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Inventory updated: Tue, Jan 26, 2021 04:02 PM cst
100-Pt Perfection
Flickinger Wines has a fantastic selection of 100 point wines from prominent producers from across the globe, all of them in-stock. This list is dominated by a who's who of California's greatest wines from Harlan, Screaming Eagle, SQN and many more. Every wine here is a highlight, so take the time to browse this incredible list and add some of these perfect wines to your collection today - happy hunting!
The following are the wines remaining from the offer sent on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Please enter your desired quantities and click the 'Add' button.
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Rhone Red |
| Ch. de Beaucastel |
1998 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage a Jacques Perrin (3.0 L)  Cracked Wax Capsule |
$2,400 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (6/2010): The splendid 1998 Hommage a Jacques Perrin is a compelling wine. Dense plum/ruby/purple, with intense notes of kirsch liqueur intermixed with licorice, camphor, incense, and black fruits, this wine cuts a broad swath across the palate, is very opulent, with a multi-layered texture, and despite its power, massiveness, and structure, comes across as pure, well-balanced, and classic in its proportions. This wine still needs another 5 or so years of cellaring, but it is one of the few Jacques Perrin wines that can be drunk at age 12 with enormous pleasure. It still has another 25-30 years ahead of it. Atypically forward for a wine from Beaucastel, my recollection is that the actual percentage of Grenache, which never exceeds the Mourvedre in their final blend, was much higher in 1998 than in other years.
JD 98 (8/2008): The 1998 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin is fruit forward with rich, sweet blackberry and cassis notes paired with melted licorice, spice, roast meat and subtle truffle and earth aromas. The palate is full bodied, perfectly balanced and with some real density and depth. Almost chewable, this is silky smooth and doesn't show a hard edge anywhere. The blockbuster finish picks up ripe and sweet tannins.
VM 98 (5/2009): Deep red with ruby highlights. Wild aromas of black raspberry, violet, game, leather, pepper and sundried tomato. Densely packed and improbably concentrated, with extraordinary solidity and fullness. The initially wild character became less obvious as the wine's other elements blossomed in the glass. This has fruit of steel and an extraordinarily long, broad finish. It's nearly impossible to scrape this off one's palate. Mazi-Chambertin meets Clos de Beze-on steroids, of course. An incredible bottle, and the wine of the tasting. This was a grenache-heavy vintage for the Hommage bottling but also includes 20% mourvedre.
WS 97 (9/2007): Still a bit of a brute, as the Mourvèdre thoroughly dominates, with tar, pan-roasted liver, graphite and loam notes that hold sway over more typical Châteauneuf notes of currant, licorice, garrigue and mineral. This is very dense on the finish and still somewhat backward, so patience is required for this giant.--1998 Châteauneuf-du-Pape retrospective. Best from 2010 through 2032. 415 cases made. |
|
| Dom. du Pegau |
2016 |
Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee du Capo |
$349 |
5 |
|
| |
JD 100 (8/2019): I was also able to taste the 2016 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Da Capo, which comes mostly from older vines in the La Crau lieu-dit and spends an additional year in a large foudre. The 2016 vintage was truly magical for the region, and this Cuvée Da Capo is unquestionably one of the finest vintages for this cuvée ever made, in the same league as, if not surpassing, the 1998, 2003, 2007, and 2010. Sensational notes of cured meats, crème de cassis, crushed violets, ground pepper, tapenade, truffle, and sweet herbes de Provence all soar from the glass and it hits the palate with a massive, full-bodied style that stays seamless, weightless, and as pure as they come. Traditional, classic Châteauneuf Du Pape doesn’t get better. I hate to be the guy who throws out the “best to date” line very often, but this is truly magical stuff.
WA 99 (8/2019): As impressive as the Cuvée Réservée is, the 2016 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée da Capo brings an extra level of intensity. Turn that volume up to 11 or even 12. Waves of black cherries, plums and chocolate wash across the full-bodied, velvety palate, lingering nearly forever on the finish. As big and bold as it is, it remains breathtakingly elegant and fine. It should evolve gracefully through at least 2040.
VM 97 (12/2019): Vivid ruby. Intensely perfumed dark berry, cherry preserve and licorice aromas are complemented by hints of game, exotic spices and candied lavender. Deep, sweet and expansive on the palate, offering densely packed raspberry, cola and floral pastille flavors and a strong suggestion of spicecake. Shows superb clarity and power on a ridiculously long, sappy finish that eventually leaves behind cherry liqueur and bitter chocolate notes. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Etienne Guigal |
2005 |
Cote Rotie La Mouline |
$600 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 100 (8/2014): Another ridiculous effort, the 2005 Cote Rotie la Mouline doesn’t pull any punches and is perfectly balanced, deeply concentrated and shockingly rich, with a seamless, elegant and silky character that’s to die for. Giving up notions of smoked beef, iron, spring flowers and thrilling black raspberry and blackberry fruit, this classic La Mouline has nothing out of place, beautiful purity and precision, and incredible length. More in the style of the 2010, it can be consumed anytime over the coming 2-3 decades.
JLL ****** (5/2011): Thorough, shiny and attractive red robe. Reserved, but highly promising bouquet - mystery, the magic word, here, along with its compact red fruit aroma. The oak is absorbing well, and there are licorice wafts as well. There is a good charge of red fruit on the attack - this is nicely robust for a Mouline, with its fruit zig-zagging and finding every corner of the palate. There is a fresh tang, redcurrant fruit finale. The fruit I find to be beguiling, the texture is silky, but there is lots of depth to this beauty. Balance, naturally, is good. “Violet, prune aromas,” Marcel Guigal. From 2014, for instance. I can see this ticking on.
WS 99 (9/2009): Extremely dense, with Turkish coffee and bittersweet cocoa notes leading the way for a huge core of macerated plum and currant fruit, with warm fig reduction and hoisin sauce notes. The long, graphite- and toast-driven finish sails on and on. Best from 2012 through 2030. 415 cases made.
VM 96 (1/2010): Vivid ruby. Sexy black raspberry and floral aromas are complicated by smoky minerals, Asian spices and a whiff of smoke. Silky, alluringly sweet red and dark berry flavors pack serious punch but come off as weightless, with tangy minerality adding spine and precision. Showing more elegance than last year: its finishing lift, clarity and sweetness comes across as distinctly Burgundian. This suave wine is surprisingly open-knit but I'd wait a while before opening a bottle. - |
|
| M. Chapoutier |
1991 |
Ermitage Le Pavillon Ullage 3 cm; Signs of Old Seepage; Corroded Capsule |
$345 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (6/1996): This is a Le Pavilion of mythical proportions. Produced from extremely old vines, some dating from the mid-nineteenth century, with yields averaging under 15 hectoliters per hectare, this is the richest, most concentrated and profound wine made in Hermitage. The 1991 Ermitage Le Pavilion follows the pattern of the 1989 and 1990-it is another perfect wine. The saturated black/purple color is followed by a compelling bouquet of spices, roasted meats, and black and red fruits. Enormously concentrated yet with brilliant focus and delineation to its awesomely endowed personality, this extraordinary wine should age effortlessly for three plus decades. Very powerful and full, yet displaying silky tannin, this is a seamless beauty! Anticipated maturity: 2001-2035.
VM 92+ (12/1998): Saturated ruby color. Superripe, warm aromas of cassis, plum, chocolate and roasted meat, and livelier and more primary than those of the regular cuvee. Huge, lush, thick and layered in the mouth; impressively deep flavors of cassis and chocolate are a bit heavy for the vintage. I would have picked this blind as a '90. A bit monolithic and undifferentiated today, but this very powerful wine is still an infant. Finishes with major mouthdusting (wood?) tannins. Undeniably impressive, but could use a bit more refinement. |
|
|
1991 |
Ermitage Le Pavillon Signs of Old Seepage; Corroded Capsule |
$345 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (6/1996): This is a Le Pavilion of mythical proportions. Produced from extremely old vines, some dating from the mid-nineteenth century, with yields averaging under 15 hectoliters per hectare, this is the richest, most concentrated and profound wine made in Hermitage. The 1991 Ermitage Le Pavilion follows the pattern of the 1989 and 1990-it is another perfect wine. The saturated black/purple color is followed by a compelling bouquet of spices, roasted meats, and black and red fruits. Enormously concentrated yet with brilliant focus and delineation to its awesomely endowed personality, this extraordinary wine should age effortlessly for three plus decades. Very powerful and full, yet displaying silky tannin, this is a seamless beauty! Anticipated maturity: 2001-2035.
VM 92+ (12/1998): Saturated ruby color. Superripe, warm aromas of cassis, plum, chocolate and roasted meat, and livelier and more primary than those of the regular cuvee. Huge, lush, thick and layered in the mouth; impressively deep flavors of cassis and chocolate are a bit heavy for the vintage. I would have picked this blind as a '90. A bit monolithic and undifferentiated today, but this very powerful wine is still an infant. Finishes with major mouthdusting (wood?) tannins. Undeniably impressive, but could use a bit more refinement. |
|
| | Italy |
| Casa Vinicola Bruno Giacosa |
1989 |
Barolo Collina Rionda Riserva |
$4,195 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 100 (2/2010): I suspect over the years I have had more than my fair share of the 1989 Barolo Riserva Collina Rionda. After all, there were only 2,838 bottles produced. Still, I never fail to be utterly seduced by this transcendental, emotionally moving Barolo. The Rionda isn’t Giacosa’s most powerful wine, rather it is a Barolo built on elegance. Impossibly fine, silky tannins frame subtle, yet incredibly vivid aromatics that meld into a gorgeous core of violets, roses, tar, licorice and minerals. Still incredibly fresh, this towering Barolo has another 20+ years of life ahead. It remains Giacosa’s foremost masterpiece and one of the greatest wines ever made. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030. |
|
| Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello |
1978 |
Barolo Monprivato Heavily Bin-Soiled Label |
$895 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 100 (11/2016): This is one of the greatest Italian wines ever made. It's so dark colored and disproves those who say that it shouldn't have any. It came straight from the cellars of the estate years ago. Dried flowers and dried fruits. Full body, lots of mushroom character and blueberry. Also ash-like. It's so fine, yet possesses incredible power. Drink now.
VM 95 (9/2009): The 1978 Barolo Monprivato bursts from the glass with stunning richness and intensity, coating every inch of the palate in dramatic fashion. It remains a vibrant, youthful Barolo that is one of the finest wines made in one of Piedmont's most historic harvests. This particular bottle is not the finest I have had, but it is still impressive. At its best, the 1978 is an utterly magical, spellbinding Monprivato. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| | Port |
| Quinta do Noval |
1994 |
Nacional Port |
$1,200 |
1 |
|
| |
WS 100 (2/2011): Toffee aromas leads to a complex array of fig, mineral, iron and dark fruit flavors that are rich and intense. The long, caressing finish features spicy notes, with hints of fresh mint. Amazingly elegant.—Non-blind Quinta do Noval Nacional retrospective (February 2011). Drink now through 2025. 250 cases made.
WA 99 (10/1996): Amazingly, the importer still has tiny stocks of such legendary ports as the 1970, 1963, and 1962 Nacionals. In most vintages the production of Quinta do Noval Nacional is no more than 250-275 cases. The 1970,1963,1962 and 1994 are candidates to achieve perfect scores. The 1994 Nacional is an incredibly rich, massive wine, yet at the same time, well-balanced and amazingly well-delineated. The color is an opaque purple. In addition to the abundant peppery, floral, cassis fruit, there is an ethereal character to this super-rich, pure wine that is not the least bit heavy. A compelling Nacional, it possesses even more stuffing than the regular bottling (as one might suspect), and at least 30-40 years of longevity. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2050.
VM 96+ (11/2012): Excellent medium ruby. High-pitched, still-youthful aromas and flavors of black cherry, minerals, graphite, licorice, espresso and menthol. Primary, intense and impeccably balanced, with strong but harmonious acidity giving grip to the sappy dark fruit flavors and extending the extremely long finish. Wonderfully dense and silky wine--more elegantly styled than the 1996, thanks in part to the relatively cool summer. This should almost certainly merit an even higher score in a decade or so. Amazing wine in the making, and likely to merit an even higher score 10 or 20 years from now.
NM 94 (1/2014): The 1994 Quinta Do Noval Nacional is completely different to the regular Vintage Noval. The color is darker, the nose better defined and fresher, leaping from the glass with mineral-laden dark plum, boysenberry jam, orange blossom and star anis. The palate is more extravagant and intense than the Vintage Noval with baked cherries, pomegranate, black plum, white pepper and orange peel. It has a very cohesive finish that is suspended beautifully in the mouth. This elegant Nacional should age for another 30-40 years with style. There were just 190 cases produced – one of the smallest to date. Drink now-2040. |
|
| | USA Red |
| Alban Vineyards |
2006 |
Reva Alban Estate Syrah (1.5 L) |
$450 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (8/2010): The 2006 Syrah Reva, coming from parcels of dark, volcanic soil, has off-the-chart richness and intensity. This thick, opaque-purple colored wine offers up notes of scorched earth, ground pepper, and blackberry liqueur intermixed with cassis, licorice, camphor, and tar. The wine is spectacular in every sense. Full-bodied and certainly not for wimps, this is a remarkably concentrated yet very nuanced and intense wine that should age for 20 more years.
JD 98 (11/2010): Truly extraordinary, the 2006 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard is a jaw dropping Syrah, sporting rich, full aromatics of smoky dark fruits, steak tartare, tapenade, and licorice. These carry over to the palate where the wine is perfectly built, possessing awesome concentration, solid, almost burly structure, and a phenomenal texture that coats the palate, but at the same time, stays light, fresh, and clean. I’m a huge fan, and while delicious now, I’ve no doubt this will continue to drink well for 15 to 20 years.
WS 97 (12/2010): A luxurious style, rich, layered and dramatic, yet stays stylishly textured and balanced, offering a fleshy core of deep blackberry, wild berry and plum, with shades of tar, mineral, pepper and sage. Drink now through 2022. 2,300 cases made.
VM 94+ (11/2010): Glass-staining purple. Blackberry, boysenberry and licorice pastille on the nose, with mounting spice and floral notes and a strong wallop of cracked pepper. Deeply pitched black and blue fruit flavors expand with air and pick up strong spicecake and candied flower notes, along with velvety tannins. More backward than the Lorraine today, and showing a darker profile. The finish completely stains the palate and lingers with intense floral and spicy persistence. This is still a baby. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Cliff Lede |
2013 |
Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon |
$325 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 100 (12/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry reveals a rather inky, bluish/purple color. A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, this wine is super-youthful and still tastes somewhat like a barrel sample. It’s bursting with upside potential. Inky purple to the rim, with notes of crème de cassis, black cherry liqueur, licorice, spice and a touch of vanilla, this is a full-bodied, concentrated and an utterly profound wine that may represent the greatest wine that Cliff Lede has made to date. Forget it for another 5-6 years and drink it over the following 30 years. |
|
|
2013 |
Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$675 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 100 (12/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry reveals a rather inky, bluish/purple color. A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, this wine is super-youthful and still tastes somewhat like a barrel sample. It’s bursting with upside potential. Inky purple to the rim, with notes of crème de cassis, black cherry liqueur, licorice, spice and a touch of vanilla, this is a full-bodied, concentrated and an utterly profound wine that may represent the greatest wine that Cliff Lede has made to date. Forget it for another 5-6 years and drink it over the following 30 years. |
|
| Dominus |
2016 |
Proprietary Blend |
$249 |
36 |
|
| |
WA 100 (10/2018): A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc aged in 40% new oak, the 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is deep purple-black in color and quite reticent at this youthful stage to begin, offering up subtle notions of potpourri, Indian spices, cigar box and iron ore over a core of crushed blackberries and black cherries with intermittent wafts of black and red currants, new leather and smoked meats. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a densely packed mid-palate and oodles of freshness framed by very ripe, finely grained tannins and laced with compelling earthy accents. It offers incredible vibrancy with tons of black and red fruit sparkle in the mid-palate leading to a provocative mineral element on the very long finish. If I could give more than 100 for this one, I would. To be released in May 2019.
JD 98+ (1/2019): Another possible legend in the making is the 2016 Dominus, a classic blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 40% new French oak. Pure, pristine notes of charcoal, cold fireplace, smoke tobacco, and both blue and black fruits all flow to a full-bodied 2016 that has incredible elegance and finesse, yet also depth and density. It’s more backward and reserved than the 2015 and needs 4-5 years of cellaring. It will unquestionably live for 25-30 years.
JS 98 (10/2018): The opulence of fresh flowers and dark fruit is so impressive. There’s so much going on, from flowers to currants. The palate is full and powerful, but what impresses most are the ripe tannins and the amazing poise at the finish. Tightens down at the end. A blend of 84 per cent cabernet sauvignon, eight per cent petit verdot and eight per cent cabernet franc. Drink in 2021.
VM 97 (12/2018): The 2016 Dominus is a dark, somber wine. I don't quite see the explosive energy of the 2013 or 2010, not the seductiveness of the 2012, but the 2016 has a distinct charm that is all its own. Quite frankly, I can't remember a young Dominus with this combination of fruit density, freshness and polished tannins. A huge center of fruit emerge with time in the glass in a big, large-scaled Dominus that should provide readers with a long drinking window of pure pleasure once some of the baby fat wears off. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Eisele Vineyard |
2015 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$495 |
5 |
|
| |
| WA 100 (10/2017): Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon charges from the gate with exuberant red and black cherries notes, black currants and mulberries with a beautiful roses and lavender perfume, plus hints of sandalwood and cinnamon stick. Full-bodied, concentrated and downright explosive in the mouth, it is still wearing loads of gorgeous puppy-fat fruit flavors, offering suggestions of the complex, multilayered blockbuster that it will emerge into. The structure deserves its own mention: wonderful, seamless freshness and oh-so-fine, pixelated tannins, with an extraordinary persistence of fruit and mineral nuances. Wow. |
|
| Harlan Estate |
2015 |
Proprietary Blend |
$1,095 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 100 (1/2019): The 2015 Harlan Estate is a beast of a wine that shows the sexy, opulent style of the vintage married to the classic structure and depth of this estate. A downright smorgasbord of blackcurrants, blackberries, crushed rocks, graphite, smoky camphor, cured meats, and dried tobacco aromas all emerge from the glass, and it shows the deep, concentrated style of the vintage yet still has awesome complexity and nuances. Deep, powerful, and structured, yet opulent and incredibly sexy on the palate, it reminds me of the 2002. A brilliant wine from this estate, it's already approachable given its wealth of fruit yet has the tannic backbone and density to keep for 3-4 decades or more.
WA 100 (10/2018): Bottled in early 2018, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Harlan Estate is a little closed, slowly unfurling to reveal black cherries, crème de cassis and plum pudding with nuances of potpourri, baking spices and tilled soil plus wafts of garrigue and wild sage. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated with exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and fantastic poise and depth with a long, decadently fruited finish.
WS 97 (10/2019): A huge red, with powerfully rendered dark fig, macerated black currant and steeped boysenberry fruit framed by a bittersweet chocolate note. With time in the glass, the fruit unwinds slowly, allowing anise and loam accents to fill in on the fleshy finish. There's some serious heft here through the back end too, with a long echo of smoldering tobacco and a great tug of dark earth. Best from 2022 through 2040. 1,839 cases made.
VM 97 (12/2018): The 2015 Harlan Estate has developed into an arrestingly beautiful wine. Racy and sumptuous, the 2015 is already quite showy, with tons of dark cherry, plum, mocha, espresso, licorice, spice and tobacco character. Today, the 2015 comes across as a bit brooding and hard to read, although some of the rougher edges in the tannins I saw last year have softened. Even so, I would prefer to cellar 2015 for at least a few years. There is so much to look forward to. Antonio Galloni.
JS 99 (12/2018): Incredible aromas of fresh flowers, such as roses and violets, and blackcurrants. Full body and defined levels of fruit and tannins too. Love the brightness and texture. An excellent finish. Production was down by a third because of bad berry set. Try in 2021. |
|
| Hidden Ridge |
2013 |
Impassable Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$359 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 100 (3/2016): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Impassable Mountain Reserve sounds relatively intimidating, but if you want a quintessential example of what perfection is in my business, taste this wine! Absolutely remarkable in every sense – the incredible pure aromatics of blue, red and black fruits, the minerality, the volcanic, earthy sweetness that emerges in a subtle fashion, the full-bodied opulence, the staggering finish of more than a minute, and its unreal concentration certainly make this one of the most compelling and profound Cabernet Sauvignons I have ever tasted, and the first perfect wine of 2016. This should be nearly immortal, drinking well young, and for those with the patience and wisdom to wait 25-35 years, a legacy wine from Sonoma. |
|
| Hundred Acre Winery |
2013 |
Few and Far Between Cabernet Sauvignon |
$625 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 100 (10/2016): Obviously, the Eisele Vineyard next door is a first-growth quality vineyard, and so is Jayson Woodbridge’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Few and Far Between. This has some Cabernet Franc (5%-15%), and spends 32 months in barrel. It is an absolutely outrageously great wine from the volcanic rocks and white volcanic ash of these soils in this northeast sector of Napa to the south of Calistoga. The finish goes on for over a minute, as this wine has layers and layers of fruit. If anything, it reminded me of a Château Latour on steroids. A magnificent example, it is one of the prodigious wines of this great vintage for Bordeaux varietals in Napa. The 2013 Few and Far Between already drinks well, but will still be reveling its purchasers 35-40 years from now. The sad thing about the Few and Far Between Vineyard is that it is only a five-acre parcel.
WS 93 (11/2016): Plump and juicy, with ripe plum, cherry and blueberry flavors. The dense backbone of oak, herb and tannins gives this a sense of power, as well as finesse, structure, charm and length. Drink now through 2032. 450 cases made. |
|
| Joseph Phelps |
2002 |
Insignia Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$650 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 100 (11/2013): The 2002 boasts an inky/purple color along with notes of graphite, violets, blackberries, creme de cassis and hints of charcoal and barbecue in addition to a full-bodied, multilayered mouthfeel that builds incrementally with great purity, staggering fruit concentration, and a long, velvety, 50+-second finish. This prodigious effort should continue to drink well for 20+ years.
WS 96 (5/2012): Rich flavors fan out, the way you hope for, coating the palate with layers of currant, fresh earth, mineral, cedar, tobacco, mocha, black licorice and espresso. The tannins are firm and the structure built for a longer haul. Very much in its infancy still at age 10, it finds that unusual bridge between dense Napa fruit and a Bordeaux build. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec.—2002 California Cabernet blind retrospective (May 2012). Drink now through 2032. 15,000 cases made.
VM 92+ (4/2016): (from a year featuring three heat spikes in September): Full red-ruby. Slightly roasted, high-toned black raspberry nose show a slightly pruney ripeness (the VA here was a relatively elevated 0.85). Creamy, plush and sweet, displaying excellent breadth and still-considerable baby fat. This was quite flashy on release but now seems to be in an adolescent phase. Big, building tannins saturate the tongue and front teeth. Winemaker Hepworth described it as "like a teenager, and without the suavity of tannins of the 2001." I'd leave it alone for at least a couple more years, at which point it may well merit a higher score. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Maybach |
2014 |
Materium Cabernet Sauvignon |
$389 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 100 (10/2016): The flagship, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Materium, represents 560 cases and achieved 14.8% alcohol after aging in 90% new Taransaud and Darnajou casks. Remarkably, the wine matches the perfect 2013, with extraordinary fragrance of blueberry, blackberry, forest floor, truffle, spring flowers and background barbecue smoke followed by a thick, unctuously textured, juicy, but incredibly well-balanced, intense wine. This is built like a skyscraper with enormous quantities of blueberry, blackberry and cassis fruit, well-integrated acidity and sweet, gentle tannins. This is an extraordinary effort from Maybach that can be drunk now or cellared for up to 30 or more years. |
|
| Outpost |
2014 |
True Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$295 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (10/2016): The limited-production 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard (475 cases) is also 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 90% new French oak. This is an amazing 2014 and one of the few perfect wines that I could find while tasting at the top addresses in Northern California. Blue/purple in color, with extraordinarily intense floral notes intermixed with blueberry, blackberry, crushed charcoal and camphor, the wine hits the palate with a spectacular display of glycerin, fruit, sweet tannin, adequate acidity, and wonderful equilibrium and purity. The finish was close to a minute. This wine is irresistible, although it is certainly capable of lasting three decades or more. Kudos to the Dotzlers and Thomas Rivers Brown for this magnificent achievement!
VM 92 (12/2016): The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard is ample, rich and expressive. There is plenty of the trademark Outpost intensity, but the True offers a good bit of freshness for the year. Moreover, the True has the frame to handle the wine's exotic richness and pure power. Inky blue/purplish fruit, chocolate, torrefaction, lavender and crème de cassis are some of the aromas and flavors that flesh out over time. |
|
|
2014 |
True Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$339 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 100 (10/2016): The limited-production 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard (475 cases) is also 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 20 months in 90% new French oak. This is an amazing 2014 and one of the few perfect wines that I could find while tasting at the top addresses in Northern California. Blue/purple in color, with extraordinarily intense floral notes intermixed with blueberry, blackberry, crushed charcoal and camphor, the wine hits the palate with a spectacular display of glycerin, fruit, sweet tannin, adequate acidity, and wonderful equilibrium and purity. The finish was close to a minute. This wine is irresistible, although it is certainly capable of lasting three decades or more. Kudos to the Dotzlers and Thomas Rivers Brown for this magnificent achievement!
VM 92 (12/2016): The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard is ample, rich and expressive. There is plenty of the trademark Outpost intensity, but the True offers a good bit of freshness for the year. Moreover, the True has the frame to handle the wine's exotic richness and pure power. Inky blue/purplish fruit, chocolate, torrefaction, lavender and crème de cassis are some of the aromas and flavors that flesh out over time. |
|
| Pax |
2016 |
Sonoma Hillsides Russian River Valley Syrah |
$150 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 100 (4/2018): The 2016 Syrah Sonoma-Hillsides has been nothing less than stunning on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. A wine of extraordinary purity and depth, the 2016 dazzles from the very first taste. The richness and power are simply breathtaking. Bacon fat, smoke, grilled herb and lavender are woven into a graceful, seamless core of inky blue/purplish fruit. Even with all of its intensity, the 2016 remains remarkably light on its feet. The Sonoma-Hillsides is a blend of fruit from Castelli-Knight Ranch, Griffin's Lair and Walker Vine Hill, done with 100% whole clusters and aged in a combination of concrete and neutral oak, with no SO2. I am not sure how the 2016 will age, but I am also not sure it will matter, as most bottles will be long gone before that is an issue. Quite simply, the Sonoma-Hillsides is a total pleasure bomb and a modern-day benchmark for Syrah in California. Don't miss it! Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Pride Mountain Vineyards |
2012 |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$325 |
9 |
|
| |
WA 100 (10/2015): The incredible 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot treated identically to the Reserve Claret (40% new French oak aged in wood for 22 months prior to bottling). There are nearly 1,500 cases of this wine, with 60% coming from the Sonoma side and 40% from Napa. An absolutely amazing nose of camphor, lead pencil shavings, blackberry and cassis, some new saddle leather, a touch of spicy oak followed by a profoundly concentrated, multi-dimensional mouthfeel with gorgeous integration of acidity, tannin, wood and alcohol. This is a fabulous, seamlessly constructed Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next 15+ years. Kudos to Pride!
VM 95+ (10/2015): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve wraps around the palate with serious depth and intensity. Huge, broad swaths of tannin provide the backbone. Dark and intense to the core, the 2012 possesses magnificent intensity as well as considerable structure. Readers will have to be patient, as the Reserve is not forthcoming today, especially within the context of the year. Pride fans won't want to miss the 2012, as it is superb.
VM 94+ (6/2015): (14.8% alcohol): Saturated bright ruby. Knockout nose combines crushed blackberry, blueberry, gingerbread, fresh nutmeg, chocolate, mocha and menthol. Almost painfully dense and youthfully shut-down today, in a closed stage just three months after its bottling. But this very powerful mountain Cabernet boasts highly concentrated dark berry and spicecake flavors and already hints at superb chocolatey depth. Finishes with very broad, serious, palate-saturating tannins and terrific length.
WS 93 (10/2015): Features lots of extra facets, from the core of dark berry, licorice, gravel and dust to the pure red berry and spicy oak flavors that peek through midway. The tannins clamp down nicely on the finish. Drink now through 2028. 1,471 cases made. |
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|
2013 |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$325 |
15 |
|
| |
WA 100 (10/2016): A real tour de force once again, and their second consecutive perfect score, is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, which is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 40% new French oak. It is a larger cuvée of 1,416 cases versus 450 for the Reserve Claret. The Cabernet is just under 15% alcohol. A fantastic wine, with great intensity, notes of graphite, forest floor, crème de cassis, white chocolate and blackberry, the wine hits the palate with a thunderous presence, has a multi-layered, skyscraper-like palate feel, a plush, intense texture, high but well-integrated tannin and acidity, and nicely disguised oak. This is a magnificent wine, with 79% of it coming from the Sonoma side of Spring Mountain and 21% from the Napa side. Drink it over the next 25-30+ years.
VM 96+ (12/2016): The 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon captures all the best of the Pride house style. Rich, ample and concentrated, with superb depth, the 2013 possesses exceptional balance and tons of pure pedigree. The sheer intensity of the fruit nearly buries the tannins, but they are there. Polished, silky tannins add to the wine's tremendous appeal. This is a total knock-out from Pride and winemaker Sally Johnson. Pride fans will not want to miss this exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Antonio Galloni.
WS 91 (11/2016): A bit racy, with a twinge of blackberry and balsamic amid an otherwise potent core of dense dark berry, licorice and gravelly earth flavors. A style of wine that should only get better as the tannins ease and the fruit becomes more prominent. Best from 2019 through 2029. 1,416 cases made. |
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2013 |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Slightly Depressed Cork |
$289 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 100 (10/2016): A real tour de force once again, and their second consecutive perfect score, is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, which is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 40% new French oak. It is a larger cuvée of 1,416 cases versus 450 for the Reserve Claret. The Cabernet is just under 15% alcohol. A fantastic wine, with great intensity, notes of graphite, forest floor, crème de cassis, white chocolate and blackberry, the wine hits the palate with a thunderous presence, has a multi-layered, skyscraper-like palate feel, a plush, intense texture, high but well-integrated tannin and acidity, and nicely disguised oak. This is a magnificent wine, with 79% of it coming from the Sonoma side of Spring Mountain and 21% from the Napa side. Drink it over the next 25-30+ years.
VM 96+ (12/2016): The 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon captures all the best of the Pride house style. Rich, ample and concentrated, with superb depth, the 2013 possesses exceptional balance and tons of pure pedigree. The sheer intensity of the fruit nearly buries the tannins, but they are there. Polished, silky tannins add to the wine's tremendous appeal. This is a total knock-out from Pride and winemaker Sally Johnson. Pride fans will not want to miss this exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Antonio Galloni.
WS 91 (11/2016): A bit racy, with a twinge of blackberry and balsamic amid an otherwise potent core of dense dark berry, licorice and gravelly earth flavors. A style of wine that should only get better as the tannins ease and the fruit becomes more prominent. Best from 2019 through 2029. 1,416 cases made. |
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| Schrader |
2015 |
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$419 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 100 (12/2017): Coming from the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, from blocks C2, D2 and B2 planted predominately to clone 4, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Schrader is intensely scented of vibrant blackberries, black plums and cassis, with touches of Indian spices, eucalypt, mocha and tilled black soil plus a waft of oolong tea. Medium to full-bodied, the palate comes through with a compelling chocolate-covered cherries character and tons of subtle layers, structured with very firm, very fine-grained tannins and impressive freshness, finishing with epic persistence. 213 cases produced. |
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|
2006 |
CCS Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$695 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (12/2008): The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To-Kalon CCS is utter perfection in Cabernet Sauvignon. Extraordinary power, fruit depth, and perfume (not dissimilar from its siblings’) as well as a seamlessness, monumental richness, and a staggering finish are the stuff of legends. Again, the dominant characteristics are creme de cassis, graphite, espresso, blackberries, chocolate, and subtle background new oak.
WS 93 (6/2009): Tightly wound, firm and concentrated, deep and framed by cedary oak. It takes time for the ripe currant and black cherry fruit to emerge, but once it does, it grabs and holds you. Best from 2010 through 2017. 175 cases made. |
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| Screaming Eagle |
2007 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$3,400 |
9 |
|
| |
WA 100 (12/2010): The most profound Screaming Eagle since the 2002 and 1997, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (an 800-case blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc) offers up a prodigiously pure, complex nose of cassis, spring flowers, licorice and black currants, the latter component being so intense and lingering that it makes this cuvee stand apart from other Napa Valley wines. Full-bodied in the mouth, like a ballerina on her toes, this wine glides gracefully across the palate with a cascade of purity, equilibrium and compelling complexity. Extraordinary balance and elegance combined with power make for an utterly stunning wine that should drink well for two decades or more. Even though the estate is being reconstituted and a new winery built, this wine still came from the old sector of the vineyard (15.5 acres) that was used by the previous proprietor, Jean Phillips.
WS 98 (10/2010): A supple, sophisticated, elegant and stylish wine that wows you with purity, finesse and understated nuances. Full-bodied, with a core of red and black cherry, currant, mineral and sage, ending with a long, layered, persistent, graceful finish, all in a style that distinguishes itself from most Napa Cabernets. Drink now through 2024. 750 cases made.
VM 96 (6/2010): (includes 20% merlot and 3% cabernet franc) Good full, deep ruby. Quite Bordeaux-like on the nose, with notes of bitter cherry, dark chocolate, tobacco, cedar and iron, plus a whiff of aromatic resin. Then opulent on the palate but at the same time juicy, precise and very intensely flavored, with terrific inner-mouth lift to the flavors of currant, spices, brown sugar and pungent minerality. Finishes impressively long, spreading out to saturate the entire palate. Boasts a terrific spine for aging.
JS 96 (2/2011): Wow, love or loath the style, this is full throttle on the nose and palate with pure fruit and raspberry jam. Black currants and blueberries. Full and flamboyant but then holds back with gorgeous berries and milk chocolate. Wonderful length. Fascinating. Better in 2015. |
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2013 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$2,795 |
3 |
|
| |
JS 100 (1/2016): Breathtaking aromas of blueberry, wet earth, black truffle, vine bark and lavender undertones. Full-bodied, yet tight and compressed with fabulous savory and dark fruit flavors. It lasts for minutes on the finish. The classicism in this wine is second to none. Incredible subtlety. Lovely austerity. Beauty in simplicity. Glorious to taste, yet a wine for decades ahead. 76% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot, and 11% cabernet franc. 800 cases made.
VM 98+ (10/2015): Continuing along a similar theme, the 2013 Screaming Eagle is incredibly concentrated and powerful. Today, the 2013 tastes like a concoction of liquefied rocks, crème de cassis, blackberry jam and lavender. Deep, dense and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2013 captivates all the senses with its majestic complexity. With time in the glass, the 2013 gets better and better, to the point I would have liked to follow it over several hours and perhaps days, which was not practical. Screaming Eagle fans will not want to miss the 2013s, although these wines will not be ready to deliver maximum pleasure for a number of years.
WA 97+ (10/2015): The 2013 Screaming Eagle flagship wine is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc. As one might expect, the purity of the cassis, which is always a hallmark of this estate and wine, is well-displayed in this beauty. Dense purple in color, it offers up some floral notes intermixed with damp earth, blackcurrant jam, blackberry and hints of licorice and incense. This reminds me somewhat of the 2010 Screaming Eagle. Full-bodied, rich, but perfectly balanced, it’s another terrific example of this iconic estate. It should drink well for 30 or more years. |
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|
2015 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$2,800 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 98 (1/2018): The 2015 Screaming Eagle is fabulous. Rich and ample on the palate, with soaring aromatics from the Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Ripe red plum, pomegranate, mint, kirsch, lavender and sweet spice notes are beautifully delineated in the glass. In this tasting, the Cabernet-based Screaming Eagle is quite a bit more open and accessible than the Merlot-based The Flight. Even so, it will be years before the 2015 Screaming Eagle is ready to drink. Antonio Galloni.
WA 98-100 (10/2017): Blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a medium to deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed blackberries, black cherries and wild blueberries with notions of fragrant earth, garrigue, lavender, Sichuan pepper and dried leaves. Medium-bodied with signature elegance and finesse, it’s the incredibly fine, oh-so-pixelated tannins that help to define the signature of this vineyard, beautifully supporting the elegant fruit, finishing with great poise. This is a very sensuous, pensive style and not for those seeking a full-on blockbuster but rather will greatly pleasure lovers of wines with quiet intensity and subtle depth. Note that this was a tank sample, due to be bottled within a week. |
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|
2016 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$2,700 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 100 (12/2018): The 2016 Screaming Eagle is a positively stunning wine. An intense bouquet gives way to a wine of explosive energy and huge textural depth. Graphite, crushed rocks, menthol, sage and dark spice open up gradually in this reticent, brooding Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2016 is a towering, statuesque wine of the very highest level. That is the good news. The slightly less good news is that it will need a number of years in bottle to be at its very best. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. The 2016 literally does scream, with tons of varietal Cabernet aromatics, flavors and structural drive. In a word: magnificent! Anotnio Galloni.
JD 98+ (1/2019): A primordial baby of a wine, the 2016 Screaming Eagle includes slightly more Cabernet Sauvignon than the 2015 and is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. About as elegant and classy as it gets, this brilliant wine offers loads of blueberries, crème de cassis, crushed violets, spice, and a distinct minerality that emerges with time in the glass. Perfectly balanced, incredibly elegant, with great intensity and length, it will most likely merit a triple-digit score in 4-5 years and it will keep for 3-4 decades. While it's easy to think all cult California Cabs are rich, monster wines, the reality is far from it, and this estate continues to produce wines in a balanced, elegant, classic, iconic style that is unquestionably up with the greatest wines on earth.
WA 98-100 (10/2018): A barrel sample, the 2016 Screaming Eagle is deep garnet-purple colored with bags of poise coming from a rather flamboyant vintage, showing beautiful perfume with notes of lilacs, rose hip tea, unsmoked cigars and spice cake with a core of warm redcurrants and Black Forest cake plus a touch of iron ore. The palate is medium to full-bodied, very tightly wound and with wonderful energy, structured with firm, very fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and earthy. |
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|
2016 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$2,850 |
8 |
|
| |
VM 100 (12/2018): The 2016 Screaming Eagle is a positively stunning wine. An intense bouquet gives way to a wine of explosive energy and huge textural depth. Graphite, crushed rocks, menthol, sage and dark spice open up gradually in this reticent, brooding Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2016 is a towering, statuesque wine of the very highest level. That is the good news. The slightly less good news is that it will need a number of years in bottle to be at its very best. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. The 2016 literally does scream, with tons of varietal Cabernet aromatics, flavors and structural drive. In a word: magnificent! Anotnio Galloni.
JD 98+ (1/2019): A primordial baby of a wine, the 2016 Screaming Eagle includes slightly more Cabernet Sauvignon than the 2015 and is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. About as elegant and classy as it gets, this brilliant wine offers loads of blueberries, crème de cassis, crushed violets, spice, and a distinct minerality that emerges with time in the glass. Perfectly balanced, incredibly elegant, with great intensity and length, it will most likely merit a triple-digit score in 4-5 years and it will keep for 3-4 decades. While it's easy to think all cult California Cabs are rich, monster wines, the reality is far from it, and this estate continues to produce wines in a balanced, elegant, classic, iconic style that is unquestionably up with the greatest wines on earth.
WA 98-100 (10/2018): A barrel sample, the 2016 Screaming Eagle is deep garnet-purple colored with bags of poise coming from a rather flamboyant vintage, showing beautiful perfume with notes of lilacs, rose hip tea, unsmoked cigars and spice cake with a core of warm redcurrants and Black Forest cake plus a touch of iron ore. The palate is medium to full-bodied, very tightly wound and with wonderful energy, structured with firm, very fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and earthy. |
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|
2016 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$3,000 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 100 (12/2018): The 2016 Screaming Eagle is a positively stunning wine. An intense bouquet gives way to a wine of explosive energy and huge textural depth. Graphite, crushed rocks, menthol, sage and dark spice open up gradually in this reticent, brooding Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2016 is a towering, statuesque wine of the very highest level. That is the good news. The slightly less good news is that it will need a number of years in bottle to be at its very best. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. The 2016 literally does scream, with tons of varietal Cabernet aromatics, flavors and structural drive. In a word: magnificent! Anotnio Galloni.
JD 98+ (1/2019): A primordial baby of a wine, the 2016 Screaming Eagle includes slightly more Cabernet Sauvignon than the 2015 and is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc. About as elegant and classy as it gets, this brilliant wine offers loads of blueberries, crème de cassis, crushed violets, spice, and a distinct minerality that emerges with time in the glass. Perfectly balanced, incredibly elegant, with great intensity and length, it will most likely merit a triple-digit score in 4-5 years and it will keep for 3-4 decades. While it's easy to think all cult California Cabs are rich, monster wines, the reality is far from it, and this estate continues to produce wines in a balanced, elegant, classic, iconic style that is unquestionably up with the greatest wines on earth.
WA 98-100 (10/2018): A barrel sample, the 2016 Screaming Eagle is deep garnet-purple colored with bags of poise coming from a rather flamboyant vintage, showing beautiful perfume with notes of lilacs, rose hip tea, unsmoked cigars and spice cake with a core of warm redcurrants and Black Forest cake plus a touch of iron ore. The palate is medium to full-bodied, very tightly wound and with wonderful energy, structured with firm, very fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing very long and earthy. |
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| Sine Qua Non |
2000 |
Incognito Grenache |
$1,100 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 100 (8/2011): 2000 Incognito: This remains an historic wine and probably the greatest Grenache (95% Grenache and 5% Syrah) made in California up to this timeline. We were lucky enough to have this from a magnum at the vertical tasting, although I have recently had it from my cellar, as I have drunk the last remaining 750 ml formats I owned. A classic casebook in the glories of Grenache, this wine, which does have a little Syrah in it, has a dense plum/ruby color and an explosive nose of kirsch liqueur, incense, wood spice, pepper and earth. Ripe, full-bodied, and opulent, with a velvety texture, a magnificent, multi-layered, skyscraper-like mouthfeel, yet no sense of heaviness or any jagged edges, this is a glorious, voluptuously textured Grenache that scores high on all hedonistic and intellectual levels. I can’t see it getting any better, as it is fully mature, so owners of it are advised to drink it up over the next few years. |
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|
2013 |
Jusqua lOs Grenache |
$548 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (9/2017): The 2013 Grenache Jusqu' a l'os was produced from 79% Grenache from the 11 Confessions Vineyard along with 18% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah, produced using 89% whole cluster and aged for around 38 months in 51% used oak, 6% new French oak and 43% concrete tanks (bottled December 6, 2016). It displays a medium to deep garnet color and rock star vibrant red currant and black raspberry scents with hints of licorice, mocha, Indian spices and peppered salami plus oh-so-fragrant and seductive touches of potpourri and chargrill. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and opulently fruited in the mouth, the alluring, velvety tannins support savory, spicy layers right through the long, mineral-laced finish. This is one drop dead gorgeous, femme fatale of a wine. 868 cases of 750 milliliter bottles, 223 magnums and 30 double magnums were made.
JD 98+ (8/2017): Meaning “To The Bone” in English, the 2013 Grenache Jusqu’ a l’Os is the estate release from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard and is a blend of 79% Grenache, 18% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah that was fermented with very little destemming and aged 38 months in 6% new French oak, 51% used barrels, and 43% in concrete tanks. It’s a peppery, perfumed, seriously endowed Grenache that offers tons of blackcurrants, blackberries, smoked earth, toasted spice and graphite aromas and flavors. Big, backward, tight and structured, yet gorgeously concentrated, it needs 4-5 years of cellaring to hit its peak and will see its 20th birthday in fine form.
VM 96+ (9/2017): A darker, more potent side of Grenache comes through in the 2013 Grenache Jusqu'à l'Os. This powerhouse wine is nowhere near ready to drink. Swaths of tannin enshroud a core of plum, dark fruit in this muscular, brooding Grenache from Sine Qua Non. Readers will have to be patient. The 2013 is 79% Grenache, 18% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah, all from Eleven Confessions, done with 89% whole clusters. Antonio Galloni. |
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|
2013 |
Jusqua lOs Grenache (1.5 L) Scuffed Label |
$1,095 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (9/2017): The 2013 Grenache Jusqu' a l'os was produced from 79% Grenache from the 11 Confessions Vineyard along with 18% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah, produced using 89% whole cluster and aged for around 38 months in 51% used oak, 6% new French oak and 43% concrete tanks (bottled December 6, 2016). It displays a medium to deep garnet color and rock star vibrant red currant and black raspberry scents with hints of licorice, mocha, Indian spices and peppered salami plus oh-so-fragrant and seductive touches of potpourri and chargrill. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and opulently fruited in the mouth, the alluring, velvety tannins support savory, spicy layers right through the long, mineral-laced finish. This is one drop dead gorgeous, femme fatale of a wine. 868 cases of 750 milliliter bottles, 223 magnums and 30 double magnums were made.
JD 98+ (8/2017): Meaning “To The Bone” in English, the 2013 Grenache Jusqu’ a l’Os is the estate release from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard and is a blend of 79% Grenache, 18% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah that was fermented with very little destemming and aged 38 months in 6% new French oak, 51% used barrels, and 43% in concrete tanks. It’s a peppery, perfumed, seriously endowed Grenache that offers tons of blackcurrants, blackberries, smoked earth, toasted spice and graphite aromas and flavors. Big, backward, tight and structured, yet gorgeously concentrated, it needs 4-5 years of cellaring to hit its peak and will see its 20th birthday in fine form.
VM 96+ (9/2017): A darker, more potent side of Grenache comes through in the 2013 Grenache Jusqu'à l'Os. This powerhouse wine is nowhere near ready to drink. Swaths of tannin enshroud a core of plum, dark fruit in this muscular, brooding Grenache from Sine Qua Non. Readers will have to be patient. The 2013 is 79% Grenache, 18% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah, all from Eleven Confessions, done with 89% whole clusters. Antonio Galloni. |
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2013 |
Le Supplement Syrah |
$479 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 100 (9/2017): Coming entirely from the Eleven Confessions Estate Vineyard and composed of 89% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah, 3% Grenache and 2% Viognier, using 28% whole cluster, the 2013 Syrah Le Supplement is just starting to evolve into beguiling earthy/meaty tertiary notes with suggestions of sandalwood, mossy bark, black soil, patchouli and salami over a core of blackberry compote, preserved plums, mincemeat pie and star anise with a touch of dried lavender. Rich, concentrated and decadent, the full-bodied, opulent palate explodes with black fruits preserves peppered by meaty/savory nuances and culminating in epically lingering exotic spice notes. 866 cases, 228 magnums and 30 double magnums were produced.
JD 100 (8/2017): I’ve had so many incredible Syrahs from this estate, it’s hard to tell if the 2013 Syrah Le Supplement will be the best yet, but it’s unquestionably one of the greatest Syrah made in California. Reminding me of the 2009 Côte Rôtie La Turque from Domaine Guigal with its smoky, meaty bouquet of crème de cassis, pencil lead, bacon fat, pepper, espresso and hints of violets, this drop dead gorgeous Syrah is full-bodied, opulent and sexy, yet also concentrated, structured and just hinting at its ultimate potential. I wouldn’t put this past being the greatest Syrah made in California – ever – yet like the Grenache, it needs short term cellaring. Bravo!
VM 96 (9/2017): Extended time in barrel has given the 2013 Syrah Le Supplement much of its dense, creamy feel. Dark, powerful and sumptuous in the glass, this is a wine of texture above all else. Floral and spice overtones from the whole clusters add appealing strands of aromatic lift. The 2013 is 89% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah, 3% Grenache and 2% Viognier, all from Eleven Confessions, done with 28% whole clusters. Antonio Galloni. |
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2005 |
The 17th Nail in My Cranium Syrah (1.5 L) |
$2,400 |
1 |
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WA 100 (8/2013): In addition to these new releases, I was also able to taste through a number of older vintages, including the 2001 Albino, 2006 Hoodoo Man, 2003 The Inaugural, 2004 Ode to E, 1998 E Raised, 2001 On Your Toes, 2005 Nail in My Cranium and 2007 Syrah Dangerous Birds. To say I came away impressed would be an understatement. Anyone who claims this big, rich style can-t age needs to taste these wines. I opted to just list my scores for the older releases as I find Bob-s initial write-ups spot on.
WS 98 (2/2010): Fantastic spice aromas lead to notes of fresh ground black pepper, beef carpaccio, rich blackberry and roasted coffee, giving this an exotic mix of flavors. Dense, concentrated, structured and tightly focused, striking a balance between the broad array of flavors and the firm tannins. Drink now through 2018. 398 cases made.
VM 97 (12/2009): Glass-staining purple. Hypnotic bouquet of blackberry, boysenberry, black pepper, olive tapenade and smoked meat, with a strong note of potpourri gaining with aeration. Deep, sweet and remarkably pure, offering broad dark berry and cherry compote flavors, with exotic floral and spice notes adding complexity. Becomes chewier on the finish but yields none of its sweet, palate-saturating fruit. Josh Raynolds. |
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2012 |
Touche Syrah |
$509 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (8/2016): Lastly, the utterly perfect 2012 Syrah Touche reminds me of a great vintage of Guigal’s Cote Rotie La Landonne. A blend of 93% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, it spent 40 months in 78% new French oak. Deep, concentrated, full-bodied and layered, with a multidimensional texture and to-die-for notes of camphor, cured meats, violets, smoke and assorted dark fruits, this beauty has fine, perfectly ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Give it 3-4 years and drink over the following two decades.
VM 98 (9/2016): A quintessential Sine Qua Non wine, the 2012 Syrah Touché is off the charts. Rich, seamless and voluptuous, the 2012 exudes concentration and flamboyance. Red cherry jam, plum, spice, licorice, pomegranate and new leather flesh out in an effortless, radiant wine bursting at the seams with personality. The 2012 is 93% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, done with 36% whole clusters, all from Eleven Confessions. Antonio Galloni. |
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2012 |
Touche Syrah |
$529 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 100 (8/2016): Lastly, the utterly perfect 2012 Syrah Touche reminds me of a great vintage of Guigal’s Cote Rotie La Landonne. A blend of 93% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, it spent 40 months in 78% new French oak. Deep, concentrated, full-bodied and layered, with a multidimensional texture and to-die-for notes of camphor, cured meats, violets, smoke and assorted dark fruits, this beauty has fine, perfectly ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Give it 3-4 years and drink over the following two decades.
VM 98 (9/2016): A quintessential Sine Qua Non wine, the 2012 Syrah Touché is off the charts. Rich, seamless and voluptuous, the 2012 exudes concentration and flamboyance. Red cherry jam, plum, spice, licorice, pomegranate and new leather flesh out in an effortless, radiant wine bursting at the seams with personality. The 2012 is 93% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, done with 36% whole clusters, all from Eleven Confessions. Antonio Galloni. |
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| Sloan |
2007 |
Proprietary Blend Slightly Depressed Cork |
$569 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 100 (12/2010): The 2007 Sloan, now in bottle, has lived up to the extraordinary quality it exhibited from barrel. A world-class, perfumed nose of charcoal, espresso roast, white chocolate, black currants, sweet plums, Asian soy and a Grave-like scorched earth aroma soars from the glass of this dense purple-colored wine. Full-bodied and seamlessly constructed with a multidimensional mouthfeel as well as a phenomenal finish, this 2007 carries considerable tannin, but at present it is concealed by the wine’s luxurious levels of fruit, glycerin and intensity. This spectacular 2007 should drink well for 25-30+ years.
VM 96 (6/2010): Good bright ruby-red. Sexy, highly aromatic nose melds cassis, black raspberry, violet, minerals, bitter chocolate and cedar. Tightly wound and minerally, with strong acidity intensifying the flavors of black fruits, licorice, violet and tobacco. The elements of cabernet franc and petit verdot give additional lift to this slightly high-toned and very energetic wine. The very long, firm finish boasts terrific grip. A great example of the 2007 vintage. |
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| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Pavie |
2009 |
St. Emilion |
$385 |
|
Sold Out
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| | Italy |
| Azienda Agricola Falletto di Bruno Giacosa |
2004 |
Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto di Serralunga Riserva (1.5 L) |
$1,999 |
|
Sold Out
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| | USA Red |
| Harlan Estate |
2007 |
Proprietary Blend |
$995 |
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Sold Out
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|
2010 |
Proprietary Blend |
$875 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
|
2010 |
Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$1,550 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Schrader |
2008 |
CCS Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$539 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Screaming Eagle |
2012 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$3,200 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Sine Qua Non |
2002 |
Just for the Love of It Syrah |
$875 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
The Writing on the Wall Petite Sirah (1.5 L) |
$3,900 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
| Sloan |
2007 |
Proprietary Blend |
$590 |
|
Sold Out
|
| |
|
|