The Wine Insiders » napa

2009 Ehlers Estate Merlot

thewineinsiders — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:05:50 +0000

Poor Merlot, so picked on. Bad press from snooty critics for years has not done this “Noble” varietal justice. Then came Sideways. The inside joke in the wine industry is that after the movie Sideways came out all of the wineries making bad Merlot changed to making bad Pinot Noir. In the end, that’s a good thing because the bad Merlot, in many cases, has left the market. And the good Merlot, the truly delicious bottlings, have gotten better. My personal favorite is the Ehlers Estate. Winemaker Kevin Morrisey cut his teeth as an intern at Ch. Pétrus so let’s face it, the man knows his way around a Merlot grape.

Another stellar reason to drink Ehlers Estate Merlot is this: One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of Ehlers Estate wines go to support the Leducq Foundation, a highly regarded, not-for-profit foundation dedicated to funding international cardiovascular research. Now, drinking wine is not only good for your health, it’s good for a lot of people’s!

Tasting Notes: This is a complex full bodied Napa red that has the balance and structure to age for decades. It starts off bold on the attack, and continues full and plush. The flavors of raspberry and cherry cola, cocoa and black currants adorn this rich and dense expression of the North St. Helena, terroir. This wine has layers of complexity, a firm acidity, velvety mid-palate, and a long, classic Merlot finish.

This wine is available at Porthos!

Bernard Magrez Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2005

thewineinsiders — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:08:07 +0000

When Bordeaux magnate Bernard Magrez decided to make a Napa Cabernet, he exerted the same exacting standards that he requires at his Ch. Pape Clement (whose ‘05 received 98 points R. Parker). He sourced fruit from cult producer David Abreu’s Thorvelios and Madrona Ranch vineyards, hand-picked and sorted by a team of 80 pickers directly under Abreu’s supervision. The wine was then crafted by Seven Stones winemaker Aaron Pott in conjunction with Michel Rolland, the world’s most famous winemaker. Barrel aged and then released after 7 years, this is truly one of our greatest finds to date, and until today, the Bernard Magrez Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2005 was only available from the Magrez wine shops in Paris and Bordeaux.

Tasting Notes: Intense yet perfectly balanced, this is chock full of raspberry, liqueur of cassis, violet, chocolate and toffee on the nose. An almost glycerin concentration, with bright acidity and a floral element lifting the flavors of dark berries, sweet spices and chocolatey oak. Luscious yet haunting it finishes with espresso, cocao and polished tannins. Perfectly aged for drinking now, will continue to reward for another 10 years. 97 points

Purchase this wine at Porthos!

2009 Alpha Omega Napa Chardonnay

thewineinsiders — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:19:29 +0000

The 2009 Alpha Omega Chardonnay Napa Valley is a triumph. The exceptional conditions for growing Chardonnay that existed in 2009 are brought forth with perfect sugar to acid ratios resulting in a wonderfully balanced and elegant Chardonnay. Plenty of tropical fruit, vanilla, toasted oak and cedar notes on the nose with a palate of fresh citrus, marzipan and honeysuckle with just a hint of buttery oak.

Purchase this wine at Porthos

The Thursday Tasting: Duckhorn, Goldeneye and Migration, Part 6: 2008 Duckhorn “The Discussion” Cabernet Sauvignon

thewineinsiders — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:42:17 +0000

73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot and the balance split between Petite Verdot and Cab Franc, the 2008 “The Discussion” is a remarkable wine. Dark and inky in the glass with aromas of ripe fruit and oak. The mouthfeel is silky with well structured tannins. Generous flavors of cocoa, espresso and dark fruit abound and the finish goes on and on. For my money this is the pick of the litter and I will definitely be adding a case to my cellar to enjoy over the next 10-15 years. Classic 95+ points. -Jeff

The Thursday Tasting: Duckhorn, Goldeneye and Migration, Part 5: 2009 Duckhorn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

thewineinsiders — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:16:47 +0000

Always a classic, the 2009 Duckhorn Napa Cabernet doesn’t disappoint with crowd pleasing aromas of chocolate and ripe fruit and a palate of vanilla, cardamom, dark chocolate and currants all enveloped in dusty tannins. Plenty of weight and structure, this wine has the legs to go the distance and will mature around 2016 in my estimate. 94+ points. -Jeff

The Thursday Tasting: Duckhorn, Goldeneye and Migration, Part 4: 2009 Goldeneye Pinot Noir “10 Degrees”

thewineinsiders — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:20:04 +0000

Huge, robust and well structured, the 2009 Goldeneye “Ten Degrees” is the most age-worthy of the Pinot Noir that we tasted during the Duckhorn meeting. This wine is matured in 100% new French oak and it shows. Smooth vanilla and strawberry on the nose is followed by vanilla, truffle and ripe cherry on the palate. The finish lasts for at least a minute. For as big as it is this a very approachable wine and offers the connoisseur a full experience of what is possible with Napa Pinot Noir. Classic 95+ points. -Jeff

The Thursday Tasting: Duckhorn, Goldeneye and Migration, Part 3: 2009 Goldeneye Pinot Noir “Gowan Creek Vineyard”

thewineinsiders — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:42:00 +0000

The 2009 Goldeneye “Gowan Creek Vineyard” Pinot Noir (know as “Black Label”) is a wonderful nod to Burgundy with it’s earthy flavors and soft tannins. The nose is huge and inviting. The palate has flavors of ripe cherry, green tea and a hint of sweet wood. 95 points -Jeff

MX Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard 2007 – 99 Points.

thewineinsiders — Fri, 06 May 2011 22:41:50 +0000

Simply stated, this work of genius is “The Bomb” now and, without doubt, promises to offer a transcendental journey to Cabernet nirvana for the next 10+ years. This is a must-have for any serious collectors looking to source the rarest boutique masterpiece of the prized Napa 2007 vintage. Launching forth with deep & dark fruit, deftly integrated French oak, and flavors of cassis, black currants, and blackberry liqueur that glide across the palate like a nimble ballerina. Monumental in it’s grandeur, super-rich, and velvety-textured, this is a truly “full throttle” wine in which notes of cocoa intermingle with spicy black fruits. 99 points now and headed for a perfect rating sometime over the next decade.

Buy this wine at Porthos.

Produced by MX Wines.

Buré Duration Cabernet Blend Napa 2008 – 98 Points

thewineinsiders — Fri, 06 May 2011 22:35:48 +0000

This new Buré Cabernet blend (20% Cabernet Franc) is dense, rich and hedonistic with a strong backbone of dark fruit including deftly balanced blueberry, juicy plums, leathery tobacco, and creamy vanilla from the new French oak. The profound tannins introduce this impressive wine’s pedigree….all deftly melded together within an ULTRA silky smooth texture and mouth coating flavors of cocoa and baking spices that linger on the seductive finish inviting another taste. Buré Cabernet is worth of a 97 point rating tonight (after decanting 30 minutes) and has the structure to age well for a decade, peaking into a 98 point classic around 2016 in our estimate.

Buy this wine at Porthos.

Produced by Buré Family Wines.

Cade Cuvee 2007 – 94+ points.

thewineinsiders — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:17:02 +0000

Cade

Aromas of blackberry, currant, anise and vanilla immediately jump from the glass. Opens up to aromas of plum, cedar and soy develop. On the palate, flavors of blackberry, wild berries, boysenberry, black olive and raspberry are framed by polished tannin. The finish is smooth and lush with a structure that should ensure a long life.

Buy this wine from Porthos.