California

• Amador County
  • Shenandoah Valley
• Carmel Valley
• Carneros
• Central Coast
  • Edna Valley
  • Mt. Harlan
  • Paso Robles
• Contra Costa County
• El Dorado County
• Lake County
• Lodi
• Mendocino
  • Anderson Valley
  • Yorkville Highlands
• Monterey
• Napa Valley
  • Atlas Peak
  • Best of Napa
  • Calistoga
  • Conn Valley
  • Diamond Mountain
  • Howell Mountain
  • Mt. Veeder
  • Oak Knoll
  • Oakville
  • Pope Valley
  • Rutherford
  • Spring Mountain
  • St. Helena
  • Stags Leap
  • Yountville
• North Coast
• Santa Barbara
  • Santa Lucia Highlands
  • Santa Rita Hills
  • Santa Ynez Valley
• Santa Cruz
• Santa Maria Valley
• Sierra Foothills
• Sonoma County
  • Alexander Valley
  • Bennett Valley
  • Best of Sonoma
  • Dry Creek Valley
  • Fort Ross/Seaview
  • Moon Mountain
  • Pine Mountain - Cloverdale Peak
  • Russian River Valley
  • Sonoma Coast
  • Sonoma Mountain
  • Sonoma Valley
  • Knights Valley

Saxum just killed it in 2007 and now that the wines have shed their baby fat and some of the exuberance, they are rocking.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper and gamey meats (in a good way).  On the palate, wonderful texture.  High energy.  This is a big wine but so light on its feet.  Lots of alcohol but it never shows in anywhere.  Delicious.  Deep and complex.  Still, may have some upside as this ages.  Easily has a decade, probably two.  Just a fantastic wine.  

Inky purple in color.  The nose is very nice with black cherry fruit.  Some bramble.  A bit if spice.  On the palate, this has a lovely, juicy texture.  Black raspberry and black cherry fruit.  Some depth although this is young and its packed tight.  It does unwind in the glass.  Nice finish.  This is really enjoyable now and should store well for a decade or more.  

I love ridge Zin and Zin blends.  And I love Pagani fruit, so I thought I would like this more than I did.  Its good, and maybe with some time it settles down a bit but I hoped for more.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries and some bramble to it.  Also a bit of underlying charcoal.  On the palate, this is solid black raspberry fruit but it seems over ripe and bordering on cloying especially on the finish.  Perhaps with some cellaring it some into more balance and if so, there is room for a couple of points of upside.  As it is, it is a good wine but if sweetness bothers you, p

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is slightly earthy with black raspberries.  Light tannins mostly resolved.  Very smooth.  Some layering as it unwinds in the glass.  Cassis, earth.  Finishes with a bit of menthol.  This is showing gorgeously and I think probably at peak right now.  No hurry but I would drink in the next decade and maybe a bit sooner.  It won't get better.  Groth is a wine that is maybe not as trendy as it used to be, but that is not because of any lack of quality.  They still consistently put out top notch Napa Cabs.  

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has cigars, cherries and a eucalyptus note.  On the palate, cherries and spice.  No tannins but drinking young.  Some depth.  Nice finish.  A bit of a different take on a RRV Pinot, more elegant and "French" than many.  Very nice showing.  

Inky purple in color, bright.  On the nose there is nice black raspberry fruit with black pepper.  On the palate, this is a big, fruity wine.  Lots of black raspberry fruit.  Slight mineral backbone.  Deep but tight.  I think a few more years of cellaring will bring out even more of its potential.  Although it drinks cooler climate, it is a big wine.  Nice texture.  Long finish.  

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has dark cherries and spice.  On the palate, the dark cherries follow.  Cooler climate Cab in style.  A bit under ripe.  Some heat on the finish.  Overall, it is a decent but not great cab.  Around $45.

Light yellow in color.  The nose is gorgeous with lemon cream notes.  Slightly oily texture.  Young but already showing a deep complexity.  Lemon cream notes with an interesting slight mint note on the finish.  There is some oak here, but it is integrated beautifully.  This should age well for a decade, probably two.  There is some upside potential.  

Nice value here.  This drinks cooler climate in style.  Purple in color.  The nose has nice cherries and dark cherries with baking spices and sandalwood.  On the palate, this has decent acidity.  The cherry flavors carry thru along with some cola notes.  At under $20 per bottle, this is easy to gift or drink at a party and yet, interesting.  I would like to taste this in a warmer vintage to see how it compares.  

Torrin has quickly become one of my favorite Rhone blends anywhere.  I urge people to get on their mailing list before it fills up (if it hasn't already).  2011 was a difficult vintage for many in paso, but Torrin handled it quite well.  This one is a unique Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat blend.  Gorgeous wine that was delicious if still young.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, graphite, some black cherries and an underlying char.  Full bodied.  These are big wines.  The black raspberry carries thru to the palate as does the underlying char.  A great minerality as well.