2018 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

This is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot made with Estate grown fruit.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, clay, slight plums, spice and slight chocolate.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Complex and deep.  It could use some time to develop.  It will improve with some cellaring but should drink well for ten to fifteen more years.  This would go nicely with Grilled Stuffed Portobellos.  

2017 Mount Veeder Winery Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$115.00USD

Inky purple in color, shimmering bright.  The nose is big with cassis, dust and spice.  Great texture.  Very tannic.  On the palate, flavors of cassis, chocolate, graphite and char.  Long finish.  This is open and delicious.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Classic Cabernet pairings would work well but also maybe a Mushroom Risotto.  

2018 Lagier Meredith Syrah, USA, California, Napa, Mt. Veeder, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$48.00USD

This vineyard was sold recently and as soon as the wines are also sold, they will retire.  That is a shame as they make very nice wines for very fair prices on top of Mt. Veeder.  Purple in color with a thin ruby lip, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats and herbs and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is not a bit wine, but plenty of black raspberry fruit along with some char.  Good finish.  On the young side, this should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  It worked very nice with Palak Paneer.  

2019 Mayacamas Vineyards Chardonnay, USA, California, Napa, Mt. Veeder, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is pretty with peaches and honeydew along with a touch of spice.  Lovely full bodied rich texture.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is a big wine but with pin point precision if that makes sense.  The peaches and honey dew come thru.  Nice finish.  Drinking youthfully but ready to go.  Drink over the next ten years.  This is great on its own and will work well with heavier foods such as Roast Duck.  It might even go nicely with a steak if that's what you like.  

Brandlin Estate 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

Located on Mount Veeder, Brandlin is the sister winery of Cuvaison. In the very capable hands of winemaker Steve Rogstad, his 2021 offers classic notes of light kiwi, lemon-lime zest, gooseberry, light resin, tart green apple and a whisper of butterscotch. This expresses what people want in Sauvignon Blanc – something light, crisp, and fresh. But Brandlin adds a bit of texture to the wine due to fermenting in large French oak barrels, then aging 11 months in oak (just half the barrels were new) to add a noticeable viscosity.

2009 Lagier Meredith Syrah, USA, California, Napa, Mt. Veeder, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This winery recently sold.  While the former owners, Napa legends Carole Meredith and Steve Lagier, are entitled to work a bit less, the wines will be missed.  Quality Syrah (and others) at very fair pricing.  This one is no exception.  2009 was a good vintage provided the grapes were harvested before the early fall rains.  It would appear these were.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black pepper, slight gamey meats.  Medium to full bodied.  Very concentrated.  On the palate, light tannins.  Plenty of black raspberry fruit with some black pepper

2010 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$348.00USD

Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is very tight, but with air it shows cassis, blueberries, spice and slight mocha notes.  full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Very concentrated.  On the palate, black cherries, cassis, blueberries and mocha.  A bit of menthol on the finish.  Long finish.  This needs time or a few hours in a decanter but it is quite good.  Maybe another three to five years of cellaring and drink for fifteen to twenty after that.  Great on its own, it will need big, fatty foods such as prime rib. 

2008 Lagier Meredith Syrah, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Excellent showing.  At age 14, this is just about at peak and showing nice maturity with some youth as well.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  Opaque and mostly bright.  The nose has boysenberries, slight black cherry, black pepper and char.  Full bodied.  The firm tannins of it's youth are mostly resolved at this point but present.

2017 Lagier Meredith Syrah, USA, California, Napa, Mt. Veeder, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

These usually take time but given the vintage, this is drinking well already.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberry fruit, black pepper, and a touch of black olive.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has a great texture.  The wine is tight but opens with a couple of hours of air.  Black raspberry fruit over a char/dry earthy base.  Great acidity and energy.  Long finish.  This should continue to get better for the next five to seven years and drink well for seven to ten more after that.  It will work well with meats, a lamb stew would b

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