The 2014 Cabernet Franc is another striking wine from Bennett Vineyard in Coombsville. Enticing aromatics meld into a core of intense, flamboyant red. Varietal notes come through, but at present the new French oak is a bit dominant. It will be interesting to see how things shape up as the 2014 ages. Drink 2016-2020.
Stagecoach Malbec is dense, powerful and explosive. A host of savory notes play off the rich Malbec fruit nicely, dense, tannic Malbec with a lot of mountain character
Dark, powerful, and juicy, with terrific fruit intensity from start to finish. Black cherry, chocolate, plum, licorice, and spice infuse this pliant, super-expressive wine. The near-perfect 2016 growing season started early, saw ideal weather conditions throughout and wrapped up as the valley's first significant fall rainstorm arrived on October 14. Thanks to a relatively steady and mild July and August and then a series of warm days at the end of the growing season, vineyards were able to progress to perfect ripeness. Wines from the 2016 vintage are now quietly developing in cellars throughout Napa Valley and vintners are pinching themselves and smiling for the gift it appears Mother Nature has given them: a fifth consecutive vintage of stellar quality Napa Valley wines.
The sensational 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford comes from clone 4 and the old Georges III Vineyard now owned by Beckstoffer. This is a floral, earthy wine with a dense purple color and a big, sweet, complex nose that follows through on the palate with loads of kirsch liqueur, black currants, dusty soil undertones, some cedar wood and spicy oak. Opaque purple, full-bodied, and generously endowed, it can be drunk over the next 15-20 years.
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Coombsville) is superb. Dark, powerful, and savory, full-bodied, it packs a serious punch. The near-perfect 2016 growing season started early, saw ideal weather conditions throughout and wrapped up as the valley's first significant fall rainstorm arrived on October 14. Thanks to a relatively steady and mild July and August and then a series of warm days at the end of the growing season, vineyards were able to progress to perfect ripeness. Wines from the 2016 vintage are now quietly developing in cellars throughout Napa Valley and vintners are pinching themselves and smiling for the gift it appears Mother Nature has given them: a fifth consecutive vintage of stellar quality Napa Valley wines.
The 2017 Patel Sauvignon Blanc is a gorgeous, distinctive white built on textural breadth and volume. Aging on the lees in 100% light-toast Ermitage barrels lends lovely shades of nuance to the fruit, which primarily comes from the McGah vineyard in Rutherford. Zesty lemon peel combines with savory sage, mint, tomato leaf and a hint of well-integrated new oak in this super-expressive, inviting Sauvignon Blanc from Raj Patel.
Intense aromatics and rich, pungent red-toned fruit make a strong opening statement in the 2015 Cabernet Franc. Varietal notes are amped up in this sensual, fruity Cabernet Franc. I would prefer to drink the 2015 sooner rather than later, but there is more than enough depth to support at least a handful of years in the cellar.
The sensational 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford comes from clone 4 and the old Georges III Vineyard now owned by Beckstoffer. This is a floral, earthy wine with a dense purple color and a big, sweet, complex nose that follows through on the palate with loads of kirsch liqueur, black currants, dusty soil undertones, some cedar wood and spicy oak. Opaque purple, full-bodied, and generously endowed, it can be drunk over the next 15-20 years.
Intense aromatics and rich, pungent red-toned fruit make a strong opening statement in the 2015 Cabernet Franc. Varietal notes are amped up in this sensual, fruity Cabernet Franc. I would prefer to drink the 2015 sooner rather than later, but there is more than enough depth to support at least a handful of years in the cellar.
An elegant wine with aromatics of sweet white flowers, this expression of Sauvignon Blanc is powerful, and anything but typical. Barrel fermentation and aging lends a touch of sweetness, textured mouthfeel and a dry finish, while weaving an intricate and seductive blend of herbs, ripe white peach, and a touch of pineapple. Aging for 14 months in 100% French Oak makes this Sauvignon Blanc rich and pleasing to the palate, with a smooth creamy texture balanced with a hint of spice and refreshing acidity.
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a delicious, juicy wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Black cherry, plum, mocha, cloves, new leather and cedar give the 2014 much of its succulent, inviting personality. This is an especially bold, racy style, but it works. Drink 2017-2026.
