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California is a leading light of
the world’s great wine producing regions. Having successfully cultivated classic European varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and creating its own signature grape, Zinfandel, the region is poised to solidify its reputation. Always trendsetting, California championed varietal labeling – making it easy for all consumers to understand what they are buying. |
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They
also created the cult wine
craze and turned Napa and
Sonoma into household
names. So what’s the next
trend? Iconic Meritage blends
to rival the finest Bordeaux
has to offer.
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| California - Red Wine |
FREEMARK ABBEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON BOSCHÉ 2001
NAPA VALLEY |
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578971 (XD) 750 mL $ 89 |
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| Tasting note: Bright, saturated red-ruby. Aromas of cassis, licorice, cedar and mint. Generous and densely packed, with fleshy flavors of currant and dark chocolate complicated by tobacco leaf and mint; claret-like but with California sweetness. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins. Score - 89. (Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, Jan./Feb. 2006) |
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FREEMARK ABBEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON SYCAMORE VINEYARD 2001
NAPA VALLEY |
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578989 (XD) 750 mL $ 74  |
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| Tasting note: A sleek, polished style, with a trim band of sour cherry, red currant, fresh earth, plum and clean, new leather, it tightens up a bit on the finish, but the acidity, tannins and fruit are well-balanced. Drink now through 2012. Score - 89. (James Laube, www.winespectator.com, Nov. 15, 2005) |
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GEYSER PEAK RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2002
ALEXANDER VALLEY |
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716431 (XD) 750 mL $ 55 |
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| This wine was a Gold Medal winner at the 2005 Sonoma County Harvest Fair.
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RIDGE VINEYARDS MONTE BELLO 2003
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS |
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711085 (XD) 750 mL $ 139 |
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| Tasting note: The dense ruby-hued 2003 Monte Bello offers a tight but promising nose of tar, briery creme de cassis, toast, and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, with abundant tannin, a rich texture, and a deep, persistent style, this youthful, primary red is best forgotten until 2010. It should drink well over the following 15-20 years. This impressive wine is unlikely to win many blind tastings given its current austerity. Score - 94. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2005) |
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SHAFER Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
NAPA VALLEY |
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735712 (XD) 750 mL $ 249 |
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| Tasting note: Shafer's flagship wine is the 2,000 case cuvee of Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak prior to bottling, it is one of the world's greatest Cabernet Sauvignons. Like many of the top wines of the vintage, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select has closed down, but it reveals impressive potential. Its dense purple color is accompanied by an exquisite bouquet of charcoal, sweet oak, black currant liqueur, and graphite. Full-bodied and powerful, with superb intensity, length, persistence, purity, and texture, it should either be decanted for several hours in advance, or given another 2-4 years of bottle age. Drink it over the following 20-25 years. Score - 99. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Dec. 2005) |
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SILVERADO VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON LIMITED RESERVE 2001
NAPA VALLEY |
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578963 (XD) 750 mL $ 119 |
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| Tasting note: A dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by a big bouquet of black fruits, smoke, vanilla, espresso, and a notion of white chocolate. The finest Cabernet Sauvignon I have yet tasted from Silverado, it boasts an opulent, full-bodied texture, a natural mouthfeel, loads of black currant, plum, and licorice-infused fruit, beautiful length, and tremendous purity. In the past I have felt these cuvees were too acidified, but this appears to be a more naturally made and thus far superior example than its predecessors. It should drink beautifully for 12-15 years. Score - 92. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2005) |
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CLOS DU BOIS BRIARCREST CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2002
ALEXANDER VALLEY |
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954933 (XD) 750 mL $ 59 |
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| Tasting note: Aromas of creamy oak, blackberry and currant lead to a rich yet elegant and deftly balanced wine that offers depth and concentration while maintaining a sense of delicacy and grace. Best Briarcrest in years. Drink now through 2011. Score - 90. (James Laube, www.winespectator.com, Sept. 30, 2005) |
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CLOS DU BOIS MARLSTONE 2002
ALEXANDER VALLEY |
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955104 (XD) 750 mL $ 69 |
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| Tasting note: Intense and concentrated, with a vibrant medley of dark fruits built around currant, blackberry and wild berry fruit that offers a unique flavor profile. Excellent acidity and firm, vibrant tannins on the finish. Still, the flavors are persistent. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2012. Score - 90. (James Laube, www.winespectator.com, Sept. 30, 2005) |
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CORISON CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2001
NAPA VALLEY |
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683417 (XD) 750 mL $ 69 |
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| Tasting note: Bright ruby-red. High-pitched nose reveals cassis, violet, licorice and shoe polish. Brisk, juicy and youth-fully tight, but possesses good density and sweetness. Flavors of dark berries, boysenberry, licorice, mint and leather. This should age slowly and well. Score - 90. (Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, May/June 2004) |
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GEYSER PEAK RESERVE ALEXANDRE MERITAGE RESERVE 2002
ALEXANDER VALLEY |
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570598 (XD) 750 mL $ 55 |
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| Tasting note: Fresh aromas of plum, blueberry, vanilla, pencil and campfire. Silky, fleshy flavors of ripe black fruit and minerals. A lengthy, well-oaked finish. Score - 92. (Richard Brandes, The Wine News, Feb. 28, 2006) |
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JUSTIN ISOSCELES 2003
PASO ROBLES |
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684282 (XD) 750 mL $ 75 |
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Although at press time there were no reviews for the 2003 vintage, the last two vintages SCORED 95 and 93 respectively with Robert Parker Jr. The blend is comprised of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6%Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot aged for 18 months in French oak, 42% new.
Tasting note: Subtle earthy tones combine with a hint of leather aromatically in this deep, inky black hued wine. The entry is soft and subtle with ample black fruit and coffee. Cherry, currant and a hint of plum evolve into layers of chocolate and caramel on the mid-palate. A soft, seamless finish is balanced by flavors of spicy French Oak. (Producer) |
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L'AVENTURE ESTATE CUVéE 2003
PASO ROBLES |
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683391 (XD) 750 mL $ 99 |
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| Tasting note: The inky/purple-tinged 2003 Estate Cuvee (66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Syrah, and 6% Petit Verdot) exhibits a restrained/reticent bouquet. With coaxing, lovely aromas of camphor, cassis, truffles, and vanilla emerge from this full-bodied, powerful, sweet blend. It boasts both profound depth and formidable structure. Forget it for 2-3 years and enjoy it over the following 10-15. Score - 94. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, June 1, 2005) |
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L'AVENTURE OPTIMUS 2003
PASO ROBLES |
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683409 (XD) 750 mL $ 65 |
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| Tasting note: Firm tannins dominate the texture and give this young wine an austere edge, with only glimpses of wild berry, currant and spice. On the finish the tannins return to center stage. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2009. Score - 88. (James Laube, www.winespectator.com, Dec. 31, 2005) |
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STAGLIN FAMILY VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2002
NAPA VALLEY |
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716258 (XD) 750 mL $ 169 |
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| Tasting note: Another tremendous effort from this producer, supple and harmonious, with rich, fleshy blackberry, black cherry, plum and currant fruit that's tight and concentrated. A hint of mocha, herb and cedar add a wonderful dimension and the structure is excellent, with lively acidity and firm tannins. Best from 2006 through 2012. Score - 95. (James Laube, www.winespectator.com, Oct. 31, 2005) |
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STERLING VINTNERS RESERVE MERLOT 1999
MONTEREY COUNTY |
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684381 (XD) 750 mL $ 79 |
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| Tasting note: [includes] 11% Cabernet Sauvignon; 6% Petit Verdot. Ripe cherries are set before a nicely tailored bit of creamy oak in the deep, mildly briary aromas of this clean and carefully focused young Merlot, and the wine's like-minded flavors show a similar emphasis on cherries with plenty of fancy oak lending a real boost in overall richness. Quite well balanced, relatively refined, and with all of its many pieces comfortably combined, it impresses now for its polish but should show even better if put away for a few years of additional age. Score - 88. (Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine, March 2003) |
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| California - White Wine |
TANDEM WINERY PORTER-BASS CHARDONNAY 2002
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY |
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684373 (XD) 750 mL $ 59 |
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| Tasting note: Shows great mastery in seamlessly yoking the intensely ripe fruit to vibrant acids, oaky glaze and creamy texture. Important to keep in mind how tangy and tart this wine is. If you're looking for flavor descriptors, try quince just short of perfectly ripe, with that bite of acid. Should do interesting things over the next 5 years. Score - 92. (Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2004) |
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