Courtyard Winery
Gabriëlskloof Wines
Magdalena Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Time to mix in a wine from our Cellar Door host, Gabrielskloof.
The nose is, lemon curd, lime, white peach, pineapple, some grassy notes, light herbaceous, fruit blossoms, vanilla, honey notes, very soft and understated, beautiful minerals with spring flowers, yellow lilies in mixed greens.
The body is full, round and thick. lemon curd, lime, white peach, pineapple, some grassy notes, light herbaceous, fruit blossoms, vanilla, honey notes, white spice, very soft and understated, beautiful minerals with spring flowers, yellow lilies in mixed greens. High acidity. The rich, lush, elegant finish is delicious and persistent for minutes.
Photos of; Gabrielskloof courtyard, tasting lounge and our tasting area and front entrance sign. — 6 years ago
Kanonkop Estate
Pinotage 2009
Nice of our host Heidi to take us back through some of their older vintages and this 09 Estate was showing beautifully.
Nice soft, ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, blue fruits, raspberries & strawberries. Very soft and understated baking spices, some black licorice, dark rich soil, sweet vanillin, steep fruit tea, light, fresh herbaceous notes, mint and beautiful fresh and withering dark and red florals.
The body is full, juicy lush with soft, rounded, sweet tannins. Beautiful! Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, blue fruits, raspberries, strawberries, hints of purple fruits, very soft and understated baking spices, notes of black licorice, dark rich soil, sweet vanillin, steep fruit tea, light, fresh herbaceous notes, dark spice that has mellowed over 10 years, mint with beautiful fresh and withering dark and red florals. The acidity is excellent. The finish is gorgeous, balanced fruit & earth. It’s delicious ripe with soft dark spice on the long set.
Photos of; the mountains as viewed from their courtyard and where they took their Cellar Door name. The top left plateau is referred to as a Kanonkop. Larger formats in the tasting room, tasting room merchandise and the Kanonkop entrance. — 6 years ago
FEL Wines
Anderson Valley Chardonnay 2015
On the nose, Meyer lemon, honey notes, pineapple, green apple flesh with no skin, lime, melon, notes of orange citrus, spring flowers & jasmine
The body is light, slightly waxy, lemon, honeycomb, light green & red apple without skin, tropical melons, pineapple, yellow lilies and spring flowers. Beautiful round acidy. Great texture, length and understated polished finish.
Photos of; an arial view of the Cliff Lede tasting room and Estate vineyards, artwork for sale in their tasting room by former vocalist of Jefferson Airplane Grace Slick turned artist (Jerry Garcia), two hearts that decorate the tasting room courtyard and the outside terrace at Cliff Lede. — 7 years ago
Terrazas de Los Andes
Los Aromos Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
On the nose, ripe, ruby fruits of; dark cherries, black raspberries, blackberries and raspberries on the edges. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, cinnamon, vanilla, some clove, dark rich soils, suede leather, dark fruit cola, light crushed rocks, nice spice and dark deep violets.
On the palate, the body is lush & full. The tannins are firm, meaty, tarry and sticky. Ruby, ripe; dark cherries, black raspberries, blackberries, cherries & strawberries as it opens up with raspberries on the edges. Black licorice, sweet tarry notes, cinnamon, vanilla, some clove, dark rich soils, suede leather, dark fruit cola, light crushed rocks, heavy grippy dark minerals, nice dark spice and dark deep violets. The round acidity is beautiful. The rich, ruby ripe, lush, elegant finish is divine.
Photos of, Bodega Terrazas de Los Andes. All new French oak barrels waiting for the 2018 vintage. Landscaping around the courtyard and their shinny inverted cone shaped stainless steel tanks.
— 7 years ago
Rockford
Basket Press Barossa Valley Shiraz 2013
This wine is made from assortment of 30 different growers of grapes. Barreled in 50-50 Americans & French oak. On the nose, blackberries, blueberries, black cherries, dry cherries, strawberry preserves, very soft spice, dark cola, black licorice and dry & fresh dark florals. On the palate, dry dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, blue fruits, anise, tarry notes, black licorice, black cherry cola, rhubarb, powdery dry tannins, crushed rocks, big red florals, warm spice, nutmeg, light clove, good acidity, bright leaner, ripe fruits with a consistent finish that lasts. Old wood baskets presses featured in the photo and the courtyard at Rockford. — 8 years ago
Jordan Vineyard & Winery
Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Made in a true French tradition of 'wine goes with food'. It's one of those subtle Sonoma wines that does not try to overpower everything. While it can stand on its own, it is quite diverse for pairing with Coq au Vin, pork tenderloin and of course, a big juicy porterhouse. We love going to Jordan's winery because it is like stepping off at the local chateaux in France, with the symmetry of the chestnut trees lining the courtyard and the neoclassical architecture. The wine reflects these surroundings in its balance, as well. — 9 years ago
Gabriëlskloof Wines
Syrah on Sandstone 2017
The nose reveals, jammy red & blue fruits. Blackberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries & dark cherries. Black pepper, black licorice, dark rich earth, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, dark, rich earth, light spice, brilliant, lavender, violets, dark and red fresh florals.
The body is full with meaty, dry, powdery, sticky tannins. The mouthfeel is gorgeous. Blackberrie, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries & dark cherries. Black pepper, black licorice, dark rich earth, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, dark, rich earth, light spice, brilliant, lavender, violets, dark and red fresh florals. Amazing acid. The finish is balanced, ripe, sexy and gorgeous.
Photos of; Gabrielskloof Cellar Door courtyard, Estate vines, decomposed Granitic soils the vines grow in and the entrance to Gabrielskloof. — 6 years ago
Gabriëlskloof Wines
Chenin The Landscape Series Elodie Blanc 2018
The2018 Gabrielskloof Elodie - The Landscape Series is 100% Chenin.
The nose reveals; very ripe; white peach, lemon curd, pineapple, lime, vanilla, light honeysuckle, green apple skin, tropical melons with yellow flowers, yellow lilies and spring flowers.
The body full, lush & round. The minerality almost gives it a tannin presence. It’s a heavy powdery palate costing. Very ripe; white peach, lemon curd, pineapple & lime. Vanilla notes, light honeysuckle, green apple skin, tropical melons, mid volcanic minerals and powdery chalkiness, just a touch of white spice. with yellow flowers, yellow lilies and spring flowers. The acidity is round and beautiful. The rich, ripe, lush, elegant finish is delicious.
Photos of; Gabrielskloof courtyard, tasting lounge and our tasting area and front entrance sign. — 6 years ago
Kanonkop Estate
Paul Sauer Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011
The nose reveals ripe, lush, floral, baking spice laced fruits. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, cherries and strawberries. Beautifully layered baking spices; caramel, mocha & dark chocolate. Dark, rich soils, dry crushed rocks, black licorice, black cherry cola, steeped fruit tea and fragrant, red, blue and dark florals.
Beautiful full body with powdery, cocoa, dry, meaty, sticky tannins. Really nice, structure, tension, length and balance. Drink now or hold another 5-7 years. Ripe, lush, floral baking spice laced fruits. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, cherries and strawberries. Beautifully layered baking spices, caramel, mocha & dark chocolate. Dark, rich soils, dry crushed rocks, dark spice, black licorice, black cherry cola, steeped fruit tea and fragrant, red, blue and dark florals. The acidy is again round and beautiful. The finish, rich, lush, elegant, balanced and delicious. It’s persists endlessly.
Photos of; Kanonkop entrance, painting of Paul Sauer who this wine is named after, Kanonkop library cellar and the mountains viewed from their courtyard. — 6 years ago
Courtyard Winery
Chardonel
Dry, citrus taste, smooth. — 7 years ago
Château Cos d'Estournel
Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 1991
Is there any meal better than steak (Ribeye) and well aged Claret? This is another 1991 Bordeaux experiment of mine. 1991 was a vintage with horrible frosts and a less than favorable growing season, right? A vintage critically panned. This is my 3rd recent 91 from a good producer. And again, it didn’t disappoint. Like 97 and 07, it’s better with the right bottle age than young. Magic evolution happened in the bottle way down the road. This 91 is in great form with a fair amount of life ahead of it. On the nose; a little ripe fruit funk, wonderful dark & lighter red cassis, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, plums, hues of blueberries, black raspberries, dry cranberries, vanilla, light cinnamon, rich, black turned earth, cedar, soft leather, dry stones, dry top soil, notes of dry herbs and fresh & dry red flowers. The body/palate is medium, round, ripe & still fresh. The tannins nearly completely resolved. Ripe, floral fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, plums, hues of blueberries, black raspberries, dry cranberries & half cooked rhubarb. Vanilla, light cinnamon, touch of clove & nutmeg, rich, black turned earth, cedar, soft leather, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, notes of dry herbs, a little band-aid and fresh & dry red flowers. The acidity drips over the palate and the long, well balanced, still structured, nice tension, good length finish lasts over a minute. Again, love & appreciate the 12.5% alcohol. What a beauty with and without the steak. Next time you’re in your fine wine retail shop and see a quality producers 91 that’s been well stored, buy it and have it with a Ribeye. Photos of; their exotic Estate, Chateau interior, newer barrel room and their vines as viewed from the front of the Chateau that are across the road. Producer notes and history...Cos d’Estournel has a long distinguished history in the St. Estephe. Louis Gaspard d’Estournel, gave his name to the estate after founding in 1811. It did not take long before Cos d’Estournel became famous with wine lovers and royalty all over the world. In those early days, Cos d’Estournel did not sell through Negociants. The owner preferred selling his wine directly to his customers. In fact, Cos d’Estournel was exported to numerous countries across the globe, with a large portion of the production being sold to India. It was that connection to India that inspired much of the unique, east Indian design we see at Cos d’Estournel today. Cos d’Estournel was one of the first Bordeaux Chateaux’s to bottle, label and sell their own wine. This practice continued until the death of Louis Gaspard d’Estournel in 1852. If you’re at the property, the statue on the bench in the front courtyard is of the founder, Louis Gaspard d’Estournel. The Estate was then purchased by an owner that sold their wines on the Place de Bordeaux using the negociant system. If the Chateau was not selling their wines through the negociant system, it would never have been included in the 1855 Classification. Imagine that! So, it turned out to be a fortuitous decision. Cos d’Estournel was sold to the Charmolue family owners of the neighboring Estate of Chateau Montrose. They continued to own the estate until 1917, when it was bought by Fernand Ginestet. This purchase was the beginning of the next major step in the development of Cos d’Estournel. Decades later, the grandchildren of Fernand Ginestet, Jean-Marie Prats, Yves Prats and Bruno Prats took over ownership and management of Cos d’Estournel. In 1995, Bruno Prats sold the property to the Merlaut family, owners of the Taillan Group. The next era in the development of Cos d’Estournel took place in 2000, when Cos d’Estournel was bought by the industrious and wealthy Michel Reybier, who earned his fortune in the food industry. Michel Reybier hired the son of Bruno Prats, Jean-Guillaume Prats to manage Cos d’Estournel. Things further improved with the efforts of Jean-Guillaume Prats who helped design the most modern wine making at that time. A complete renovation of Cos d’Estournel took place in not only the wine making facilities and cellars, but in parts of the Chateau as well. While the wine making facilities are completely modern with their 100% gravity design, the outward appearance retained the original design and feeling that has always been a part of Cos d’Estournel. On October 15, 2012, Jean Guillaume Prats announced he was leaving Cos d’Estournel to join LVMH (Pichon Baron). Jean Guillaume Prats was replaced by Aymeric de Gironde. Following the departure of Aymeric de Gironde in 2017, the owner, Michel Reybier took over managing the Estate. What makes the remodel special is that the cellars of Cos d’Estournel are entirely operated by gravity. There are no pumps of any kind to force the wine. The purpose is to allow a gentleness to the wine and improve its purity and allow for the expression of their terroir. It set a new benchmark for cellars not only in the Left Bank, but in all of Bordeaux. Perhaps, the most inventive part of the cellars is the four 100 hectoliter lift tanks or wine elevators that replace the pumps used in the traditional pumping over and the racking off processes, which introduce air and often destabilize the marc. From the moment the grapes arrive, everything travels by the flow of gravity. Jean Guillaume Prats called this process a “pumpless pump over.” The 91 hectare vineyard of Cos d’Estournel is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The vineyard is located extremely close to the border between Pauillac and Saint Estephe at the southern tip of the Saint Estephe. The Estate has very old Merlot vines as well, which date back more than 100 years. Part of the terroir is situated on the hill of Cos, which is at a high elevation for the Medoc at 20 meters. They also make a second wine called Pagodes de Cos. This is a great wine to buy in very good vintages. Especially, if your budget prohibits you from purchasing their first wine. — 8 years ago
Thorne & Daughters
Wanderer's Heart Red Blend 2017
The 2017 Thorne & Daughter Wanderer’s Heart is; 59% Grenache, 19% Grenache Noir, 33% Cinsault and 8% Mourvèdre.
The nose reveals; beautiful red & blue floral fruits. Blueberries, dark cherries, blueberries, plum & poached strawberries. Touch of black licorice, cola, vanilla, dark rich soils, crushed dry rocks, steeped fruit tea with bright, dark, red and blue flowers.
The body is medium. Its mouthfeel reminds me of the light styles that can come out of Burgundy. The wine is delicious. Blueberries, dark cherries, blueberries, plum & poached strawberries. Touch of black licorice, cola, vanilla, dark rich soils, crushed dry rocks, powdery chalkiness, grainy volcanic minerals, rich dark soils, steeped fruit tea with bright, dark, red and blue flowers. The acidity is amazing. The finish is well balanced, ripe floral, juicy with some dry tannins and minerals on the long set.
Photos of; Gabrielskloof Cellar Door courtyard, Estate vines, decomposed Granitic soils the vines grow in and the entrance to Gabrielskloof. — 6 years ago
Crystallum
The Agnes Western Cape Chardonnay 2018
John of Thorne and Daughters poured the wine order and felt Peter’s Crystallum Agnes Chardonnay work well as our 5th wine.
The nose is very delicate & soft. Green apple, lemon, lime, white peach, pineapple, beeswax, soft delicate minerals & chalkiness with yellow lilies and florals.
The body is full, round and a touch waxy. The fruits are understated. Green apple, lemon, lime, white peach, pineapple, beeswax, soft delicate minerals & chalkiness, white spice with yellow yellow florals & lilies. Amazing acidity. The finish is rich, ripe, round, well balanced and delicious.
Photos of; Gabrielskloof courtyard with pond, tasting lounge, our tasting area and Estate vines. — 6 years ago
Kanonkop Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Nice to try a library wine from their line up and this didn’t disappoint.
The nose shows; black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark plum, raspberries, strawberries, expresso roast, dark rich soils, crushed granitic soils, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, leather, a touch of smoke, sweet tarriness and bright red & dark florals.
The body is medium full. The tannins are cocoa, dry, tarry, meaty & sticky. The fruits brightly fresh juicy and bright. Black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, dark plum, raspberries, strawberries, expresso roast, dark rich soils, crushed granitic soils, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, leather, a touch of smoke, sweet tarriness and bright red & dark florals. The acidy is beautiful and the finish is delicious and well balanced. Nice Cabernet.
Photos of; Kanonkop tasting bar & room, bronze statue in their tasting room, old style canon that appears on their label and the mountain as viewed from their courtyard.
— 6 years ago
Kanonkop Estate
Kadette Stellenbosch Pinotage Blend 2017
We had this wine twice on our trip. Once in their tasting room and again while on Safari at Rattray’s with dinner. Consistent notes and delicious both times for the price point.
The nose reveals; bright, ripe, red, blue and floral fruits. Vanilla, dark cherries, strawberries, blackberries, dark, rich soils, black licorice, steeped fruit tea, light baking spices and red, blue and dark florals.
The body is full. Tannins are dark & cocoa powdery, a little meaty and sticky. Ripe, red, blue and floral fruits. Vanilla, dark cherries, strawberries, blackberries, dark, rich soils, black licorice, steeped fruit tea, light baking spices, leather, dry tobacco with ash dry soils, granite minerals and red, blue and dark florals. Good acidity and a well polished finish. Hold a few years and get its even better self.
Photos of; the entrance to Kanonkop, courtyard artwork, entrance signage and the mountains viewed from the property and where they procured the name for their Cellar Door. — 6 years ago
Te Mata Estate
Awatea Hawke's Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015
On the nose, rich, ripe, candied fruits of; blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, vegetal notes, black licorice, light black pepper and red fresh florals. On the palate, dry medium soft tannins. Ripe fruits of; blueberries, blackberries, black currants, black raspberries & raspberries. The core flavor of anise, wood shavings, leathery, mint, eucalyptus, green pepper, tobacco, dark roasted coffee and long beautifully rich finish with perfect acidity. Photos of their courtyard and barrel room. Big thank you to Tobias for his great hospitality, time, knowledge and great tasting. — 8 years ago
Franciscan Estate
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
12/21/16 @ Marriott Courtyard in Phoenix with Tom, Andrew & Mama. Best red I've had in awhile. — 8 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
The nose reveals beautiful dark, ruby, cassis. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum skin, hints of raspberries a cinnamon/spice blend, clove, dark rich soils, black licorice, sweet tarriness, a little tobacco, leathery notes, whiff of graphite, stones with fresh, dark, red, blue, purple flowers and violets.
The body is medium. The tannins round and powdery. The wine is gorgeously elegant & sexy. Blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum skin, hints of raspberries, cinnamon, spice blend, clove, dark rich soils, black licorice, sweet tarriness, a little tobacco, leathery notes, whiff of graphite, stones and fresh, dark, red, blue, purple flowers and violets. The acidity is ridiculous. The well polished, balanced finish is simply sexy & gorgeous.
Photos of; Gabrielskloof Cellar Door entrance, Estate vine, tasting lounge and their courtyard. — 6 years ago