USA

The 2021 Bella Union presents a luscious nose of ripe black cherry, plum, strawberry, opulent berry compote and cassis. The entry is rich and inviting with succulent flavors reminiscent of cherry pie.

The intriguing dark rosewood color of this wine is accentuated by tantalizing aromas. The dominant fruit scents favor black plums, currants and other darker fruits, with more complex aromas of graphite and smoked meats.

A nearly opaque color sets in the glass with a hard, red complexion that is almost black. Aromas of ripe blueberries and candied plum mingle with toasted oak and charred vanilla. The entry is soft and inviting which paves the way for a lush mid-palate replete with layers of ripe boysenberry and cassis.

A clear ruby red colour, this quietly magnificent Pinot Noir has a seductive, complex aroma of wild strawberry, redcurrant and fresh spice from whole bunches. The palate is medium-bodied, delicate, with great freshness and clarity of fruit expression allied to silky tannin.

What a back-to-back pair of vintages! I assume one would have to go back to 2002 and 2001 to find two Screaming Eagles this compelling. The 2013 appears set for 25-30 years of longevity. There is something magical about this Oakville parcel on the valley floor just under the looming hillsides of such wineries as Phelps, Bacchus and Dalla Valle's Maya, and across the street from the Rudd Estate, Plumpjack, etc.

ker Ranch consistently produces a syrah with Northern Rhone-like palate weight, aromatics and flavors. This organically farmed syrah is fermented 100% whole cluster, utilizing native yeast and aged in neutral oak barrels. The light sandstone soils are truly reflected with floral spicy aromatics and crunchy peppery red and dark fruit flavors.

Vivid garnet in color with perfumed and inviting aromas of rich dark cherry, plum,chocolate, and layered undertones of vanilla, clove, black pepper, and sage. A well-balanced expression of fruit and oak elements fills the palate with cassis, bright cherry, dark berry, toast, cedar, and a hint of vanilla. Round but structured, with well-knit tannins that impart texture and length on the finish.

The origin of Lot C-91 began in the fall of 1969 when Joe Heitz created this one-off cuvée, which was very normal in those days, as a more premium version of his already iconic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bottling. Joe envisioned Lot C-91 as a greater step up in quality from the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, with a higher quality of fruit sourcing, coming exclusively from the sought-after single vineyards of Heitz Cellar.

Pinot Noir from limestone and decomposed granite soils of Enz Vineyard in Lime Kiln Valley (San Benito County). The Enz family has been farming this site since 1967 (the vineyard is also notable for Mourvedre, where the old vines date to 1895).

Reddish-purple and very aromatic with notes of pomegranate, black cherry, and raspberry, mixed with hints of cassis, chocolate, and slight peppery spice on the nose. Lush, lively texture with lovely black cherry and pomegranate fruit, bright acidity to balance the sweet fruit flavors, black pep- per and clove spice, and a long, lively finish of black cherry, pomegranate, and hints of licorice and cocoa powder.

On the palate, the Napa Valley Cabernet presents bright concentrated flavors of plum, dried cherry, blackberry fruit leather and black tea, supported by rich silky tannins and integrated acidity. The finish lingers with evolving notes of cedar, cacao, nutmeg, and licorice.

The 2020 Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich and layered wine with great balance. Blackberry, black cherry, cassis and plum fruit coat the entire palate in a horizontal, broad fashion. Complex notes of violets, sandalwood, soy, black truffle, walnut, forest floor and minerals are some of the descriptors that may be found in this complex and decadent wine. 

On the nose, the wine leaps from the glass with ripe blackberry, cassis, black cherry, and red plum, with a lovely herbaceous undertone. The palate expresses juicy red and black fruits with hints of black tea, damp earth, vanilla bean, lavender, and just a touch of flint.

The Clos Electrique Rouge from 2021 is an astounding wine with notes of leather, porcini mushrooms, forest floor and a dose of plums bringing in the finish. Its perfect silky mouth and a nice round finish cry for a café 90’s Duck l’orange, chanterelles sautéed with butter and sherry, a Ribeye cooked to perfection or perhaps even cardboard.

The Calling 2021 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is deep plum red in color with vibrant hues. The aroma is rich and complex with layers of ripe blackberry fruit, mocha, and warm vanilla spice with subtle hints of nutmeg. The flavors are bold with notes of cherry pie, coffee and a rich warm and spicy oak finish.