A new wine from a new winery. It's actually from a warm easterly section of Napa, Pope Valley, that seems to coax honeydew and watermelon flavors from the grapes. The wine, which is very dry, has been given the royal treatment, with barrel fermentation and extended lees aging, so there's that lovely creamy mouthfeel; malolactic fermentation softens it even more…
— S.H.
(11/15/2000)
Dry and tannic, with good grip on the palate, this austere wine screams for olive oil, butter, gorgonzola cheese or beef. The red berry flavors are not particularly ripe, but there is sweetness hidden deep down in the core. The wine needs food to wake it up.
— S.H.
(12/1/2001)
Gorgeous aromas of well-smoked oak and cassis are a delight. The entry is strongly flavored with black cherry and blackberry, with finely ground tannins, and the wine is very dry and refined.
— S.H.
(11/15/2002)
From the eastern side of the appellation, a dark, tannic, dry wine stuffed with plump, fat blackberry fruit. It’s youthful and forward, too sharp to enjoy now. Best to cellar for three years.
— S.H.
(11/15/2002)
Ripe, juicy aromas of cassis and blackcurrants start things off; bouquet also has a hefty dose of smoky oak. The flavors veer towards peppery blackberries and plums, but be forewarned: This wine is very tannic. Your tongue sticks tothe roof of your mouth. Not likely to improve with age, so drink up with big, rich foods.
— S.H.
(12/1/2001)
A bit chunky, with modest cherry, tobacco and earthy flavors. This dry, fairly tannic wine needs food to coax out the berry sweetness.
— S.H.
(12/15/2004)
The aroma of wood dominates, with green, juicy notes and quite a bit of smoky char. Underneath all that is some citrus fruit, but not much. It drinks thin, especially in the middle palate, where it’s watery. Picks up citrus flavors and tart acids on the finish.
— S.H.
(11/15/2001)
There are some proper currant and blackberry aromas along with hot, rubbery elements in this full-flavored, full bodied wine. Sizeable tannins obscure berry fruit, and the finish is dry and clean.
— S.H.
(12/1/2001)