The Wine Insiders

Caymus Special Selection Cabernet 2008 – 97+ Points

thewineinsiders — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:05:12 +0000

WOW! This brand new release displays all the opulence and grandeur now associated with the 2008 vintage in Napa combined with the classic ‘velvety’ smooth texture and age-worthy elegance we’ve grown to love from Caymus’ finest Special Selection bottlings. Today, this jewel offers and an ultra powerful thrill ride that reminds us of Cult wines commanding double or triple the price. YES, this wine actually taste like ‘velvet’….or at least what I would imagine red crushed velvet should taste like! Full-throttle flavors include cassis, blueberry, spice with lightly toasted oak and a hint of Valrhona chocolate meld together across a seamlessly elegant texture that rests happily on your taste buds, and the proverbial plush and tasty now but built to last tannin structure everyone aspires to but few achieve. The galaxy of flavors on the sultry finish (30 seconds long) remind me of chocolate covered espresso beans. Enjoy now through 2018, peaking in 2015 in our estimation.
Buy this wine at Porthos.

AP Vin Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch 2008 – 94 Points.

thewineinsiders — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:13:35 +0000

The new AP Vin Keefer Ranch Pinot is full of classic ripe, rich Keefer Ranch fruit. This boisterous vineyard is located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County – the home of many of the best Pinot Noirs produced in California.

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Seduire Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2005 – 94+ Points.

thewineinsiders — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:15:29 +0000

The 2005 Séduire is plush, rich and layered, built on crème de cassis, mocha, cherries, currant and blueberries flavors aimed to seduce your every sense; sight, nose and palate. It has a very supple and silky tannin structure and provides a long smooth finish.

Buy this wine at Porthos.

Wine Label Hall Of Fame: Leviathan.

thewineinsiders — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:46:47 +0000

Andy Erickson, winemaker for Screaming Eagle and Favia, also makes Leviathan, a California-appellation red wine blend that features this unique label. I haven’t been able to find any information on who designed it, but it’s iconic in the same way that Orin Swift’s Prisoner label was and similarly stands out from other wines on the shelf.

Paradigm Zinfandel Napa Valley 2007 – 95+ Points.

thewineinsiders — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:52:57 +0000

The 2007 Zinfandel has aromas of vanilla, coconut, and exotic spices. On the palate it is velvety smooth with juicy blueberry flavors. This is a deeply complex Zinfandel with bold flavors and seriously impressive tannins reminiscent of a fine Cabernet. Enjoy tonight or anytime over the next 3 – 5 years!
Buy this wine at Porthos.

Trinitas Pinot Noir Carneros 2008 – 93 Points

thewineinsiders — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:15:58 +0000

Aromatics of candied red fruit, vanilla, mocha, and campfire. It boasts flavors of baked red apples covered in butter and cinnamon with a rich entry and broad mid palate. The weight of the fore- and mid-palate over shadow the delicate dark chocolate finish which will lengthen with age.

Buy this wine at Porthos.

Dumas ‘Neighbors Vineyard’ Cabernet 2007 – 96 Points

thewineinsiders — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:12:36 +0000

Everything about this sophisticated new Cabernet impresses from the beginning including the dense purple color, the aromas of lavender and creme de cassis, and the ULTRA silky smooth texture. Captivating flavors include a luscious symphony of ripe plums, blackberries, and deep dark chocolate and mocha in the mid-palate. The sensuous finish crescendos with a hint of savory spices including truffle, cherries and flawlessly integrated toasty oak flavors that bode well for aging at least 5 – 7 years; peaking around 2015 in our estimate. BRAVO! 96 points. Only 56 cases bottled.

Buy this wine at Porthos.

Pali Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch 2006 – 94 Points.

thewineinsiders — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:16:24 +0000

Simply stated, this is a VERY satisfying new wine! Pinot lovers familiar with Keefer Ranch fruit will recognize a concentrated, full throttle, opulent fruit vintage in the 2007 Pali Keefer Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir. Complex flavors feature gobs of dark blackberry, raspberry puree and cola all melded together across a big and rich texture. Bold and ripe, this luxurious tasting finishes with a hint of toasty oak that bodes well for pairing with a wide range of food over the next 3 – 5 years, peaking around 2014.

Buy this wine from Porthos.

Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 – 94+ Points.

thewineinsiders — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:15:03 +0000

Quite dark in color with deep ripe aromas of chocolate covered black cherries. Enticing fruit nose and layers of spice and toasty oak add up to sa wonderful rich complex aroma profile. Flavors match the aromas in a mouth coating, textural, silky and tasty wine. This wine is loaded with aging potential. It has everything it needs to last a good 15 years or more. We love the balance and finesse here with flavors that persist minutes after drinking. It all adds up to one of the best Cabernet vintages they have produced at Paradigm. 94+ Points.

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Altocedro Malbec Blend ‘Desnudos’ 2004 – 97 Points

thewineinsiders — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:13:58 +0000

This is a captivating wine that is both rich and concentrated, but focused, with a racy beam of raspberry ganache, blueberry, fig and plum fruit and freshly roasted coffee and vanilla bean notes. The velvety smooth finish just sails on for a full minute. The blend of Malbec and Tempranillo adds a deliciously exotic component guaranteed to seduce your senses anytime now (after decanting) through 2014.

Buy this wine at Porthos.