Gorgeous wine that needs a bit of cellar time. This is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Inly purple in color, magenta at the rim, clear and bright. The nose is tight but with air opens to cassis, chocolate, cedar and a scent best described as sauteed onions (unusual but very nice). Firm tannins. Full bodied. Good acidity. On the palate cassis, chocolate, char and a slight chalky note. Great almost seamless texture. A bit of tart raspberries make a delightful finish. This needs a few more years in the cellar or a long decant and the score will undou
Shafer Hillside is a First Growth of American wines. It has a long track record and always outstanding. And, made in quantities that the average wine lover can find. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, graphite, spice, leather and chocolate. Full bodied. Firm tannins. Great, rich texture. This is still drinking young but also it is delicious. Flavors of cassis, blueberries, and slight chocolate with underlying spice and tea leaves. Long finish. This will improve with more cellar time. Either way, it should drink well for another twenty years. This woul
This is a pretty classic Napa Cab more in the old school style. The label lists 14.3% ABV. Not the wine if you are looking for a big fruit bomb, it is much more restrained. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. Mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, minerality, slight herbal notes and coffee. On the palate, this is medium to full bodied. Cassis fruit over roasted herbs with slight char. Nice finish. This is young and might improve a bit with some ageing. It should continue to mature for another five to seven years and be good for another five to seven more after that. It will
Another winner from this stalwart Napa producer. White gold/silvery in color. The nose has seltzer, minerality, pears and white floral notes. Pretty. Medium bodied. On the palate there is a sort of copper minerality that is very interesting along with the more usual notes of lemon peel, and melon. Good acidity. Fresh. Long finish. This is delicious and refreshing on its own but would work great with chicken salad or other lighter fare/salads. Best to drink in the next few years to enjoy the vibrancy.
Petite Syrah or Petite Sirah? Same grape and one that can really age well. At age 26, this is drinking quite well. Purple in color. The nose has boysenberries, spice and dust. With air, a bit of gravel. On the palate, this is full bodied. Boysenberry fruit, dried fruit and slight dry earth. Slight depth and complexity. Tannins all resolved. Good acidity. Moderate finish. This probably is a bit past prime but certainly should continue to provide good drinking for five to ten more years as it slides downhill. It really needs food. Burgers or steaks would be great.