2004 Rockledge Cabernet Sauvignon The Rocks

USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

30 minutes decant. This is one of the darkest, densest wines I have had in months. Swirling coats the glass with a ruby tint. The nose has some cherry cola, creme de cassis and black currant jam. The palate shows a wonderful explosion of black fruits: Currant, black cherries, black berries, black plums. There is some soy and a hint of vanilla. All this is engulfed in a blanket of chewy textured tannins. Pure and clean, this is huge! A wonderful acid reminder-note toward the finish. A very powerful cabernet that begs for a grilled steak or chops. I think time will soften this, but its so enjoyable now with an extended decant (My third bottle). A super finish that I can still taste after 2 minutes while typing this. Wow.

Mike Hirby is one talented wine-maker. I am so excited he is visiting with my tasting group CLONYC next month to share some of his new releases. (93 pts.)

2005 Jones Family The Sisters - USA, California, Napa Valley (9/19/2009)

Super deep and dark as usual, this one needs a minimum of 1-2 hours to really show itself. Great creme de kirsch and cola on the nose. The palate has chewy black and dark red fruits of currant, blackberry and black plum pudding. The mouthfeel is plush and elegant. A wonderful balanced wine, this has all the hallmarks of a full-breed Napa cabernet, at half the price. The tannins are intricately weaved and spun to help create the great mouthfeel. The finish is a minute plus, and the fruit never quits. (93 pts.)

2005 Clos Saint Jean Châteauneuf-du-Pape Deus-Ex Machina

The nose was all exotic spices and black cherries. The palate reveals some silky and uber-ripened black cherries, black pepper, soy, cedar, vanilla and some crushed pebbles. That rich exotic quality is sure present through-out. A medium weight mouthfeel with some deftly balanced tannins, which were just slightly angular, and a moderate acid base. A long finish of 90+ seconds. This wine needs at least 5 more years to show itself as it was surely holding back about 50% of what I believe it could be: A wonderfully elegant but powerfully possessive character-filled Châteauneuf. It really has it all, it just needs to come together.

2006 Adele Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

The press on this says: One of the best Napa Cabernet's under $60 that we have tasted in the last three years. Produced by Kirk Venge maybe the hottest young winemaker in Ca. The wine itself comes from one of the Napa Valley's Super Premium wineries whose Cabernet retails for $125-$150. This is not a second label but actually the extra barrels of the 2006 vintage of this same wine. The wine is full bodied, yet elegant on the palate. It is wonderfully complex, loaded with fruit and posesses a distinct sense of minerality. An exceptionally balanced and totally seductive wine. My own scientific based research tells me it's the 2006 Igneous Cabernet Sauvignon. Additional info tells: Under the Adele Cellars label we bottle and sell a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Kirk Venge, one the hottest young winemakers in CA. We cannot reveal the source of the wine, however we can provide some details. The wine is purchased from a premium Napa Cabernet producer whose label sells for $600 per six-pack wholesale. This cuvee is not a second label made by X, rather it is extra barrels of the wine itself. The fruit for the Adele 2006 comes two vineyards, Thorevilos in St. Helena and Huckfeldt in Coombsville. Both vineyards are managed by David Abreu. The Thorevillos vineyard has produced 100 point wines (Robert Parker) under the Abreu label. Mr. Abreu sells fruit from this vineyard to only two people, Mr. Huckfeldt and David Bowler.

Then we taste it: Darkish red umber in color, the nose was all blackberries, blackcherry, cassis and underbrush. On the palate there was some great intergrated black fuits of plum, blackberries and creme de casis. A medium weighted wine with loads of extras: first and forefront are the notes of cedar, leather, and some wonderful underfbrush-brambly notes thats I really enjoy. The tannins are finely meshed and the lilty acid level kept in check. Very nicely balanced and quite a nice drink, this most definitely drinks above its station and price-point of $30. My one complaint is a clipped finish. Great deal and QPR status nontheless. (89 pts.)

2000 Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos (Hungary)

Beautiful deep and dark golden honey in color. The nose is pure honeyed apricots and honeydew. There is richness on the palate, which is full of gorgeous sweet apricots, lemongrass, melons, and joy. A super balanced style just bordering on a fine line between mid and heavyweight, this is a joy to experience. The finish goes on and on. Just stunning. 94 points.

2002 Gemstone (USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville)

76% cab, 12% merlot, 9% cab franc, 3% petite verdot.. Time treats these Gemstones well. The last time I had this it was nice, but surely not monumental. Today, 4 years later it has added weight and class, but more importantly, structure. A very deep and dark reddish black color, this was very fragrant on the nose: cassis, flowers, and black cherries. On the palate there is a very concentrated mouth feel that I don’t really remember this having previous time while sampling. Great structure with some great lushness. The black fruit profile is my playground. Great black currant, plums, blackberries with some kirsch notes, tar, and a hint of soy. A bit of leather and a hint of cedar box. The tannins are still noticeable but did not negatively affect his showing on ounce. It was decanted 4 hours (I believe), which surely was advantageous in this showing. A real elegant classy and uber balanced wine, with a long creamy smooth finish. (92 pts.)

2003 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

30 minute quadruple splash decant. Dark and brooding. The nose is fragrant with black cassis notes, black cherries, and crème de kirsch. The palate has a silky and pure mouthfeel that is lush and elegant. Totally open for business. There is the crème de kirsch with some cocoa, black currants, black cherries, super black plums and pomegranate. Amazing intricately weaved tannins with a lilthy acidic 'bounce'. A very long and poignant finish that goes minutes, not seconds. A fantastic showing indeed. No rush, but no need to postpone enjoyment either. 94 points

2004 Pax Cuvée Moriah (USA, California, Sonoma County)

No, not Moriah Carey. Better. Pax Cuvée Moriah!
Medium reddish ruby color. The nose is pure joy of red cherries, rose petals, with a touch of crushed pebbles and blueberries. The palate has a wonderful medium mouth feel with those red fruits of cherries, plums, red currant, and rose water. A slightly elevated acid level never really subsided, but never really felt negative. A deep and loud & mid-palate with some white crushed pepper, anise, soy and tar. This really had much going for it. The tannins were very low key. The finish went on for 1 plus minute. I can say this is probably one of the top 5 Grenache based wines I have truly enjoyed. I find no middle ground as its either love or hate, and this is pure unadulterated love. 93 points

Edgewood Road Cellars Cabernet Reserve bottled today!

And so the saga continues: Today we finally got to bottle our Cabernet Reserve. What makes it a Reserve you ask? Good question. It taste better than the other 3 gallons of Cabernet we had in glass. Very much better. In fact it surpasses some Napa bottlings I have had in the $12-$15 range. Nice fruit, good mouth feel, great balance. Nothing negative, and that's what we really were seeking, a wine that did not suck.
We were able to get 27 bottles under cork. We then put the other 3 gallons into the barrel and put it away for another month or so. It had a nail polishy/acetone note to it I did not like much. We'll see.
Next it's our Petite Sirah. Maybe tomorrow morning when it's cooler.

We completed the Petite Sirah on Sunday morning. pretty much what we did for the CS. There was more floating materials so we did a mesh filter. 25 bottles later, we moved the balance of the petite in the glass to the barrel and we will check it in a month. The petite is a deep purple in color with some violets on the nose. The palate shows a very subdued wine, especially after bottling the CS on Friday, but is a very 'varietally' correct wine. We took advice and shot the Argon into each bottle before corking.

By the way, that picture is Thomas Rivers Brown of the Napa Valley. A man who actually KNOWS how to make Cabernet. I know, a cheap shot on my part to tie in a real winemaker to my garage operation possibly seeking credibility.................... ok, you got me, most definitely seeking credibility. You can't fault a guy for trying.

2004 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium - USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

3 hour decant.
A quiet beauty. Deep and dark with nary a sign of demise. The nose is all camphor, cassis, creme de kirsch and framboise. The palate has the cassis with a soft but firm mouthfell. There is the kirsch and the creme, but there is also some tar, and leather. Some black plums with a hint of super black cherry, This has surely quieted down since my last taste. A decent acid level keeps this lively and fresh. A long and exact finish beckons more.......and I'm glad to have more in the cellar. (94 pts.)

2005 Lucia Syrah Susan's Hill - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

What an amazing bottle of Syrah from begininning to end. It has all the things I want in an American Syrah plus a whole lot more. Its purity is insane. The color is ultra brooding blood red. The nose is all steamed meats, cooked bacon and crush pebbles with violets, blackberries, black cherry cola and love. The palate reveals an amazing interweaved balance of black fruits with finely weaved tannins and a perfect acid level. The camphor is in the house with a smooth and plushy moutfeel. Some black pepper, boysenberries, pomegranate, blueberry pie, and leather. The finish is insane. I cornered the market in these and it's time I do it again. Love has arrived....again. (95 pts.)

2005 Go Figure Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 3 (USA, California, North Coast, Napa County)

Very pretty cranberry & crimson edges. Not very brooding. The nose has some dark currant, rose petal and black cherry. There is a medium body mouthfeel that is very rich and plush. Very plush. There is a tiny touch of heat that quickly dissapated with some air (I popped and poured). Then some chewy tannins with a clean and pure acid level (Steaks?). This has all the stuffing of a world class cabernet. A decent elegant finish completes this nicely.This is my favorite retailers (Gary's NJ) own label and he will tell you on his website that he is 'unable to tell you where it comes from'. I can tell you that the back label says Girard, and I'm thinking more Rudd. A great deal with tons of upside for the next 2-5 years drinking.

2005 Ruston Family Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley

A very admirable cabernet indeed. Medium light color. Great pure cassis on the nose with some cherry cola. There is a nice acid/tannin level that makes this a sure fire hit with food. (Roasted lamb chops). Black fruit profile with curant, black cherry, black plum and some tarry earthiness. A real nice plushy mouthfeel that belies its price point ($19.99). Medium weight on the tonque with some vanilla oaky notes that should flesh out in about a year. A clean and exact finish. This will be one of my house wines this summer as I just HAPPILY bought a bunch more. (good luck waiting the year). (91 pts.)

3 Champagnes, 2 vintage, 1 rose NV

1996 Henriot Brut Millésimé -Very dark straw color. The nose had some butterscotch and with a touch of underlying sulphur. The plate showed beautiful citrus notes with a touch of grassy knoll. Beautifully balanced with the most lilt amount of acidity and just a wee bit creamy, which I do appreciate. A very classy wine indeed. If the nose showed more fruitiness and less sulphur, which never blew off, it would have been just incredible. 90/100

2002 Taittinger Brut – What a contrast. Light yellow lemon shade of straw. Beautiful bright fruit profile with sun flowers, lemon zest and peach. An elegant wine in a light bodied style. Obviously showing its youth. 91/100

NV Camille Savès Brut Rosé -The most beautiful burnt umber / salmon color I can describe. The nose was all joy of strawberries. The fine delineated bubble path was incredible. Pure and elegant, but fun and easy, this was a revelation. Some beautiful creaminess and super balanced light mouthfeel, this was just a great rose champagne worthy of popping this summer on the deck. 94/100

2002 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon Lone Canyon Vineyard

Super dark with the prettiest crimson edges. The nose has a sweet cherry note with some cola. The palate is plush with very beautiful black currant, crème de cassis, kirsch royal and black cherries. There is a plum and pomegranate quality I really appreciate. Some tobacco leaf and some exotic tea. A very nicely balanced mid palate with some sweetness evident. The Coca Cola notes return with some earthiness and elegance. Tannins are finely weaved and are really clean and pure. There is some acidity noticable PLUS a bit of oak. A 'fat' wine and a very 2002ish wine indeed. This is a very 'easy' to drink cabernet for sure. The finish is admirable and really rounds this one out nicely. A 'almost' classically made cabernet that screams Cali...in a good way. (91 pts.)

Realms 2006 Line-up, REDUX and then some......

I attended the Realm open house last night in NYC at an interesting venue, the Audi Forum on Park Avenue and 47th. Seeing old friends and making new is always the bonus to this open house and last night was no different. Wendell, Juan and Mike are just great unassuming guys who happen to make an excellent wine. The 2006 offerings have caught my attention again, and honestly I was slightly under whelmed with the ’05 cabernets and bought only the Tempest. (I am as fickle as a 12 year old school girl. Good luck changing me now). I know these wines go through many changes and phases as having witnessed at least 6 or 7 times myself in the last 18 months. Having the opportunity to taste some library wines last night just confirmed that once again. The 2004 Phoenix and 2002 To-Kalon were amazing.

2006 Realm Beckstoffer Dr Crane Cabernet Sauvignon
The most black & dark fruited is also the most aromatic and pleasing on the nose, right now. Super concentrated cassis filled with some black cherry and kirsch. A very complete and pleasing wine with a very long and elegant finish. The tannins are evident but the balance is so pure and precise, you get the feeling perfection personified from the neck up. 93/100

2006 Realm Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon
This has amazing structure and style. A bit four square right now, I know that time treats these well (read below). Black fruits of currant, black plums, and some cherry notes this is a bit restrained on the nose, right now. A beautiful one not to be ignored. 91/100

2006 Realm Farella Vineyard Cabernet sauvignon
The nose says red fruits. The palate solidifies those findings. Red cherries and red plums, this is beautifully structured and elegant with a nice mid weight mouthfeel. A few years in the bottle and this will make you smile. 90/100

2004 Realm Phoenix from magnum
This is a wonderful complex wine with much happening. Its currant with some pencil shavings, tar, a slight mushroom note with a beautiful mid weight mouthfeel. Wonderfully textured and precise, this has elegance and class. Anyone lucky enough to have this is surely just that, lucky. Anyone not having it should seek it out. Tasted from two magnums, the first had a bit of cork on the nose that blew off within 5 minutes and exposed just a beautiful wine. 93/100

2002 Realm Realm Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon from magnum
On my way to the exit after all my good nights, I heard my name. Looking around I caught Juan behind the bar with a big bottle in his hands, sure I will catch the later bus.
Such a beautiful and complete expression of To Kalon, this had everything. Pure cassis and dark black berries, the aromatics alone was mind boggling. Medium weight and fully resolved tannins, this is in such a perfect place from when I had it last about a year ago. If the above To Kalon turns to this in 4 or 5 years the owner will be blessed with a near perfect bottle of Cabernet. Wow 95/100

2007 Maybach Family Vineyards Chardonnay Eterium

Two barrel selection from the 2007 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard. Less than 500 bottles will be available. Maybe.....This was pale golden hued and glossy. The nose was lemon rind and tall grass. 100% new oak and it showed wonderfully. Similar in many ways to the RM but more minerality with the great lemon fruited notes. Intense and complicated this was great.

After 2 days (vacuvined): This really came together nicely. More structure and elegance with a beautiful delineated acid level and just a more focused wine in whole. Complicated and enjoyable. I really like this wine.

2006 Schraders Cabernet Sauvignon line-up

2006 Schrader Beckstoffer To-Kalon – Wow, this is the schnizzle all new world Cali cab drinkers seek. Dark and dense, with some wonderful notes of flower petals and violets on the nose. Darkish fruit profile with black-hole cassis, sassafras, black cherry, and black plums. Really impressive mouth fell and structure that brought joy to everyone on the tables face. Unbelievable. If you pass on any of the Schraders, don’t let it be this one, regardless of what got what points from whom……
2006 Schrader CCS- Like all of the other Schraders, the similarities are there. All wonderful wines with some great depth structure and finesse. Not to sound like a broken record as I am sure I do already, this is just beautiful and a must seek out for Napa cabernet aficionados.

2006 Schrader T6 Cabernet Sauvignon- Floral nose and ungiving upon opening. 4 hours plus this had some great black fruits with super structure. A tremendous mouth feel. Great cassis and cola with a slight touch of camphor. There was the slightest note of sulphur, but it dissipated in the glass quickly. Such a big brawny wine with tons of finesse. Great.

2006 Schrader Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon- All the Schrader’s had a similar profile save for a certain something: This had the super long finish and persistent cover on the tongue. Super plush with crème de cassis and leather, this was great. Check out this note.

2007 Charles Smith Syrah Boom Boom - USA, Washington

Vibrant crimson color with magenta edges. The nose has some blueberries, red cherries and crushed rocks. The palate reveals a mid-weight to light mouth feel with crisp red fruits of cherries and red plums with some pomegranate. Some blueberry and crush stones are in the mix with a great acid level. The tannins are non-opposing and the whole package really works. It's like a great little CdR, just from Washington State, and no funk. What a great bargain too. I will continue to state it, this guy Charles Smith (who I met for the about the 5th time this week over his full line-up) is either a genius or madman, but I like to think he's a mix of both and this is truly not a 'tastng note' wine, but a wine to just enjoy so I will end it there...... (91 pts.) ($16.99)

Home Made Wine- UPDATE

Last October we left off with my neighbor Mike and me making our own wines.
Sunday we reconvened to do the first ‘racking’. We chose to do it in my driveway. It was a beautiful sunny day in the low 50s so we both agreed there was no better time.

We have not done anything to these since except refill the vodka in the air chamber and taste the wine. We recently have been pretty happy with the results.

The first barrel out was the Cabernet. We poured it off through three strainers. The color was amazing. Seep dark purple with some pretty purple tinged edges. We got to about 85% of it and decided to filter the balance with cheese cloth. We put that aside.
Tasting the wine we were both amazed at the quality. It had a vibrant mouth feel with some primary dark fruits. Some chewyness and glossiness on the back of the toque. We were surely smiling. We rinsed the barrel with some cab from the glass 5 gallon jar and poured the main wine back in. We then topped off the barrel with some from the middle of the 5 gallon jug. It had a similar profile, but maybe a bit more primary. Corked it and away it went. Next we did the same with the Petite Sirah. It was redder and dense without the clarity the cab had. On the palate we got some real nice PS profiled fruits with some soft tannins and plushness. Again we cleaned the barrel and refilled it. This time when we tasted the 5 gallon jar of the PS we both sensed some rotten eggs on the nose and finish. Maybe a dirty jar? We decided not to use it in our main petite Sirah, so we topped it with about 10% cabernet sauvignon/petite sirah blend we had in a 1 gallon jug. This was from the second pressing of all the skins and pips. It’s dark and deep with some nice cabernet fruits with the color of the PS. We cleaned up and opened a bottle of something to celebrate.

We have agreed to bottle this in 1 month. I want to capture the freshness and vibrancy while it’s still fruity and joyous. I will update then.