dinners, it was poignant tasting and reminiscing over this wine. We recalled tasting this wine with Robert Craig on numerous occasions and he recollecting this is his favorite of the vineyard selections. 

We talked of the recent end of the supplier relationship for this fruit source as the legendary Pym Rae Vineyard, previously owned by the late Robin Williams, was sold to a major French producer who acquired the sixteen hundred acre estate and plan to enter the Napa Valley marketplace. We recall Robert's reminiscences of Robin for whom he worked and managed the vineyards back in the nineties, (telling the story how Robin William’s early winery label Toad Hollow, was named such because at an early age, he mis-pronounced his older brother Todd’s name thusly.) 

I shared these stories with Ian O’Brian, the Matre’d at Ravello, as backgrounder info on the ultra-premium wines he was featuring on their wine list. 

Robert Craig Napa Valley Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

As I mentioned, Robert Craig Napa Valley Cabernets represent one of the largest holdings in our cellar. We hold variations of the portfolio dating back to the inaugural release in 1993. 

I pulled this label to commemorate the Mount Veeder estate. I selected this vintage as a ‘Goldilocks’ release, at twenty years of age, not too old, and not too young.

We still hold several bottles of this label release. I selected this particular bottle as it had the lowest fill level, however, at 21 years, it was acceptable, and the foil, label, and most importantly, the cork were still in pristine condition.

Tonight this bottle showed better than earlier tastings of this release as the fruits were more expressive and pronounced, earning an additional two points from my earlier reviews.

This release got 92 points from Connoisseur's Guide and Wine Enthusiast.

Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, nicely integrated and well balanced, bright vibrant black cherry, black currant and black raspberry fruits accented by notes of cassis, smokey oak, dark mocha and hints of cedar with moderate dusty tannins on the lingering finish.

RM 93 points.

This is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, & 2% Cabernet Franc.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=347353

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=857002

https://robertcraigwine.com/

@RobertCraigWine

Meatloaf, Sweet Potatoes and Andrew Will Two Blondes Red Blend

Meatloaf, Sweet Potatoes and Andrew Will Two Blondes Yakima Valley Red Blend

On our first night back home from family vacation, Linda prepared a delectable diner of meatloaf with roasted carrots, potatoes and sweet potatoes. I pulled from the cellar a perfect wine that proved to be a wonderful pairing that enhanced the enjoyment of the dinner as well as the wine. 

The blend of this label was exactly what I was seeking … nearly similar amounts of nicely balanced and integrated Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot and Cabernet Franc for a nicely balanced, complex wine. 

I have a mini vertical (multiple vintages of same label) of this label dating back two decades to 2003, that I have been holding for the chance to drink with fellow wine buddy and Pour Boy Bill C. This is based on fun with the label that bears the name of two of his sons, Andrew and Will, as well as of the producer. With Bill and Beth having moved away to Charleston, our wine escapades are vastly fewer. Having just returned from a wine weekend together - OTBN 2025 in Charleston, it was a fitting time to try this wine which proved to be a perfect pairing with the dinner. 

This is from Andrew Will Cellars winery located in Zillah Washington, just outside of Yakima which is named for the two sons of owner winemaker Chris Camarda. Following a successful career on Wall Street, Chris founded the winery, releasing his first vintage back in 1989. His focus was ‘the primacy of the vineyard over variety’. "I believe that an individual piece of property can form a signature—an identity—and it is that face that is the focus of my winemaking."

The first two vineyards used were Ciel du Cheval and Champoux, later to be supplemented with fruit from May’s Discovery and Two Blondes vineyards. 

After a decade of purchasing fruit from top vineyards in Washington State, Chris plant his own vineyard, Two Blondes, in 2000. This enabled him to not only control the varietals planted which are the Bordeaux varietals but also the clones. Clonal variety was particularly important to him as a winemaker. The 30 acre vineyard located in the Yakima Valley AVA was planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. The vineyard manager was and is Chris Hoon.

Andrew Will produce about 4500 cases of wine a year. In addition to blends they produce from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, they also produce some limited Sangiovese from fruit grown at Ciel du Cheval. 

In the early years they produced varietal bottlings but in 2003 they took a vow “to make as fine a wine as we could through blending the most important varieties we grow in Washington”. 

Our holdings of this producer all date back to and from that 2003 vintage, all acquired at auction. 

Chris was named as one of the 50 most influential winemakers in the world, he has been an innovative leading producer of Washington State wines and became known for single vineyard blends.

The Two Blondes Vineyards is named for Chris Camarda’s late wife, Annie, who was a 6’2” blonde, and their partner in the vineyard, Bill Fleckenstein’s wife, Melody, who is also blonde.

Camarda selected the 30 acre site because of the excellent grape soil and climate. Two Blondes is not threatened by freezes as well as being just cool enough to insure a modulated ripening process even in warm years. The site has none of the draw backs they see in some areas of the state that can alternate between devastating freezes and heat in excess of 100 degrees.. 

Andrew Will Cellars Two Blondes Vineyards Washington State Yakima Valley Red Wine 2004

This Bordeaux Blend is a single vineyard designated label sourced from their estate vineyard. This release was a blend of 44% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Merlot. Later releases of this label (2018) were aged 35% new French oak for 22 months with just under 7,000 bottles produced.

At twenty years of age, I was concerned this might be past its primacy but this was absolutely delicious, exceeding our expectations, clearly at the apex of its drinking window, not likely to improve any further with aging. This was a Goldilocks wine, appealing to Linda who prefers younger more expressive wines, and me who enjoys those with more complexity and maturity. 

The label, foil, and most importantly, the fill level and cork were still in ideal condition. 

Dark garnet colored, medium bodied, nicely balanced, silky smooth and polished, seductive integrated and balanced with ripe black and blue fruits with notes of sweet mocha, anise, spices, hints of lavender and tobacco leaf, with long lingering finish. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?290399

https://www.andrewwill.com/

https://twitter.com/andrewwill

Father son Constant and Darioush tasting

Following the afternoon into evening family gathering celebrating Christmas, the grandkids were taken home to be put to bed, sons Ryan and Alec stayed over for an end of evening wine tasting. 

We raided the cellar and the boys pulled two aged premium Napa Cabernets - Darioush and Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyards. 

Darioush “Signature” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

Darioush was founded by Iranian-born entrepreneur Darioush Khaledi and his wife Shahpar who emigrated to the U.S. in 1976. Darioush Khaledi was born and raised in Iran, where his father made wine as a hobby.

He immigrated to the United States in the 1970s, and founded a successful grocery store chain called KV Mart. On their 20th wedding anniversary, they visited Napa Valley where they tried California wines for the first time, and decided to buy land and start a winery.

Their search for property ended in Napa’s southern valley in Altamura Winery’s old property in 1997 where Darioush and Steve Devitt chose to produce Bordeaux-styled wines in the cooler microclimates of Mount Veeder and Oak Knoll. 

Darioush makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir and a dessert wine.

We visited the winery during our Napa Valley Wine Experience in 2003 winery visit and cellar tasting with winemaker Steve McDevitt. Their fabulous winery and tasting facility on Silverado Trail in southern Napa Valley was not yet open but was well under construction at that time. Tonight's wine selection was from the case we purchased during that visit. We then visited the newly opened winery during our Pour Boys’ Napa Valley Wine Experience in 2017, as featured in this blogpost - Darioush Napa Valley Estate Winery Visit & Tasting. It has become a "destination winery" in Napa for its dramatic Persian monumental architecture. The 22,000 square foot estate winery is both ostentatious and majestic.

During that recent 'Pour Boys' Sonoma/NapaValley Wine Experience when we visited several longstanding favorite producers including Darioush. This was fitting since we first discovered and tasted Darioush at Cress Creek Country Club (Naperville, IL)  with Bill and Beth C on our first wine event together more than a decade ago. 

And, Dr Dan was our guest at a special Darioush wine dinner at Everest in Chicago, shortly after our winery visit. The gala Darioush - Domaine de Chevalier Gala Winemaker dinner at Everest Restaurant in Chicago in the summer of 2004 was a fabulous private dinner hosted by Darius & Shaptar Kaledi of Darioush Winery and Bernard Laborie of Domaine de Chevalier celebrating their collaboration with Olivier Bernard and Domaine de Chevalier in Pesaac Leognan Bordeaux. Chef Joho prepared a special dinner featuring and complementing their wines poured by winemaker Steve McDevitt.


I mention this since we saw Bernard at the UGCB grand tasting of the 2010 Bordeaux release in Chicago this week and we reminisced about that evening. See my UGCB blogpost of that evening. There’s a parallel here as Bernard has turned over some of the management of Domaine de Chevalier to his son, a contemporary of son Ryan. The boys met at that UGCB grand tasting.

Darioush "Signature" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 

This remains a blockbuster wine, living up to the tone set by the large oversize, almost magnum size bottle packaging.

At twenty-four years, the label, foil and most importantly, the fill level and cork were ideal. This was still at the apex of its drinking window, showing no diminution from aging whatsoever, and showing prospect to age gracefully for several more years to come. 

This is blended from grapes grown on Mt. Veeder, Atlas Peak and the Napa Valley. It is a blend of Bordeaux varietals, 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It was aged in 100% French oak barrels,

This release was rated 94 points by Wine Enthusiast in 2003. 

Winemaker Notes - “This intense Cabernet is from the Mt. Veeder appellation high above the Napa Valley floor. This mountain site, together with the 2000 vintage, which was characterized by a mild summer with cool evening temperatures, resulted in a wine of elegance and restraint. 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, aged in 100% French oak barrels, and bottled without filtration and with minimal handling, this is a pure example of terroir. Impressive with layered blackberry and cassis fruit and a long, explosive.”

Dark inky color, full bodied, complex and concentrated yet elegant, smooth and polished, layers of black currant, blackberry, plum, black cherry fruits with a layer of spicy cinnamon oak with tones of black tea, anise, tobacco leaf and dark chocolate and a hint of tar, with velvety smooth tannins with a long lush finish, 

RM 93 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=551751   

http://www.darioush.com/

Constant "Diamond Mountain Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

I featured our visit to the Constant Diamond Mountain Estate Vineyards and Winery in a more detailed blogpost back in 2011 and this wine in a 2020 blogpost - Diamond Mountain Wine Experience - Constant Vineyards & Winery, excerpted here.

Diamond Mountain Wine Experience - Constant Vineyards & Winery

Our visit to Diamond Mountain reached the 'summit' with a visit to Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard and winery at the top of the mountain, sitting at over 2100 feet elevation. It also is among the oldest wineries in the valley with history dating back to the late 1800's.

Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard was founded by Freddy and Mary Constant who established Diamond Mountain Vineyard in 1993 when they bought a dilapidated but historic farmhouse high on Diamond Mountain. 

At 2121 feet above sea level, it may be the highest, or certainly one of the highest, vineyards in the region where the cool Pacific breezes reach all the way through the Petaluma Gap. The couple had backgrounds as radio station entrepreneurs but set upon their plan on Diamond Mountain was to grow and sell grapes to winemakers. However with the 1995 vintage they started producing small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon under their own label. When Wine Spectator wrote in 1999 that Constant was “a new can’t miss Cabernet…this vineyard is able to produce stunning wines on a consistent basis.” they set about to Constant produces very small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Claret and Syrah from estate vineyards. 

I wrote about in these pages about our visit to the Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard and this Napa Cabernet 2004 in detail back in 2020, excerpted here. 

Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

With the late Freddie Constant at the Constant
Diamond Mountain estate

We discovered and acquired this wine when we visited the spectacular picturesque Constant Vineyards estate high atop Diamond Mountain during our Diamond Mountain Appellation Napa Valley Wine Experience in 2011.

We still hold close to a case of Constant wines and tonight we were rewarded for being patient as this wine has developed very nicely. 

Our tasting and visit back then were hosted by proprietor Freddie Constant, founder and proprietor. Sadly, Freddie passed away in 2014. All of our group that were there remember him fondly and toast him each time we drink his wine. 

The Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard sits at the peak of Diamond Mountain on the Mayacamas Range separating Napa Valley to the east and Sonoma Valley to the west and is one of the area’s highest, oldest, and smallest wineries in the region. At 2121 feet above sea level, it may be the highest, or certainly one of the highest, vineyards in the region. 

Constant Diamond Mountain Estate Vineyards

The Diamond Mountain District appellation, one of the smaller Napa wine districts, sits just south of and above the town of Calistoga in the northwest corner of Napa Valley.

The unique terroir and micro-climate at the very top of Diamond Mountain provides grapes with optimal sun exposure and elongated ripening periods, The sun drenched slopes with their rocky terrain and volcanic soil produce rich concentrated Bordeaux varietal fruit.

Today the area is home to some of the most notable and prestigious labels including the namesake label Diamond Mountain vineyards. Our afternoon on the mountaintop retreat was one of the more memorable settings from our many Napa Valley trips. 

The mountaintop land that would become Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard was first settled in 1895 by Andras Rasmussen, a Danish immigrant. After working in the wine industry for 15 years at Talcoa Vineyard (now Hudson Vineyard in Carneros), at Summit Vineyard and Winery, and studying viticulture at UC Davis – Rasmussen purchased 120 forested acres atop Diamond Mountain, cleared about 30 acres himself, and planted the first grapevines at the summit.

The vines were abandoned in the 1920s and 1930s due to Prohibition.

Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard was established by Freddy and Mary Constant in 1993 when they bought a dilapidated but historic farmhouse and set upon reestablishing the vineyards which by then were overgrown and wild.

The couple had backgrounds as radio station entrepreneurs but their plan on Diamond Mountain was to grow and sell grapes to winemakers. They believed they had a unique and spectacular plot of land capable of producing premium fruit and soon they were growing grapes for several of the best winemakers in the area.

The started producing small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon but their first vintage in 1993 was not to their standards and it was never released.  They released their first vintage in 1995 under the Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard label. They proceeded to build a winery on the estate producing their wine under the Constant label and brand. In 1999 Wine Spectator wrote that Constant was “a new can’t miss Cabernet, this vineyard is able to produce stunning wines on a consistent basis.” The original winemaker was the notable Philippe Melka. With the 2009 vintage, Paul Hobbs took over as consulting winemaker.

Notably, we collect Philippe Melka wines to this day an featured his label at a recent business dinner.  

Freddie and Mary hired renowned architect Howard Backen who built a stunning house along with a tasting room hospitality center overlooking the valley floor with a full view of Mount St. Helena.

Freddy Constant died in 2014. In 2016, Aries Liu and Sai You became the property’s caretakers with the continued commitment to producing some of Napa Valley’s best Bordeaux varietals.

Constant Diamond Mountain Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 

Back in 2020 I wrote, I believe this is the best, most memorable Constant Cabernet I have had and may be, at sixteen years of age, at the apex of its drinking profile and window. This remains the case four years later, here on the eve of 2025.

The blend includes small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. 

It was awarded 92 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate in 2014. Wine Enthusiast gave it 88 points. 

 

Deep garnet purple color, medium-full bodied, delicious concentrated but smooth and elegant and nicely balanced ripe blackberry and black raspberry fruits with hints of black currant, notes of cassis, spice, oak and graphite with rich silky refined tannins on a lingering finish.

RM 92 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=437961

https://www.constantwine.com/