MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.4

One of my favorites from Premiere Napa Valley 2020 #pnv20 #pnv2020 #napa only 5 cases produced. “A blend of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from two of the best AXR Napa Valley blocks
50% from Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville and 50% from Denali Vineyard in the hills of St. Helena
100% barrel fermented from our finest barrels utilizing native yeast; unfined and unfiltered
Reflection of Jean Hoefliger’s pursuit to create a wine to push the envelope of Cabernet Sauvignon

AXR is a winery that pays homage to the past at their historic estate in St. Helena. AXR, named after the rootstock which succumbed to phylloxera, left the California wine industry a blank canvas. This was a crossing of the past and future of the wine industry as we know it. AXR has given winemaker Jean Hoefliger this same blank canvas. Jean is driven to push the envelope, challenging not only winemaking but life in general. With an insatiable appetite for art, philosophy and good discussion, Jean thrives when his creativity and passion is left unbound by conventional thinking.


Wine Facts

Wine is unfiltered
Single vineyard wine
Sustainably produced — 4 years ago

with Ron

Aaron Tan

9.3

KP likes to say that he makes pino for fun. However, if this wine is of any indication, KP's pino's are as serious as any of his rieslings. The 11' Burgel would easily give the Burgundies of the vintage a run for their money. In fact, it's apt to say that the wine was very Burgundian, given how most placed it in the region in our blind.

The wine's in a great spot for drinking at the moment. No greeness or lady bug. Bouquet of red and black cherries, sous bois, floral spice, mushroom, soy. The palate's energetic and tangy, fruit's a little more dried out with a more profound spice element, and a touch of creaminess. Silky texture, with tannins and oak fully resolved. There's a sort of balancing VA, which also brings savouriness - I feel this is what makes it quite Burgundian. Up for discussion of course.

It's good to see a pino from when KP still bottled them in riesling bottles - perhaps from when he still thought of them as "fun". This is the oldest pino that I've drank from Keller (would have been the 07' Burgel Felix last year if it wasn't corked. FU cork!) and I think it's safe to say he never did treat his pino's lightly. I mean, it's arguably even crazier now - we did spend four days just sorting the Morstein pino grapes, berry-by-berry, in 2017.

Unpopular opinion: KP's spatburgunder's are not value buys anymore (heck! The 2015 Morstein had a hammer price of 610€ in last year's VDP auction). For me, there's still better wines to be found in Burgundy at the prices that the Keller pino's go for. That said, with the rising prices of the latter, this opinion may soon be invalid. — 6 years ago

Collin Moody

9.4

Celebrating four years of marriage. Bottled the week of our wedding. Perhaps we have held up better that the cider, but it's tasty. Heavy oak has integrated, sharp edges from a year or two ago have simmered. Nearly uncarbonated, tasty. — 9 years ago

with Andie

Liz O'Neal

9.0

Loght, crisp, zippy, acidic. Perfect for the first course of our Italian Meal! Lady date with Shannon, Kate, Deepti 💕 — 10 years ago

with Shannon

Alyssa Larson

9.6

Bringing back fond memories of our Oregon road trip. Arbor Brook was my favorite of the visit. Candied lemon and fresh white flower on the nose with flavors of white peach, nectarine, honey and a silty finish. Maybe a little oak? Mmm.... So good — 11 years ago

with Daniel

Severn G

9.2

Prior notes apply; fruit is lightly fading, but this is still an elegant and sophisticated lady.

Nose has strawberry, roses, cut tangerine, juiced Clementine and dry earth.
Palate is strawberry-tangerine (light), wet minerals, so much finesse, yet light in the mouth, just stunning.

Our final bottle of the vintage. — 5 years ago

Donald Williams

9.0

Our first Mexican wine ever. Seemed like a good idea for Cinco de Mayo. Nice rich blend of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Barbera. — 6 years ago

with Bonnie

The Meg

9.4

Loved this wine courtesy of the in-laws. had this with our turkey day dinner. yummy — 7 years ago

Severn G

8.9

It's officially Spring in New England, as witnessed by the 4-6" of snow still covering our property. 🤨
This means it's chimnea time again 🔥 and I've collected some snow into a sizeable mound to act as our outdoor chill station for hopefully the next 6 weeks or so 🤞.
Today's theme is wines we can drink slightly colder and still have some appreciating quality.

Toasty brioche spread with a dollop of warm sugared butter, yum. We could drink this all afternoon. It was a comp bottle from our local 5 🌟 AAA restaurant after they gave my wife's coat to another lady, following an extensive wine dinner. It was of minor consolation on a chilly and snowy December night. We did get the coat back the following afternoon, and it was accompanied by this bottle. We're only a short drive from the restaurant, so the bottle was palatable then, and now. — 8 years ago

Colin Yates

Wine Buyer Macadoodles Fine Wine & Spirits

9.0

Six months ago my wife and I toured through Italy. On our trip we shipped home some wines that we loved. Adda, the young lady that helped us in Florence, gave us this bottle as a gift. It's certainly not the best wine we shipped home, but it meant the world to my wife and I. Medium bodied with tart red fruit. Light tannins and lingering acidity on the finish. More important is the memory this bottle brought of our vacation and the kindness of Adda. — 11 years ago

Paul T HB

9.4

Another summer guzzler for $10.00, winery over $20.00 though. More acidity than the Mathis but not as much flavor. Either way both are winners at this price & release price. Save your money for big time cabernets, drink inexpensive Rose
Winery notes,
Crafted from 100% Pinot noir, the fruit for our Rosé is intentionally selected with an eye towards cooler sites which retain juicy, vibrant acidity. Stainless steel fermentation to retain the bright, fresh fruit character.

"Ethereal aromatics of magnolia, hibiscus, wild strawberry, jasmine and rainwater blend with slightly savory hints of lemon thyme and white pepper on the nose. The seamless palate of apple (think Envy or Pink Lady), slight honey notes and juicy acidity make this a refreshing, but serious Pinot noir rosé."

--WINEMAKER LUISA PONZI — 5 years ago

Paul T HB

9.7

Real juice👍🏼
Sleeping Lady vineyard is a great barely known vineyard. Get some if you can find some.
Seems I’m the only one rating this bottle from this vineyard🤷🏼‍♂️

This vineyard is at the western edge of the Yountville AVA was once a fast-moving river that deposited jagged rocks and sand from miles away and created a thick layer of gravel beneath the topsoil. Our block of vines are located where this layer is closest to the surface. This superior drainage produces small berries with greater concentration and a juicy blue-fruit, floral finesse.

Vineyard Details
Appellation Yountville
Soil Types Keefers gravelly, sandy clay loam of alluvial origin
Varietals Cabernet Sauvignon
Clones 7
Average Vine Age 18 years — 6 years ago

Michael D

9.1

Well balanced lovely. A modest winery with no ritzy fan fair. Just producers of fine wines. My 2nd foray into the Fairview brand. Greeted by a couple of very friendly poochies 🐶🐕 and you walk into a very small show area. Very welcoming and friendly. Makes me want to support our local industry for sure. The BEAR is a full bodied Bordeaux style blend of Cab suave, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot. Referred to as the "Bear Meritage" A great I known and winery to many. Paired well with home style burgers with aged cheddar and seasoned fries.. man was it good. The wine just cut the food with finesse and a high level of satisfaction. My just loved and she is picky. A lovely lady with Italian heritage who first drank wine when she was 5...lol.. knows a thing or 2 about wine so when we uncorked this baby, nothing but smiles. Cheers Fairview!!!! — 7 years ago

Steve Rauscher

9.5

Was gifted this bottle for helping a friend, and chose to enjoy it as part of the first home-cooked meal my lady and I enjoyed in our new home. Fat, juicy, and honeyed. This is the jam with a whole roasted fish and something bacony on the side. — 10 years ago

Gregg Snyder

9.4

Very nice and the best of the 4 wines tonight with our HH BBQ in PV! — 12 years ago

with Luciane