Zinfandel and Assorted White Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner

Zinfandel and Assorted White Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner - Hearty Zinfandel America's Varietal for the American Holiday

We hosted Thanksgiving dinner for seventeen members of the extended family. Ryan brought a flight of white wines and I pulled a couple of hearty Zinfandels - America's Varietal for the American Holiday. I selected three zins from three classic Zinfandel producers - Lamborn, Ridge and Biale.

The whites are profiled below .. . here are the Reds ... 

In the evening, Jared G stopped by and we opened some special wines to cap off the holiday. 

Andy, Jan & Bill and Linda with Mike and Terry Lamborn

Lamborn Family Vineyards is a small boutique family operation focusing on distinctive terroir handcrafted Estate Cabernets and Zinfandel from their vineyards high up Howell Mountain. We visited the wonderful and hospitable Mike and Terry Lamborn (shown right) at their estate high atop Howell Mountain during our Napa Valley Howell Mountain Wine Experience 2008.

Lamborn have the legendary wine maker Heidi Barrett to craft their wines. She joined Lamborn  in 1996, while Terry and Mike, and now his sons, focus on the business and tending their 4 acre Zinfandel and 4 acre Cabernet vineyards. Lamborn is unique in being the first to have Heidi craft Zinfandel varietal wines for them.

Lamborn Family Vineyards Zinfandel The Team Connection 1997

This may be the first Zinfandel to be crafted by Heidi Barrett. We've enjoyed more than a half dozen vintages of Lamborn Zinfandels and hold as many of their spectacular Cabernets.

We found this 1997 Zin languishing in the cellar. At nineteen years of age, it was time to drink as it is reaching the end of its drinking window.

The rich dark concentrated Howell Mtn fruit has given way to non-fruit flavors as the ripe brambly black cherry and black raspberry fruits have been overtaken by black pepper, spice and tones of creosote and hints of licorice predominating.

RM 87 points.

 https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=25065

https://www.lamborn.com/ 

Ridge Lytton Springs 2011

Ridge are a tale of two cities, or counties ... they actually produce two dozen labels including many vineyard designated wines from no less than a dozen vineyards. They have the historic Ridge Monte Bello Estate high above Cuperino and Silicon Valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where they produce the legendary Monte Bello Cabernet blend. And they have the Lytton Springs site up in Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley where they produce a range of two dozen varietal wines. But Ridge are most notably known for their range of vineyard designated select Zinfandels.

Since 1972, Ridge have produced this Lytton Springs label from vines planted back at the turn of the last century, blended with fruit from vines from the early 1990s. The vineyard is planted to zinfandel and its principal complementary varietals. This Lytton Springs Zinfandel blend continually receives high marks and accolades and is a must have for every cellar to have around for BBQ, and in this case, Thanksgiving turkey dinner.

This is actually a blend of  82% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, and 2% Carignane.

This is full bodied, dark garnet with brambly black raspberry, black cherry and currant fruits accented by tones of cassis, black olive and hints of toasted oak and graphite with gripping acidity and well coated tannins on the finish. The non-fruit flavors tend to detract from this on the finish.

RM 89 points. 

This was rated 93 and 91 by leading reviewers, who cited it may need a few more years to settle and come together. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1588534

https://www.ridgewine.com/

I pulled two vintages of the Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel to compare but with the white wine focused crowd we put them away for another day.  
 

Thanksgiving whites ....

Ryan brought this flight of assorted white wines for our Thanksgiving dinner feast, several light easy casual sipping whites in different styles, a sparkler, a dry and a sweet Riesling.

Segura Viudas Cava Brut NV

There is always room for bubbly - especially preceding a big meal. Sparkling wine is produced around the world in all major wine growing regions. Of course, only Champagne region in France produces true Champagne. Other areas simply produce sparkling wine, some in the Methode Champagnaise style and process methode, such as this one from Spain.

True Champagne is a blend of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay grape varietals. This is a blend of Spanish varietals Macabeo-Xarel-lo-Parellada.

Served from a magnum.

Light straw colored, light medium bodied, tangy crisp clean tones of grapefruit citrus and hints of lemon with green apple and toast with tangy short slightly acidic finish.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/notes.asp?iWine=1688853


Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Dry Riesling 2015

Brian brought two Rieslings, one in a sweet style and this dry one from New Zealand.

Light straw colored, light bodied, crisp clean slightly tart subdued hints of grapefruit citrus, quince and whisper of lime with chalky minerality.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2304771










Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb

This German white wine is from the Mosel Ruwer Saar river valley. German Riesling wines are selectively and specifically labeled according to their style - from dry to sweet - Kabinet, Riesling, Spatlese and Auslese. Spat is the German word for 'late', as in late picking of the grapes, hence 'spatlese' or late lying on the wines, wherein they'll pick up more residual ripeness or sweetness, hence sweeter style of wine.

We toured the Mosel Ruwer Saar River Valley during our wine country trip there back in the mid-eighties.

Straw colored, medium bodied, light grapefruit citrus highlights the thick slightly tart pear and subtle peach tones with a layer of wet stone, the acidity is a slight bit soapy that takes away from its crisp clarity.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2429972

Zinfandel Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner

Zinfandel Wines for Thanksgiving Dinner - Hearty Zinfandel America's Varietal for the American Holiday

We hosted Thanksgiving dinner for seventeen members of the extended family. Ryan brought a flight of white wines and I pulled a couple of hearty Zinfandels - America's Varietal for the American Holiday. I selected three zins from three classic Zinfandel producers - Lamborn, Ridge and Biale.

The whites are profiled below .. . here are the Reds ... 

In the evening, Jared G stopped by and we opened some special wines to cap off the holiday. 

Andy, Jan & Bill and Linda with Mike and Terry Lamborn

Lamborn Family Vineyards is a small boutique family operation focusing on distinctive terroir handcrafted Estate Cabernets and Zinfandel from their vineyards high up Howell Mountain. We visited the wonderful and hospitable Mike and Terry Lamborn (shown right) at their estate high atop Howell Mountain during our Napa Valley Howell Mountain Wine Experience 2008.

Lamborn have the legendary wine maker Heidi Barrett to craft their wines. She joined Lamborn  in 1996, while Terry and Mike, and now his sons, focus on the business and tending their 4 acre Zinfandel and 4 acre Cabernet vineyards. Lamborn is unique in being the first to have Heidi craft Zinfandel varietal wines for them.

Lamborn Family Vineyards Zinfandel The Team Connection 1997

This may be the first Zinfandel to be crafted by Heidi Barrett. We've enjoyed more than a half dozen vintages of Lamborn Zinfandels and hold as many of their spectacular Cabernets.

We found this 1997 Zin languishing in the cellar. At nineteen years of age, it was time to drink as it is reaching the end of its drinking window.

The rich dark concentrated Howell Mtn fruit has given way to non-fruit flavors as the ripe brambly black cherry and black raspberry fruits have been overtaken by black pepper, spice and tones of creosote and hints of licorice predominating.

RM 87 points.

 https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=25065

https://www.lamborn.com/ 

Ridge Lytton Springs 2011

Ridge are a tale of two cities, or counties ... they actually produce two dozen labels including many vineyard designated wines from no less than a dozen vineyards. They have the historic Ridge Monte Bello Estate high above Cuperino and Silicon Valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where they produce the legendary Monte Bello Cabernet blend. And they have the Lytton Springs site up in Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley where they produce a range of two dozen varietal wines. But Ridge are most notably known for their range of vineyard designated select Zinfandels.

Since 1972, Ridge have produced this Lytton Springs label from vines planted back at the turn of the last century, blended with fruit from vines from the early 1990s. The vineyard is planted to zinfandel and its principal complementary varietals. This Lytton Springs Zinfandel blend continually receives high marks and accolades and is a must have for every cellar to have around for BBQ, and in this case, Thanksgiving turkey dinner.

This is actually a blend of  82% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, and 2% Carignane.

This is full bodied, dark garnet with brambly black raspberry, black cherry and currant fruits accented by tones of cassis, black olive and hints of toasted oak and graphite with gripping acidity and well coated tannins on the finish. The non-fruit flavors tend to detract from this on the finish.

RM 89 points. 

This was rated 93 and 91 by leading reviewers, who cited it may need a few more years to settle and come together. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1588534

https://www.ridgewine.com/

I pulled two vintages of the Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel to compare but with the white wine focused crowd we put them away for another day.  
 

Thanksgiving whites ....

Ryan brought this flight of assorted white wines for our Thanksgiving dinner feast, several light easy casual sipping whites in different styles, a sparkler, a dry and a sweet Riesling.

Segura Viudas Cava Brut NV

There is always room for bubbly - especially preceding a big meal. Sparkling wine is produced around the world in all major wine growing regions. Of course, only Champagne region in France produces true Champagne. Other areas simply produce sparkling wine, some in the Methode Champagnaise style and process methode, such as this one from Spain.

True Champagne is a blend of Pinot Noir or Chardonnay grape varietals. This is a blend of Spanish varietals Macabeo-Xarel-lo-Parellada.

Served from a magnum.

Light straw colored, light medium bodied, tangy crisp clean tones of grapefruit citrus and hints of lemon with green apple and toast with tangy short slightly acidic finish.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/notes.asp?iWine=1688853


Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Dry Riesling 2015

Brian brought two Rieslings, one in a sweet style and this dry one from New Zealand.

Light straw colored, light bodied, crisp clean slightly tart subdued hints of grapefruit citrus, quince and whisper of lime with chalky minerality.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2304771










Hofgut Falkenstein Niedermenniger Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese feinherb

This German white wine is from the Mosel Ruer Saar river valley. German Riesling wines are selectively and specifically labeled according to their style - from dry to sweet - Kabinet, Riesling, Spatlese and Auslese. Spat is the German word for 'late', as in late picking of the grapes, hence 'spatlese' or late lying on the wines, wherein they'll pick up more residual ripeness or sweetness, hence sweeter style of wine.

We toured the Mosel Ruuer Saar River Valley during our wine country trip there back in the mid-eighties.

Straw colored, medium bodied, light grapefruit citrus highlights the thick slightly tart pear and subtle peach tones with a layer of wet stone, the acidity is a slight bit soapy that takes away from its crisp clarity.

RM 88 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2429972

Mouton, Dominus, Insignia Highlight Big Red Wine Dinner

Mouton, Dominus, Insignia Highlight Beef Tenderloin Big Red Wine Dinner

A 'pour boys' wine dinner was held with wine buddies Dr Dan and Bill C, when Bill and Beth were back in town to celebrate son Drew's baby's christening. We hosted a wine dinner that featured a line-up of ultra-premium classic reds. Highlights of the wine flight included Mouton Rothschild, Joseph Phelps Insignia and Dominus.

I pulled from the cellar 1984 vintage Mouton Rothschild to commemorate Drew's birthyear and paired it with a near year 1986 vintage Dominus. Dr Dan brought a Dominus 2006 and a Phelps Insignia 2007 to punctuate the dinner flight. Bill brought a Constant Cabernet Franc 2007 and a Camiana Howell Mountain Cabernet.  Son Ryan attended and brought a Chateau Calon Segur 1995.

For the opening we served shrimp cocktail and a cheese flight of artisan cheeses with two whites, Lanson Champagne and Ken Wright Chardonnay. To transition to the red flight we served a unique Mollydooker Goose Bumps Sparkling Shiraz.

The ensuing red flight accompanied dinner. Beth brought a dinner salad and Linda prepared her notable spectacular beef tenderloin (shown left) with scalloped potatoes and a medley of grilled vegetables.

For dessert, Linda served a trio of petit fours with mixed fresh berries with which I poured Kracher Scheerube Trockeberrean Auslese (TBA).

If the wine flight looks ambitious, it should be noted that Bill and Beth's sons Will and Matt also joined in the tasting, and Ryan's friend CJ dropped in and joined in during the evening as well. 

The wine flight ....

Pre dinner -
Lanson Champagne NV
Ken Wright Cellars Chardonnay 2009
Mollydooker Goose Bumps Sparkling Shiraz 2006 

Dinner course -
Altamura Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Calon Segur 1995
Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1984
Dominus Estate 1986
Dominus Estate 2006  
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2007 
Calera Ryan Vineyard Mt Harlan Pinot Noir 2013.
Camiana Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Constant Diamond Mountain Winery Diamond Mountain District Estate Cabernet Franc 2007

After dinner - dessert / cheese course -
Alois Kracher TBA #12 Zwischen den Seener Scherube 1998 

For brevity, I won't repeat previously featured wines that are featured elsewhere in this blog, but rather will link to those reviews.

Lanson Champagne Brut Rosé Rose Label NV Champagne Blend

We served this label just last weekend at a family dinner. That post is linked here. 

Ken Wright Cellars Washington/Oregon Chardonnay 2009

I discovered Ken Wright Cellars' wines when I traveled to Seattle during a two year engagement there back around the millenium. Since 1994, he primarily has been producing terroir driven vineyard designated Pinot Noirs sourced from more than a dozen different vineyards released under almost as many labels. Ken Wright Pinot Noirs are from nearly a dozen highly regarded sites including Del Rio Vineyard in the Rogue Valley, Ciel du Cheval in Washington's Red Mountain district, and Seven Hills Vineyard in Walla Walla. The Ciel du Cheval vineyard is the prime site for Force Majeure wines, a featured producer of a recent producer tasting posting.

Ken Wright has distinctive branding of its family of vineyard designated Pinot Noirs, with the bottle labels featuring original artwork depicting caricatures or art drawings associated with the history, legend, geography or nature associated with that particular site.

Some Ken Wright vineyard artwork labels are shown here (right).

He also produces a small amount of Chardonnay sourced from a primary vineyard in Washington and this label, a blend sourced from sites in Washington (73%) and Oregon (27%). In recent vintages he has only produced a limited production of two white wines, a pinot blanc and Chardonnay from Celilo Vineyard near White Salmon, Washington.

This was light honey/straw colored, medium body with tones of stone fruits, hint of almond, apricot, ginger or almost a whisper of cognac on the slightly sweet finish.

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1043077

http://www.kenwrightcellars.com/

Mollydooker Goose Bumps Sparkling Shiraz 2006

I often remark in these pages about the Australian sense of humour. This wine defies logic and even description  ... what were they thinking when they produced this? To say this is unique is an understatement. At fifty dollars a bottle, one can get a nice and authentic French Champagne. I don't think their (Champagne's) franchise is in jeopardy with this offering.

Dark purple color, medium full bodied, dark brooding black and blue fruits accented by spice, tones of cassis, pepper and hints of bitter dark chocolate. The bubbly was very subdued leaving us to wonder if this bottle had been compromised and lost some of its fizz. I think so but I vaguely remember our last bottle of this we had a Christmas a while back.

RM 85 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1163061

https://mollydookerwines.com/

The red wine flight ...

Altamura Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

We've had this in the cellar for more than a decade waiting to be unveiled. It could've been held for another decade. A classic Napa Cabernet in every sense, it seems to be at its apex now, not likely to improve with further aging, but showing no signs diminution whatsoever.

In 2009 Wine Spectator wrote "The 1999 California Cabernet vintage was a great success when it was released, delivering many of that decade's best wines. Now 10 years old, the top Cabernets of that harvest have, for the most part, aged the way wine lovers who cellared them hoped they would; time has worked to their advantage."

Founded in 1985 by Frank and Karen Altamura on 400 acres that have been in the family since 1855,  Altamura was the first winery located in the Wooden Valley about nine miles northeast of the town of Napa. Wooden Valley is bordered by the Vaca Range to the east and "Napa Mountain" to the west. Altamura vineyards lie in the southeastern hillsides of Napa Valley at elevations of 700 to 1000 feet. 

The area produces rich concentrated fruit that has been used in well-known labels including Caymus, Groth, Pahlmeyer, Stags Leap and Mondavi. Frank started his winemaking career at Sterling in 1976, then on to Trefethen in 1979, then Frank worked at Caymus with Chuck Wagner and Randy Dunn before setting out on his own.

Altamura said at the time that this was one of the most intense wines they had produced. Dark garnet colored, medium to bodied, concentrated forward bright vibrant expressive sweet black raspberry, black currant and sweet blueberry fruits with tones of mocha, spicy oak and cinnamon, with hints of leather and cigar box with long chewy tongue coated finish of silky smooth soft tannins.

RM 92 points.

A comment from fellow Cellartracker UNIONST from Montclair .. "wine spectator just did a blind retrospective tasting of napa valley cabernets from the 1999 vintage. this wine tied for first, beating out heavy hitters like insignia, bryant family, bond melbury and vecina, spottswoode, viader, silver oak alexander valley and napa valley, harlan, colgin herb lamb vineyard, cakebread, etc."

https://www.cellartracker.com/notes.asp?iWine=144753

http://www.altamura.com/

Chateau Calon Segur St Estephe 1995

Chateau Calon-Ségur Grand Cru Classe St. Estephe Bordeaux 1995 

Robert Parker says this is one of the great sleepers of the vintage.

Dark ruby/purple colored, medium-full bodied, classic Bordeaux with earthy, leathery black berry and black raspberry fruits accented tones of cassis, cedar and hints of black olive and mocha with a long smooth floral finish

RM 92 points. 

97 points James Suckling; 95 points Wine Spectator'; 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate; 91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar







Château Mouton Rothschild 1984

Considering the lackluster poor 1984 vintage in Bordeaux, this is remarkably holding its own after 32 years and not only still has life left but showed quite well and was impressive drinking. I should've known it would still be holding up but couldn't be sure. Glad I pulled it out to try but wish I had more. Such a classic wine, I remember purchasing it even though  its been almost three decades, and I remember drinking the other bottles back at the time. This is our last bottle of this vintage. 

Slightly opaque, dark garnet colored, medium bodied, nicely balanced, classic Bordeaux characteristics of dark berry, plum and black cherry fruits, tones of floral, earthy leather with cigar box and tobacco. leaf with light mouthfeel, silky smooth polished tannins on a moderate subdued pleasant finish.

RM 93 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=11506


 Dominus Estate Red Wine 1986

Like the Mouton Rothschild, Dominus is one of the world's great classic Bordeaux varietal wines.

It is the work of legendary Christian Moueix, son of Jean-Pierre Moueix, the famed wine merchant and French producer of classic Bordeaux wines including Chateaux Petrus, La Fleur-Petrus, Trotanoy in Pomerol and Magdelaine in Saint Emilion.

Christian Moueix discovered Napa Valley and is wines in the late 1960s, while attending the University of California in nearby Davis. In 1981, he discovered the historic Napanook vineyard near Yountville that had been the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1982,  he entered into a partnership to develop the vineyard and, in 1995, became its sole owner. He named the Estate and wine ‘Dominus’ or’ Lord of the Estate’ in Latin, to underscore his commitment to stewardship of the land. 

I remember the anticipation of tasting this wine when I purchased a case of the 1986 vintage upon release back at the time. Friends and family have often heard me tell this story .... I tasted a bottle from the case every couple of years with similar results ... 'interesting, complex, tightly wound, closed and uninspiring, is that all there is to this wine?' Then after about twenty years, I tasted another bottle and exclaimed, "Ahah, THIS is what this wine is supposed to taste like!"

Impatience was/will be punished, and patience will be rewarded, for those that had/have the resolve to put this wine aside and let it age gracefully to develop, finally settle, and open to reveal its true character and potential. But by then, when it finally presented its potential, I only had a couple bottles left. This is one of those remaining bottles, which at age 30 is better than ever, now revealing its full potential and true character.

The 1986 Dominus Estate was the fourth vintage produced by the John Daniel Society. The grapes were grown solely at the Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, along Hwy 29 in southwest Napa Valley. This vintage was the first of the “second series” of Dominus Estate with the 1986 through 1988 vintages using Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the blend. - the '86 release being 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Merlot.

Those early vintages had distinctive branding of a label art series with each vintage label having a portrait of producer Christian Moueix by well-known American artist Jim Dine. This series ended in 1991 with subsequent labels all being the simple plain design, up until the most recent release in 2013, returning to this tradition with a portrait of Moueix returning.

The 1986 Dominus Estate has a dark garnet/ruby color, medium bodied, an aromatic floral nose, this wine shows elegance, finesse and excellent balance, a complex symphony of red and black fruits with layers of mineral, earthy leather, spice, truffle, hints of cassis and tobacco turning to a smooth, polished long finish with pleasant acidity.

RM 93 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1424

http://www.dominusestate.com/

Dominus Estate 2006 

Perhaps the Dominus 2006 reflects a change in style to produce wines that are more approachable at an early age, a popular trend to market wines favored by a larger audience. Or, the 2006 reflects the outstanding vintage with all the elements of terroir coming together. Dominus says, 'the 2006 epitomizes the best qualities of Cabernet Sauvignon in a top terroir of Napa Valley. At first, the wine displays tremendous power. Then, it surprises by the purity of the fruit and the lingering finesse. It clearly possesses a fantastic aptitude for aging.'

“When I drank Dominus 2006 in Europe recently, it confirmed what is for me the best definition of a great wine,” Christian Moueix declared. “This wine travels well. Dare I say that the 2006 vintage is our best so far.”

This release is incredible - a huge powerful forward wine that explodes out of the glass - rich concentrated, complex, a massive wine. Dark garnet/ruby colored, full bodied, brooding chewy mouthfeel that coats the tongue, ripe forward black berry fruits punctuated by a layer of chocolate, coffee beans, truffles and cigar box, turning to big chewy firm tannins that are tamed by being well integrated. This is a huge wine that begs for cheese, chocolates, beef and more - not for the feint of heart. Incredible, indeed.

The 2006 blend is comprised of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. No Merlot was used in the blend this year.

RM 96 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=528169

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2007  

Son Ryan said this morning, the morning after, its a pity to try so many spectacular wines all at once, they overshadow each other. Better to have one to enjoy it. Oh well. 

This is another incredible classic wine. This should serve as a benchmark for excellence, against which other wines will be compared. Its as near perfect as it can be. I remember doing the  cult  wine flight out in Napa several years ago and this is what it was like.

This is another Bordeaux blend that provides complexity and sophistication but punctuated by Napa Valley big bold forward concentrated fruits. 

This is elegance personified, silky smooth, polished, sexy, sensuous, the words can't do justice to this wine. Delicious. Memorable. Put some away to revisit again, and again and again. 

The blend of the '07 Insignia is Cabernet Sauvignon 88%, Merlot 8%, and Petit Verdot 4%.

RM 98 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/notes.asp?iWine=674245

Calera Ryan Vineyard Mt Harlan Pinot Noir 2013. 

As I wrote in these pages last week, this may be the best release of this label I have tasted, being by far the most vibrant and expressive forward fruits I can remember. 

Citing the metaphor of taking a knife to a gunfight, this Pinot Noir is no match for the bigger, more forward, firmer and tighter Cabernet Sauvignon based wines. Relatively speaking, it is big for a Pinot, but lighter and smaller than these Bordeaux varietal wines featured tonight.

This is not a wimpy wine but powerful, as Pinots go, yet smooth and polished, a symphony of concentrated dark berry fruit flavors with layers of black raspberry, black cherry, hints of cranberry, graphite and tones of tobacco leaf, spices of thyme, bay leaf and floral violets with a long lingering tightly wound fine grained tannins on the finish.

RM 92 points

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Vinous both gave this 95 points Vinous; Wine Enthusiast gave it 92 points and a Cellar Selection

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2041534

http://www.calerawine.com/

Constant Diamond Mountain Winery Diamond Mountain District Estate Cabernet Franc 2007

Our visit with Bill and Beth to the Constant Vineyards estate high atop Diamond Mountain was one of the highlights of our Diamond Mountain Appellation Napa Valley Wine Experience in 2011.

This was a great punctuation mark on the Bordeaux varietal wines as Cabernet Franc is used in the blend to add spice and highlights to the Cabernet and Merlot varietals.

This was bright dark ruby/purple colored, medium to full bodied, this was bright vibrant full forward black berry and currant fruit with a bold punch of sweet almost cinnamon spice accented by tones of mocha chocolate, soft sweet oak with dusty lush pleasing tongue coating lingering tannins.

RM 93 points. 

Bill's notes from Cellartacker - "Deep purple color. Light nose of fig and light floral aromas belie a wonderfully flavored Cab Franc. Opens with a bit of sweetness on the front palate, cocoa on the mid palate, silky tannins and a long lingering finish highlighted by cassis and a touch of oak. A wonderful accompaniment to smoky, bacon infused chowder and prosciutto wrapped, stuffed chicken breast in a sweet and spicy pepper sauce.

WCC 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=694548

http://www.constantwine.com/



Camiana Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Bill also brought this from his cellar. The wine is full bodied and dark inky purple color, the nose is perfumed with violets, cedar box and dusty earth, The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon flavors are complex, tight and dry, with big firm tannins masking the intense concentrated black berry and black cherry fruit accented with tobacco, hints of cassis and sweet oak.

RM 92 points. 

This wine is great now but should be laid down for five to 10 years.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1268057






.
For the dessert course ...

Alois Kracher TBA #12 Zwischen den Seener Scherube 1998 

Amazingly, the drinking window for this wine on Cellartracker is 2009 - 2027!

Brownish orange tea colored, full bodied, thick chewy, rich unctuous, concentrated sweet honey, smoky almonds, lychee, sweet ripe caramel apple, apricot, pear and balanced citrus acidity, the lychee, caramel/vanilla, orange blossom finish goes on and on.

RM 93 points. 

At 356 g/L of residual sugar, this has over three times the sweetness level of Coca-Cola but its fruit nectar essence makes for sensuous pleasant sipping.
 
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=40335

Calera Mt Harlan Ryan Vineyard Pinot 2013

Calera Vineyards Mt Harlan Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

The Calera story was chronicled in the book, "The Heart Break Grape" back in the early nineties, about the challenges and turmoils of growing the finicky grape varietal Pinot Noir. Producer Josh Jensen pioneered growing Pinot in the 'new world' starting with his search of the perfect place to grow his grapes. During college he took time off to work in the cellars in the great domaines of Burgundy and then came back to his home state California to apply what he had learned. At the time, prevailing view was that Pinot Noir could not be grown successfully in California. He set out to prove that notion wrong.

He started with the search for the perfect place starting with limestone soil, and other elements of terroir to produce wines in the style of the greatest Pinots, the Burgundy wines of France. Josh Jensen's winemaker mentors in Burgundy emphasized the importance of limestone-rich soils, as present in the Côtes d’Or, to make great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay based wines. 

He returned from France in 1971 and spent two years searching throughout California to find suitable limestone soils. He settled on the site of an old magnificently preserved 30 foot tall masonry limekiln in the Gavilan Mountains of Central California, purchasing the site in 1974, a high-elevation parcel with a limestone deposit of several million tons. Limestone had been commercially quarried there on the Jensen Mt. Harlan property a hundred years earlier. 

To this day, the kiln on the site is the centerpiece of Calera branding, featured prominently on the lables, the name “Calera” being the Spanish world for “limekiln,”

Mt Harlan is near the town of Hollister, about ninety miles south of San Fransisco, twenty five miles inland from Monterey Bay on the Pacific Coast. Mt Harlan gained the distinction of its own AVA (American Viticultural Area) in 1990, in response to the petition to the Department of the Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau by Josh Jensen and the Calera Wine Company, the only commercial winery in the appellation. The appellation, the legally defined and protected geographical boundaries, also stipulates what grapes may be grown, maximum grape yields, alcohol level, and other quality factors that apply before the appellation name may legally appear on a wine bottle label. The Mt Harlan AVA is 7700 acres of which just 100 are planted in vines.

Josh planted his first 24 acres of pinot noir in 1975 in three separate parcels. In the Burgundian tradition, he named each parcel individually to recognize the terroir of each, that each would produce a distinct wine. The original vineyard designations remain to this day, the Selleck Vineyard (5 acres), Reed Vineyard (5 acres), and Jensen Vineyard (14 acres). These vineyards produced their initial tiny crop in 1978. The Ryan Vineyards, named after Jim Ryan, longtime vineyard manager were added later.  (Upper - 9.4 acres and Lower – 3.7 acres)

 Josh made Calera's first wine in 1975, 1000 cases of zinfandel, produced from purchased grapes. During his first two years as a winemaker, he made the Calera wines in a rented space in a larger nearby winery.  

Josh purchased property to build the winery in 1977, a 100 acre site on Cienega Road halfway between the vineyard and the town of Hollister. Located 1000 feet lower in elevation than the vineyard, this property had the benefits of development improvements such as a paved road,  telephone and electrical service (services which still to this day are unavailable on Mt. Harlan).

Three decades later, Calera have earned the distinction of the pioneer of American Pinot Noir. The legendary wine critic Robert Parker  has stated that: "Calera is one of the most compelling Pinot Noir specialists of not only the New World, but of Planet Earth."  

We first discovered Calera in the eighties, exploring wines from those earliest vintages. Decades later, we enjoy collecting Calera wines from the Ryan and Reed vineyards, as somewhat namesake signature wines for Son Ryan and his Reid. 

So it was that I picked up that latest release of Calera Ryan Vineyard Pinot,Noir 2013. 

This may be the best release of this label I have tasted, being by far the most vibrant and expressive forward fruits I can remember.

This is not a wimpy wine but powerful, yet smooth and polished, a symphony of concentrated dark berry fruit flavors with layers of black raspberry, black cherry, hints of cranberry, graphite and tones of tobacco leaf, spices of thyme, bay leaf and floral violets with a long lingering tightly wound fine grained tannins on the finish.

RM 92 points

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and Vinous both gave this 95 points Vinous; Wine Enthusiast gave it 92 points and a Cellar Selection

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2041534

http://www.calerawine.com/

The Heartbreak Grape,  A California Winemakers Search for the Perfect Pinot Noir by Marc de Villiers, 1994, Harper Collins

Rivetti Pin La Spinetta Castagnole Monferrato 2005

Rivetti Pin La Spinetta Castagnole Monferrato 2005

We don't have much Italian wine in our cellar, less than 1%. But when I was seeking a nice bottle to accompany our Angeli's Italian dinner carry out, I pulled this classic decade year old Italian red blend of which I hold a half dozen bottles. La Spinetta produce a line of premium Piedmont and Tuscan wines from traditional varietals in a new world style and flair.

This 'Pin' label is named after the nickname of Giuseppe Rivetti, the patriarch of the family and father of the current producer Giorgio, of the estate La Spinetta, which means 'top of the hill', in Castagnole Lanze in the northern Italian region of Tuscany. The family first purchased 70 hectares of Moscato and Barbera d'Asti vineyards in 1977 and have continued to expand operations through expansion and development since. 

Today, Giuseppe's children — Carlo, Bruno, Giorgio and Giovanna have since taken over the family business, with Giorgio leading, assisted by elder sister Giovanna who is in charge of vineyard production.

Rivetti produced their first red Barbera Cà di Pian in 1985. The first release of Pin occurred in 1989, a blend of 50 percent Nebbiolo, 25 percent Barbera and 25 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. which was revolutionary at that time.  

In 1985 they produced their first Barbaresco followed by Gallina in 1995 and their first Barolo Campè in 2000. In 2001, La Spinetta acquired 65 additional hectares of vineyards in Tuscany where today they produce three different 100% Sangiovese wines. 

The Rivetti brand has grown internationally and today is well known, identified by their distinctive labels featuring a burly rhinoceros, which the Rivetti siblings say signifies quality. 

Origins of the unique wildlife logo illustration come from an ancient woodcut by historic German artist, Albrecht Dürer, who prepared his drawings and woodcut from descriptions and sketches of a rhinoceros gifted to the king of Portugal from India. It was the first animal of its kind in Europe. The Rivettis lament that they fell in love with this ancient wood cut print and the legend behind it. Giorgio Rivetti expressed his great admiration of the celebrated drawing and woodcut. but has downplayed the connection between this animal and the brand. 

Also depicted on the bottles of La Spinetta’s first Barolo Campè vintage, is a pencil drawing of a lion by Dürer, since Barolo is commonly known as the king of Italian reds. The legend continues. 

Pin Castagnole, Neive, Barbaresco Monferrato Rosso DOC 2005

This is a blend of 65% Nebbiolo, and 35% Barbera d’Asti Superiore Bionzo. Barbera and Nebbiolo are the two marquee red wine grapes of northwest Italy. They are often blended together in Piedmont to create modern style wines for the international palate. Nebbiolo, the powerful majestic grape of Barolo and Barbaresco, is blended with Barbera to be more approachable and smoother and balanced, and drinkable at an earlier age. Barbera adds cherry flavors to Nebbiolo’s distinctive strawberry, and the high acidity of both ensure the wine is fresh and rarely flabby.

As good as this was with the pasta and peas with vodka cream sauce, it was even better the following evening with char-grilled Pittsburgh style strip steak, asparagus and baked potato. 

This was dark blackish garnet colored, medium to full bodied, and was remarkably smooth, well balanced and polished. Bouquet and flavors are full forward complex black raspberry, black berry fruits punctuated by tones of oak, cedar, hints of earthy cassis and tar turning to silky smooth polished tannins with an elegant persistent finish.

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=395355

http://www.la-spinetta.com/

Cune Rioja Reserva 2010

Cune Rioja Reserva 2010

For Sunday Brunch after church, the family gathered for a customary Sunday dinner. Son Ryan brought over this Cune Rioja Reserva Tempranillo Blend he had open from the previous night to share/taste. I don't do much Spanish wine and we hold only a few labels in the cellar but I would rate this one a great QPR (quality-price-ratio) good value buy and I'll definitely pick some up. This would be fun in a blind tasting as it almost tastes like a Medoc rather than a Rioja.

Cune is actually named after the initials of the production company, C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España). the first wine of this winery to do so. By their testament, this is produced in the style of "a red ‘clarete’ wine was made as a fine wine in the style of the Bordeaux “Claret” produced by the great chateaux’s of the Medoc."

CVNE is a large producer with 545 hectares (2.2 acres/hectare) of vineyards in the two subregions of Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, that make up just 50% of the company's overall production. The company also produces wines under the historic Viña Real brand that in the 1920s pioneered making crianza wines in oak barrels in this area, and Contino.

Contino, the company's first Rioja château was built in 1973 on a  62-hectare site in the Rioja Alavesa. The history of the property dates back to the 16th century. The wines take advantage of the Atlantic-Mediterranean climate of the region.

The CVNE winery complex is comprised of 22 buildings dating back to 1879, with a historic plant that was actually designed and built by the famous French Eiffel architectural studio in 1909. In 1940 CVNE pioneered the construction of the first concrete fermentation cellar in Spain and the first to use gravity fed vinification processes in the 1980's.

This is an interesting legacy that warrants further exploration into this producer and their wine portfolio of brands.
 C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) Rioja Reserva 2010

Dark garnet colored, medium bodied, well balanced acidic backbone, smooth and polished, nicely integrated oak flavors predominate, dark berry fruits and soft floral accentuate the classic Rioja smoky creosote with hints of vanilla on a lingering finish.

This is a blend of Tempranillo: 85%, Grenacha, Graciano and Mazuelo 15%.

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/notes.asp?iWine=1925300

http://www.cvne.com/ 

Justin Isosceles & Justification Paso Robles Red Wines 2013

Justin Isosceles & Justification Paso Robles Red Wines 2013

I admit I've never been a huge fan of Justin Isosceles, finding the Paso Robles terroir impact a bit too brambly for my preference. So it was with a slight bit of skepticism that I tasted the 2013 at Binny's Friday night table tasting. Wow. Not only was this the most impressive Isosceles in memory, it was truly exciting and memorable. I'd consider this a must buy for those seeking a premium Cabernet Blend for this vintage, or at least a must try.

Justin Isosceles 2013

Isosceles of course if the flagship wine of Justin Vineyards and Winery since 1981, from the mountains above Paso Robles between the City on Hwy 101 and the Pacific Central California Coast. Since 1981, producer Justin Baldwin has tended 160 acres of Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

This 2013 is an eye opener for me and puts Paso Robles and Justin Vineyards and Winery on the map as a producer to pay more attention to, and as a wine discovery adventure destination. In the meantime, pick up and try this impressive release. 

Producers Notes: This sums it up very well and is worth noting.

Appearance: Bright, near opaque, ruby purple core with a narrow, moderate intensity rim and slow forming slightly stained tears.

Aroma: Intense and complex with aromas of ripe black fruit, baking spice, sweet tobacco, leather, cocoa, oak barrel elements with subtle smoky eucalyptus accents.

Palate: Dry and full-bodied with rich black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and licorice spice notes on the entry. Savory, herbal and mint notes appear, followed by dark chocolate and smoky oak elements on the mid palate. The finish is very long and crisp with a complex interplay between the savory mid-palate and returning fruit of red cherry candy and sweet spice with a floral hint of violet, all framed by soft, chewy tannins. The 2013 Isosceles is drinking exceptionally well at release but has the structure to further develop beautifully over time. Great with classic cab fare like rich braised short ribs or grilled leg of lamb with garlic and herbs, the 2013 Isosceles also drinks well on its own due to its exceptional balance of flavor and texture even when young.

Blend 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot

This was truly unique in its character and flavor profile. I was taken aback by the bright vibrant expressive cherry and black currant fruits punctuated by a luscious floral perfume of silky sweet cinnamon with hints of vanilla and mocha chocolate on the smooth lingering finish.

RM 94 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2292673

http://www.justinwine.com/wines/red/2013-isosceles/

Justin Justification 2013

This is Justin's Right Bank Bordeaux blend, being Merlot based vs. Left Bank Cabernet predominant. While Merlot typically would be slightly softer and more mellow than more forward Cabernet, this is actually mostly Cabernet Franc which is put into Bordeaux Blends for punctuation of spice and bright bold sprites. Voila! With its Cab Franc core, this is bright, tangy spicy and expressive. This is more the style that I associate with Justin red blends.

Once again, as above, I offer the Producer's notes on this wine.

COLOR:  Deep ruby purplish core lightening to medium intensity at the rim.

AROMA:  Ripe red cherry, blackcurrant and just-rip blackberry, with rich vanilla and cinnamon spice and an attractive savory and herbal character.

PALATE:  Full and complex with an elegant mix of ripe red fruit, primarily cherry with cassis and a little plum, and rich baking spice on the entry. A little dusty, savory cabernet franc charm emerges on the mid-palate along with subtle mint and eucalyptus notes leading to a long, clean finish.

Blend - 58% Cabernet Franc 42% Merlot

While I normally love bold tangy spicy wines, I prefer it as a complementary tone, not as the main course. When combined with the brambly Paso Robles terroir character and the profile of an expressive vintage, this is almost a bit over the top for me, which I very rarely say. 

Dark blackish garnet color medium bodied, forward concentrated bright expressive tangy spicy black berry fruits accented with tones of anise, oaky and hints of smoke and creosote finishing with gripping tannins. Perhaps a couple years of aging will tame this bruiser a bit.

RM 89 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2161407

http://www.justinwine.com/wines/red/justification-2013/

Pahlmeyer Jason Napa Valley Red Wine 2004

Pahlmeyer Jason Napa Valley Red Wine 2004

Dear friends Bob and Gloria are moving to Florida so we took them to dinner at Angeli's Italian, our favorite neighborhood trattoria. To commemorate the occasion I took a bottle I have been holding for a special dinner with them, Pahlmayer Jason, a namesake bottle of their eldest son. We have several bottles of this vintage label in our cellar that we have been holding and it appears we have been rewarded for being patient as this is drinking splendidly at a dozen years of age. Reading comments on Cellartracker that this needed more time when tasted young, this could be at the apex of its drinking window now, not likely to improve further, but really nice right now.

Upon opening, sweet floral and berry aromas burst forth and filled the room. Dark garnet purple colored, medium full bodied, bright vibrant full forward flavors of black raspberry with tones of blueberry, sweet currants, tangy spice and hints of sweet caramel and whisper of tobacco leaf with nicely integrated sweet tangy oak on the lingering finish.

RM 93 points.

This is Pahlmeyer's Bordeaux Blend -  60% Merlot, 
38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, 
1% Petit Verdot.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=296642

https://www.pahlmeyer.com/wines/jayson/jayson-red/2004/

Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas La Louisiane

Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Red Rhone Blend 2006

I opened this Rhone Blend to taste with spaghetti and Italian Sausage left over from our recent dinner at Angeli's Italian, our favorite neighborhood trattoria,  while watching the nauseating 2016 national election coverage on election night TV. Regardless of the outcome, the whole situation is pretty depressing.

As a holder of a highest level national security clearance, it is frightening, bewildering and in fact, inconceivable, that one of the candidates, with her track record and overt behavior, is yet viable and is not considered unsuitable for office, let alone under indictment. Politics aside, this subdued, dark wine seems appropriate for the somber occasion.

Dark blackish garnet colored, medium - full bodied, floral aroma, somewhat subdued black fruits are overtaken by earth and creosote with a tangy spicy black fruit on the lingering finish.

This wine opened with an awkward flabby disjointed flavor but eventually settled down to a level of stability.

RM 86 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=476540

Lanson Champagne Brut Rosé

Lanson Champagne Brut Rosé Rose Label NV Champagne Blend

For son Ryan's birthday we hosted a celebration Sunday brunch dinner with the kids and grand-kids. Linda prepared Eggs Benedict with Sea Scallops, sausage patties, grilled asparagus with fresh hollandaise and fresh berry fruit crepe's. I pulled from the cellar this Brut Rosé NV Champagne Blend from Lanson. Some of us enjoyed the authentic champagne straight up while the ladies had theirs with juice ala as a Mimosa. This was equally delicious and suitable with the entrees as it was the cake, fresh berries and whipped cream afterwards.

Here we are shown with the grandkids (right).

Light copper/salmon colored, medium bodied, zesty continuous bubbles, crisp and clean with aroma's and flavors of delicate berry, subtle tart strawberry and red cherry fruits, hint of apple/pear, chalk, and nectarine zest, with high acidity and a long almond toned finish of smooth dry tannins.

RM 90 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=327152

Robert Craig Affinity Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Robert Craig Affinity Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

For quiet Saturday night dinner at home to watch the Netflix series release of 'The Crown' and dine with Linda's delicious lasagna dinner, I chose this Robert Craig Affinity 2006 from the cellar. Our Cellartracker records show we hold  more than eight cases of this label from no less than eighteen vintages dating back to the inaugural release in 1993. I picked this vintage almost at random but went with it as a tasting at a decade of age, in its tenth year.

The author, Rick, Linda and
Robert Craig at '09 Harvest Party

These pages are filled with numerous postings and reminiscences of dinners, tastings, release parties (shown left) and other events with Robert Craig and Lynn Craig, Rachel, and other members of the staff there. I remember how Robert used to wax eloquent about producing several Napa Valley Cabernet labels from "three mountains and a valley", this being the Cabernet blend of Napa Valley, and Cabs from Mt Veeder, Howell Mountain, and in later years Spring Mountain, and even Mt George fruit. I've heard Robert say his favorite was Mt Veeder, while my favorite was often Howell Mtn, until the Spring Mountain was released in '07, which became my favorite.

Robert used to speak with pride about how he worked at holding the price point of this label to deliver high value (QPR - Quality Price Ratio). This is poignant today as the new management and this year's release of this label has escalated in price by almost 40% with this price point (~$45-48) being replaced by a Napa Valley Cabernet label. I haven't brought myself to acquire and sample the new current release labels, but I will eventually.

This is Craig's Bordeaux blend with 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.

Tonight this more than met and in fact, exceeded my expectations for this vintage label.

Robert Parker gave this 92 points and said of Craig's 2006 release: "The 2006 Affinity is a steal for a high-quality Napa Cabernet-based wine... This is the best group of wines I have ever tasted from Robert Craig Winery. Not only is there not a single disappointment in this portfolio, but these are all noteworthy wines, with thrilling levels of quality. Moreover, they are moderately priced for Napa Valley as well as ageworthy. I think these are the finest wines that I have ever tasted from Robert Craig Cellars." Thankfully, we loaded up on this release.

Full bodied, polished and finely integrated symphony of flavors and supple tannins with full legs or curtains around the glass - deep purple colour, full bodied, full forward aromas and flavours of black berry fruits and bacon fat, tones of currant, tea, espresso and hints of subtle dark chocolate with tangy cinnamon spice and lingering cedar on the long tongue puckering finish.

With more than a dozen bottles in the cellar of this release, I look forward to taste and watch this vintage age gracefully over the decade (s) to come.

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=633932

http://www.robertcraigwine.com

Elderton e Series Cabernet Shiraz 2013

Elderton e Series Cabernet Shiraz 2013

While in Springfield on business, for carry out dinner back to the hotel to watch the Cubs win the World Series, I picked up this Aussie Shiraz / Cab blend at Corkscrew Wine Emporium. After tasting the premium Elderton Command Shiraz the other evening, I chose this entry level 'e Series' Elderton as a basis of comparison. This is a blend of Cabernet and Shiraz.

Often I'll commend the QPR - quality price ratio for sub $20 wines. In this case, you get what you pay for.

Dark garnet colored, medium bodied, black berry and black cherry fruits are accented by tones of mineral, graphite and hints of camphor and a layer of vanilla, with a bit of 'heat' from the alcohol.

RM 88 points, one point lower the following evening.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=2088398

http://www.eldertonwines.com.au

Ninety Plus Cellars Lot 101 Columbia Valley Syrah 2009

Ninety Plus Cellars Lot 101 Columbia Valley Syrah 2009

Like earlier tastings, for casual evening sipping with fruit and cheese, I pulled this full throttle Columbia Valley Shiraz from the cellar.  I've raved about this wine several times in this blog, talking about the high QPR (quality price ratio) that can occasionally be found in negociant private label wines. Of course the challenge is that often they are 'one hit wonders' since there is no guarantee of follow up vintages of the particular label. 

I've stated that this may be one of our favorite drinking wines in our cellar right now, certainly at this price point!  

This one continues to not only hold its own, but may be at the apex of its drinking window at seven years of age.

Dark inky garnet colored, medium to full bodied, this full throttle Syrah reveals layers of blackberry, black currant and blueberry fruits with tones of sweet vanilla, caramel and spice with hints of black pepper on a lingering smooth tannin finish.

RM 91 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1742790

http://www.ninetypluscellars.com/wines/lot-101-collectors-series-syrah