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Charles Creek 2004 La Vista Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- $55
This is a deft Cabernet, the opposite of the modern cult style, better defined by what it is not. It’s a brilliantly structured wine, with a firm architecture of tannins and acids. The flavors of blackberries, currants, cedar and spice are deeply satisfying. Drink now and for the next six years.
— S.H.
(6/1/2008)
Charles Creek 2005 La Vista Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- $55
The well-known vineyard is located at a high altitude on the eastern side of the valley, above Oakville. The wine shows classic mountain concentration, revealing a massive core of red and black currants, cassis and Asian spices, liberally enriched with sweet, smoky oak. Delicious and complex now, it should develop bottle complexities over the next six years, at least.
— S.H.
(6/1/2009)
Charles Creek 2001 La Sonrisa del Tecolote Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- $26
This is a very tannic wine. It hits the palate with a dusty, sandpapery feeling that makes the gums numb. Then the fruit emerges, currants and cherries, blackberries and plums, and they ride through the finish. It is a classic cellar-worthy Napa Cabernet that will only get better through 2010.
— S.H.
(5/1/2004)
Charles Creek 2003 Las Abuelas Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay (Carneros)
- $39
Impresses for the sheer volume of the fruit. Flamboyant tropical pineapple, mango, guava, lots of dusty spices, rich oak, but manages to hold onto balance, dryness and even a sense of finesse all the way through the long finish.
— S.H.
(6/1/2005)
Charles Creek 2004 La Sonrisa del Tecolote Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- $30
Grown in Rutherford, this 100% Cab may strike some as old-fashioned. It’s bone dry, firm in acids and tannins, and the grapes evidently were not left on the vines until they were partially shrivelled. You can tell, because there’s an earthy, green olive edge to the blackberry fruit flavors. But that’s what makes this wine so fine and food-friendly.
— S.H.
(6/1/2008)
Charles Creek 2004 Pasatiempo Sangiacomo Vineyard Merlot (Carneros)
- Online Exclusive
- $26
This is an elegant Merlot, but it’s also pretty dry and tannic, showing a preference for structural integrity over immediate palate seduction. Nonetheless, you’ll find an array of cherry, blackberry and currant flavors, enriched with smoky oak. Winemaker Kerry Damskey has succeeded in crafting a wine that has the balance of Bordeaux. Drink now through 2012.
— S.H.
(7/1/2008)
Charles Creek 2001 Miradero Merlot (Sonoma-Napa)
- $22
Classic North Coast Merlot, polished and sleek, with elegantly soft tannins and flavors of plums, black cherries and chocolate. Extra-ripe grapes lead to a honey-sweet finish, but the wine is technically dry. Perfect with prime rib.
— S.H.
(12/31/2003)
Charles Creek 2005 Punta Mita Hyde Vineyard Merlot (Carneros)
- Online Exclusive
- $32
The vineyard is one of the better sources of Merlot on the Napa side of Carneros, and the pedigree shows in this dry, well-structured wine. The cherry and currant flavors are complex, with violets, minerals and coffee, and the tannins, while thick and sticky, are refined. Very elegant with all sorts of beef and lamb dishes.
— S.H.
(7/1/2008)
Showing items 1
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What We're Tasting
2009 Chronicle Cerise Vineyard
One sip is all it takes to know this is a terrific Pinot Noir. It’s dry…
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