What a fine, beautiful wine this is. Shows every graceful aspect of a modern Napa Cab, from the perfectly ripened fruit to the unbelievably fine tannins and application of oak. Thrills the mouth with decadently rich black currants, crême de cassis, milk chocolate, anise and cedar flavors, but never loses an impeccable sense of balance and control. Best now, even…
— S.H.
(6/1/2009)
It’s easy to make Cab Franc tasty almost anywhere, but difficult to make it great. Pride succeeds in the latter with mountain grapes that concentrate flavors. Lush, opulent blackberry fruit is exquisitely offset with rich oak and dusty tannins. The texture is fabulous, at once light and dense.
— S.H.
(12/1/2002)
Big, big, big. Make that huge, huge, huge. This Chard rocks. It’s done up in the grand Burgundian way, but all the bells and whistles can’t put a dent in the fruit, which is just, well, big and huge. Mangoes, papayas, pineapple custard, peach pie, macaroon, gingersnap cookie, vanilla fudge, buttered toast, all brightened with coastal acidity. Chardonnay just…
— S.H.
(3/1/2007)
If you’re lucky enough to try this with Pride’s reserve Cab, which is 100% varietal, you’ll find this one fleshier and meatier. Based on Merlot, it shows a voluptuous fatness, a chocolate-covered cherry candy immediacy, that makes it drinkable now. At the same time, it has big, dusty, mouth-coating tannins. Drink now, with decanting, or cellar for 10 years.
— S.H.
(3/1/2007)
Youthful tannins star in this young wine. The wine is dry and balanced, with a fabulous core of blackberry, cassis and smoky oak. With a drop of Petite Verdot, which adds a touch of violets, this is one of the best high mountain Cabs of the vintage. Too dry and toughly astringent to drink before 2010; should develop well through 2016, at least.
— S.H.
(2/1/2008)
What power and drama have gone into this wonderful wine. Sheer Pomerol, with pencil shaving, black cherry, cedar, chocolate and gamy-meaty aromas and flavors, tinged with violets, and the most voluptuous mouthfeel. Sheer hedonism right through the long sweet finish.
— S.H.
(6/1/2002)
There’s no Merlot in California that’s richer or more decadent than this. The flavors of cherry pie filling, cassis, red currants, chocolate, licorice and smoky oak are totally delicious. Granted, the wine is a little soft, with a melted texture, and classicists will complain it’s made in the International style. They’re missing out on a real hedonistic pleasure.
— S.H.
(7/1/2009)
This is the densest, most tannic of Pride’s new releases, obviously meant for the cellar. You could drink it now, because it’s so lush, but the tightness suggests that the winemaker doesn’t want you to. Buried under the astringency are masses of cassis, dark chocolate, sweet fresh herbs and smoky oak. Better after 2010.
— S.H.
(7/1/2009)