Houdini

Sort By:

Houdini 2010 Dean Block Chardonnay (Napa Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $25

Tremendous flavors of honey, pear and orange jam are enriched with an oaky vanilla note. It’s wonderfully creamy and spicy, and while it seemingly tastes as sweet as a pastry, the finish is dry. Only 425 cases were produced. — S.H. (10/1/2012)

points

Houdini 2007 Merlot (Oakville)

Price $30

Shows tons of extracted cherry, blackberry and cassis flavor, wrapped into sturdy tannins and balanced with fine acidity. Bone dry, too, with a long, spicy finish. A good, sweetly oaky Merlot for drinking now. — S.H. (12/1/2011)

points

Houdini 2007 Glendale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $40

Here’s a good, useful Cabernet with some real elegance. It’s bone dry and sturdy in tannins, with solid blackberry and currant flavors leading to a long, sweet finish. Drink over the next three years. — S.H. (12/1/2011)

points

Houdini 2008 Glendale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $40

Still dry and tannic, this has a hard, brittle mouthfeel and lots of tart acidity. It has a gigantic core of blackberry fruit. — S.H. (10/1/2012)

points

Houdini 2008 Palisades Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $40

Tough in the mouth, and chewy, like a gristly piece of steak you can’t quite break down. It’s certainly rich in blackberry, black currant and smoky oak flavors, and is properly dry and brisk in acidity. But you have to wonder if that toughness will ever age out. — S.H. (10/1/2012)

points

Houdini 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)

Price $40

One of the more immediately accessible Rutherford Cabs, offering soft, candied flavors of raspberries, roasted nuts and mocha. No need to age it, so drink up. — S.H. (6/1/2013)

points

Houdini 2011 Dean Block Chardonnay (Napa Valley)

Price $25

Made in a drier, leaner style, this Chard is marked by citrus zest, herb and lees flavors. It’s an elegant wine for drinking now. — S.H. (6/1/2013)

points

Houdini 2009 Merlot (Oakville)

Price $30

Tastes of milk chocolate, blackstrap molasses and blackberry jam flavors, like a candy bar. The structure is fine in tannins and acidity. Drink up. — S.H. (6/1/2013)

Most Reviewed Designations

Dean Block Glendale Ranch Palisades Ranch

Most Reviewed Varietals

Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Merlot

2010 Andeluna Altitud

This is a high-quality Malbec with fleshy berry aromas that veer towards…

(Sponsored)