This is a Bordeaux blend from Napa. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, black cherries, licorice, and spice. Very nice. Full bodied. On the palate, there is black cherries and spice. Moderate tannins. A slight hint of mint on the finish. This is drinking well now but may get a point or two better. It drinks nicely on its own and would work well with a steak or roast.
Dominus is one of the greats. The same owners as Petrus in Bordeaux, they make what is generally believed to be the most Bordeaux styled wine in Napa. But it is also something of California with sunshine and ripeness. This bottle had been decanted for a couple of hours. Deep purple in color. The nose has cassis, black cherries, cigar box and slight earthiness. On the palate, this has light tannins. Cassis is prominent with underlying earthiness. Tight layers that unwind in the glass. This needs another five years at least to peak but is enjoyable now. It should last another twenty
Expectations and hopes. Its hard not to have them but they do affect ones enjoyment of wine. This was an excellent wine but for whatever reason, vintage, cork, etc., was not up to expectations. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, spice and some cherries. On the palate, this is amazingly integrated and smooth. Cassis with some underlying spice. Not as deep nor complex as this wine can get in other vintages. That said, it drinks so easily, the bottle is drained quickly. I
No winery is more synonymous with Napa Valley than Robert Mondavi. And while they make all sorts of wines and at all sorts of price points, this is the one that epitomizes the winery. Somehow, they straddle the line between old and new, corporate yet having a sense of place, and making a wine that is affordable and good value for the quality. The blend of this is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petite Verdot, 5% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. It sees 17% New French Oak. Served at a recent Intowine.com tasting, this was quite a hit. Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose is
This is one of the better "values" in Napa high end wines. It is a proprietary blend of 70% Cab with the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, blueberries, slight black cherries, spices, and leather. Full bodied. Firm tannins. On the palate, juicy cassis and black cherries with underlying char and spice. Some leather notes. Long finish. Delicious. This is young but drinking well. Drink over the next ten to twenty years. Great on its own, it would be perfect with a roast or steak.
From Magnum. This is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petite Verdot and 5% Malbec. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is dominated by Brettanomyces which comes across as a "ripe" barnyard. Some people love this while others are averse. This is a spoilage yeast that will only bloom when the bottle sees warmer temperatures. In addition, there are plums and cassis with some green bell pepper and spice. Full bodied. On the palate, this drinks a bit cleaner. Very earthy with cassis, bell pepper and black cherries. Medium tannins. Long fin
