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Spottswoode has been producing some of the top Napa Cabs for quite a long time now.  Year in and year out, they make some of the best Cabs anywhere.  Drink them young and they are bold Napa Cabs, let them age for twenty plus years and its hard to tell them from the finest from Bordeaux.  This one is very young, but it is delicious.  It had been decanted for a short time prior to opening.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, cigar box and pencil lead.  Enticing.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Lots of cassis with some pencil led and nice tobacco.  Thick tannins.  Great balance.  Lon

Wow.  What a spectacular wine.  I don't recall ever having this before.  As a general rule, I think the 2012's are drinking very well at age eight if still obviously young.  Inky purple in color, shimmering bright.  The nose is dusty with cassis, plums, pencil lead and blueberries.  Full bodied.  Lush texture.  Concentrated fruit on the palate.  Juicy intensity.  This is a huge wine with big fruit but so much energy and brightness.  Cassis, blueberries and baking spices.  Long finish.  This should get a perfect score in a few years and for some it will now.  It needs about five to seven mor

With Daniel Green now firmly in charge of the winery, it was good to see that the quality of these wines is just as good as ever.  The basic Jaffurs Syrah has long been an excellent value in warmer climate Syrah.  This one is no exception.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, white pepper and roasted meats with slight violets.  On the palate, this is full bodied with a lush but lively texture.  Juicy black raspberry fruit.  Depth.  Medium tannins.  Nice finish.  This will continue to get better for five to seven more years and be good for another ten after that.  It will work

Wow, did this bottle exceed expectations (and they were pretty high).  It really grabs one's attention.  Though still on the young side, it is drinking great.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with black raspberries, roasted meats, slight clove, plums and just a bit of graphite.  Full bodied.  Rich texture.  Deep and complex.  Juicy acidity.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with underlying roasted meats and herbs.  Long finish.  This seems like it is closing in on peak.  Not sure if it gets better but should easily do another ten years at this level.  Whether to open or ho

Sandlands makes my favorite US Chanin Blanc.  That might not be an impressive statement, but there are some great ones and this one competes with any anywhere.  Light golden in color.  The nose is very nice (if not served too cold) with almonds, orange peel, minerals and slight lemon.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a nice depth.  The almonds and orange peel carry thru with a slight waxy note.  Good energy.  Nice balance.  Long finish.  This seems like it should improve a bit with age and should drink well for seven to ten years (and quite possibly more).  It will work well with li

This is one of those wines that is allowed to call itself Champagne as it is grandfathered in for the use of the name.  Of course, champagne is a region in France but this is from California.  This is one of the most popular sparkling wines sold in the US.  Ceartainly marketing and price have a lot to do with that, but it is a solid wine and, especially if being used for Mimosas or other mixed drinks, it is a reasonable alternative.  Light golden in color.  The nose is steely with lemon/lime notes.  A nice head of medium sized bubbles.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Clean, just a hint o

This is still a bit young but rounding into peak form and almost there.  With a  bit of air, this is drinking quite well.  A blend of 95% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with black cherries, leather, cigar box, slight dark chocolate, cherries and slight spice.  On the palate, this has a lush but firm texture.  Lots of energy.  Layers of fruit and dried tobacco with a bit of char.  Complex.  Light tannins.  After about an hour, this was singing.  Long finish.  This will work with most heavier foods especially roasts or casseroles (wit

What a pretty Zinfandel.  Not a monster in any way.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  Rather light looking, just on appearance I would not have guessed Zinfandel.  On the nose, this has raspberries, slight cherries, a bit of bramble, black pepper and vanilla.  The label lists this as 17.3% Alcohol.  Whoa.  Not a trace on the nose or palate though.  Even the texture, which can be bolstered by alcohol, doesn't reveal the high level.  The palate does give cherries, slight Framboise, with underlying char.  There is depth and complexity here.  And deliciousness.  I would guess that this

Opened later in the night after a bunch of red wines, this really seemed fresh and lively.  It worked out great.  Light golden in color.  The nose has lemon chiffon with nice minerality.  Just a touch of vanilla.  Full bodied.  Crisp.  Delicious.  The lemon carries thru over a mineral bed.  Great on its own, this will work well with seafood, salads and certainly on its own.  It is very young now and worth drinking that way, but this should easily go another ten years and probably more as it matures.  

Pop and pour, this never really showed as much as hoped for.  Solid but not more.  Maybe just in a weird phase right now.  Purple in color.  The nose has nice cassis with a bit of baking spice.  Full bodied.  The cassis carries thru to the palate.  Clean.  No hard edges.  Nice finish.  Not a lot of complexity at this point.  Light tannins.  Moderate finish.  Worked well with some Italian food.  No signs of age, it might be better to wait a few years on this and check back in.