A beautiful wine, dry, complex and crisp, and easily one of the best white Rhône-style bottlings of the vintage. It shows brilliantly clean acidity that provides a brisk mouthfeel to the apricot, pineapple and pear flavors that rest on a firm ground of minerals. Great as a richer, more exotic alternative to Sauvignon Blanc.
— S.H.
(3/1/2010)
A very pale wine, barely more than a rosé in hue, but very flavorful. Enraptures the palate with vanilla-scented raspberry Newton, orange biscotti, cola, buttered cinnamon toast and sandalwood flavors that swirl into a long, spicy finish. Not an ager, but perfect now with grilled salmon or a fine ham.
— S.H.
(3/1/2010)
Light in color, with refined aromatics showing cola, rosehip tea, leather, floral and Asian spice notes. This delicately structured wine is on the light-bodied side, but it’s complex and could be exciting with some bottle age. Best now through 2012.
— S.H.
(12/1/2006)
Ripeness was not a problem with this wine. It’s massive in cherries, raspberries, cranberries, Dr. Pepper, spices and sweet smoky sandalwood, wrapped into a silky texture. Decant now for a few hours, or age through 2012.
— S.H.
(12/15/2009)
Released at one year of age, this single-vineyard Zinfandel is too young for enjoyment. It shows hard tannins and tart, candied fruit flavors that have yet to emerge into bottle complexity. Give it until late 2010, and it should provide plenty of berry, cherry and spice enjoyment for a few more years.
— S.H.
(3/1/2010)
Is it overripe? After tasting it we’re not entirely sure, but we detected aromas and flavors common to Port: mostly raisins, cough syrup and chocolate. Brighter-than-expected acidity, however, manages to balance off those heavy characteristics.
— W.E.
(10/1/2002)
Smooth and velvety in the mouth, this is a fairly simple wine. It brims with sweet, fruity flavors of cherries, berries and cocoa. Syrah, Cab Franc, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel.
— S.H.
(12/15/2009)