91
points
Erba 2003 Mountainside Vineyards Syrah (Napa Valley)
-
$40
Like the winery’s Cabernet and Merlot—grown in the same Atlas Peak estate vineyard—this is a soft, voluptuous wine, made in the modern style. It’s as rich as a dessert, with cherry, cassis, chocolate, plum pudding, pumpkin pie and datenut bread flavors, although it’s totally dry. It takes a lot of effort and expense to make a wine this deliciously balanced. Drink now.
— S.H.
(6/1/2007)
90
points
Erba 2003 Mountainside Vineyards Merlot (Napa Valley)
-
$35
Shows the earthiness that always characterized Atlas Peak Bordeaux reds, but today’s riper approach gives the wine impossibly rich cherry jam, crème de cassis and milk chocolate flavors, wrapped into the softest, sweetest tannins. It’s almost like a dessert wine, except it’s dry and balanced.
— S.H.
(6/1/2007)
88
points
Erba 2005 Mountainside Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine (Napa Valley)
-
$50
Tasted at the age of 38 months, Erba’s Bordeaux blend is a dense, tannicly dry wine. It has well-ripened flavors of blackberries, currants, mocha and cedar. If you drink it now, decant. Best before 2011, before the fruit falls out.
— S.H.
(6/1/2009)