90 + Very Good Wine

Nov 172013
 
Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Napa Valley, CA, $24 (S) – Rating 89

Crisp with mouthwatering acidity just like Sauvignon Blanc should be. On the nose, grilled lemon and other enticing tropicals. Zesty but still a soft mouth-feel offering well integrated flavors of Meyer lemon, pineapple and pear with green apple on the finish. Buy This Wine

Nov 172013
 
2010 La Rochelle Winery Deer Meadows Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, CA, $75 (S) – Rating 92

Limited production at under 120 cases, only 5 barrels. Get it while you can. A leaner style of Pinot Noir with a sense of clean, juicy food-pairing acidity offering enticing aromas of red fruit, strawberry nicely integrated with baking spice. Complex on the palate with flavors of red cherry, plum and blueberry with touch of terroir driven earthiness. Notes of white pepper in the long finish. Buy This Wine

Nov 172013
 
2009 Dry Creek Vineyards The Mariner, Dry Creek Valley Red Wine, Meritage, Dry Creek, CA, $45 (S) – Rating 91

A bold Bordeaux inspired blend of 43% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 5% Petite Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc. Delicious with juicy acidity and silky tannins. Aromas of black fruit, plum, black, cherry and a lot of black spice. On the palate, well integrated flavors of dark cherry, plum, blackberry and tobacco box with lovely hints of espresso on the finish. Buy This Wine

Nov 172013
 
2011 Cartograph Wines Floodgate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA, $40 – Rating 92

Very limited production of 225 cases. This single vineyard Pinot is just coming into it’s own. A fun nose of baked cherry and spice with notes saddle leather. A round mouth-feel with balanced acidity and soft tannins showing flavors of red cherry, raspberry and a touch of blueberry. As the wine opens a bit of earthiness in the finish adds complexity. Buy This Wine

Nov 172013
 
2011 Titus Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, CA, $36 – Rating 92

From brothers Eric and Phillip Titus, Titus Cabernet Franc a perennial B&B favorite for this under-appreciated variety . 2011 was a cooler growing season creating a wine that is a bit leaner than in some years but still delicious. A blend of 75% Cabernet Franc 9% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot with an expressive nose of dark red fruit, spice and leather. A full mouth-feel with juicy acidity offering flavors of ripe red cherry, blueberry, dark fruit and spice with notes of ripe raspberry. Subtle touches of vanilla and espresso on the finish. Buy This Wine