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Search Flickinger Wine Inventory
Inventory updated: Sat, Feb 21, 2026 12:48 PM cst
Your search criteria:
Regions: USA Red
Vintages: Between 2008 and 2008
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| 21 Grams |
2008 |
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Abreu |
2008 |
Thorevilos Proprietary Blend  |
$395 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98 (12/2011): As Outstanding as all the Abreu wines are, if I had to choose one that stands apart from the others it would be Thorevilos. The 2008 Thorevilos is the most complete and deeply satisfying of Abreu’s 2008s because the balance of fruit and structure is so impeccable. The 2008 literally explodes onto the palate with masses of dark fruit, tar, licorice and smoke. There is a fleshiness and depth of the fruit here that separates the Thorevilos from the other 2008s. Layers of fruit build towards the massive, masculine finish. In 2008 Thorevilos is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038.
VM 96-98 (12/2011): As Outstanding as all the Abreu wines are, if I had to choose one that stands apart from the others it would be Thorevilos. The 2008 Thorevilos is the most complete and deeply satisfying of Abreu's 2008s because the balance of fruit and structure is so impeccable. The 2008 literally explodes onto the palate with masses of dark fruit, tar, licorice and smoke. There is a fleshiness and depth of the fruit here that separates the Thorevilos from the other 2008s. Layers of fruit build towards the massive, masculine finish. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Alban Vineyards |
2008 |
Alban Estate Grenache |
$105 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2012): The 2008 Grenache presents an inward yet expressive core of dark red fruit, flowers and Provencal herbs. There is a gorgeous fleshiness in the glass, but the wine needs time to soften and open up. Today, the 2008 shows quite a bit of promise. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. |
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|
2008 |
Pandora Proprietary Blend |
$140 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95 (8/2012): Layers of silky, polished fruit flow across the palate in the 2008 Pandora (Grenache). As I noted last year, the 2008 is all about textural finesse and pure beauty. Hints of smoke, anise and crushed rocks frame the long finish. This is yet another marvelous wine from Alban. Pandora is 100% Grenache from the chalky, upper hillsides of Seymour’s. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
VM 94 (12/2012): (almost all grenache from "a very specific block," according to Alban; 15.9% alcohol): Opaque ruby. A heady, exotically perfumed bouquet evokes candied red fruits, incense and candied flowers, along with a smoky mineral overtone. Juicy and precise, offering intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that gain sweetness and weight with air. Closes with impressive energy and cut, leaving mineral and floral notes behind. This wine was aged in French oak casks, two-thirds of them new, for 38 months.
JD 93-96 (12/2011): Tasted out of barrel and a beautifully structured and endowed wine, the 2008 Alban Vineyards Pandora, almost 100% Grenache that spent 36 months in a combination of new and used barrels, was dense and closed at the time of this tasting, yet begrudgingly yielded ripe dark fruits, charcoal, chalk, pepper, and edgy minerality on the nose. Full bodied, yet with notable freshness and acidity, this beauty should be left alone for 2-3 years after release. |
|
|
2008 |
Reva Alban Estate Syrah |
$115 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 96+ (8/2012): The 2008 Reva (Syrah) is stunningly beautiful. This is a relatively delicate, feminine Reva that impresses for its length, balance and utter purity of fruit. Dark red cherries, flowers, mint and silky, saline notes wrap around the expressive fruit on the long, polished finish. A hint of truffles adds to the wine’s sensual, totally beguiling personality. In 2008, the Reva is drop-dead gorgeous. Readers should note that, in this vintage, there is no Lorraine or Seymour’s, so the 2008 is a “super-Reva!" Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
JS 95-96 (5/2012): Love the spice, game and dark berries, yet reserved and austere. Shows form and firmness. Long and beautiful. Should be in market in November 2012.
VM 94 (12/2012): (raised in French oak, 80% of it new, for 44 months; 15.1% alcohol): Glass-staining purple. Sexy smoke- and spice-accented aromas of candied black and blue fruits and potpourri, with a suggestion of black pepper building with air. Lush and expansive on the palate, offering deeply pitched but lively cassis and blueberry flavors and a suave floral pastille nuance. The spicy note comes back strong on the finish, which shows only a hint of tannins.
JD 93-96 (12/2011): The 2008 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard was the only Syrah produced in '08. Showing a lively, more energetic profile than the more heavy weight '06 and '07, it still doesn't lack for structure, depth, or complexity. Showing loads of tapenade, lavender, blood, and black fruits, medium to full-body, and a beautifully focused, pure texture and finish, this elegant Syrah should still benefit from short term cellaring once released. I love the vibrancy here, and it will be interesting to see how this shows from bottle. |
|
| Alpha Omega |
2008 |
Krupp Brothers Vyd. Syrah |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards |
2008 |
Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 98 (12/2010): One of the few wineries to make a 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve that eclipsed its 2007 counterpart is Anderson’s Conn Valley. A spectacular effort that is as black as a moonless night, this full-bodied wine boasts abundant aromas of creme de cassis, camphor and subtle oak presented in a voluptuously textured, full-bodied style with terrific richness and depth. Great intensity and opulence as well as a layered mouthfeel make for a remarkable wine that should age for 20-30+ years.
VM 90 (12/2011): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve comes across as a bit chunky and four-squared. Dark berries, worn-in leather, licorice and spices are some of the notes that flow from this medium bodied Cabernet. This is pleasing despite some elements of rusticity. Sweet herbs, licorice and leather linger on the finish. I especially like the way the wine blossoms in the glass. |
|
| Antica Terra |
2008 |
Botanica Pinot Noir |
$150 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 93 (7/2010): Vivid red. Expansive, room-filling bouquet displays red and dark berry preserves, incense and Asian spices, with an intense floral quality and notes of cola and vanilla. Silky in texture and deep in sweet red fruit character, with gentle tannins adding structure but playing second fiddle to the fruit. The spice and floral notes repeat on the juicy finish, which is broad, smooth and impressively persistent. Delicious now but has the depth to repay at least another five years of cellaring. This wine got about two-thirds new oak while the Willamette Valley bottling got about one-third. Both were fermented with about 10% whole clusters. Josh Raynolds.
WA 91 (8/2012): From around 10-12% estate fruit; 40% from Shea Vineyard; and the rest from Cherry Grove, Antica Terra’s 2008 Pinot Noir Botanica mingles toasted almond and pecan with ripe cherry and black raspberry shadowed by their distilled essences but happily free of superficial sweetness. Polished and expansive, this finishes with enough brown spice and fruit pit accents to hold one’s interest, and a persistence of juicy, primary fruit guaranteed to call forth the next sip. It should be worth following for at least the next 6-8 years.
BH 89 (10/2010): A very generously wooded nose requires ample aeration to dissipate the relatively strong reduction. The wood however only seems to become more apparent with air and dominates the fruit. There is good concentration to the textured, round and supple medium-bodied flavors that possess noticeable bitterness on the otherwise reasonably long finish. At present, the '08 Botanica is at a very awkward stage and while there appears to be enough underlying material to assimilate the oak in time, I wouldn't touch a bottle for at least 5 years. My score offers the benefit of the doubt that this will come together. In the meantime, buy the '07. (Drink starting 2015). |
|
| Araujo Estate |
2008 |
Eisele Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (375 ML) |
$150 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97+ (12/2011): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is breathtaking. Everything is in the right place in this dazzling, superb Cabernet Sauvignon. Layers of dark fruit, plums, camphor, licorice and espresso emerge from this effortless, gracious wine. The integration of fruit, tannin and French oak (100% new) is simply phenomenal. There is a dark, brooding quality to the 2008 that is immensely appealing. This is a stunning wine from Araujo. The 2008 is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.
JS 96 (2/2011): This is very aromatic, with mint, bay leaves, laurel, lavender, raspberry, and currants. Fruit at the forefront but restrained. Wonderful fruit with a vanilla bean, floral, and blueberry after taste. This is exciting stuff with loads of energy. A nice combination of the power of 2007 and the complexity of 2006.
VM 94+ (6/2011): (89% cabernet sauvignon, 6.6% cabernet franc and 4.4% petit verdot): Ruby-red. Reticent but pure aromas of black cherry, black tea and flowers. Densely packed and youthfully tight, with juicy, high-pitched flavors of sweet dark fruits, leather and licorice. At once lush and perfumed, showing lovely vibrancy for a wine from this hot site. The long, building finish displays the firm tannic structure for a graceful evolution in bottle. This has turned out very well. |
|
| Arrowood Vineyards |
2008 |
Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (5/2012): Deep ruby. Ripe cherry, cassis, tobacco and vanilla on the nose, with a subtle herbal undertone. Fleshy dark fruit flavors are supported by gentle acidity, taking on spiciness with aeration. Finishes sweet and persistent, with the dark berry and tobacco qualities lingering. This nicely balanced cabernet is approachable now. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| L' Aventure |
2008 |
Estate Cuvee Proprietary Blend |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 94 (8/2010): The finest 2008 I tasted is the 2008 Estate Cuvee, a blend of 50% Syrah, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Petit Verdot. Mocha, fudge, blackberry, graphite, cassis, and smoky barbecue scents jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored 2008. Full-bodied, rich, textured, and layered, this terrific effort is surprisingly soft and accessible. Drink it over the next decade.
VM 94 (12/2010): (50% syrah, 36% cabernet sauvignon and 14% petit verdot; 15.9% alcohol) Inky purple. Cassis, blueberry and smoky Indian spices on the expansive, heady nose, with a sexy floral quality that gains strength with air. Deep, sappy and palate-coating dark fruit compote flavors show unlikely energy and become spicier with air. Strikingly expressive, potent and compellingly fragrant wine that finishes with remarkable clarity and sweet persistence. This was raised in 100% new French oak, but I'd never have guessed it. |
|
|
2008 |
Estate Cuvee Proprietary Blend Slightly Depressed Cork |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94 (8/2010): The finest 2008 I tasted is the 2008 Estate Cuvee, a blend of 50% Syrah, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Petit Verdot. Mocha, fudge, blackberry, graphite, cassis, and smoky barbecue scents jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored 2008. Full-bodied, rich, textured, and layered, this terrific effort is surprisingly soft and accessible. Drink it over the next decade.
VM 94 (12/2010): (50% syrah, 36% cabernet sauvignon and 14% petit verdot; 15.9% alcohol) Inky purple. Cassis, blueberry and smoky Indian spices on the expansive, heady nose, with a sexy floral quality that gains strength with air. Deep, sappy and palate-coating dark fruit compote flavors show unlikely energy and become spicier with air. Strikingly expressive, potent and compellingly fragrant wine that finishes with remarkable clarity and sweet persistence. This was raised in 100% new French oak, but I'd never have guessed it. |
|
| Beau Vigne |
2008 |
Juliet Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (12/2010): The less expensive 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Juliet (76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc from the parcel they called Juliet’s Bench) shows off winemaker Dave Phinney’s terrific, sexy, opulent, flamboyant style. Personality-wise, it is more like a 2007 than a 2008. Dense purple to the rim, with glorious notes of graphite and black cherry liqueur intermixed with cassis and blackberry, it possesses a subtle smokiness, a voluptuous texture, and a layered finish that should please both your hedonistic and intellectual senses. It will drink well for 15 or more years. |
|
| Bethel Heights |
2008 |
Casteel Reserve Pinot Noir |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Betz Family Winery |
2008 |
Clos de Betz Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 95 (8/2010): The Bordeaux-styled wines begin with the 2008 Clos de Betz, a multi-regional blend from four renowned vineyards, and composed of 66% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Petit Verdot. It was aged for 16 months in 65% new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it surrenders an expressive nose of pain grille, graphite, Asian spices, a hint of balsamic, black currant, and blackberry. On the palate it admirably combines elegance with power. It has superb concentration, incipient complexity, layers of fruit, and a lengthy finish. Give it 6-8 years of additional cellaring and then drink it through its 25th birthday.
VM 93 (12/2010): Deep, full ruby-red. Dark berries, licorice, bitter chocolate and graphite on the nose and palate. Densely packed but showing superb energy and lift to the flavors of dark berries, cocoa powder and violet. There's nothing rustic about these classy wines. Finishes with terrific clarity and lively minerality. |
|
|
2008 |
La Cote Patriarche Syrah |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 93+ (11/2010): (from Red Willow Vineyard) Deep, full bright ruby. Very primary aromas of blackberry and cocoa powder. Dense, thick and very intense, with wonderfully pure fruit-driven flavors of blackberry and loganberry. Offers a superb balance of fruit, acids and tannins. Finishes very long and pure, with lovely aromatic lift and nuance. An Outstanding wine in the making. These 2008 syrahs aged in 50% new oak, but Betz noted he's now using a higher percentage of slightly larger 300-liter barrels, and more Burgundy barrels. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 93 (8/2010): The 2008 Syrah La Cote Patriarche was sourced from the Red Willow Vineyard in Yakima Valley, site of the oldest Syrah planting in Washington dating from 1986. It, too, was aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak. Dense purple in color (like the La Serenne), it sports a nose of brooding black fruits, lavender, Asian spices, smoked meat, blue berry, and plum. This leads to a plush, full-figured Syrah with well-concealed tannins, excellent depth of flavor, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. |
|
|
2008 |
La Cote Rousse Syrah |
$45 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2010): The 2008 Syrah La Cote Rousse was sourced from the Ciel du Cheval and Kiona Vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA and was aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak. A bit lighter in color but with more mineral and earth notes as well as meaty blue and black fruit aromas, on the palate it is more structured (something for which Red Mountain fruit is noted) but the tannins are nicely integrated behind layers of concentrated, spicy fruit. This lengthy offering will benefit from 5-7 years of additional cellaring and should easily see its 20th birthday in fine form. |
|
|
2008 |
La Serenne Syrah |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (8/2010): The 2008 Syrah La Serenne is sourced entirely from the Boushey Vineyard in Yakima Valley. It is aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it delivers a brooding bouquet of smoke, Asian spices, incense, lavender, game, blueberry, and plum. Dense, layered, and powerful, it manages to maintain a sense of elegance and balance. It has enough structure to evolve for several years and should drink well through 2023. |
|
| Robert Biale Vineyards |
2008 |
Black Chicken Zinfandel |
$45 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (12/2010): Speaking of the 2008 Zinfandel Black Chicken, it has a beautiful nose of sweet, jammy black cherries and raspberries, a dark ruby/purple-tinged color, and an expansive, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel as well as lots of heady glycerin. This full-throttle, lusty, delicious, silky-textured wine cascades over the palate with no hard edges. It should be drunk over the next 3-4 years. |
|
| Black Cordon Vineyard |
2008 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Boudreaux Cellars |
2008 |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (10/2022): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is immaculate, with a lush and focused nose that is still compact and primary. Full-bodied, the wine expands on the palate, revealing focus, precision and power with a still-tight frame and firm tannic edge. The Cabernet concludes with long, lingering flavors of black plum essence, oak spices and notions of crème de cassis. Even though it’s a 2008, it has plenty of life left; so be patient, and reward your future self. |
|
| Bovet (Round Pond) |
2008 |
Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$80 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Buccella |
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$149 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95 (12/2010): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, which comes from multiple fruit sources in Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, Coombsville, Oak Knoll and Carneros, was aged in 100% new French oak. A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it exhibits an opaque purple color, great intensity and a sweet nose of blue and black fruits intermixed with toasty oak, lead pencil shavings and forest floor. Rich, layered and full-bodied with silky tannins, this broad, savory 2008 should drink well for 15 or more years.
VM 93 (5/2011): (15.1% alcohol; includes 2% each cabernet franc and merlot and 1% petit verdot): Dark ruby. Fascinating nose melds dark berries, licorice pastille, violet, coriander, cumin and mint. Fat and sweet for the year, with palate-saturating flavors of crushed black fruits and minerals. The broad, dusty tannins arrive late and build, but there's more than enough mid-palate sweetness to support them. This is riper and deeper in the bottle than a barrel sample I tried a year ago. Rebekah Wineburg makes this wine, with Celia Welch serving in a consulting role. |
|
|
2008 |
Merlot |
$79 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Cadence |
2008 |
Bel Canto Red Mtn. Cara Mia Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$100 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (12/2012): The 2008 Cara Mia Vineyard Bel Canto – with 25% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot blended into its Cabernet Franc – features mint chocolate, cassis, and an alluring amalgam of Chenin-like quince and flowers on a silken palate, finishing with soothing persistence if not quite the complexity or mineral dimension of the couple of best Cadence releases I tasted. Still, this is very pure-fruited; lovely in its gentle way; yet possessed of subtly vibratory energy, and might well acquire additional complexity over the next half dozen or so years. |
|
|
2008 |
Camerata Cara Mia Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$110 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (3/2023): The 2008 Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard lifts from the glass with an intense burst of medicinal cherry and cloves balanced to a hint of animal musk and a lifting whiff of mint. It's seamlessly silky and refined, casting notes of dried cherries and plums across the palate while taking on pleasant inner earth tones toward the close. The 2008 leaves adolescent tannins to linger, along with blackberries and mentholated herbal tones that keep the style wildly fresh. What a beauty this is today, and still slowly climbing to maturity. (Drink between 2023-2030) Eric Guido. |
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|
2008 |
Ciel du Cheval Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$80 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93+ (12/2010): (38% cabernet franc, 33% cabernet sauvignon, 17% petit verdot and 12% merlot) Bright medium-deep red. Cherry, raspberry, licorice and flowers on the nose, plus a hint of tobacco leaf; lightly medicinal in a Cheval Blanc way. Then juicy, pure and tightly wound, with superb depth of bright red berry and floral flavors supported by firm acidity and solid tannic structure. Plenty of density and sweetness here but also energetic and light on its feet. Spreads out impressively on the back end, with the tannins reaching the incisors. Seems tighter than the 2007 version at a similar stage and really calls for five years of cellaring, even if it could be enjoyed today with food. Proprietor/winemaker Ben Smith describes 2008 as "a compressed harvest and a structured vintage for us." He normally picks on the early side (the pH here is 3.68) but notes that this wine is just over 14% alcohol. These are some of Washington's most Bordeaux-like wines, and Cadence is now firmly in the top tier of the state's producers: recent vintages have brought sweeter fruit and greater density of material without any loss of structure or verve. Stephen Tanzer. |
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|
2008 |
Tapteil Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$80 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 92+ (12/2010): (50% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 20% cabernet franc) Good bright deep red. Wild, soil-driven aromas of cinnamon spice, fresh herbs, red licorice, iodine and sage. Then quite backward and firm in the mouth owing to its strong acid/tannin spine. The 2007 Tapteil was sweeter and silkier at the same stage, but this wine's subtle intensity, complexity and claret-like structure suggest it will ultimately merit an even higher score. Today the finish is a bit less sweet and the tannins less refined than the 2007 Ciel du Cheval. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Caldwell |
2008 |
Clone 181 Merlot |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Clone 400 Caldwell Vyd. Petit Verdot |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Clone 595 Malbec |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Chad |
2008 |
North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Chappellet |
2008 |
Signature Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Continuum |
2008 |
Premiere Napa Valley Proprietary Blend |
$350 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (2/2019): The 2008 Proprietary Red is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot, and 71% of the fruit this year came from the Continuum estate on Pritchard Hill. It has a deep garnet-brick color and reveals an earthy, spice box, bouquet garni and fruitcake-scented nose with wafts of balsamic, prunes and iron ore. Full-bodied with a good core of dried berries and mineral sparks in the mouth, it has a firm, chewy texture and finishes a little rustic. |
|
| Corliss |
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (6/2013): More perfumed and lively aromatically, yet more firm and backwards on the palate, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a knockout 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 30 months in 70% new French oak. Classically styled, with black currants, toasty oak, violets, licorice and background meatiness, it is a full-bodied, structured and age-worthy 2008 that will evolve gracefully for 15+ years. It improves over the evening but should ideally be given another handful of years in the cellar. Drink now-2028+.
VM 94+ (11/2011): Bright red-ruby. Aromas of blueberry, cocoa powder and licorice; one can smell the sexy Taransaud barrels here. Silky on entry, then sweet and superconcentrated in the middle, spreading out to saturate the entire palate with dark berry and coffee flavors. A wine of extraordinary energy and clarity. Most impressive today on the echoing, juicy finish, where the ripe tannins are already in perfect harmony with the wine's fruit. As with the Corliss Red Wine, I would not be at all surprised if this wine merited an even higher score by the time it's released in the fall of 2013. Stephen Tanzer. |
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|
2008 |
Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 94+ (6/2013): Just about as good, the Bordeaux blend 2008 Corliss (formerly reviewed as Red Wine) is comprised of 34% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec that spent 30 months in 65% new French oak. Almost a meal on its own, it has full, rich aromas and flavors of currants, smoked herbs, milk chocolate and potpourri to go with a full-bodied, beautifully textured and balanced palate. Youthfully structured and tannic, it needs another 1-2 years of bottle age and will keep for 10-15 years.
VM 93+ (11/2011): Good red-ruby. Sexy aromas of plum, pie cherry, Asian spices, minerals and cocoa powder, with a floral quality from the cabernet franc component. At once suave and penetrating, with terrific energy and definition to the flavors of sweet cherry, minerals and spices. This classy, vibrant wine finishes with sweet, broad tannins and terrific lift and length. It will no doubt be even more complex and harmonious by the time it's released in late 2013. Stephen Tanzer. |
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|
2008 |
Syrah |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 92+ (11/2011): Deep red-ruby. Very primary aromas of dark berries, cherry, licorice, violet, white pepper, jasmine and musky minerality. Lush and seamless on entry, then juicy, spicy and intense in the middle, in fact even a bit imploded today. This densely packed, very young syrah, bottled in June, really saturates the palate with flavor on the pure, long finish. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 89 (12/2012): Aged in majority new 500 liter casks and otherwise reflecting the same source and approach noted in my review of its 2007 counterpart, the Corliss 2008 Syrah leads with penetrating, pleasant high-tones of mint, sage, rosemary, lavender, violet, blueberry distillate and creme de cassis. On a dense and fine-grained but manifestly tannic palate, there is a bit of bifurcation between tart and bitter skin and pit of berries on the one hand and macaroon-like manifestation of caramel on the other. As this took on air, more of the herbal components signaled in the nose, as well as a hint of tar, joined the sweet confitured berry and caramelized notes, but a slightly drying spot remained in an otherwise overtly sweet finish. I don’t feel competent to speculate on this wine’s bottle evolution except to say that I certainly don’t expect it to fatigue within the next half dozen years. |
|
| Dancing Hares |
2008 |
Proprietary Blend |
$99 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Mad Hatter Proprietary Blend |
$35 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Dominus |
2008 |
Proprietary Blend |
$279 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 99 (12/2010): Made in a more masculine style, the 2008 Dominus has all of that along with bigger body and more structure, fat, density and texture. Both are brilliant wines and they represent the finest back-to-back vintages for Dominus since 2001 and 2002 or 1990 and 1991. Both the 2007 and 2008 Dominus should drink well for 25-30 years.
VM 93 (6/2011): (a blend of 83% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot): Good full red-ruby. Fresher on the nose than the Napanook, showing raspberry, plum, mocha and tobacco aromas. Round and plummy in the mouth, with a restrained sweetness to the flavors of milk chocolate, mocha and licorice. A wine of moderate ripeness for the vintage, and in a shell today. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and notes of plum, mocha and chocolate. I don't find quite the structure or grip of the best years. |
|
| Dunham Cellars |
2008 |
Lewis Vyd. Syrah |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 90 (10/2011): The 2008 Syrah Lewis Vineyard offers a similar aromatic and flavor profile but lacks the depth and concentration of the 2007. |
|
| Efeste |
2008 |
Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon |
$60 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| Ehlers Estate |
2008 |
Merlot |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Epoch Estate Wines |
2008 |
Paderewski Vyd. Block B Syrah |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Etude |
2008 |
Temblor Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Far Niente |
2008 |
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 92 (6/2011): A full-bodied red with lots of character, from spices such as cinnamon to grilled nuts. Plus plenty of fruit. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long rich finish. Turns a little astringent. Give it three to five years of bottle age to soften.
WA 89 (12/2010): Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, this dense ruby/purple-colored 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon possesses a slightly muted, restrained set of aromatics (cedar and black currants), but the wine kicks in on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with an elegant style, it is an attractive, stylish Cabernet Sauvignon that appears to be slightly over-priced.
VM 88 (5/2011): Bright ruby-red. Aromatic nose combines cherry, currant, chocolate, flowers and fresh herbs lifted by a note of spearmint oil. The juicy palate adds some tobacco and resiny spices to the mix, with a peppery quality contributing energy. The dusty, firm-edged tannins reminded me a bit of 2006, but this has better fruit. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Favia |
2008 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$175 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Figgins Estate |
2008 |
Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 94 (8/2011): The 2008 Figgins Estate Red Wine is the inaugural release of a wine made by Chris Figgins, son of Leonetti Cellar founder, Gary Figgins. The fruit was sourced from the Figgins Estate Vineyard which is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. The wine was aged in 70% new French oak for 22 months before bottling without fining or filtration. A total of 831 cases were produced. Sandalwood, exotic spices, sage, cherry blossom, cassis, and blackberry aromas inform the nose of a dense, rich, elegant, beautifully proportioned wine that has enough ripe, fine-grained tannin to blossom for another 4-5 years. It offers a drinking window extending from 2015 to 2023, perhaps longer. All in all, not a bad debut.
VM 93+ (10/2011): (a blend of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and merlot, from vines planted by Chris Figgins in 2004 and 2005 on silt and loam soil at an altitude of 1,500 to 1, 750 feet, a half mile east of Leonetti's Mill Creek Upland Vineyard): Saturated ruby-red. Deep aromas of blackberry, licorice, coffee and bitter chocolate. Dense, thick and sweet, but with harmonious acidity giving shape and lift to the pungent pomegranate, spice and tobacco flavors. Wonderfully seamless, vibrant wine with terrific underlying structure and a very long, sappy finish featuring sweet, broad tannins. This eagerly awaited inaugural release from Chris Figgins' new venture offers Outstanding quality, particularly for a wine from such young vines. |
|
| Robert Foley Vineyards |
2008 |
Claret |
$109 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (12/2010): The 2008 Claret (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) has that ethereal nose of spring flowers, boysenberry, blueberry, black currant, and spice. Following that seductive aromatic display, Foley’s brilliance is again exhibited in the mouthfeel of this seamless wine, which has full-bodied flavors, no hard edges, gorgeous layers of fruit, and loads of complexity already, but is still a youthful wine with its best days ahead of it. This is brilliant winemaking, as some of us have come to expect from Bob Foley, and it should age well for 15-20 years. |
|
| Force Majeure |
2008 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series Reserve Syrah |
$60 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (6/2013): More exotic and meaty, with serious coffee bean, roasted herbs, game, smoke and blacker styled fruit, the 2008 Ccollaboration Series Reserve Syrah also comes from the top-class Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in Red Mountain and is 100% Syrah (previous vintages had small amounts of Viognier co-fermented). Made by Ben Smith (Cadence Winery) and aged for 38 months in all-new French oak, it is a serious, age-worthy effort that has full-bodied richness, awesome concentration and a detailed, focused finish. More backwards and dense than normal for this cuvee (both the 2005 and 2006 were much evolved and open-knit on release), it integrated its oak component beautifully over the multiple days I followed the bottle and only improved with air. Give bottles another 3-4 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 10-15 years. Drink 2016-2026. |
|
| Fortunate Son |
2008 |
Naughty Wicked Witch of the West Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$149 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Frank Family |
2008 |
Zinfandel |
$25 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 88 (12/2011): The 2008 Zinfandel shows excellent depth in its sweet red cherries flowers and licorice. This is a subdued style of Zinfandel, yet the wine’s overall balance is quite good. The blend incorporates 16% Petite Sirah. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. |
|
|
2008 |
Reserve Zinfandel |
$20 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Gorman |
2008 |
The Bully Cabernet Sauvignon |
$60 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 93 (10/2011): The 2008 The Bully Cabernet Sauvignon contains 15% Petit Verdot and was aged in 100% new French oak. Fragrant aromas of sandalwood, exotic spices, violets, earthy minerals, and assorted black fruits are followed by a sweetly-fruited, plush, layered wine with outstanding volume and balance. This lengthy effort will benefit from another 2-3 years of cellaring and will deliver prime drinking through 2023.
VM 88+ (11/2011): Medium ruby. Currant, blackberry and licorice on the nose, lifted by a violet topnote. Juicy, spicy black fruit flavors are still youthfully tough but there's good sweetness here. The back end is a bit clenched, with substantial tannins coming across as a bit dry and medicinal, but solid supporting extract suggests that this will reward some patience. Stphen Tanzer. |
|
| Gramercy Cellars |
2008 |
John Lewis Reserve Syrah |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Lagniappe Syrah |
$59 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Grand Reve |
2008 |
Collaboration II Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
4 |
|
| |
JD 94 (6/2011): Showing even better than a year ago, the 2008 Grand Reve Vintners Collaboration Series II Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, a blend of 40% Grenache, 38% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, and 1% each of Viognier and Roussanne, aged in 30% new French oak, delivers a stunning array of blackberry and cassis fruit, roasted meats, leafy herbs, and black olive on the nose. This is followed by a medium to full bodied wine that is youthful and fresh, possessing a seamless, pure texture, ripe tannin, and a classy, long finish. Evolving beautifully and gaining in both complexity and palate richness, this should continue to drink beautifully for another 10-12 years.
VM 90 (11/2011): Good deep ruby. Sexy, musky aromas of mulberry, mocha and pepper. Sweet and spicy, with peppery lift and nicely integrated acidity giving clarity and grip to this juicy midweight. Hints of herbs and menthol contribute complexity. Finishes with firm tannins and very good persistence. Nicely understated wine in a rather French style. |
|
|
2008 |
Collaboration III Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
5 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (5/2011): Made by Mark McNeilly of Mark Ryan Winery, the 2008 Grand Reve Vintners Syrah Collaboration Series III is 100% Syrah that was aged in 40% new French Burgundy barrels. Paul McBride describes the goal of this wine as highlighting the style of Washington State Syrah, and I can say that this delivers on all marks. A big, upfront wine, with brilliantly pure blackberry, ground pepper, licorice, and spice aromas literally jumping from the glass, it’s both intense, and yet restrained and elegant at the same time. More graphite and chocolate like notes develop on the palate, where the wine is full bodied and seamless, possessing superb balance, amazing purity of fruit, and an excellent finish where dusty tannin emerge. While there’s no harm in drinking now, after seeing how the ’06 is developing, this should really be given 3-6 years in the cellar, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this drinking superbly in 2025 or later. A drop dead gorgeous example of what Washington State can do with Syrah! |
|
| Grgich Hills |
2008 |
Miljenko’s Old Vine Zinfandel |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Hayfork |
2008 |
Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon |
$59 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 94+ (12/2010): Some investment in patience will be warranted with this wine, which is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot from the Llewelling Ranch at the base of St. Helena’s western hills. Aged in 100% new French oak, the wine is tight and restrained, but bursting with potential. Oodles of minerality, black currants, graphite, tobacco leaf, and spice box are all present in this deep, full-bodied, concentrated and powerful wine. However, the tannins are still present and the wine in need of 4-5 years of cellaring. It should keep for 20-30 years. |
|
| Honig Cellars |
2008 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 89 (12/2011): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon emerges from the glass with scents of tar, smoke and graphite. It shows more depth, freshness and overall structure than the 2009, with plenty of energy and focus in its fruit. The final blend in 2008 includes 4.5% Petit Verdot. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Januik |
2008 |
Champoux Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$115 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 93+ (11/2011): Bright red-ruby. Knockout nose features aromas of cassis, blackberry, cocoa powder, licorice and flowers. Suave and seamless, showing an old-viney creaminess complicated by sexy Taransaud spice notes. Conveys an impression of restrained sweetness thanks to its bright acidity. Very concentrated, sappy and long. Lay this one down. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 93 (10/2011): The purple-colored 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Champoux Vineyard is a step up, not surprising given this vineyard’s track record. Exotic spices, incense, violets, earthy minerals, black currant, and blackberry aromas inform the nose of a rich, plush, dense offering with enough fine-grained tannin to evolve for another 3-4 years. It is likely to see its 20th birthday in fine form. |
|
|
2008 |
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 90 (11/2011): Good bright red with ruby highlights. Sexy aromas of dark raspberry, tobacco, licorice and menthol. Sweet and suave, with noteworthy fruit intensity and inner-mouth energy. Finishes with fine, dusty tannins and very good lift. A strong vintage for this basic cabernet release. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 90 (10/2011): The Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is Januik Winery’s best selling SKU from year to year. The 2008 is composed of 45% Champoux Vineyard fruit which may explain its popularity. Blended with some Cabernet Franc and Malbec, it offers up an alluring nose of cedar, spice box, tobacco, black currant and blackberry. This leads to a wine with savory flavors, good depth, and enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years. It will drink nicely from 2013 to 2023. |
|
|
2008 |
Reserve Red Wine (1.5 L) |
$125 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94 (10/2011): My favorite of the portfolio (as it was in the 2007 vintage) is the 2008 Reserve Red Wine, a blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot from the Champoux and Weinbau vineyards. Aromas of sandalwood, exotic spices, violets, earthy minerals, black currants, and blackberry lead to a dense, plush, concentrated wine with extra layers of flavor. Beautifully proportioned and lengthy, it is likely to have a 20 year lifespan.
VM 93 (11/2011): Bright red-ruby color. Dark berries and sexy oak on the nose. Sweet, suave and rather voluptuous, but with a firm spine of acidity giving shape to the broad, mouthfilling flavors of dark berries, cocoa powder and rose petal. The long finish features dusty, cheek-coating tannins and a hint of minerality. These 2008 reds have pHs between 3.65 and 3.75, which is "about normal," according to Mike Januik. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| James Johnson Vineyard |
2008 |
Bisou Cabernet Sauvignon |
$59 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (12/2011): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Bisou comes across as more powerful than the 2007. The flavor profile is slightly darker than normal and everything is just a bit richer, deeper and more balanced than the wines I have tasted from this site previously. Dark cherries, plums, menthol and licorice wrap around the sensual, textured finish. This is a terrific showing for the Bisou. (Drink between 2013-2020). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Jones Family Vineyard |
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Robert Keenan |
2008 |
Cabernet Franc |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94 (12/2010): Cabernet Franc has performed brilliantly at this height, and this is another example of the potential of Spring Mountain. This dense purple-hued wine is richly fruity with a beautiful floral, blueberry, raspberry and black currant-scented nose, good underlying minerality and a gorgeous fruit intensity without any sense of heaviness (14.3% alcohol). Elegant, pure and well-textured, this is a stunning Cabernet Franc to drink over the next decade.
VM 93 (5/2011): Bright ruby-red. High-pitched, perfumed nose offers sexy aromas of blackberry, cherry, violet and musky brown spices. Densely packed and energetic, with a mountain berry intensity that's accentuated by ripe, integrated acidity. A complete but very youthful cabernet franc that finishes with broad tannins and lingering perfume. A sentimental favorite. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (5/2012): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of cassis, plum, mocha, menthol, licorice and fresh herbs suggest a wide range of ripeness. Subtly sweet and supple in the mouth, with good herbal lift and intensity to the currant, chocolate and licorice flavors. Finishes with rather serious tannins that turned a bit dry with air. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2008 |
Mernet Reserve Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95 (12/2010): The 2008 Mernet Reserve Proprietary Red (350 cases produced) is composed of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. I’ve never liked the name that much, but I sure love the wine. Another prodigious effort from Keenan, it boasts an inky/purple color as well as a sweet nose filled with blackberry, black currant and cherry fruit intermixed with mocha and chocolate. Full-bodied and rich with an enticing suppleness as well as admirable length and texture, it should drink well for 15 or more years. For those who haven’t noticed, Michael Keenan appears to be ratcheting up the quality with every new vintage. Bravo!
VM 88 (5/2018): Bright, dark medium ruby. Blackberry and licorice aromas show a faintly weedy quality and a violet high note. A juicy wine with moderate flesh to its flavors of black fruits, herbs and spices, plus a hint of stewed tomato. Not my favorite style but nicely filled in and pliant, with a touch of sweetness even if the Merlot herbacity comes through. Finishes with serious, tongue-dusting tannins and a slight mounting dryness. This Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend isn't going anywhere but there's no hurry to drink it. (Drink between 2018-2026). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Kosta Browne |
2008 |
Amber Ridge Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (6/2010): ivid ruby. An intensely floral bouquet displays wilted rose, magnolia, black raspberry and incense. Supple and broad on entry, turning more tangy and energetic in the middle and offering lively red and dark berry flavors and an exotic candied floral quality. The finish repeats the red fruit note and lingers with very good tangy persistence. I'll bet that this will be even better in a year or two. |
|
|
2008 |
Keefer Ranch Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (5/2010): Bright red. High-pitched aromas of raspberry, strawberry liqueur, dried flowers and Asian spices. Silky, bright and precise, but with good depth and power to its red berry and cherry flavors. Really expand with air, finishing with sweet tannins, tangy minerality and impressive length. If your impression of the K-B wines ossified around the 2004 vintage, you should check this one out. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2008 |
Koplen Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (5/2010): Bright ruby. Intensely perfumed bouquet displays red berries, potpourri and star anise. Michael Browne told me that he used a lot of whole clusters this year "to increase the spiciness. The fruit is always powerful and I wanted to bring an extra dimension." Pliant, juicy red fruit flavors are complicated by notes of cinnamon and spicecake, with slow-building smokiness. Finishes with refreshing tangy cut and a strong echo of raspberry. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Lancaster |
2008 |
Estate Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
5 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (2/2012): Unfortunately I was only able to taste one wine from Lancaster, but it is a stunner. David Ramey is on board as consultant. Hopefully the 2008 is a sign of great things to come. The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate bursts from the glass with blackberries, cassis, grilled herbs, smoke and licorice, all of which are beautifully woven together. This ripe juicy Cabernet presents an exotic, super-ripe profile balanced by a firm sense of structure. Not a bad combination, to say the least. Freshly cut flowers, mint and licorice are layered into the energetic, vibrant finish. (Drink between 2014-2024). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Larkmead Vineyards |
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
11 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (12/2010): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot aged 20 months in 60% new French oak) reveals a Medoc-like nose of cedarwood, damp earth, black currants and hints of bay leaf and unsmoked cigar tobacco. Opulence, purity and density combined with a thick, full-bodied mouthfeel and a superb finish all suggest a wine that can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. |
|
|
2008 |
Firebelle Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
11 |
|
| |
WA 94 (12/2010): The 2008 Firebelle (55% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Malbec; 1,050 cases produced) exhibits a dense opaque purple color as well as a sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, white chocolate and cocoa, great fruit, purity and intensity, a full-bodied, layered mouthfeel and elegance and finesse. Already evolved, complex and delicious, it should continue to drink well for a decade or more. This is an estate where the 2008 may actually eclipse the 2007.
VM 92 (5/2011): (55% merlot, 27% cabernet sauvignon and 18% malbec): Ruby-red. Plum, dark chocolate and licorice on the nose, plus a whiff of woodsmoke. Lush and sweet, with a distinctly glyceral texture and attractive gravelly lift to the dark raspberry and tobacco flavors. The tannins arrive late, allowing the wine to expand on the aftertaste. I like this. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2008 |
LMV Salon Proprietary Blend |
$99 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 93+ (5/2011): (a blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 18% cabernet franc and 9% each merlot, malbec and petit verdot): Ruby-red. Distinctly gravelly aromas of plum, minerals, menthol and tobacco. Dense but bright and high-pitched, with lively black fruit and bitter chocolate flavors complicated by licorice and flowers. Really conveys the energy of the best 2008s. |
|
|
2008 |
Solari Cabernet Sauvignon |
$155 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 96 (12/2010): Made from 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot (550 cases), the prodigious 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari Reserve is an opaque purple-colored, multidimensional wine displaying silky sweet tannin along with copious quantities of blackberry, creme de cassis, crushed rock, licorice and camphor characteristics. Powerful yet elegant with layers of depth, this is a wine of great nuance, complexity and nobility. A dead-ringer for the compelling 2007, the 2008 should drink well for 20-25 years or more.
VM 93 (8/2019): Healthy dark ruby-red. Aromas of blackberry, dark raspberry, coffee and violet reminded me of a wine from Saint-Emilion. Not large-scaled but intensely flavored and suave, with its dark berry and dried cranberry flavors accented by Vermouth-like herbal complexity. This wine delivers the creaminess of the vintage's better examples. Finishes with smooth, nicely buffered tannins that saturate the teeth. Easygoing and perfect to drink now, this wine should go on for a while on its balance and underlying gravelly minerality. Two thousand eight is a perfect example of how this hot site can excel in less-heralded vintages. (15.2% alcohol; 4.01 pH) (Drink between 2019-2028). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Leonetti Cellars |
2008 |
Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (10/2011): (14.6% alcohol; 70% new oak): Deep, saturated ruby-red. Sweet aromas of cassis, coffee and licorice. Superconcentrated, voluptuous and seamless, with Outstanding density of fruit. The compellingly sweet, urgent dark berry flavors carry through to an extremely long, broad, sweetly tannic finish. Not at all dominated by oak; Chris Figgins told me that his family is using less and less American oak, and that no new American barrels were used for this cabernet. |
|
|
2008 |
Walla Walla Valley Merlot |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 92 (8/2010): The 2008 Merlot (100%) spent 15 months in a mix of new and used French oak. It exhibits an aromatic array of smoke, spice box, violets, black cherry, and black raspberry. Elegant on the palate with excellent volume, concentrated, spicy flavors, and a hint of minerality, it has enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years and will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2022 if not longer.
VM 92 (11/2010): Good bright red. Smoky red fruits and musky wilder notes of tobacco and tea leaf on the nose. At once silky and precise; shapely, almost voluptuous, but without any undue weight. Builds impressively on the back end, finishing with very suave, sweet tannins and lingering red fruits. Incidentally, Chris Figgins describes his 2008 reds as more generous than his 2007s, but says the earlier vintage has a more classic structure and balance and may age longer. "But 2005 is my favorite ever," he adds. |
|
| Lewelling Vineyards |
2008 |
St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (12/2010): I would love to taste the spectacular 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon in a blind tasting with recent vintages of the famed Pauillac, Pontet-Canet. After spending 16 months in 100% new French oak, it offers an opaque purple color along with classic notes of creme de cassis intermixed with subtle burning ember, charcoal and oak aromas. The glorious perfume is accompanied by a full-bodied, stunningly concentrated, multilayered wine with spectacular length as well as a silky personality. It can be drunk now or cellared for two decades or more. It’s a tour de force! |
|
|
2008 |
Wight Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 95+ (12/2010): The slightly more expensive, opaque purple-hued 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Wight Vineyard (aged 18 months in 100% new French oak) is essentially a barrel selection. Obviously, the more structured wines with more density and aging potential were chosen for this cuvee. Very backward compared to the Napa bottling, the Wight Vineyard exhibits more graphite and toast along with creme de cassis, smoke and floral characteristics. Deep, rich and reserved with plenty of tannin, it needs time in the bottle, so cellar it for 4-5 years and drink it over the following three decades. |
|
| Lewis Cellars |
2008 |
Alec’s Blend |
$50 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Hillstone Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$115 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Hudson Vyd. Syrah |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
4 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Napa Valley Syrah |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$150 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Lillian Winery |
2008 |
Syrah |
$59 |
5 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (10/2011): Glass-staining purple. Deeply pitched aromas of black and blue fruits, incense, olive tapenade and fruitcake, with smoke and violet notes gaining power with air. Rich and broad but almost shockingly energetic, offering sweet, liqueur-like blackberry and boysenberry flavors and exotic spice and floral pastille qualities. Intense and focused on the extremely long finish, which strongly repeats the floral and spice notes. I had the chance to retaste the 2007 Lillian this fall, and while it appears to have closed down a bit since this time last year, it is still a complex, compelling and extremely alluring wine. As rich as it is, it doesn't come off as overblown or overtly decadent. |
|
|
2008 |
Syrah (1.5 L) |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (10/2011): Glass-staining purple. Deeply pitched aromas of black and blue fruits, incense, olive tapenade and fruitcake, with smoke and violet notes gaining power with air. Rich and broad but almost shockingly energetic, offering sweet, liqueur-like blackberry and boysenberry flavors and exotic spice and floral pastille qualities. Intense and focused on the extremely long finish, which strongly repeats the floral and spice notes. I had the chance to retaste the 2007 Lillian this fall, and while it appears to have closed down a bit since this time last year, it is still a complex, compelling and extremely alluring wine. As rich as it is, it doesn't come off as overblown or overtly decadent. |
|
| Linne Calodo |
2008 |
Overthinker |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 93+ (12/2010): (a blend of 50% grenache and 25% each syrah and mourvedre) Glass-staining purple. Ripe, smoky aromas of blackberry and boysenberry preserves and cherry-cola, with complicating notes of licorice and dark chocolate. Broad and sweet on the palate, offering chewy dark berry flavors and a slow-building bitter chocolate quality. Distinctly rich but in no way ungainly; in fact, this is very energetic for its heftiness. Finishes supple and sweet, with a repeating licorice note and a whiplash of smoky dark fruit. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2008 |
Sticks and Stones |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2010): One of my favorites among the 2008s is the Sticks and Stones, a blend of 57% Grenache, 29% Mourvedre, and 14% Syrah, (which sounds like a Chateauneuf du Pape). Moreover, tipping the scales at 15.8% alcohol (and not a bit of it showing), this wine has a subtle resemblance to the great Chateau Rayas. Kirsch liqueur, dark raspberries, loamy soil notes, lavender, and spice box are all present in this medium to full-bodied wine, which is extraordinarily elegant, focused, and pure. A delicious wine with good acidity, this is a sensational red from Paso Robles, and a tribute to the blending skills of Matt Trevisan. It should drink well for 5-7 years. |
|
| Long Shadows Wineries |
2008 |
Chester Kidder Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (12/2012): (a blend of 61% cabernet sauvignon, 29% syrah, 6% petit verdot and 4% cabernet franc; aged in 90% new French oak for 30 months): Bright, deep ruby-red. Expressive nose offers currant, cherry cola, graphite and dark chocolate. Silky, sexy and intense, with firm, vibrant cabernet fruit complicated by licorice and spices. Finishes lively and very long, with sweet tannins and solid structure from the cabernet, some of which spent up to 40 days on its skins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2008 |
Feather Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (8/2011): The 2008 Feather is a multi-regional 100% Cabernet Sauvignon made by Randy Dunn of Napa Valley renown. Sandalwood, licorice, dark chocolate, Asian spices, and black currant aromas set the stage for a tight, structured, well-balanced wine that requires another 4-5 years to fully unwind. This lengthy effort should see its 20th birthday in peak condition. |
|
|
2008 |
Pedestal Merlot |
$60 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2010): The 2007 Pedestal Merlot is the project of Michel Rolland. This latest release is composed of 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot aged for 20 months in 80% new French oak. It reveals a fragrant nose of sandalwood, incense, sage, cinnamon, black cherry, and black currant. Elegant on the palate despite its ample size, it is loaded with succulent fruit set off by enough ripe tannin to support an additional 3-4 years of cellaring. It will deliver prime drinking from 2013 to 2027. |
|
|
2008 |
Pirouette Red Wine (1.5 L) |
$125 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (8/2011): The 2008 Pirouette is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc with the balance Petit Verdot and Malbec aged for 22 months in 70% new French oak. The wine was made by Agustin Hunneus, Sr,.and Philippe Melka. It offer slightly sweeter fruit and more complexity than the 100% varietal Dunn offering. Spicy, rich, and nicely proportioned, it will evolve for 2-3 years and provide prime drinking from 2013 to 2023. |
|
| Robert Mondavi |
2008 |
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
15 |
|
| |
|
| Mount Eden Vineyards |
2008 |
Domaine Eden Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (8/2012): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful fleshy wine laced with sweet tobacco, licorice, tar, game, grilled herbs and dark red raspberries. It shows fabulous depth and richness with great personality. Firm tannins frame the finish in this exquisite beauty. The 2008 is more complex than the 2009 tasted alongside it, but will also require slightly more time. The blend is 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9% Mourvèdre, 3% Merlot and 1% Malbec, all from five vineyards in Saratoga and Los Gatos. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| O'Shaughnessy |
2008 |
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon |
$95 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 94+ (12/2010): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is comprised of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest six other grapes - Merlot, Malbec, St. Macaire (how often do you see that!), Petit Verdot, Carmenere, and Cabernet Franc - and is aged 20 months in three-fourths French oak. It has a dense purple color, a wonderful, crystalline nose of crushed rock, camphor, creme de cassis and spring flowers, and a full-bodied mouthfeel. The tannins are moderately high, but they are soft and well-integrated. This is a wine of tremendous intensity and plenty of up-side. Give this wine 2-3 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 20-25 years.
VM 93 (6/2011): (81% cabernet sauvignon, along with merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, petit verdot, carmenere and St. Macaire; as with the 2004 and 2006 bottlings, this wine includes all seven varieties planted in this vineyard): Bright ruby-red. Perfumed nose offers plum, black cherry, graphite, mocha, cedar, chocolate mint and sexy toasty oak (75% new). Compellingly sweet and pliant, with a velvety texture given shape by harmonious acidity. Still a bit ungiving on the firmly tannic finish, which hints at menthol. This very rich, pure wine needs time in bottle to develop more complexity and should be long-lived. |
|
|
2008 |
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon |
$139 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 98 (12/2010): Absolutely prodigious is the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder (500 cases of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon off a site west of Oakville). Dense bluish purple to the rim, with a sensational nose of forest, flowers, graphite, and blueberry liqueur intermixed with creme de cassis and burning embers/charcoal, this wine has fabulous fruit, a remarkably full-bodied texture, great purity, and a finish that goes on for close to 50+ seconds. This is an awesome 2008 and one of the great wines of the vintage. It should drink well for 25+ years.
VM 91+ (5/2018): Full medium ruby. High-pitched aromas of cassis, blackberry, violet and licorice convey an inky, medicinal quality. Fine-grained, juicy and penetrating, but a bit less complex and pliant today than the estate's Howell Mountain bottling. The wine's dusty, building tannins show a distinctly firm edge, blocking the wine's texture and sweetness. But this Cabernet offers terrific density without any weightiness, and I suspect it's simply in an awkward closed stage today and in need of patience. (Drink between 2022-2035). Stphen Tanzer. |
|
| Outpost |
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$105 |
6 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
True Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$169 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (12/2010): The single vineyard 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard exhibits fabulous aromas of white flowers, graphite, crushed rocks and sweet blueberry, black currant and black raspberry fruit. Precise and full-bodied with layers of concentration, minerality and structure, this stunning 100% Cabernet Sauvignon should drink well for 25-30 years. |
|
| Casa Piena |
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon Bin-Soiled Label |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Pott |
2008 |
Incubo Cabernet Sauvignon |
$189 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Quilceda Creek |
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$155 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 97+ (6/2013): More pure and focused than the 2009, with a slightly closer to the vest feel, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon shows the cooler nature of the vintage and has incredible detail, purity and freshness to its aromas and flavors. A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Merlot that spent 22 months in 100% new French oak, it offers classic black currant, spice box, coffee bean, violets and exotic spices to go with an ethereal, layered and seamless palate that delivers massive amounts of fruit and texture without any apparent weight. I thoroughly enjoyed it now, yet it will age for decades. Drink now-2033.
VM 96 (11/2011): (cabernet sauvignon blended with 2% merlot): Good full red-ruby. Complex, slightly high-toned aromas of plum and brown sugar. Wonderfully sweet but firmly built; dense, smooth and complex, with the terrific definition of the 2008 vintage at its best. A hint of nutty ripeness is countered by a lively suggestion of eucalyptus. This is harmonious from day one. Comes across as less sweet than the Palengat, finishing with great length and breadth but no undue weight, and spreading out to coat the mouth with flavor. |
|
|
2008 |
Columbia Valley Proprietary Blend |
$64 |
10 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (8/2011): The Quilceda Creek lineup begins with the 2008 Red Wine made up of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, with the balance Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Aromas of cedar, spice box, mineral, incense, black currant, and blackberry inform the nose of a ripe, savory, smooth-textured wine. In the glass it displays more minerality, excellent volume, and enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years. Enjoy this first-class effort now through 2020. |
|
|
2008 |
Galitzine Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$129 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (8/2011): The 2008 Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon contains 1% Merlot. It proffers a brooding aromatic array of toasty oak, Asian spices, incense, a hint of sage, violets, and assorted black fruits. More structured than the preceding wines, “No doubting it’s Red Mountain" say the Golitzins, it has plenty of ripe tannin more than balanced by loads of succulent fruit, exceptional density, richness and power. Give it 5-6 years and drink it from 2016 to 2033. |
|
|
2008 |
Palengat Proprietary Blend |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97 (8/2011): The 2008 Palengat Proprietary Red Wine is made up of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, with the balance Merlot and Petit Verdot. The fruit was sourced entirely from the Palengat Vineyard. Pain grille, pencil lead, Asian spices, incense, violets, dried herbs, black currant, and blackberry aromas compose the bouquet of this impeccably balanced offering. It opens in the glass to reveal plush, succulent flavors, superb concentration, plenty of ripe tannin, and at least 4-5 years of aging potential. It will deliver optimum drinking from 2015 to 2028.
VM 94 (10/2011): (76% cabernet sauvignon, 14% cabernet franc, 7% merlot and 3% petit verdot; this used to be a single-vineyard wine but Palengat is now used as the name for a proprietary Bordeaux blend): Expressive aromas of cassis, cocoa powder and brown spices. Sweet and smooth on entry, then intensely flavored and tactile in the middle, with a plush creme de cassis flavor framed and intensified by mounting graphite minerality. Wonderfully suave wine with terrific back-end volume, very smooth tannins and lingering spiciness. Paul Golitzin describes 2008 as "focused and complex," while the 2009s, he says, are "ripe and fruity, like the 2005s." He says that he may prefer 2009 at this stage. |
|
| Ramey |
2008 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
5 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (2/2012): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon impresses for its layers of dark, plush fruit. Hints of cassis, grilled herbs, tobacco and cedar develop in the glass, adding further complexity and depth. Firm tannins frame the long finish. This is a very classic and beautiful Cabernet. In 2008 the blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, sourced from a number of sites, including Somerston, DeSantis, Lamoreaux and Snowden. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2028. |
|
|
2008 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$125 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (2/2012): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon impresses for its layers of dark, plush fruit. Hints of cassis, grilled herbs, tobacco and cedar develop in the glass, adding further complexity and depth. Firm tannins frame the long finish. This is a very classic and beautiful Cabernet. In 2008 the blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, sourced from a number of sites, including Somerston, DeSantis, Lamoreaux and Snowden. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2028. |
|
| Rasa Vineyards |
2008 |
Creative Impulse DuBrul Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$59 |
6 |
|
| |
| JD 95 (6/2011): Rasa’s 2008 Rasa Vineyards Creative Impulse DuBrul Vineyard is a beauty! A blend of 69% Cabernet and 31% Merlot that was aged for 30 months in 60% new French oak, the wine delivers brilliant aromas of black currant and brambly blackberry styled fruits that are intermixed with lead pencil, meat juice, tobacco, and background floral nuances. This is followed by a full bodied, impressively balanced wine that possesses a mouth-filling, rich texture that stays light and airy, good acidity, sweet fruit, and a long, structured finish. It should evolve positively for 3-5 years, and drink well through 2025. A serious, beautifully done wine. |
|
|
2008 |
Principia Reserve Syrah |
$79 |
5 |
|
| |
| JD 94+ (6/2011): A blend of 100% Syrah that’s sourced from 4 separate vineyards (Les Collines Vineyard, Seven Hills Vineyard, Lewis Vineyard, and Portteus Vineyard), the 2008 Rasa Vineyards Syrah Principia Reserve saw 30 months in 24% new French oak. Starting out reticent and slightly closed on the nose, it yields first-rate aromas of smoky black fruits, spiced meats, toast, coffee grinds, and crushed flowers with air. Full bodied on the palate and brilliantly textured, the wine possesses notable balance, beautifully sweet, polished fruit, and a long finish that picks up a chocolatey edge. While I prefer the ’07, this is still a straight up stunning Syrah that should easily evolve and drink well for 15+ years. |
|
| Realm |
2008 |
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$225 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94+ (12/2010): A brilliant wine (as one might expect, given the source for the raw material) is the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, with the Cabernet Sauvignon coming from the famed Clone 6. This wine (like so many wines from this parcel that is basically a gravel pit) has a very flinty/hot rocks sort of character to the cassis and blackberry fruit, a common element no matter who makes wine from this site. This wine from Realm is like Napa Valley’s version of La Mission Haut-Brion in Bordeaux. It is full-bodied, powerful, flowery, and at the same time, thick, rich and powerful. Giver it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the next 25+ years.
VM 92+ (5/2011): (96% cabernet sauvignon with 4% petit verdot): Good medium ruby. Black- and redcurrant, licorice, bitter chocolate and a musky cedary note on the nose. Juicy, intense and fruit-driven, with complicating smoke and mineral nuances. Offers subtle sweetness but comes across as a bit medicinal and bound-up today. Broadened nicely with aeration but this cabernet needs time. Today the dusty tannins are less refined than those of the To Kalon. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2008 |
The Bard Proprietary Blend |
$100 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (5/2011): (14.9% alcohol; 81% cabernet sauvignon with 13% petit verdot and 6% malbec): Full ruby. Reticent but pure aromas of black cherry, cassis, menthol and woodsmoke. Lush and sweet on entry, then a bit youthfully clenched in the middle, with bright acidity framing the purple fruit, chocolate and licorice flavors. In a tougher and more obviously tannic style than the Falstaff bottling and in need of at least three or four years of bottle aging. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2008 |
The Tempest Proprietary Blend |
$95 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (12/2010): The 2008 The Tempest (a blend of 50% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot) is a tribute to the Right Bank wines of Bordeaux. Its opaque purple color is followed by abundant aromas of graphite, white chocolate, blackberries and cassis. This is an extraordinarily endearing wine, already irresistible, and it should drink well for at least a decade or more. Virtually all of the grapes came from the Stagecoach Vineyard in the hills east of Oakville, with a small quantity of Petit Verdot coming from the Dr. Crane Vineyard in St. Helena. |
|
| Rhys |
2008 |
Horseshoe Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
BH 95 (10/2010): An exceptionally densely fruited nose that is intensely floral and nuanced with stone, spice and soft earth hints complements to perfection the impressively concentrated medium weight plus flavors that brim with dry extract such that the very firm tannins are rendered almost invisible at present though I suspect that they will become more visible as the baby fat recedes. This broad-scaled effort should age for up to a decade and last several more. Magnificent. Drink 2016+. Outstanding.
WA 87 (2/2011): The 2008 Syrah Horseshoe Ranch (also fermented with 100% stems and aged in 25% new French oak) comes from a parcel planted at a 1,600 foot elevation. While it was impressive from barrel last year, it now reveals more tannin as well as a muscular, masculine, austere, angular, brittle style. Hints of tea, earth and red currants are buried under the hard, sinewy, charmless tannins. This wine may become desiccated unless it fleshes out and reveals more depth of fruit. There is always a delicate balance between the concentration of fruit, ripeness and tannic structure. It is prudent to be skeptical when the tannins dominate a wine’s fruit characteristics so dramatically. It will be interesting to taste this offering in 3-4 years as it is certainly going to last given the acid and tannin profiles. However, I do not know whether it will ever develop much charm or generosity. |
|
|
2008 |
Skyline Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
BH 94 (10/2010): A more elegant and refined nose places perhaps even more emphasis on the floral component found in all of the Rhys wines that gives way to highly complex and equally refined middle weight flavors that are quite classy and while there is no lack of power or structure, the tannins are finer, all wrapped in a stunningly long and mineral-infused finish. A very stylish effort that should reward medium to long-term cellaring. Drink 2016+. Outstanding.
WA 92-94+ (2/2010): The gorgeous 2008 Pinot Noir Skyline Vineyard (175 cases from a 3 acre vineyard planted at 2,300 feet of elevation) boasts powdered rock and floral notes intermixed with sweet plum, sassafras, autumnal/forest, dark raspberry, and allspice characteristics. The complex aromatics are followed by a wine with vibrant acidity as well as impressive depth and richness. Cellar it for 2-3 years, and consume it over the following 15 or more. |
|
| Ridge Vineyards |
2008 |
Lytton Springs Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 93 (2/2011): Striking, intense black cherry and blackberry fruit with some spice and earth jump from the glass of the 2008 Lytton Springs, a blend of 74% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, and 5% Carignan. Dark ruby with a nice tannic overlay, the wine was aged 15 months in American oak. Spicy, impressively rich, with good acids and loads of concentration, this is a beauty to drink over the next 5-7 years.
VM 92 (5/2011): Saturated ruby. Dark berries, cherry, sassafras and smoky Indian spices on the nose, with an intense vanilla quality and a hint of dried violet. Opulent, palate-coating blackberry and mulberry flavors show a spicy, oaky quality, with gentle acidity providing lift. Dusty tannins add grip to the vanilla-tinged finish, which clings impressively. I have no doubt that this wine will absorb its oak with a few years or so of bottle age. |
|
| Rivers Marie |
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| Mark Ryan |
2008 |
Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon |
$51 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Dead Horse Red Wine |
$51 |
8 |
|
| |
| VM 92+ (12/2011): (a five-variety Bordeaux blend based on 62% cabernet sauvignon): Good deep red. Aromas of dark cherry, blueberry, minerals and pepper lifted by violet. Pliant, concentrated and sweet; lush and tactile but at the same time firmly built. Finishes with strong but integrated tannins and a serious structural underpinning. Very impressive. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2008 |
Long Haul Red Mountain Red Wine |
$51 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Water Witch Klipsun Vyd. Red Wine |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Water Witch Red Mountain Red Wine |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (10/2011): The 2008 Water Witch is a blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, and 2% Malbec sourced entirely from the Klipsun Vineyard and aged in 92% French oak. Toasty oak, earthy mineral, lots of spice, violets, black currant, and blackberry aromas set the stage for a large-scaled, voluminous, structured wine with layers of savory fruit, 3-4 years of aging potential, and a lengthy finish. Its drinking window will extend from 2014 to 2023+. |
|
| Sawyer Cellars |
2008 |
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon |
$30 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Saxum |
2008 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$119 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (8/2011): The 2008 Bone Rock comes across as quite delicate and perfumed in its expressive bouquet. Hints of smoke, mint and tar add complexity to the dark, black fruit in this beautifully balanced wine. I find a bit more complexity and nuance in the 2008 than in the 2009. I especially like the aromatic lift and freshness here. The 2008 Bone Rock is 83% Syrah (75% whole clusters), 13% Mourvedre and 4% Grenache. The wine spent 30 months in French oak and was bottled in January 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020. |
|
|
2008 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$119 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 98 (8/2010): The 2008 Booker Vineyard (92% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre, which had also been bottled immediately before my visit) has an opaque purple color and a wonderfully sweet nose of black cherry, black currant, licorice, incense, and some Asian spices. The wine has seamless lushness, a voluptuous texture, stunning purity, and a very long, 40-second-plus finish. Booker is another top site that I believe was planted with Justin Smith’s help. It is a 40-acre vineyard sitting on similar limestone soils. This incredible wine would probably benefit from a couple of years of cellaring, as the structure is more present, no doubt due to the high level of Syrah in the wine. It should evolve for 10-15 more years.
VM 94 (12/2010): (syrah with a bit of mourvedre) Inky ruby. Raspberry and cherry preserves on the nose, with complicating notes of rose oil, Szechuan peppercorn and allspice. Impressively complex, sappy red berry compote flavors are given grip by a touch of cherry pit and gain sweetness with air. For such a massive wine there's uncanny energy here as well. The finish repeats the floral and spice notes and clings with superb clarity and intensity. |
|
|
2008 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 94 (8/2010): The 2008 Broken Stones (79% Syrah, 13% Grenache, and the rest Mourvedre) has a bluish purple color to the rim, with the classic nose of camphor, charcoal, black currant, and blackberry with hints of licorice and smoke. This intense wine displays great fruit, some structure, and a beautifully seamless texture. It is more evolved and open than the 2007 was at the same time, and just slightly less profound. It should drink nicely for at least a decade.
VM 93 (12/2010): (79% syrah, 13% grenache and 8% mourvedre) Opaque purple. Exotic, floral and spice-accented black and blue fruits on the nose, with hints of fruitcake, vanilla and cola emerging with air. Impressively deep and powerful, offering sweet dark berry preserve and smoky spice flavors and a touch of candied violet. The extremely persistent finish is broad, sweet and penetrating, leaving smoke and spice notes behind. I like this wine's blend of depth and energy. |
|
|
2008 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (8/2010): The 2008 Heart Stone, a blend of 47% Syrah, 39% Grenache, and 14% Mourvedre, is very elegant but evolved and supple, with beautiful kirsch and black currant fruit intermixed with licorice, camphor, pepper, and a hint of lavender. More evolved than the 2007 was at a similar stage, but with slightly lower alcohols, its velvety tannins stand out in this rich, plush, opulent, voluptuously textured wine. Drink it over the next 7-10 years. |
|
|
2008 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$139 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 98 (8/2010): The 2008 James Berry Vineyard (52% Grenache, 31% Mourvedre, and 17% Syrah) saw some of its Grenache aged in the concrete eggs that are now catching on among some of the top producers on California’s Central Coast. With strong minerality from the limestone soil, this exuberant, fleshy, full-bodied wine is already drinking well. (I believe it was actually bottled just a day or two before my visit, which makes its performance that much more remarkable.) Dense purple, with sweet notes of barbecue smoke and meats as well as roasted herbs, extravagant black cherry, black currant, and blackberry fruit are all present in this wine, but there is plenty of underlying structure that comes from both the minerality and the Mourvedre component. Pure, full-bodied, but again, impressively elegant and nuanced, this is a tour de force and another prodigious example of this extraordinary vineyard site.
VM 95+ (12/2010): (52% grenache, 31% syrah and 17% mourvedre; 15.8% alcohol) Glass-staining ruby. A drop-dead bouquet displays red and dark berry preserves, potpourri, incense and smoky minerals. Sweet, sappy and penetrating, with open-knit raspberry and blackberry flavors complemented by notes of candied rose and violet. The palate-staining finish is broad, spicy and extremely persistent. This wine is approachable now but really deserves a good five more years of age. |
|
| Schrader |
2008 |
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$350 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 98+ (12/2010): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Schrader, which comes from Clones 4, 6 and 337, is slightly more structured and perhaps not as velvety as the CCS or RBS. Again, blue fruits, black fruits, camphor, charcoal and burning ember characteristics are presented in a full-bodied, powerful style that balances intensity with elegance and an uncanny equilibrium. This is another stunning wine that should benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for 25-30+ years. |
|
|
2008 |
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$395 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 98+ (12/2010): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Schrader, which comes from Clones 4, 6 and 337, is slightly more structured and perhaps not as velvety as the CCS or RBS. Again, blue fruits, black fruits, camphor, charcoal and burning ember characteristics are presented in a full-bodied, powerful style that balances intensity with elegance and an uncanny equilibrium. This is another stunning wine that should benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for 25-30+ years. |
|
|
2008 |
G III Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$325 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 97 (12/2010): The 2008s were bottled in early summer, 2010. From the Beckstoffer Vineyard, the opaque blue/purple-colored 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon George III Clone 337 rocks out of the glass with brilliant aromas of creme de cassis, Christmas fruitcake, cedarwood, licorice and incense. The wine is deep, full-bodied, dense and concentrated with outstanding purity, texture and length. It is approachable now (one of the seductive characteristics of these wines) yet is capable of lasting 25 or more years. |
|
|
2008 |
GIII Beckstoffer Georges III Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$375 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 97 (12/2010): The 2008s were bottled in early summer, 2010. From the Beckstoffer Vineyard, the opaque blue/purple-colored 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon George III Clone 337 rocks out of the glass with brilliant aromas of creme de cassis, Christmas fruitcake, cedarwood, licorice and incense. The wine is deep, full-bodied, dense and concentrated with Outstanding purity, texture and length. It is approachable now (one of the seductive characteristics of these wines) yet is capable of lasting 25 or more years. |
|
| Sheridan Vineyard |
2008 |
Cabernet Franc |
$40 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (8/2011): The 2008 Cabernet Franc (100%) from a vintage Greer considers to be “classically structured” spent 24 months in 50% new oak. Notes of dried herbs and spices, incense, cherry blossom, cassis, and black currant inform the nose of an already complex, ripe, savory wine with an elegant personality. Velvety, layered, and long, it will evolve for 2-3 years and drink well through 2023. |
|
|
2008 |
Block 1 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$119 |
8 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (8/2011): The 2008 Block 1 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% new French oak for 30 months. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it reluctantly gives up a brooding bouquet of pain grille, pencil lead, creme de cassis, black currants, floral notes, and earthy minerals. Dense, layered, and long, it will evolve gracefully for 6-8 years and will see in its 20th birthday in fine form. |
|
|
2008 |
L’Orage Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
12 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (8/2011): The 2008 L’Orage is composed of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Cabernet Franc aged for 26 months in 50% new oak. Super-fragrant notes of clove, cinnamon, incense, violets, black currant, and blackberry are followed by a wine that deftly combines elegance and power. Concentrated, ripe, and lengthy, this nicely proportioned wine will evolve for 4-5 years and drink well through 2028. |
|
|
2008 |
Singularity Syrah |
$55 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (8/2011): The 2008 Singularity is a cuvee of 100% Syrah aged in 100% new French oak for 30 months. Room-filling aromas of smoked meat, game, lavender, foresty notes, mocha, plum, and blueberry lead to a wine of both finesse and power. Mouth-coating, rich, and already complex, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and drink well through 2023. |
|
| Sine Qua Non |
2008 |
The Duel Syrah Cracked Wax Capsule; Heavily Bin-Soiled Label |
$399 |
1 |
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| |
WA 99 (8/2013): A prodigious effort that possesses overflowing richness and depth, the 2008 Syrah The Duel (88% Syrah, 6% Grenache and 6% Viognier, all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard) delivers an off-the-hook drinking experience with decadent cassis, blackberry, smoked meats, crushed flowers and hints of spice all soaring from the glass. A full-bodied, unctuous Syrah that stays fresh and elegant, with vibrant acidity, it needs a solid decant if drinking anytime soon and will see its 20th birthday in fine form. Drink now-2028.
VM 96 (1/2015): The 2008 Syrah The Duel, from Manfred and Elaine Krankl’s Eleven Confessions Vineyard, is also impossibly young, with little in the way of flavor development. I typically enjoy the Sine Qua Non reds either upon release or around age ten, so I probably should have followed my own advice. The 2008 is beautiful, but it will clearly be even better in another few years’ time. This is one of the most reticent bottles of the 2008 I have tasted. Antonio Galloni. |
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| Snowden |
2008 |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (12/2010): A dramatic upgrade, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve exhibits aromas of creme de cassis, burning embers, licorice and smoked herbs. It ratchets up the body, concentration and depth yet possesses silky smooth tannins and a forward style. This beauty should drink well for 15+ years. |
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| Soos Creek |
2008 |
Champoux Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
5 |
|
| |
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| Sparkman Cellars |
2008 |
Kingpin Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
6 |
|
| |
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| Spottswoode |
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$159 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 95+ (12/2010): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a glorious perfume of spring flowers, blueberries and black currants, good acidity and serious tannins as well as concentration. It is slightly more restrained and backward than the seamless, compelling 2007, but the 2008 possesses lots of stuffing as well as elegance married with purity, power and rare equilibrium. Drink it over the next 2-3 decades.
VM 90-92 (6/2010): (includes 6% cabernet franc) Good medium ruby. Blackberry and bitter chocolate aromas perked up by violet, mint and a hint of pepper. A fruity, supple midweight with precise cabernet character and excellent purity of flavor. The tannins begin quite fine but mount with air, ultimately cutting off the wine's lingering dark fruit flavors. Still, this young cabernet has the edge over the estate's 2006 today. Winemaker Jennifer Williams extended the skin contact during the vinification by 7 to 10 days in 2008 (up to 41 days for some lots) and believes that this approach resulted in a softening of the tannins in the tank. The big challenge in 2008, said Williams, was to pick in multiple passes and then sort carefully. |
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| Spring Mountain Vineyard |
2008 |
Elivette Proprietary Blend |
$110 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (5/2013): (75% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 6% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 1% malbec): Good medium-dark red. Dark cherry, mocha, tobacco leaf, fresh herbs and a rather intrusive woodsmoke quality on the nose. Fine-grained in texture but with the smoky oak element currently overshadowing red and darker fruit flavors. Owing to its modest sweetness of material, the tannins turn a bit dry with air. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2008 |
Elivette Proprietary Blend Lightly Wine-Stained Label |
$129 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (5/2013): (75% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 6% merlot, 5% petit verdot and 1% malbec): Good medium-dark red. Dark cherry, mocha, tobacco leaf, fresh herbs and a rather intrusive woodsmoke quality on the nose. Fine-grained in texture but with the smoky oak element currently overshadowing red and darker fruit flavors. Owing to its modest sweetness of material, the tannins turn a bit dry with air. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2008 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 88+ (5/2013): Full red-ruby. Black plum, licorice, herbs, menthol, cola and chocolatey oak on the slightly medicinal nose. Intense, rather smooth flavors of kirsch and menthol show less complexity today but a bit more energy and richness than those of the '08 Elivette. Still rather tightly coiled and tannic, with more to come with time in the cellar. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Stags' Leap Winery |
2008 |
Ne Cede Malis Petite Sirah |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Sterling Vineyards |
2008 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Franc |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
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| Tenor Wines |
2008 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$52 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 91 (12/2012): I’m very sympathetic to Morell’s view that Washington State wines should be taken on (and encourage perception in terms of) their own unique terms, but I certainly had a strong feeling of kinship with Bordeaux when I stuck my nose in a glass of Tenor 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon and encountered band-aid, pencil lead, cassis, olive, dark tobacco, and toasted nuts. The tannins here are so fine that despite their manifest density the effect is almost creamy; and the bittersweet elements inform a finish that while broodingly low-toned, possesses considerable primary juiciness unhindered in its flow by a regimen of 20 months in new barrel. I hope this wine is indicative of where more of the Tenor wines are headed, whether in the bottle or in future vintages.
VM 90+ (11/2011): Good medium ruby. Complex nose melds plum, currant, smoke, violet and dusty minerality. Juicy and firm, with sweetness restrained by the wine's underlying minerality. This seriously structured, very young cabernet finishes with solid tannins and rising, chocolatey persistence. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2008 |
Merlot |
$52 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 89 (11/2011): Good dark ruby-red. Blackberry, licorice, minerals and violet on the lively nose. Offers lovely sweetness but also good restraint to its dark berry and dark chocolate flavors. Finishes with firm tannins and very good length. Tenor is Matthews' high-end line. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2008 |
1:1 Proprietary Blend |
$70 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 88+ (11/2011): Saturated ruby. Black cherry, plum, mocha and licorice on the nose. Smoky on entry, then a bit gritty in the mid-palate, with substantial tannins cutting off the wine's fruit on the end. More saline and chocolatey than primary-fruity. This will require patience. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 87 (12/2012): Morell’s 2008 1:1 – whose elevage and blend hardly differ from that of the 2009 save for 5% more Cabernet Franc – is possessed of the same bitter sort of dark berry concentration and gum-numbing tannin as that successor, suggestion that an extra year in bottle is insufficient to have any significant effect in that department. Arbor vita, juniper berry, dark tobacco, rosemary and black pepper all add to the rather somber and austere as well as piquant and pungent impression made by this big-boned blend. I guess I have to hope to be able to revisit these wines after several years in bottle (though happily the 2007 was more harmonious and expressive). |
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| Tensley Wines |
2008 |
Colson Canyon Vyd. Syrah |
$55 |
5 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (8/2010): The 2008 Syrah Colson Canyon exhibits notes of scorched earth, smoked meats, blackberries, cassis, and flowers. The complex, northern Rhone-like bouquet is followed by the exuberant, unapologetic, ripe fruit of California. Boasting extraordinary intensity as well as abundant smoky barbecue notes, stunning, full-bodied opulence, and a powerful, layered mouthfeel, this terrific Syrah should drink well for 10-12 years. Fortunately, there are 1,650 cases available. As longtime readers know, Tensley has two wines (200 cases each) that are offered in magnum only. |
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| Terlato Vineyards |
2008 |
Episode Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$150 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Twomey Cellars (Silver Oak) |
2008 |
Merlot |
$38 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Andrew Will |
2008 |
Champoux Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (8/2011): The 2008 Champoux Vineyard is made up of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. It sports an inviting bouquet of sandalwood, rose petal, Asian spices, a hint of leather, black currant, and blackberry. This is followed by a succulent, plush, pleasure-bent wine that deftly conceals enough structure to evolve for 5-7 years. It offers a drinking window extending from 2016 to 2028+.
VM 91 (11/2011): Bright ruby-red. Spicy redcurrant and nutty oak on the nose and palate. Sweet, broad and concentrated, with concentrated currant fruit given a slightly dry edge by substantial dusty tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2008 |
Ciel du Cheval Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 93 (8/2011): The vineyard blends begin with the 2008 Ciel du Cheval. It is composed of 36% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 32% Cabernet Franc. Alluring aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, violets, incense, black currant, and blackberry inform the nose of a spicy, layered, impeccably balanced and structured wine that will benefit from 3-4 years of cellaring.
VM 93 (11/2011): (a blend of 36% merlot and 32% each cabernet sauvignon and franc): Deep red-ruby. Fresh aromas of dark berries, violet and cocoa powder, with a note of blueberries in cream emerging with air. Lovely sweet, generous berry fruit saturates the palate and carries impressively on the lively, very long finish, which hints at espresso. This broad, youthful wine is at once more structured and more friendly than the Champoux Vineyard offering. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2008 |
Sorella Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 95 (10/2011): (80% cabernet sauvignon, 14% cabernet franc and 6% merlot): Red-ruby. Sexy aromas of plum, brown spices and cedary oak. Sweet, fresh and concentrated, with brisk, intense flavors of raspberry, sandalwood and cocoa powder. Terrific lift to the fruit. Finishes impressively long, with noble tannins and palate-staining sweetness. A knockout.
WA 92 (8/2011): The 2008 Sorella lacks the mind-boggling personality of the great 2007 although it is still an Outstanding effort. It displays a bit of heat and lacks the length of its predecessor. |
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2008 |
Two Blondes Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 90 (6/2013): The most evolved and ready to go of the lineup, the 2008 Two Blondes Vineyard (42% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc and 9% Malbec) is an open-knit, supple and perfumed blend that gives up notions of plum, mint and aged beef to go with a delicious, medium-bodied, supple mouthfeel. Drinking at the early stages of maturity, it should continue to evolve and drink well for another 5-8 years.
VM 89 (11/2011): Medium red. Redcurrant, strawberry and a hint of mocha on the nose. Plush, broad and spicy, with a nutty quality to the strawberry and raspberry fruit flavors. Finishes with slightly dry tannins and moderate verve. I'd drink this blend on the early side. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Woodward Canyon |
2008 |
Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$115 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (8/2011): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series (which contains 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Syrah) has a superb pedigree with 76% of the fruit coming from the Champoux Vineyard in which the winery is a partner. It is a layered, savory, impeccably balanced effort that will continue to develop for another 3-4 years and drink well through 2023+. |
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|
2008 |
Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$149 |
1 |
|
| |
|
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