A deeply impressive Bordeaux blend. It comes from this small, but prestigious, appellation, which is a bridge between Sonoma County and Napa Valley. Marked by dryness and a superb tannic structure, it has deep flavors of blackberries, black currants, violets, herbs and cedar. Needs time. Give it 4–6 years in the cellar.
— S.H.
(2/1/2010)
This 100% Cab shows all the hallmarks of an ageable wine. But it’s beautiful now for the complexity of the tannins and the elegant integration of blackberry and black currant fruit with oak. A dramatic, impressive wine that shows you don’t have to spend a lot of money for a terrific California Cab. Now–2012.
— S.H.
(2/1/2010)
Made mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a big, massively structured wine. It offers an explosion of blackberries, cassis, dark chocolate and sweet, caramelized oak. It’s really too immature to enjoy now, but has the inherent balance to ride out the next 10 years until it throws sediment and mellows.
— S.H.
(6/1/2012)
Knights Valley, an inland Sonoma County region, is not well known, but is home to some impressive Cabernets. This one, a first release, shows enormous promise. It’s made in the modern style, slightly soft but richly textured, with ripe currant, cherry, chocolate and new oak flavors that are grounded with an earthy note of olives and herbs. This is a winery to keep…
— S.H.
(8/1/2008)
This is a dry, crisp and very elegant Sauvignon Blanc. It shows savory flavors of lemons, limes and lemongrass, girded with a fine, structural minerality. Super-clean, it’s a terrific partner to grilled shrimp, bruschetta with veggies and garlic, a ham sandwich, broiled chicken with rice, you name it.
— S.H.
(2/1/2010)
An interesting and flavorful blend of Bordeaux varieties and Syrah that has some real complexity. It’s a dry, smoothly tannic wine, with rich berry, currant and chocolate notes. Made in the modern style of soft appeal, it’s ready to drink now.
— S.H.
(7/1/2011)
Quite a good Syrah, although it’s a little too soft, so open it now because it won’t hold for too long. It’s dry and silky smooth in the mouth, with rich, ripe blackberry, blueberry, chocolate, bacon and pepper flavors.
— S.H.
(10/1/2010)
This is surprisingly tough and tannic for a 2007, but it does show the vintage’s impressive fruit flavors. Notes of blackberry and cherry jam are complexed by touches of cassis liqueur and smoky cedar. The tannins will need to be tamed by rich, fatty fare, like grilled steak.
— S.H.
(4/1/2013)