2005 Merus. In case you don't already know, this is the
schnizzle. It is dark and brooding with
explosive black and red fruits of currant black berry, black cherry, and black plums. It has super length and incredible mouth feel. Wow. 97/100
2005 Maybach Materium, I had commented about this from last nights open house below.
2005 Outpost 'True Vineyard' Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, This was one of my surprises of the day; intense, dark, and layered with red fruits this was fragrant and lovely. 92/100
2005 Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, if there are
still qprs in
Napa, one must be willing to pay$50-$60 for them. Here is one: Elegant and smooth full of blackberries and
cassis. Bright and stellar. 90/100
2006 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Adler Springs. This had wonderful structure, blueberries & crushed pebbles. Fragrant and not over the top. I like what was done with this. 92/100
2005 Arnot-Roberts Cabernet Sauvignon Bugay, Sonoma County. I like this one this year better than the
Clajeux (formerly wild iris). It had pure red black and blue fruits with a wonderful balance of acid and tannins. The tannins were finely meshed and well
integrated. 90/100
2006 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Hudson. 6 months more barrel time than last years Hudson, this is a brute of a wine that needs time in the bottle to show its full self. Its super concentrated and tightly knit. This reminds me of a classic Cote
Rotie 92/100
2006 Arnot-Roberts Syrah Griffins Lair. Deep purple and
very fragrant, this showed wonderful blueberry and black plums. Pure and class, this is a deftly balanced sublime wine indeed. 91/100
2005 K Vintners Syrah Morrison Lane, Walla Walla. A beautiful example of
whats going on in Walla Walla. Great nose of candy and spice with some smokey dark blue berries and a wonderful acid level. Tannins in check, this is surely a
pleaser. 93/100
2006 K Vintners Syrah Millbrandt, Walla Walla. Candy cane and
gummi bears; this is a real 'fun'
Syrah to behold. Full and fleshy, it is somewhat similar to the Morrison, but more in your face, where the Morrison is a bit more restrained....just a bit. 93/100
2005 K Vintners Ovide, Walla Walla. 67% Cabernet and 33%
Syrah. This is a very interesting and serious wine for sure. Its structured like a cab, but explodes like a
syrah. Dark fruited of
cassis with stones, tar, and coffee, this is full
throttle but precise. 94/100
2005 Wolf Family Cabernet Franc (3% CS). Pretty and exact, this Cab Franc delivers elegance and full flavor. I am usually not a fan of Cab Franc alone, but this made me a believer. 93/100
2006 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Baby Poux Vineyard Columbia Valley. Floral notes on the nose, this is bright red fruited with
gobbs of youth and promise. Red Currant with tar, cedar and cocoa, this is pretty and feminine, but no light weight. 93.5/100
2006 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard Columbia Valley. Bright red and eucalyptus, this is pure and smooth. Great length and
mouthfeel. 92/100
2005 Realm Bard. One not tasted at the NY open house, this is pure and elegant with smooth tannins. Medium weighted and intense. Glad to get the 'behind the table' try from Wendell 92/100
2005 Larkmead Firebelle Meritage Napa. Beautiful soft tannins with great reddish fruits. The Merlot carries this forward while the Cab gives structure. Tar and cocoa with a nice long finish. Great
QPR 90/100
2006 Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. Good balance and pure easy ab
stle willmake this a crowd
pleaser, even for the
uninitiated cab drinkers. Good
QPR. 89+/100
2003 Black Sears Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, Napa. Deep and dark, this is super fleshy with currant, blackberries and class. Very
verrrry impressive.
2006 Arietta Quartet (barrel) Great balance and structure. Deep red fruit of cherries and raspberries. Great nose and length. 92
2006 Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon, (barrel), Dark pure cab profile with great fresh vibrant cassis and dark cherry. Wonderful balance and super fine tannins. This will be a stunner. From a two barrel selection. 92
2004 Crocker & Starr Stone Place Cabernet Sauvignon, dark color with a real pretty fruit profile. A bit understated, but still regal. Should be something very nice in about 5 years. 90
2006 Kunin Zinfandel Westside Paso Robles, Medium dark color and great berries on the nose, some tat and soy. I really enjoy this elegant and reserved of Zinfandel. Great job. 90
2005 Gemstone Facets- a sweet fruit profile detracts somewhat from this years offering. A great interweaved tannin structure and decent acid level. I enjoyed the Gemstone better this year, and the Facets better last year. 89
2005 Altus Cabernet Sauvignon (Merus 2nd label), This had nice pure elegant fruits of cassis, blackberry, and dark plum. Its elegant and pure, and very soft textured. Elegance but made in the ‘early drinking’ style. Merus’ little sister. 90
2006 PAX Syrah Obsidian Knights Valley, Big and brutish. This had wonderful meat, pepper, and blueberries pie that is a very in your face style of Cali syrah PAX is known for. Deep and concentrated, this needs a night to study. 91
2006 PAX Syrah Walker Vine Hill, Russian River Valley, Very fruit forward style with dark plum, white pepper, and blueberry. Great balance of acid and fine-grained tannins. 89
2006 PAX Syrah Cuvee Christine Sonoma County, a very boisterous type of Syrah with great deep blueberries, and crush stone. Nice minerality and structure, with a nice long finish. 88
2006 PAX Syrah Nellson Vineyard Sonoma Coast, very aromatic showing decent breed and style. Blackberries and blueberries with crushed pebbles and white pepper. Nice mouths feel, maybe too typical and boring for my style though. 87
2005 Brookman Cabernet Sauvignon, good dark fruits but seems to lack the mid-palate. A somewhat high acid level A bit disjointed. I enjoyed the 04 better. 89
Got
Merus? Get.....
Merus.
2005 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium-USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville (4/14/2008)Super dark color. Deep pure cassis and blackberry nose. The palate has the blackberry and the deep pure currant, anise and cocoa.. Slghtly angular tannins. Balance, structure and breed. This is a powerhouse that will be sure to please for the next 15 years. The promise is there...the patience will be rewarded. (95 pts.)
