Beringer 2009 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Red Wine
Red Wine by Beringer from Sonoma County, California. Aromas of cherry, anise and cocoa are followed by abundant flavors of dark cherry and a hint of spice. The soft, mouth-coating tannins are highlighted by the blend’s juicy fruit core.
Beringer 2009 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – Red Wine
Black Chook 2010 Shiraz-Viognier – Syrah/Shiraz Red Wine
Black Chook 2010 Shiraz-Viognier – Syrah/Shiraz Red Wine
The 2010 vintage again provided excellent fruit due to the superb weather at the start of the growing season. The seamless integration of Shiraz co-fermented with Viognier, generates a seductive nose of apricots, spice and ripe berries. The palate is smooth and full of rich flavor, perfect for a long lingering finish of delightfully soft Shiraz fruit, but not without the punch.
alcohol by volume: 14.5%
Big House 2004 Red – Red Wine
Big House 2004 Red – Red Wine
Another break-out hit for the recidivist partisans of this eclectic pan-Mediterranean blend. The varietal mix was altered just a tad this year and introduced a substantial amount of cabernet franc into the concoction. Big House Red is all about fragrance, spice and soft tannins. It has a fragrance of mint and garrigue, with insinuations of blackberry and the ubiquitous framboise. Not a wine that you would want to serve to the Queen (in virtue of its unregenerate rusticity), it is nevertheless a wine that is the perfect complement to barbecue, pasta, pizza and all of the major non-vegan groups.
“…It’s really good, and proves that Randall Grahm continues to march to his own beat…”
-Wine Enthusiast
Beringer 2006 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Red Wine
Beringer 2006 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Red Wine
The 1992 vintage of this wine was ranked #9 on the Wine Spectator’s Top 10 Wines of 1995
The final blend of Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 has aromas of currant, nutmeg and a hint of licorice. Flavors of cassis, raspberry and cocoa are surrounded by refined tannins and a remarkably elegant, supple finish.
alcohol by volume: 14.6%
critical acclaim:
“The 2006 was made from 32% Bancroft Ranch, 24% Steinhauer Ranch, 19% St. Helena Home Vineyard, with smaller amounts from Rancho del Oso, Chabot Vineyard, Marston Ranch and Lampyridae. A big heat wave in July was the salient weather factor in this vintage. The harvest began early and continued for five weeks. Abundant smoke, chocolate, espresso roast, cassis and mocha characteristics are found in this full-bodied, powerful, layered Cabernet. Although not quite as seamless as the nearly perfect 2005 Private Reserve, it is a big, dense beauty from a somewhat forgotten Napa Valley vintage. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades or more. 93+ points. ”
93 Points
The Wine Advocate
Felsina 2003 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia (half-bottle) – Sangiovese Red Wine
Felsina 2003 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia (half-bottle) – Sangiovese Red Wine
“Impressive dark ruby color. Expressive aromas of blackcurrant, plum, mint and cigar box, all lifted by a mineral element. Dense and rich, combining pinot noir-like texture and refinement with syrah-like flavors of rare meat and raspberry liqueur. This boasts a wonderfully tactile feel and a remarkably long, palate-staining finish. A great Chianti with loads of personality.”
-International Wine Cellar
“Felsina’s single-vineyard 2003 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia presents more overt toasted oak notes along with darker, riper fruit in a structured expression of Chianti Classico. With some time in the glass complex notes of smoke, tobacco, licorice, mint and black cherries emerge, completing this gorgeous and intensely satisfying wine. In two separate tastings I found the Rancia more complex than the Fontalloro, most likely owing to the poorer soils of the Rancia vineyard. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.”
-Wine Advocate
