Cherry Hill Winery
Chalk Hill
Estate Red Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009
[Tasted on March 15, 2024 at Richland Country Club in Nashville]
49% Cabernet Sauvignon; 21% Malbec; 17% Merlot; 8% Petit Verdot; 4% Syrah; 1% Carmenere. Chalk Hill AVA is a sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley AVA and is known for its chalky white ash soils. Restrained red currant fruit with mineral and graphite notes. Balanced and Bordeaux-like. — a month ago
Château Lynch-Bages
Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1978
Checking in on my birth year 1978. Still doing well - a bit smoky but not over the hill. Maybe it can last to 50…? — 17 days ago
Vine Hill Ranch
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Bruce Phillips and his wife were pouring their 2021. Talked w/ him at length. Very nice couple.
The 2021 showed well young with room for improving with 10-25 years in bottle and beyond. It showed some evolution, wasn’t all primary. Elegant, very well balanced with excellent structure and finish. Drink 2033-45 properly stored.
The general Napa consensus on 2022 vintage will be a story of did you pick before or after the 6 days of extreme heat during the harvest window. One producer told me his would add 5% of 2023 to some of his 2022’s, which is allowed. He mentioned that he was going to add 15%. But, I think he just misspoke? Get ready for an amazing 2023 vintage from Napa. It was a cooler, not hot-hot, which was a near perfect growing season for long slow even ripening. Some say a vintage of a lifetime and others would only say exceptional.
The Saturday-Sunday Pavilion tasting at Pebble Beach Food & Wine is an excellent four hours to taste a lot wine, taste curated dishes from chefs from all over the country and meet the people behind the bottle. These short ribs were one of the top two or three things I tasted at the Pavilion Saturday. — 16 days ago
Kosta Browne
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2021
Deep Ruby color with aromas of red fruits, cedar and baking spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with toasty notes and cinnamon spice. Aged in French oak (about 50% new). Full-bodied, fine soft tannins, long finish ending with fruit, toasty oak and an earthy character. Nice! — 7 days ago
R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2008
Dark garnet hue. Aromas of bramble, cedar, cherry, flint, graphite, leather, oak, plum, strawberry. Medium-plus body, with plus tannins and plus acidity. Integrated, rounded tannins. Drinking well now. 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. — 17 days ago
"Odedi"
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish /brick rim. Pretty color, but looks much older than it is.
Muted on the nose with black fruits, light wood and chocolate notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with plums, cooked cherries, oak, light vanilla, licorice, light earth, herbs, spices, pencil lead, chocolates, light tobacco and peppercorn.
Medium minus in length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a nice entry level Merlot from Napa Valley. Smooth and elegant with nice complexity.
Nicely balanced and fruit forward. Rich and spicy with a nice mouthfeel.
This 5 year old is peaking now and will not continue to improve.
Good right out of the bottle and easy drinking. A good pop and pour kind of wine, but better after 30 minutes of airtime.
Wine Spectator 91 points.
Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food. A good party wine.
A blend of 77% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Syrah.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$37. — 19 days ago