Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.
Sometimes, one grabs the wrong bottle by accident from the cellar. Such was the fate of this bottle.
Every time I drink Epoch wines I wonder why I don't buy more. They are expensive but given the quality, they are appropriately priced to the competition. They are also outstanding! This one is a blend of 36% Petite Sirah, 30% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre, and 12% Grenache. It is very young and would be well served by further cellaring. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black raspberries, black cherries, char, black pepper, spice and roasted herbs and meats. Full bodied with firm tannins. On the palate, this is delicious. Chunky black raspberries and black cherr
Another winner from Bedrock. Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, brambles, black pepper, and an interesting beef stew note. Medium bodied. On the palate, fresh black cherry fruit (almost but not quite pie filling) with some black pepper and just a hint of bramble. Lots of energy and lights on its feet. Long finish. This is drinking well now and should conitnue for seven to ten more years. Nice on its own, this would work with lots of comfort foods; pizza, man and cheese, and burgers.
From a different time, back when Pax Mahle was making really big wines in really big bottles. The label lists 15.5% ABV. For those who questioned how well a wine like this could age, at 17, this is doing just fine with years left. Purple in color with ruby around the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries, slight black raspberries, spice, slight root beer note and a wisp of smoke. Full bodied. On the palate, black cherries, blueberries, spice and slight earthiness. Long finish. No sign of alcohol in the wine. This is fresh and vibrant. It seems like it could
This is a really pleasant Cab for a pretty good price considering its from Chalk Hill. Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cassis, dark chocolate, leather and spice. Full bodied. On the palate, this is straightforward with nice cassis fruit, some black cherries with some underlying spice. Medium tannins. Nice finish. This will improve with a couple more years in the cellar. It should drink well for seven to ten more after that. It drinks great on its own but would certainly work well with a nice steak or even Mac and Cheese.
Light golden in color, clear and bright. Expecting huge oak on this (a trademark of sorts for Ed Sbragia) and it wasn't over the top. Still some oak, but not crazy. The nose has some lemons, toast, and a bit of spice. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, slight lemon with a hint of vanilla and baking spices. Medium finish. There is certainly oak on this but it drinks easy and not too overblown. It is nice on its own and would work with soft cheeses. Drink over the next three to five years.
This is a really special vintage from a special winery. In fact, this is arguably the best wine that Saxum has ever made. A real treat to be able to try it again at age 14. Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is great with black raspberries, slight black cherries, black olives, roasted meat and slight smoke. Full bodied. On the palate, this has that lovely lightness of being while still packing a wallop. Black raspberries, char, some black olives and slight roasted meats. Great acidity and balance. Long finish. Delicious. This seems to be at matur
This is a blend of 92% Syrah, 6% Grenache, and 2% Viognier. It has really been helped by some cellar time (although it has always been great). Inky purple in color, slight ruby rim, but showing some slight age in color. The nose is great with black raspberries, char, slight bacon fat, black olives and roasted meats. Full bodied. On the palate, this has a voluptuous texture. Black raspberry fruit. Good balance. Light tannins. Some anise on the finish. This seems to be at peak. It is still a big wine but less raucous than in its youth. No hurry as it can do another ten years. It
Surprisingly open and drinking well with just a bit of air. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black raspberries, some blueberries, slight char and a bit of black pepper. Full bodied. Juicy texture. On the palate, this is deep with some complexity. Certainly, it will gain complexity with more ageing. Delicious black raspberry fruit with some boysenberries and underlying char. Light tannins. Long finish. This will likely get better but no harm drinking now with a couple hours of air first. It should drink well for another twelve to fifteen years. This drink
This is an interesting wine. Much more about being refined and still expressing Santa Cruz Mountains than being boisterous. Of course, some of that may also be the vintage. Deep garnet in color with some purple hues, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is deep with cassis, black cherries, spice and graphite/char. Medium to full bodied. On the palate, this has a bit of a bell pepper/herbal streak to go along with nice cassis fruit. Some underlying char. Medium tannins. This has the feel that it needs more time to develop and come together. It drank better on day 2. Hold for another
