This deep cherry colored wine, with the most subtle hint of amber makes for a wonderful pour. We let this breathe for a bit and it paid off in spades. Blueberry, blackberry, and currant turn to subtle licorice on the back palate. Cedar on the aftertaste. The flavors glide along and the mouthfeel is exquisite. This is a robust but graceful wine. A wonderful trade-up for Napa cab-loving customers. Get this one on your wine menu.
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Levendi Sweetwater Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016, 96 Points
Dark cherry red in color, this wine sparkles, adding to the appearance of any restaurant dining table. First impression on the nose is clove (in careful measure). Dry delivery to the palate, dark fruit aromas, followed by restrained mocha. This wine layers flavor without piling it on. Upon second entry, we noticed distinct dark cherry and blackberry notes. Ready to serve, but solid acidity and overall balance make this an age-worthy wine.
Levendi Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2016, 93 Points
Stunning clarity, in a straw crystal clear appearance, this chardonnay epitomizes what Napa fans hope for. Abundant ripe fruit on the nose in the form of dried pineapple is met with less-ripe flavors of apple to alert the senses that something wonderful is about to happen. You’ll spot the perfected balance on the palate, with that tropical fruit flavor bursting through, prompting immediate salivation. It holds back at the end though, so as not to build. Apple again on the aftertaste keeps it fresh. Upon each entry, the process starts again. This is a crowd-pleaser and a safe bet for any on-premise menu.
OZV Is Refreshed and Ready For Roll Out
Lodi -based, Oak Ridge Winery announced a refreshed label for the OZV portfolio which features three expressions of Zinfandel: The OZV Old Vine Zinfandel 2016, OZV Rosé of Primitivo 2018 and its OZV Old Vine Red Blend 2016. OZV is the No.1 Zinfandel in California in its price point and No.4 in the United States, according to recent Nielsen data.
The new label, hitting shelves now, strengthens OZV among Oak Ridge Winery’s key brands including Maggio Family Vineyards, Old Soul, Moss Roxx, and Lodi Estates by recharging its brand identity as it looks to the future.
Hertelendy Vineyards 2014 Signature Mountain Blend – 96 Points
A beautiful example of high mountain fruit, the 2014 offers a deep and complex nose that shows the high-quality fruit at its peak flavor. Deep black in color, the fruit shines through with a well-balanced but subtle wine with character. Impressive and balanced tannins, with dark stone fruit, blackberry and a hint of black cherry, create an elite wine that stands near the top. A beautiful example of high mountain fruit, the 2014 offers a deep and complex nose that shows the high-quality fruit at its peak flavor. Deep black in..
Hertelendy Vineyards 2014 Chardonnay – 95 Points
Intense oak floods the glass with an opulent aroma. If you like big, oaky chardonnay this is the wine for you. Fruit forward with beautiful straw color and clarity, the wine over delivers with a lush viscosity that encapsulates the palate. Layers of rich fruit includes gooseberry and melon. A superb and richly made wine. Intense oak floods the glass with an opulent aroma. If you like big, oaky chardonnay this is the wine for you. Fruit forward with beautiful straw color and clarity, the wine over delivers with a lush viscosity that encapsulates the palate.
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2013 Northstar Merlot: Finding True North
A silky smooth version from Washington State, this is a middle of the road Merlot, allowing non-Merlot folks to step towards this grape without sacrificing what they want in terms of flavor, structure and drinkability. There is plenty of boysenberry, blackberry, blueberry and black cherry, with back notes of resin, minerality, cedar and vanilla. 2013 Northstar Merlot is a blend in the truest sense of the word, Mainly Merlot with 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petite Verdot, this is fruit from 10 different vineyards with vine age averaging…
Bonfort’s Wine of The Week: Dutton Goldfield 2015 RRV Chardonnay, 91 Points
Dutton Goldfield has had a stellar reputation with Chardonnay since they opened their doors in 1998. The Chardonnay, actually a Chardonnay musque clone from their Rued Vineyard site, provides more aromatics than other Chardonnay clones. There is certainly an obvious malolactic element evident on the nose and in the palate, but it is tempered with zesty fruit, lemon-lime, manuka honey, tropical fruit mélange, tangerine, crème brulee, even wisps of gardenia…
Ravage Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, 88 Points
Lovely ruby red color. Immediate notes or raspberry and chocolate on the nose are reflected on the palate. A lot of vanilla in this one which will either really appeal to you or not. Super soft tannins sacrifice a little of the dimension, but do make for a gentle aftertaste which many consumers like. Blackberry and plum, mocha and ash/tobacco. For $12.99 this is a great value and since its label is also appealing, it’s a smart one to have on your shelf at this price point. 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 5% Petite Syrah, 5% Zinfandel, 3% Other Reds…
Wine of The Week: Louis Martini 2015 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon, 90 Points
For eight decades Martini has been at it pressing grapes and making wine. Its Sonoma expressions of Cabernet have always been consistent and provide a hallmark of quality from the Dry Creek Valley. The 2015 vintage is no exception. Comprising mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Franc, this is a rich and layered wine offering notes of blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry, and black cherry with a mild tannic structure that makes this extremely drinkable now and a great…
Michael Brown On Taking Back CIRQ
CIRQ, the winery created in 2009 by renowned pinot noir winemaker and Kosta Browne founder Michael Browne, has kicked off a new chapter with his own estate winery in the heart of the Russian River Valley. The winery, which has made some of the most beloved pinots in the region over the last decade, moves forward under Browne’s sole leadership, a big deal for the winemaker and consumers alike. “Taking back CIRQ has profound meaning for me,” says Browne. “Launching this brand paid respect to both my family’s colorful…
Wine of The Week: Dalla Valle 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, 94 Points
Dalla Valle’s nearly iconic Napa vineyard is surprisingly just 15 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. From that they are able to extract excellent fruit and consistently craft excellent wines. Supple and earthy with restrained fruit and a surprising acidity, this 2014 fires on all cylinders. At first there are soft notes of black cherry, blackberry, blueberry, bing cherry and raspberry. As the wine graces the palate you pick up notes of cedar, wet earth, cocoa, resin and light tobacco smoke.
2014 Ladera Howell Mtn. Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is Howling Triumph
Howell Mountain is one of the notable places in Napa for quality Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. The area consists of two types of specific soil; a volcanic ash and iron-rich red clay, and these come to bear in the Ladera Cab. There’s also a provenance to Howell Mountain as it has been producing wine since the 1880s. Ladera’s Reserve Cabernet generously reflects both of these. Comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon and just 3% Petite Verdot, the wine was aged in all new French Oak for nearly two years, which is indeed extensive…
Bounty Hunter’s Blake Van Treese Joins Last Bottle Wines
Blake Van Treese has joined Napa-based Last Bottle Wines as the company continues to expand its offerings amid steady growth. “Blake’s skills in wine buying, marketing, and management, along with and deep roots in the Valley are a perfect complement to how we acquire and sell wine,” said co-owner Cory Wagner of Last Bottle, “And we are excited to have him with us as we launch our newest venture.”
Bonfort’s Wine of The Week: 2011 Roederer L’Ermitage – 90 Points
Mendocino’s Anderson Valley has made a name for itself with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Roederer Estate takes advantage of that using only estate sourced fruit for their premier sparkler, L’Ermitage. The Mendocino winery was founded in 1981, and this wine is overseen by winemakers from both Anderson Valley and the Roederer Estate in France. L’Ermitage is comprised of 52 percent Chardonnay and 28 percent…