Cosentino

In 1980 Mitch Cosentino founded Cosentino Winery and a year later their inaugural vintage was released. In the early 1980s, Cosentino wines were made from small lots of grapes acquired from some of the top growers in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, and Sacramento Counties. Cosentino Vineyards is acknowledged for its role in the development of the "Meritage", a Bordeaux style blend that is now a staple throughout the Napa Valley. In 1989, Cosentino's release of "The Poet" was one of America's first designated and licensed Meritage wines. For the last few decades the focus of Cosentino winery has been on producing wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Zinfandel and Chardonnay varietals. However it is their Meritage blends that typically gain the highest accolades according to our Cosentino ratings. In early 2011 Cosentino was purchased by Vintage Wine Estates whose portfolio also includes Girard Winery, Sonoma Coast Vineyards, Windsor Sonoma Winery and Cartlidge.

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Cosentino 2003 CE2V Meritage Red Wine (Napa Valley)

Price $100

With one-third of Merlot and Cab Franc, it’s wildly rich in blackberry, currant, blueberry, cherry and milk chocolate, but is no mere fruit bomb. Possesses the gorgeously ripe tannins and overall balance you expect from a Cab of this pedigree and price. Drink now, and should hold and improve for 10 years. — S.H. (5/1/2007)

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Cosentino 2002 Reserve Cabernet Franc (St. Helena)

Price $45

If Cabernet Sauvignon isn’t careful, Cab Francs like this are going to elbow it aside. This wine has fine dryness and complexity. It’s an elegant, velvety wine that’s not as heavy as a Cab Sauvignon, but in the same vein. It’s oaky and cherryish and frankly delicious. — S.H. (10/1/2006)

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Cosentino 2005 CE2V Chardonnay (Napa Valley)

Price $40

This high-end wine shows the dusting of thyme and sweet tobacco that often complexes Napa Chard. It’s also fruited in pineapple and spicy melon, with a rich coating of smoky oak. Notable for balance and dry elegance. — S.H. (5/1/2007)

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Cosentino 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $150

Tastes way too oaky at the moment, with a flood of vanilla, sweet charred wood and smoky butter flavors swamping the underlying fruit, which consists of blackberries and cassis. May be going through a phase of immaturity. Could well re-emerge after 2010, but its future is hard to predict, as it’s made in a soft, Napa way, and these wines have yet to prove their… — S.H. (12/31/2009)

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Cosentino 2005 M. Coz Meritage (Napa Valley)

Price $150

Lots to like in this complex red Bordeaux blend. Shows bigtime fruit flavors of blackberries, cherries, raspberries and cocoa, with a rich edge of smoky oak, wrapped into smooth, fine tannins in the modern Napa style. Finishes a bit obvious and sweet. Could develop bottle complexity over the next decade. — S.H. (12/31/2009)

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Cosentino 2002 Reserve Merlot (Napa Valley)

Price $42

A rich, dense Merlot, dry and full-bodied. Despite its sizable tannins, it’s balanced and forward in tasty cherry, blackberry and smoky oak flavors. Has a lot of style and finesse, and should hold and improve for five years. — S.H. (10/1/2006)

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Cosentino 2003 The Poet Meritage Red Wine (Napa Valley)

Price $65

When Mitch Cosentino chooses to, and the weather gods allow, he makes a great Napa red. This Cabernet-based blend is very good. It lacks the elegance of the finest vintages, but shows a classic structure and a deep core of blackberry, coffee, olive and new oak flavors. But it’s very tannic; if you open before 2009, decant. Otherwise, the wine should develop through… — S.H. (12/31/2006)

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Cosentino 2003 Reserve Cabernet Franc (Napa Valley)

Online Exclusive

Price $45

You never quite know what to expect from a Cab Franc, but Napa red wine specialist Mitch Cosentino has produced one of the more definitive bottlings. It’s softer and plumper than Cab Sauvignon, with a silky texture and lush cherry fruit that’s been well-oaked. From a St. Helena vineyard. — S.H. (5/1/2007)

Most Reviewed Designations

CE2V CE2V Meritage Red Wine Cigar Zin Crystal Valley Crystal Valley Cellars CigarZin Crystal Valley Cellars Franc Crystal Valley Cellars The Cab Reserve The Cab The Chard The Zin

Most Reviewed Varietals

Bordeaux-style Red Blend Bordeaux-style White Blend Cabernet Blend Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Chardonnay Gewürztraminer Meritage Merlot Pinot Grigio Pinot Noir Zinfandel

2010 Buehler Estate

A pretty, polished and tasty wine for drinking now. Made from 100%…

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