2007 Jean Edwards Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Opened 2 hours previous to note. Nose of red currant with hints of cherries & dried wood.. Palate has a somewhat sweet & creamy texture with red black fruits in control. Initially there is a boozy quality that dissipates quickly. I now find some cedar, boysenberry and graphite. Nice balance and decent structure. Tannins seem youthful. Long finish keep the fruits in play. 89 pts

2007 Lagier Meredith Syrah (USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder)

This one lines up like a thoroughbred right in the gate. Pretty intense nose of infused black fruits with black cherry and cassis controlling the ride. Palate shows deftness with pure black fruits still in command. There is the already mentioned black cherry and cassis with blackberries, notes of framboise and warm blueberry pie. A very command-full wine with precision and elegance. (I opened and let breath about an hour and this sure benefited from it). Balance near perfect with complicated tannins overseeing all else. Midway I get some hints of lavender and soy. An interesting wine and unlike anything else I have encountered. Something about this one that I can't quite put my finger on it, but this rides a few different styles seamlessly and deftly; somewhere between Napa Cabernet and Napa Syrah---Pretty amazing. Finish remains true to itself and all in all a very nice package, and a thoroughbred nonetheless. 93 pts

2007 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

As 2007 Cabs go, I must add this one to my 'like' list. The list is about 4/35 (like/don't care for).
This really is similar in profile to the Schraders, and its no wonder now is it? It has a similar nose and approach onto the palate. Where is differs is in its length.
There is some reall pretty black and red fruits of cassis, black plums and black cherries with some cola and Creme de Cassis liquor. It has some great structure with a mid to mid-plus weighted wine with some voluptuous mouth-feel.. Tannins are pretty huge, and hidden right now behind some of that fruit cornucopia. There are those rumors out there that you want to believe: The one about the extra Schrader, (or lets call it a 'cut') going into this is not a stretch...... 91 pts

2007 Novy Family Wines Syrah Page Nord (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Dark it is. Real dark. The nose has predominant black-cherry and Kirsch Royal. There is some red currant and blackberries in there too. There is a very pretty spring flower note in there. The palate has all of those fruits I just mentioned with an explosion in your mouth. Black cherries and blueberry compote. Shows slightly hot, but time should bring that in line. A very lush and full mouthfeel with gobby red and black fruits. There is an interesting linseed oil quality I really like. This is a full throttle and in your face Syrah, not for the faint of heart. The finish is long and luxurious with memories of black cherries. I might hold my next bottles for BBQ season. 90 pts.

(or I might give them away, and I did).

2007 Virage Vineyards (USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros)

Simply put: What a beautiful wine. Pop and pour. This has pretty hue of purple tinged crimson. The nose showed some bing cherries, red raspberries and red plums. A multi-layered joy to behold that just kept giving, this was bright and lively on the palate. There was zero of the negative stuff CF can have. Perfectly balanced and lilty with a purity and focus that tip toes over bind-boggling, this was a lite to mid-weight wine initially but after about an hour this gained some weight as well as some black fruits of currants and black plum. A luscious and plush CF blend that has structure, breed and elegance. It crescendos into a long opulent finish. Fantastic. (94 pts.)

2007 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (12/11/2010)

The single best Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve I have ever had, and I had many. Dark an ominous. A nose of all black cassis, lead pencil, black plum and cola. The palate shows a deep and focused Cab with gobs of layers that keep evolving. Cool licorice and black cassis with Kirsch & Framboise, plum, and tar. This is a serious wine that deserves 10 minutes of pure meditation, and then hours of continuous enjoyment. There is some complicated nuances of oak with some underbrush present; some cocoa, cedar box, and tea-leaf. The tannins keep the complication alive as they are omni-present and luxurious. there is a sweet underlying quality that I really like; there must be at least 5 layers to this wine. A medium to full-throttle leaning mouthfeel that has almost a 'sweet and cool' lushness to it. The finish just....goes. This is a show stopper; the schnizzle we all ever really wanted from GdL. (96 pts.)

2007 Jones Family The Sisters - USA, California, Napa Valley

My theory of pop & pour for all (most?) 2007s has been debunked.
I did pop and pour this. It was dark and viscous. The nose had some hidden black cassis, black cherry, camphor and black plums. This was very fragrant with a hint of violets and spring flowers. The Cab Franc made itself known. The palate had shown some gracefulness & purity right out of the gate. A very nice start--but after about an hour this evolved into a plushy refined, elegant & interesting wine. The fruits come more 'forward' as well. It was full and round with well woven tannins and an acidity that worked well with some challenging foods over lunch. Some sassafras, lead pencil and fresh rubbed leather all made an appearance as well. Nothing big and brash about this one, it fell in step with what I have come to expect from Jones Sisters in the past, having recently had every vintage since 2001.
A very decent finish that kept the fruit alive. Very nice indeed. Still one of the best QPRS in the valley. Started by Heidi, finished by Thomas, where could you go wrong? (93 pts.)

2007 Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch - USA, California, Napa Valley

30 minute decant. Deep dark garnet color, almost opaque with the slightest crimson edges. Dark black cherry nose with some sarsaparilla, cardamom, creme de cassis, and clove. A very elegant, but somewhat reticent style of cab. I sensed that for as much was showing itself, another equal dose was hiding. Very plush mouth-feel with some 'almost' gobby black fruits of black currant, black cherry, and plums. A very iron fist/velvet glove cab that I really enjoy. A medium weight cab with some complicated chewy tannins and wonderful balance. The acidity is perfect, the finish commendable. Uncle Bob might have got this one right. Should drink well for the next 6 or so years. Glad I have 2 more. (93 pts.)

2007 Jean Edwards Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Seventy Four - Forty One Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/17/2010)

This has a bright red/carmine color. A fantastic nose of sweet style-darkish red fruits and cola, a combo I really love. Somewhat bright and lively, there is a pure elegance that shows on the nose alone. On the palate there is the red leaning fruit profile: black cherries, some dark currant, some red plums and a hint of Chinese apple. A super expressive wine that has tons of life ahead. A hint of vanilla and cherry cola. There is a touch of kirsch as well! The tannins are just a wee edgy but the balance of the whole package is so satisfying and pure. A medium to medium-light weight which is a welcome from a Napa cab. Structured and pure, this has life and vitality. A long finish that keeps the fruits going straight on through to the other side....
I am thrilled with this. Can you tell? (93 pts.)

2007 Two Hands Cabernet Sauvignon Charlie's Patch (USA, California, Napa Valley)

pop & pour- Intense color of super garnet, almost opaque, almost black. The nose is pure clean cassis driven with subtle black cherry. The palate has a super silky texture with gobs of black fruit. The currants are there, as is the black cherries. A hint of pomegranate and creme de cassis. More approachable than the '06 at this moment, but twice as elegant and pure. Does not have the viscousness of the '06 either. Beautiful medium to heavy weight plushy mouth feel with linear and coordinated tannins, behaving themselves. A hint of oak, just a hint. Perfect balance and a pretty good finish to boot. When a wine taste this good, what is the upside for the 5-10 year sleep? Its pure hedonistic indulgence brings a smile this birthday weekend.

94 points

2007 K Vintners Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard

USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope (2/15/2010)
Lets jump right into it: The nose: pure and bright nose with tons of bounce and shine. Red cherry, blackberry, black currant, some warm blueberry, pomegranate, earth, sun, and skill is what I get. The palate has a very intense and pure attack of same, but magnified. All precise. All pure. All in tune with what Syrah should be within these shores. There is a very intense acid level that tells you its awake and ready for business. The tannins, although slightly chewy are aligned and refined. I get some river rock, and some earthiness, with some pine, menthol, lead pencil shavings and spring flowers.The finish is in tune with what came before. This is the single best Milbrandt I have had in 3/4 vintages. Period. QPR contender for sure. (92 pts.)

2007 Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley

Sweet black fruit nose. Very pretty indeed. The palate has a super refined and semi plush mouthfeel with a creamy edge. Some wonderful black currant with black raspberries and camphor. Some creme de cassis, cherry cola, hints of vanilla and violets. This is long on finish. More than two minutes long. A wonderful acidity that keeps it alive and a tannin base that is pure and elegant. Super refined and expressive to the level of defying its own price-point. This has always been a favorite of mine, and this is the best yet. Wow.
$22 dollars never tasted so good. (92 pts.)

2007 Saxum James Berry Vineyard

USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

One sniff and you know you have arrived in the The Golden State. Big and chewy with a deft balance of oak, blueberry pie and a white and black pepper medley and some bacon fat. A gorgeous wine that evolved on and on as the night wore on. Never faltering, but not too food friendly either, at least not this elegant grub of pan fried loin of veal with ricotta gnocchi. A baby for sure, I would not mind following this one for the next 3 or 4 years. Intricate tannins and a generous, but slightly masked acid level. Nice. 93 points

Relic Wines with winemaker Mike Hirby.

Last month Mike Hirby, owner of Relic Wines and winemaker for none other than Realm Wines visited NYC with a dozen or so of his new releases.

Full report can be seen here. http://www.clonyc.com/

2008 Relic The Sage (44% Chardonnay, 22% Viognier, 22% Roussanne, and 12% Marsanne) - I really enjoyed the dimension and profile of this. I get the Euro influence Mike said he was seeking.. The nose was all citrus, apricots and tall grass. A deft balance with some extra character filled nuances coming toward the end. I take it the Roussanne and Marsanne were making themselves known. Beautiful.

All reds double decanted back into thier own bottle-- 2.5 hours early.

2008 Relic Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast- My short experienced self (on Sonoma Pinot) welcomed this one. The nose had loads of cherries & cola some wild flowers. Very interesting as it sat in the glass.. A very pretty wine that revealed the Bing cherry, cola, and a hint of earth. I loved the character and tight-rope balance this showed. One that Mike said only gets better in 2009. I only ask….how?

2007 Relic Artefact- (96% CS, 2% PV, 2% Syrah) what an amazing wine. The nose was singing of all good things to come. Black fruits rule the night and this is the opening act: Dense and plush with currant, black cherries, plums and vanilla. A deeply complex serious wine that changes moment to moment. What an interesting wine!

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Relic Rockledge Vineyard- I have been a fan of the Rockledge Vineyards stuff for a few years now. Mike now gets that fruit for his own label. This was dark and brooding. The nose was restrained. On the palate this is as serious as a heart attack. Dark, dense, cassis and black cherry driven, this is a bit tannic and unyielding. Plush and masculine, with a long black filled fruit finish. A fantastic wine that wears its name like a badge of honor. I love it.

2008 Relic Cabernet Sauvignon Rockledge Vineyard -barrel sample- Mikes’ term for picking some of these 08’s was ‘picking sweet’. I never heard the term myself until last night. This is a pure and clean expression of a super young un-bottled. The stuffing is all there, its just all covered with the baby fat. Sure, it’s a bit primary, but a red/black fruit profile is in there somewhere. I will love to sample this after it’s been under cork for 6 months.

2007 Realm Cellars full line-up.

All wines were double decanted back into thier own bottle-- 2.5 hours early

2007 Realm The Tempest- The tempest and I are like a bickering couple: sometimes we see eye to eye, but more times not. Strangely, the year it was cab heavy (2005?) was that one time we did. Medium weight and reddish black profile, there was great structure and finesse. It's just that damn Merlot that gets in the way…

2007 Realm ‘The Falstaff’- Cab Franc blend. This is a head spinner and eye popper! Super aromatics with loads of black and blue fruits. Some plums, some black cherries, and some camphor. I loved it. It is one you can sit with all night long and never get tired of. Elegance and pizzazz all in one. A no brainier buy.

2007 Realm ‘the Bard’- Usually not in my top group as well, this years is exceptional. A dark fruited currant/cassis/kirsch profile with a beautiful vanilla nose that is all joy. What a pretty and graceful wine. Wow!

2007 Realm Farella- These designates are always so great to taste alongside one another. This has all the Farella stuffing I am used to with a bit more elegance and style that I can remember, broaching toward the Crane territory. Great balance and length. Very nice indeed.

2007 Realm Beckstoffer Dr Crane- How do you spell WOW. This is all I ever remember it to be, but better. How the hell can this be so? Dark, brooding, intense, aromatic, elegant, muscular, balance, length, potential, love. This changed in 15 minutes to be even more of what I just said: more dark, more brooding……A cabernet drinker’s cabernet. Want to make someone happy? Buy them one of these. I…say….no….more.

2007 Realm Beckstoffer To Kalon- Always the crowd pleaser, this again brings it to new heights. Always vying neck and neck with the Crane for first place, you need a photo finish for this race. Dark and ominous, this has tons of character and structure, with gobs of the blackest fruits known to man. We need another word for ‘blackest fruits’—ok….we need 2 new words.

Bottom line: get your check books out.

Est arrivé!! 2007 Congruence Cabernet, Maiden Voyage

On October 31, 2009, Halloween, we went to the Congruence release party to pick-up our long awaited 2007 Congruence Cabernet, The Maiden Voyage. I have discussed on this site the evolution of this wine.
It's always great seeing friends, and especially smiling friends pouring Cabernet. The few glasses I had there were dark and seamless with loads of fruits and legs like a Super Model.
I could not wait to open one in my home and actually dissect it. Last night, was that time.

This is a dark wine with reddish-purple tinged edges. swirling about it sticks to the side of the glass (what us old timers used to call legs). The nose is enticing & inviting with cherry cola, mocha, Crème de Cassis, black currant, and framboise. Very pretty and aromatic--worth the price of admission itself. The palate shows some black & red fruits of black cherries, currants, red plums, and a hint of Chinese apple. Some Kirsch, floral notes with some leather and earth. Its a medium weight wine with grace and structure. A slightly dry edge with a classy tannin/acid base. Some lushness shows its head, and some baby fat keeps it all covered snugly, but my overall impression is happiness and joy. What more does one seek? A long finish keeps the memory alive for more than 2 minutes. A Maiden Voyage I am glad to be a part of. 92/100

Congratulations to Steve Eisenhauer. He had an idea and made it into a reality: create great Napa Cabernet from amazing sites that don't break the bank. I am looking forward to nexts years offering, which is multi-site blend.

LINK

LINK

Contact Steve at http://www.congruencewines.com/ for information

2007 Dain Wines Syrah The Smart Set White Hawk Vineyard

If there had been a single best $20 STEAL available ANYWHERE. I would like to try it. Until then, I say this is possibly the best deal I have made all year (And I made some good deals).

Medium garnet in color, the nose is all white pepper, forest floor, cranberries, cherries, and pomegranate, all intense. All in balance. The palate reveals a lush mouth feel of cranberry, pomegranate, Bing cherries, red plums, raspberries, fresh grated white pepper, wild lowers and wow. The balance is incredible. Perfect acidic conveyor belt whisping this forward to nirvana.
Unbef-inglievable. A super long finish and Dain's your uncle. (95 pts.)