Château Larmande St Emilion Bordeaux Grand Cru Classe 2005
Château Larmande produces about 9000 cases per year and is known for
consistent quality and generally a good value. The estate is planted
predominantly in Merlot covering 60%
of the vineyard, with 30% Cabernet Franc and just 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
making
up the balance. The 2005 vintage was above average and produced a wine that is already approachable but should last another ten to fifteen years. Bottles are recognizable by the unique lavender colored foil
Medium
bodied, full aromas of floral perfume, moderately complex flavors of red berry and plum fruits accented by subtle spice and hints of cherry-cranberry, nice texture and smooth moderate
tannins round out the finish.
RM 90 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=351693
www.chateau-larmande.com
Oakville Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
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Heaven on earth - the garden at TraVigne |
We first discovered this wine during our Napa Wine Experiences in the mid-nineties, sitting out in the garden of TraVinge (left) in St Helena, selecting bottles from the Cantina wine shop on the premises. We have a half dozen of
Oakville Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon vintages from that era through to this one. This is our first tasting of the '04 release.
Oakville Ranch located is located above the Silverado Trail up on the eastern slope overlooking Napa Valley.
The
Oakville Ranch property was purchased in 1989 by Bob and Mary Miner. The 350-acre ranch is planted in 55 acres of vineyards of Chardonnay and Bordeaux varietals − Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The vines have been tended.in small vineyards and managed to produce small yields of few bunches per vine.to maximize the quality of the fruit to be derived from the shallow red volcanic soil on the rocky mountain slopes.
The
2004 Oakville Ranch Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Estate's vineyards - 100% Oakville Ranch: 84% Vista, 9% Terrace and 7% Plateau blocks.
The juice was aged 18 months in 100% french oak barrels, 67% new.
725 cases, plus 8 cases of magnums were produced
The wine is medium to full bodied, dark ruby in color. Aromas of floral, red raspberry and cherry fruits give way to soft oak. Dense full flavors of blackberry, black cherry, black raspberry fruits are accented by tones of spice, cassis and soft sweet oak and a hint of black pepper on a long lingering silky tannin finish.
RM 90 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=495121
http://www.oakvilleranch.com/
Outpost "The Other" Howell Mountain Petite Sirah 2005
We discovered Outpost wines when we visited their mountaintop vineyards high atop Howell Mountain 2,200 feet
above upper Napa Valley, beyond the town of Angwin, across from Lamborn and midway up the dead end road to Robert Craig's mountaintop winery. The
volcanic, rocky red soil, high altitude, gentle
cooling breezes and sunny western exposure produce
fruit of incredible complexity and richness. Outpost creates world-class
Zinfandel, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite
Sirah from their hand-cultivated, organically farmed
42 acre estate vineyards. The Other is named for this 'second' or 'Other' label, made from Petite Sirah "H" clone grown on Outpost Wines' Howell
Mountain estate.
Big, bold, full bodied, dark inky purple with a garnet colored rim, a nose of mineral, this wine packs dense concentrated sweet fruit of blackberry, blueberry, raspberry with hints of mineral, dark
chocolate and nuances of molasses.Bright acidity is brought into focus with
fine-grained tannins and a hint of toasty oak on the lingering finish.
100% Petite Sirah, estate grown, 50% new
French oak barrels, 50% 1 year-old French oak barrels.
RM 90 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=438620
http://www.outpostwines.com/
Opolo Paso Robles Cabernet Franc 2005
Still work in progress - stay tuned....
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Shirley's Bruschetta |