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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 2010 and 2010
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| Abreu |
2010 |
Howell Mountain Proprietary Blend  |
$349 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 100 (11/2013): The 2010 Howell Mountain is simply magnificent. Inky, deep, and full-bodied to the core, the 2010 blasts out of the glass with graphite, pencil shavings, menthol, melted road tar, plum, cassis and licorice notes. The 2010 is an exciting, viscerally thrilling wine that takes hold of the sense and never lets up. Today, it is firing on all cylidners. The Howell Mountain is the only Abreu wine that incorporates Malbec, a variety that seems to work magic here. The 2010 is 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Malbec and 5% Merlot.
WA 94-97 (10/2013): An absolute blockbuster, the 2010 Howell Mountain includes Malbec and Petit Verdot blended with the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. It boasts an inky/blue/purple color as well as a sumptuous perfume of barbecue smoke, lead pencil shavings and wet rocks. This ripe, smoky, intense, full-bodied wine reveals a boatload of tannins, but also richer fruit and a deeper, multidimensional mouthfeel and finish than the 2009, which appears to be more broodingly backward and structured. This appears to be a great success. Consume it over the next 25-30 years. |
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| Alban Vineyards |
2010 |
Reva Alban Estate Syrah |
$125 |
3 |
|
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| WA 95+ (8/2015): Coming from the coolest vintage on record at the time (before 2011), the 2010 Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard still hit 15.2% natural alcohol, of which it doesn't show a trace. Possessing the telltale Iodine and seaweed character this cuvee always shows, it has lots of darker fruits, smoked herbs, black olive and a touch of floral aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, concentrated, firm and structured, it's a serious, age-worthy wine from John that should be forgotten for 4-5 years. |
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| Anakota |
2010 |
Helena Dakota Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$95 |
2 |
|
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WA 96 (10/2013): The same can be said for the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard. However, it offers sweeter tannins as well as slightly more evolved and complex aromas of unsmoked, high class cigar tobacco, graphite, blackberries, cassis, spring flowers and a distinctive minerality. Although deep, full-bodied and backward, the sweet fruit and tannin provide a more upfront character than the 2009. It, too, is a 30-50-year wine.
VM 93 (5/2020): Bright ruby to the rim. Musky aromas of mountain blackberry and minerals, plus a whiff of leather and a violet high note. Plush, broad and utterly seamless on entry, but with the lively violet element giving definition to the fully ripe, sweet black fruits in the middle palate. A wave of fine tannins dusts the palate and teeth on the sweet but youthfully medicinal back end, which boasts terrific, slow-building length. This beauty delivers wonderfully plush fruit and considerable power without coming across as hot. (from a vineyard planted at 750 feet) (Drink between 2020-2032). Stephen Tanzer. |
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2010 |
Helena Montana Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$95 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95+ (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard is cut from the same cloth. Its opaque purple color and sweet creme de cassis fruit intermixed with crushed rock and forest floor notes lead to a broad, rich, full-bodied mouthfeel with excruciatingly high tannins and intense power and richness. It should be forgotten for at least a decade.
VM 93+ (5/2020): Saturated ruby to the rim. The nose shows more mineral lift but less fruit expressiveness than the Helena Dakota, offering hints of blackberry, cassis, menthol, flowers and spices. Sweet, dense and fine-grained but quite powerful too, conveying strong rocky minerality and verve. A bit less pliant on the finish than the Helena Dakota but the firm tannins are ripe and suave. Really stains the palate with violet. A higher-pitched wine than the Helena Dakota and a bit more tightly wound, reflecting its vineyard's somewhat higher altitude, but with its lovely floral lift and superb definition, this boasts outstanding potential for further development in bottle. (from a vineyard at 950 feet) (Drink between 2022-2037). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards |
2010 |
Eloge Proprietary Blend |
$85 |
7 |
|
| |
VM 93+ (11/2013): Grilled herbs, tobacco, menthol, licorice and plums all take shape in the 2010 Eloge. Rich, layered and expressive, the 2010 is resonant and deeply expressive throughout. Gently spiced notes appear on the finish, adding dimensions of complexity and nuance. Today the 2010 is a bit closed in on itself and a touch compact, while the aromatics aren't quite as precise as they could be. Drink between 2016-2030. Antonio Galloni.
WA 88 (10/2013): The Eloge program has always been Anderson’s Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon blend. From a late harvest (through the first week of November), the 2010 Eloge is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot aged 24 months in wood. Its dark plum/ruby color does not possess the saturation of the Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. Plenty of jammy blueberry, black cherry and wild mountain berry fruit set it apart from previous vintages of this cuvee. Medium-bodied and more Euro-centric in style, it is an attractive albeit lower-keyed, down-scaled version of Eloge. It should drink well for 10-12 years. Drink between 2013-2025. |
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2010 |
Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (11/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve is fabulous. It is also the best of the 2010s at the estate. A rich, powerful Cabernet, the 2010 captures the essence of the vintage. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, spices and tobacco all take shape in the glass. Today, the 2010 is firing on all cylinders. A huge, explosive finish rounds things out in style. Antonio Galloni. |
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2010 |
Right Bank Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (11/2013): Mocha, plums, cloves, menthol and licorice all flesh out in the 2010 Right Bank. Rich, layered and expressive, the 2010 stands out for its superb balance and layered personality. The 2010 is 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, with the Merlot playing a leading role in defining the wine's juicy, resonant personality. Antonio Galloni. |
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| Arietta |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 92+ (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa from proprietor Fritz Hatton is another winner. Rich and dense with an inky/blue/purple color, plenty of tannin and graphite, a touch of oak, and attractive spice, purity and texture, this young Cabernet should be forgotten for several more years, and drunk over the following 15-20, perhaps longer. |
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2010 |
88 Keys Cabernet Sauvignon |
$125 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (5/2017): Arietta's 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon 88 Keys is a deep, concentrated wine, qualities that are further brought out by extended time in barrel. Chocolate, torrefaction, spice and dark shades of fruit are pushed forward. This is an especially creamy, unctuous Cabernet that will appeal most to readers who like flamboyant wines. Andy Erickson gave the 2010 27 months in barrel. Antonio Galloni. |
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| Auteur |
2010 |
Shea Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
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| Avennia |
2010 |
Sestina (1.5 L) Cracked Wax Capsule; Signed Bottle |
$120 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2013): More toasty, rich and muscular, the 2010 Sestina has more Cabernet in the blend (73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc) and saw 70% new oak for 20 months. Coming from both Bacchus and Red Willow Vineyards, it offers up a serious bouquet of black raspberries, graphite, grilled toast, chocolate and wild herbs that flows to a full-bodied, concentrated and powerful 2010 that has Outstanding purity of fruit and burly back-end structure that will take some time to integrate. Less approachable at present than the Gravura, it needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will have 15+ years or more of total longevity. Drink 2016-2025+.
VM 93 (11/2012): (all from older vines, including a lot of 1972 Bacchus cabernet sauvignon; 73% cabernet, 18% merlot and 9% cabernet franc; aged in 70% new oak): Good full, dark red. Enticing aromas of redcurrant and sandalwood. Generous, pliant and rich, with sweet black raspberry fruit nicely lifted by strong minerality. The sweetest, roundest and fullest of these 2010s, more opulent than the Gravura and impressively broad on the back end. The tannins are serious but sweet on the very broad finish. This was the best set of new wines I tasted in Washington in July, but given their pedigree this should not come as a surprise. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Bedrock Wine Co. |
2010 |
Monte Rosso Vyd. Zinfandel |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (5/2012): Bright purple. Black and blue fruits on the highly fragrant, spice-accented nose. Juicy, penetrating blueberry and bitter cherry flavors show excellent clarity and pick up sweetness and a smoky nuance with air. Fine-grained tannins add shape and focus to the very long, seamless, alluringly sweet finish. |
|
| Beringer |
2010 |
Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$125 |
6 |
|
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| WA 96 (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is built from completely different sources. Sixty-six percent came from the St. Helena Home Ranch, 18% from the Chabot Vineyard, and the rest from Beringer’s estates in St. Helena, Rutherford and Coombsville. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that came in at 14.6% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.8. Perhaps the greatest Beringer Private Reserve since the 2007, 2005, 2002 and 2001, the 2010 offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, subtle smoke, wet rocks and background oak. Full-bodied, rich and impressive, it can be drunk now or cellared for two decades. |
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| Betz Family Winery |
2010 |
Clos de Betz Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$135 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 93+ (12/2012): (58% merlot, 35% cabernet sauvignon and 7% petit verdot): Bright, full red. Spicy high notes to the aromas of raspberry, graphite, sandalwood and cocoa powder. Juicy, perfumed and precise; not a fleshy style but elegant, vibrant and extremely young. Today the wine's mid-palate flavors and texture are still a bit suppressed by the bottling, but this long, firm-edged wine has the structure and inherent material to be Outstanding. In fact, I retasted the 2009 next to it, and while that wine was silkier and plusher, it is not likely to match the 2010 for complexity a few years down the road. |
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2010 |
La Cote Patriarche Syrah (1.5 L) |
$150 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (12/2012): Good full red-ruby. Pungent aromas of black raspberry, flint and licorice, lifted by an exotic white fruit quality. Very dense and pliant but with a light touch to the flavors of dark berries, tar and smoke lifted by minerals, peach and orange peel. Extremely closed and youthful but balanced from the start. Very elegantly styled and impressively intense wine with exotic high notes that remind me of a top Cote-Rotie. |
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2010 |
La Cote Rousse Syrah (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$109 |
1 |
|
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| VM 93+ (12/2012): (from a warmer site than the La Serenne): Bright red-ruby. Black raspberry, flowers, minerals and spices on the nose, plus a hint of black walnut that reminded me of Hermitage. Juicy on entry, then sinewy and penetrating in the middle, and clearly less pliant and sweet today than the La Serenne. The dark fruit and bitter chocolate flavors are supported by obvious Red Mountain structure. For all its power, the minerally, spicy, peppery finish displays very fine-grained tannins and lovely subtle persistence. Actually a bit higher in pH than the La Serenne but this is likely to need at least as much time in the cellar--say five or six years. |
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2010 |
La Serenne Syrah (1.5 L) |
$89 |
1 |
|
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| VM 94 (12/2012): (from Boushey Vineyard fruit): Bright nose features musky black raspberry, smoke, minerals, chocolate and a whiff of tar. Bright, delineated and intense, conveying terrific acidity for syrah. Proprietor Betz describes 2010 as "a return to structure in syrah" and this wine is also extremely primary, with tarry minerality and a cracked pepper quality adding nuance. Finishes with firm but suave tannins, excellent grip and terrific peppery lift. In texture, this wine is midway between Cote-Rotie and Saint-Joseph, and wonderfully fresh. |
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2010 |
Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) Signed Bottle |
$145 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95+ (6/2013): More firm and structured than the 2011, the Cabernet Sauvignon- dominated 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille is a classic Washington State Bordeaux blend and has notions of black currant, pencil shavings, tobacco and mineral all showing on both the nose and palate. Full-bodied, concentrated and rich, it too leans towards the elegant end of the spectrum with superb purity of fruit, clean acidity and ripe, polished tannin. Give it 2-3 years in the cellar and follow over the subsequent 15 years or more. Drink 2016-2025.
VM 94+ (12/2012): (86% cabernet sauvignon, 6% petit verdot and 8% merlot): Bright red-ruby. High-pitched aromas of blackberry, redcurrant, dried mint and thyme. Densely packed, tactile and sweet but youthfully bound-up, with brisk acidity giving terrific cut and precision to the wine's dark fruit and spearmint flavors. Finishes with strong tannic spine and a terrific structure for aging. As young as this cabernet is, with its inner-mouth perfume it's showier today than the Clos de Betz. I'd wait at least five years on this one. Interestingly, Bob Betz told me that the latest pickers got prunes in 2010 waiting for their pHs to go up and acids to come down. "Still, October saved the vintage," he added. (The 2009 Pere de Famille, which I rated 93(+?) last year, had gained in fullness and pliancy with another year in bottle, and merited 94 points. But the 2010 should show an even more eventful evolution in bottle.) |
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| Bevan Cellars |
2010 |
Napa Valley Red Wine |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
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2010 |
Ontogeny Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (12/2012): The 2010 Ontogeny is one of the more compact wines in this lineup. It has good depth and presence but not the personality or silkiness of the best wines here. Sweet red berries, crushed flowers and menthol add complexity on the finish. In this vintage the Ontogeny is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petite Verdot and 5% Merlot. (Drink between 2014-2022). Antonio Galloni. |
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| Blankiet |
2010 |
Prince of Hearts Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
5 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (5/2013): (a blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 3% cab franc and 1% petit verdot; aged in 50% new and 50% once-used barrels): Good deep ruby-red. Captivating mineral and floral lift to the aromas of raspberry and red licorice. Suave and perfumed in the mouth; not a monster of density but live acidity gives shape and lift to the juicy raspberry and spice flavors. This is too easy to drink! Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Booker Vineyard |
2010 |
Tempranillo |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (8/2012): There is no shortage of depth, power or richness in the 2010 Tempranillo. The 2010 boasts extraordinary purity and complexity, even if it doesn’t quite have the personality of the wines made from Rhone varieties. The 80% new oak has been absorbed masterfully. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. |
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2010 |
Alchemist 22 Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
1 |
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| VM 94-96 (8/2012): In my view, the 2010 Alchemist 22 is the wine that seems to gain the most through the extended time in barrel, as the tannins have an element of polish that isn’t found in the regular bottling. Perfumed aromatics are woven throughout an expressive core of dark red fruit, licorice, tar and mint. The overall impression is one of seamless beauty and tons of promise. This is a fabulous showing from Booker and proprietor Eric Jensen. Antonio Galloni. |
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2010 |
Fracture Syrah |
$89 |
3 |
|
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VM 95-97 (8/2012): The 2010 Fracture (Syrah) shows off gorgeous purity and finesse in its rich dark fruit. This is a decidedly overt, flashy wine, yet it also possesses stunning aromatics and impeccable, world-class balance. Layers of fruit built to the huge, opulent finish. I can hardly wait to taste this from bottle. In 2010, 100% of the fruit was de stemmed. Antonio Galloni.
JD 94-97 (6/2012): Not yet bottled and tasted out of barrel, the 2010 Booker Vineyard Syrah Fracture is possibly the most impressive vintage of this to date. A blend of 100% Syrah that’s aged all in French oak, it delivers a stunning bouquet of smoked black fruits, toast, chocolate, roasted meats, and crushed flowers that gives way to a full-bodied, structured, and elegantly put together palate. Chewy, ripe tannin frames the finish beautifully, and this is impressive. It should benefit from short term cellaring on release, and have a fairly broad drink window. |
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2010 |
My Favorite Neighbor Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
1 |
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WA 94-96 (8/2012): Booker’s 2010 My Favorite Neighbor bursts from the glass with a heady array of blueberries, dark cherries, spices, violets, mint and licorice. The 2010 stands out for its huge fruit and impeccable balance. Proprietor Eric Jensen planned to give the wine a full 24 months in oak. This is another compelling wine full of promise. The blend is 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Petit Verdot and 23% Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.
VM 92 (12/2012): (made from 44% cabernet sauvignon, 33% petit verdot and 23% syrah): Bright purple. Spicy cherry, cassis and blueberry aromas are brightened by cracked pepper and rose, with a slow-building vanilla note adding sweetness. Pliant, deeply concentrated dark berry flavors show very good precision and energy, with an exotic building floral pastille note adding vibrancy. Shows impressive power on the finish, which offers a bitter cherry pit character and noteworthy persistence. |
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2010 |
Oublie Proprietary Blend |
$62 |
1 |
|
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| WA 94 (8/2012): The 2010 Oublie opens with exquisite aromatics. Dark cherries, incense, exotic spices, flowers and mint are beautifully layered in this delineated, striking wine. A gorgeous, totally refined finish elevates the Oublie to a rarified level. The blend is 43% Syrah, 26% Mourvedre, 16% Counoise and 15% Grenache, with about 30% whole clusters used in vinification. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. |
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2010 |
Remnant Proprietary Blend |
$69 |
1 |
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WA 96 (8/2012): The 2010 Remnant is gorgeous and utterly refined from the very first taste. Dark red cherries plums, licorice, incense, mint and spices are some of the many notes that jump from the glass in this delineated, fragrant red. The appropriately named Remnant is 60% Syrah, 20% Tempranillo, 11% Mourvèdre, 5% Grenache and 4% Counoise, all what Jensen calls 'super-press juice,' which is the part of the press many winemakers don't even use in their final blends. In other words, Remnant is essentially a wine made from leftovers. Frankly, this a bit of a miracle in the glass, but everything works together beautifully. That can only mean that Booker is a great site, and Eric Jensen knows how to coax the very best from his vines.
VM 93 (11/2012): Dark purple. Powerful aromas of candied dark berries, licorice and mocha, with smoke and allspice nuances that build with air. Lush and expansive, offering ripe black and blue fruit flavors lifted by gentle acidity. Closes sweet, supple and very long, with pliant tannins and resonating spiciness. Josh Raynolds.
JD 93 (6/2012): Even more structured and firm, the 2010 Booker Vineyard Remnant is a blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Tempranillo, 11% Mourvedre, 5% Grenache, and 4% Counoise that contains a touch of press wine, and was fermented with 50% whole cluster and aged all in neutral oak for 16 months. Very masculine and edgy, with aromas of blackberry and currant fruit intermixed with dark chocolate, pan drippings, and bloody meat, this full-bodied blend is savory, chewy, and concentrated on the palate. The edgy quality of the Tempranillo really shows in the tannin structure and this will benefit from 1-2 years (or more) of bottle age, and have an interesting evolution. |
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2010 |
Ripper Grenache |
$99 |
1 |
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| WA 97+ (8/2012): I was blown away by the 2010 Ripper, a 100% Grenache done in concrete for the first time. It boasts captivating aromatic complexity, layers of sweet, refined fruit and fabulous overall balance. Vivid red fruit, flowers, mint and spices linger on the sublime finish. The Ripper boasts extraordinary varietal expression. Making pure Grenache in Paso Robles is not easy, but this is a model of what can be achieved here. Although impeccably restrained, the sheer glycerin and richness are pure California. The 2010 Ripper is a modern-day classic from Booker and proprietor Eric Jensen. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. |
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2010 |
The Alchemist Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
1 |
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| JD 94+ (6/2012): The 2010 Booker Vineyard The Alchemist (80% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Petit Sirah and in 50% new French oak) is much more in the typical Booker Spectrum and is a classic, textbook Paso Robles blend. Offering up chocolate-laced aromas of blackberry, raspberry, spice, smoke, and tar, this full-bodied, powerful blend is voluptuous and gorgeously textured, while still showing the focused profile of the 2010 vintage. Beautifully pure, layered, and rich, this beauty will age gracefully for a decade or more. |
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2010 |
Vertigo 22 Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
1 |
|
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| VM 93-95 (8/2012): Booker's 2010 Vertigo 22 wraps around the palate with dark red fruit, flowers, mint and spices. The extra time in barrel has given the Vertigo 22 a dimension of seamlessness and total integration the regular bottling doesn't have. At the same time, some of the vibrancy and pure energy of the regular Vertigo has been dampened ever so slightly. Readers will find much to admire in both. Antonio Galloni. |
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2010 |
Vertigo Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
1 |
|
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| JD 94 (6/2012): A big, classic Booker Syrah, the 2010 Booker Vineyard Vertigo (63% Syrah, 25% Grenache, and 12% Mourvedre aged for 16 months in 70% new French oak) is loaded with juicy red and black fruits, dark chocolate, licorice, and subtle floral qualities to flow to a full-bodied, gorgeously textured wine. While there’s loads of texture and fruit here, this is far from soft, and possesses integrated acidity, notable balance, and a clean, focused finish. It should drink nicely for 5-8 years or more. |
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| Bryant Family Vineyard |
2010 |
DB4 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$165 |
6 |
|
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| WA 94 (12/2012): The 2010 DB4 is insanely beautiful. Crushed rocks, plums, cinnamon and licorice jump from the glass from this striking, delineated wine. In 2010, the DB4 has a level of pure energy and vibrancy that is missing in the 2009, most likely because it also includes declassified lots from the Bettina. This is a great showing from Don Bryant and his team. In most cellars, the DB4 would be the top wine, but here it is the second label. Top flight Napa Cabernet is seldom inexpensive, but this is just about as good as it gets for the money. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. |
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| Bunnell Family Cellars |
2010 |
Red Mtn. Syrah |
$20 |
1 |
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| Cabaud |
2010 |
Mon Hommage Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
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| Cadence |
2010 |
Bel Canto Red Mtn. Cara Mia Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (12/2012): (77% cabernet franc, 15% merlot and 8% petit verdot): Good medium red. Stunning high-pitched perfume of strawberry, cherry, rose petal and pepper. Then dense, round, thick and seamless, with highly concentrated flavors of red berries, flowers and spices. Manages to be wonderfully silky and taut at the same time, thick yet weightless from start to very long finish. This wonderfully perfumed wine displays even sweeter tannins than the Ciel du Cheval bottling. It may not be quite as velvety as the outstanding 2009 version but it offers great aromatic character and energy and is a superb reflection of its cooler year. I look forward to revisiting this beauty in six or seven years. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2010 |
Bel Canto Red Mtn. Cara Mia Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$100 |
2 |
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| VM 94 (12/2012): (77% cabernet franc, 15% merlot and 8% petit verdot): Good medium red. Stunning high-pitched perfume of strawberry, cherry, rose petal and pepper. Then dense, round, thick and seamless, with highly concentrated flavors of red berries, flowers and spices. Manages to be wonderfully silky and taut at the same time, thick yet weightless from start to very long finish. This wonderfully perfumed wine displays even sweeter tannins than the Ciel du Cheval bottling. It may not be quite as velvety as the outstanding 2009 version but it offers great aromatic character and energy and is a superb reflection of its cooler year. I look forward to revisiting this beauty in six or seven years. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2010 |
Camerata Cara Mia Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$40 |
1 |
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| WA 93 (6/2023): Ben’s Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend from his estate vineyard, the 2010 Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard, checks in at 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and then equal parts Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Perfumed and complex aromatically, with plenty of blackberry, blueberry, violets and resinous herb qualities on the nose, it is beautifully constructed on the palate with a layered, rich texture, juicy acidity and ripe tannin that emerges on the finish. While the most structured and firm of Ben’s 2010s, it still dishes out plenty of pleasure even now. Enjoy bottles over the coming decade. Drink now-2024. |
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2010 |
Tapteil Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$80 |
2 |
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| VM 93+ (12/2012): (64% cabernet sauvignon, 22% cabernet franc and 14% merlot): Saturated, bright full red. A bit redder on the nose than the Ciel du Cheval bottling, with notes of raspberry and strawberry syrup accented by dusty minerality. Then fatter, richer and more powerful in the mouth, showing more breadth and texture than the Ciel but not quite the same floral cut. Concentrated red fruit and spice flavors are joined by earth tones on the long finish, which features strong, building tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Carte Blanche (Nicholas Allen) |
2010 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$99 |
3 |
|
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| VM 94 (12/2012): Another powerful, young wine, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is incredibly dense and virtually impenetrable. Blue and black fruit, grilled herbs, licorice, new leather, menthol and tobacco flow through to an incisive finish layered with graphite and crushed rocks. Today, the 2010 is cool and implosive, suggesting it needs at least another few years to come together. The addition of 10% Petit Verdot seems to give the wine some of its brooding personality. Antonio Galloni. |
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| Caymus |
2010 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$115 |
2 |
|
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| WA 94 (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is a beauty. Dense ruby/purple-colored, it is filled with creme de cassis fruit, supple tannins and an opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel. The family believes in delivering exceptional pleasure and intensity to their wines, but they also have remarkable aging potential as the 1975 and 1976 Special Selections in my cellar bear witness. |
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2010 |
Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon |
$315 |
2 |
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| |
WA 98 (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection exhibits an opaque purple color, slightly more toasty oak in the aromatics, and explosive richness on the attack, mid-palate and length. The nose is slightly more restrained than in the regular bottling, but there is no doubting the Special Selection is a cut or two above the Napa bottling when it hits the palate. Extraordinary purity of fruit, creme de cassis, licorice and incense all emerge from this full-bodied, iconic classic. It can be enjoyed now and over the next 25+ years.
VM 93 (12/2012): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection is, big, rich, voluptuous and totally sexy. Mocha, chocolate, plums, sweet spices and black cherries jump from the glass in this full-bodied, intense wine. This is one of the more immediate wines of the vintage, but all the elements are very nicely balanced. Once again Caymus has produced a gorgeous Special Selection that is delicious on its own, but that is also remarkable for a relatively large production of 9,600 cases that will make it easy to find. |
|
| Cobb |
2010 |
Diane Cobb Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$106.25 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 92+ (7/2013): The 2010 Pinot Noir Diane Cobb: Coastlands Vineyard has an extra level of mid-palate juiciness and depth next to the straight Coastlands bottling. Sweet, dense and perfumed, the 2010 is all about texture and perfume, of course in the restrained style of the vintage. Readers who can resist the temptation of opening bottles for at least a few years will be on for a real treat. (Drink between 2013-2031). Antonio Galloni.
WA 92 (11/2020): Pale garnet, the 2010 Pinot Noir Diane Cobb Coastlands Vineyard has an incredible perfume of violets, tea leaves, tangerine and loads of dried, sweet red berry fruits with alluring earth and amaro accents. The light-bodied palate is so elegant, with chocolaty tannins, seamless freshness and delicate, pure sweet berry fruits, finishing long, uplifted and ethereal. Wow! What a gorgeous, mature Sonoma Cost Pinot Noir. |
|
| Coleman Nicole |
2010 |
Roman’s Lot II Pinot Noir |
$31.50 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2010 |
Roman’s Lot II Pinot Noir |
$45 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Corliss |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$85 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (1/2024): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon captivates with an initial burst of black raspberry and clove, then closes in on itself, coming across as youthfully brooding. This is racy and sleek, traversing sweet and sour with its tart wild berry fruits and spices. It's the acidity that really shines here, enlivening the palate while forcing the mouth to water. The 2010 tapers off with notes of hard red candies, licorice and rose. What a darling. (Drink between 2023-2029). Eric Guido. |
|
|
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$170 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (1/2024): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon captivates with an initial burst of black raspberry and clove, then closes in on itself, coming across as youthfully brooding. This is racy and sleek, traversing sweet and sour with its tart wild berry fruits and spices. It's the acidity that really shines here, enlivening the palate while forcing the mouth to water. The 2010 tapers off with notes of hard red candies, licorice and rose. What a darling. (Drink between 2023-2029). Eric Guido. |
|
|
2010 |
Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (11/2013): Good red-ruby. Redcurrant, licorice and graphite on the nose, lifted by floral and minty nuances. At once broad and delineated in the mouth, with lovely perfume and energy to the flavors of redcurrant, cocoa powder, tobacco leaf and sexy oak. Very fresh, pliant blend with a savory, slow-building aftertaste featuring suave tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$130 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (11/2013): Good red-ruby. Redcurrant, licorice and graphite on the nose, lifted by floral and minty nuances. At once broad and delineated in the mouth, with lovely perfume and energy to the flavors of redcurrant, cocoa powder, tobacco leaf and sexy oak. Very fresh, pliant blend with a savory, slow-building aftertaste featuring suave tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Coup de Foudre |
2010 |
Cuvee 37.2 Proprietary Blend |
$50 |
11 |
|
| |
| WA 90 (10/2013): The 2010 Merlot 37.2 Cuvee is composed of 56% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Seductive notes of kirsch, licorice, lavender and lots of juicy fruits characterize this velvety-textured, opulent Merlot that cascades over the palate with no hard edges. This is pure hedonism combined with class and complexity. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years. |
|
| Robert Craig |
2010 |
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2012): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is an effortless and totally gracious wine. It doesn’t have the overt weight and power of the Mt. Veeder bottling, instead all the elements are much more subtle. Make no mistake, there is plenty of underlying structure, power and depth. The essence of raspberry jam, flowers, mint and sweet spices is layered in the elegant finish. This is another wine that will require further time in bottle to show its best. The blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030. |
|
|
2010 |
Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (12/2012): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District is surprisingly open for the vintage and its provenance. It is the most accessible of the 2010 Cabernets I tasted from Robert Craig this year. Layers of dark red fruit, Chambord, cloves and mint linger on the subtle, perfumed finish. This is one of the more feminine 2010s in the lineup. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030. |
|
| Culler |
2010 |
Cortese Vyd. Syrah |
$50 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (12/2012): Culler's 2010 Syrah Cortese Vineyard is gorgeous. To be sure, this is an understated Syrah that emphasizes sweet floral fruit, bright aromatics and silky tannins. More typical varietal notes are just beginning to develop. Hints of sage, game, licorice and smoke add complexity on the finish. The Cortese Syrah emerges from a site in Coombsville planted with Estrella and Cote Rotie selections. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2010 |
Sawi Vyd. Syrah |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Dalla Valle |
2010 |
Maya Proprietary Blend Nicked Label |
$349 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98+ (10/2013): The 2010 Maya is a less evolved, more backward, brooding wine with a dense opaque blue/purple color, explosive richness, and abundant notes of incense, camphor, charcoal, blackberries, blueberries and hints of violets and forest floor. Full-bodied, pure, deep, structured and powerful, this massive Maya comes across as even bigger and richer than the 2009. Forget it for 3-5 years and drink it over the following 30+ years.
VM 96+ (6/2013): (two-thirds cabernet sauvignon and one-third cab franc): Deep, bright ruby. Crushed blueberry and violet on the perfumed nose. Densely packed and wonderfully aromatic, with terrific floral lift to the sharply delineated dark berry flavors. Almost painful in the early going, but has great energy and class. Finishes with big, broad tannins and Outstanding vibrating persistence. Should turn out to be one of the monuments of the vintage. I've long been a sucker for cabernet franc from this red volcanic soil on the eastern hillside above Oakville. |
|
| Dancing Hares |
2010 |
Proprietary Blend |
$99 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| DeLille Cellars |
2010 |
Chaleur Estate Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94 (6/2013): Along the same lines quality-wise, yet with more spice, toast, sage and hints of bay leaf, the 2010 Chaleur Estate has lavish richness and depth in the mouth, with superb mid-palate concentration, masses of ripe tannin and a knockout finish. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc that’s from the Ciel du Cheval, Upchurch and Klipsun Vineyards, it is a serious Cabernet Sauvignon that will have 15-20 years of longevity. Decant if drinking anytime soon. Drink 2017-2028+.
VM 93 (11/2011): (an 80/20 blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon; the winery cut back on the percentage of semillon in 2010): Bright full yellow. Knockout nose combines musky curry powder and cumin notes with pineapple oil, ginger and chlorophyll; today it's the sauvignon blanc that dominates. Then supple and intense in the mouth, with excellent acidity serving to frame and intensity the peach, citrus, chlorophyll and basil flavors. Finishes very long, serious and suave, leaving an impression of fairly low alcohol. A beauty. |
|
|
2010 |
Doyenne Proprietary Blend |
$30 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (11/2013): Bright red. Aromas of blackberry and licorice are complicated by spicy oak and white pepper. Juicy, spicy and penetrating, with lovely intensity to the youthfully tight red berry flavors. Finishes sweet and long, with firm but harmonious tannins. I'd give this at least a year in the cellar before pulling the cork. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Doyenne Signature Syrah |
$35 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2013): Also outstanding, with a deep, black fruit-driven core , the 2010 Doyenne Signature Syrah is 97.5% Syrah and 2.5% Viognier that saw roughly 30% new French oak. Smokey, meaty and peppery, with plenty of underbrush, violets, chocolate and Asian spice emerging with air, this full-bodied Syrah has superb purity of fruit, a lush, seamless texture and plenty of focus and length on the finish. Drink it over the coming decade.
VM 91 (11/2013): Aromas of cranberry, blackberry, pepper and fennel, along with a floral element. Creamy red fruit flavors are nicely framed by harmonious acidity. Very sexy fruit-driven syrah with sweet tannins and excellent length. Winemaker Chris Upchurch noted that following the investment in DeLille Cellars by Bacchus Capital, production here is expected to rise in a series of increments from the current 12,000 cases-per-year level. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Grand Ciel Cabernet Sauvignon |
$115 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (11/2013): Dark berries and minerals on the vibrant, sweet nose. Intensely flavored but light on its feet, conveying an impression of serious power without any excess weight. Dark berry fruit flavors are complicated by subtle soil tones and strong graphite minerality. This wonderfully concentrated, seamless wine finishes with noble tannins and Outstanding palate-staining persistence. A good bit of this material is declassified into DeLille's D2 and Four Flags bottlings. Wonderfully suave Washington cabernet for extended cellaring. |
|
|
2010 |
Harrison Hill Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
11 |
|
| |
WA 95 (6/2013): More complex, deep and mineral-driven, the awesome 2010 Harrison Hill (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot) comes from the tiny Snipes Mountain AVA and the second oldest planting of vines in the state. Loaded with notions of smoked herbs, crushed stone, tobacco, bay leaf, black currant and hints of saddle leather, it flows seamlessly onto the palate with full-bodied richness, brilliant extract and serious persistence on the finish. Despite have knockout richness, it’s also silky, weightless and elegant, with juicy acidity lifting up the finish. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 15 years or more. Drink 2016-2028+.
VM 92 (11/2013): (65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 9% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot): Cassis, blackberry and a nutty nuance on the nose. Fat, lush and sweet; showing a much more open-knit texture today than the Lot 1 cabernet. Seamless and long, with tannins thoroughly buffered by dark fruit. |
|
|
2010 |
Harrison Hill Proprietary Blend Bin-Soiled Label |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (6/2013): More complex, deep and mineral-driven, the awesome 2010 Harrison Hill (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot) comes from the tiny Snipes Mountain AVA and the second oldest planting of vines in the state. Loaded with notions of smoked herbs, crushed stone, tobacco, bay leaf, black currant and hints of saddle leather, it flows seamlessly onto the palate with full-bodied richness, brilliant extract and serious persistence on the finish. Despite have knockout richness, it’s also silky, weightless and elegant, with juicy acidity lifting up the finish. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 15 years or more. Drink 2016-2028+.
VM 92 (11/2013): (65% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot, 9% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot): Cassis, blackberry and a nutty nuance on the nose. Fat, lush and sweet; showing a much more open-knit texture today than the Lot 1 cabernet. Seamless and long, with tannins thoroughly buffered by dark fruit. |
|
|
2010 |
Lot 2 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$50 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| Den Hoed |
2010 |
Andreas Wallula Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 94 (6/2014): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Andreas is gorgeous. Comprised of 100% Cabernet and aged 30 months in 90% new French oak, it gives up classic Cabernet Sauvignon flair with green tobacco, black currant, lead pencil and underbrush flowing to a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, rich and yet still fresh profile on the palate. In short, it’s a stunning Cabernet to drink over the coming 20 years or more.
VM 91+ (12/2014): Bright, saturated red-ruby. Deep, complex aromas of blueberry, violet and mocha. A sweet, lovely midweight with intense dark berry and chocolate flavors accented by violet florality. Really superb depth of fruit here. This very primary wine finishes broad and sweet, with suave tannins and lovely lift. Should enjoy a graceful evolution in bottle. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Donelan |
2010 |
Cuvee Moriah Proprietary Blend |
$50 |
10 |
|
| |
JD 89-91 (12/2011): I was able to taste each component destined for the 2010 Donelan Cuvée Moriah and this cuvee always excels aromatically, and this vintage is no exception. Sporting already complex notions of herbs de Provence, pepper, earth, and meaty characteristics, each component was medium-bodied, well balanced, and possessed an overall fresh, pure character. Lighter styled and elegant, this will most likely benefit from 1-3 years of bottle age, and have upwards of a decade of prime drinking.
VM 88-90 (2/2012): Donelan's 2010 Cuvee Moriah is a blend of 54% Grenache, 26% Mourvèdre and 20% Syrah fermented with 25-50% whole clusters depending on the variety. Mint, licorice, tar, smoke and blackberries are some of the notes that take shape in the glass as this intensely aromatic wine opens up in the glass. Today the tannins are a bit firm and I get a sense the fruit may not have achieved full ripeness. It will be interesting to see how the wine develops after bottling. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| L' Ecole No. 41 |
2010 |
Apogee Pepper Bridge Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2013): Along the same lines and focusing on Pepper Bridge Vineyard, the 2010 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard (56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 7% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc that sees the same treatment in the winery as the Perigee) offers up a deeper, mineral-laced profile of black currant, tobacco, earth and crushed stone. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with great mid-palate depth and building tannin, it too needs a handful of years to round into shape and will have an easy 15 years of ultimate longevity. Drink 2016-2025.
VM 91+ (11/2013): Saturated, bright ruby-red. Black raspberry, licorice and a full dose of oak on the nose. Fat, ripe and sweet, with excellent breadth to its dark fruit and chocolate flavors. But can't quite match the Perigee for definition of fruit or distinction. More closed today but still full of life. Finishes with serious, building tannins that call for at least three or four years of patience. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Apogee Pepper Bridge Vyd. Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$110 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2013): Along the same lines and focusing on Pepper Bridge Vineyard, the 2010 Apogee Pepper Bridge Vineyard (56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 7% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc that sees the same treatment in the winery as the Perigee) offers up a deeper, mineral-laced profile of black currant, tobacco, earth and crushed stone. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with great mid-palate depth and building tannin, it too needs a handful of years to round into shape and will have an easy 15 years of ultimate longevity. Drink 2016-2025.
VM 91+ (11/2013): Saturated, bright ruby-red. Black raspberry, licorice and a full dose of oak on the nose. Fat, ripe and sweet, with excellent breadth to its dark fruit and chocolate flavors. But can't quite match the Perigee for definition of fruit or distinction. More closed today but still full of life. Finishes with serious, building tannins that call for at least three or four years of patience. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Perigee Estate Seven Hills Vyd. Red Wine (1.5 L) |
$90 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93 (6/2013): One of the estate-s single vineyard releases that focuses on the Seven Hills Vineyard that-s located in the southwestern part of the Walla Walla Valley, the 2010 Perigee Estate Seven Hills Vineyard is comprised of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot. Spending 22 months in 50% new French oak, it-s a knockout effort that has full-bodied richness and depth as well as beautifully complex aromas and flavors of black cherries, raspberry, spice box, underbrush and toast. Concentrated, layered and with plenty of ripe tannin, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will drink beautifully through 2025. Drink 2016-2025.
VM 92+ (11/2013): Full, deep ruby-red. Enticing high-toned aromas of currant, blackberry, dark cherry, coffee, mocha and subtle spices. Sweet, spicy and concentrated on the palate, offering lovely tension to the dark fruit and mocha flavors. Impressive density and medicinal reserve here for aging. Suave, balanced and deep, finishing with noble building tannins and terrific length. Very classy wine: an outstanding vintage for this bottling. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Efeste |
2010 |
Big Papa Cabernet Sauvignon |
$60 |
10 |
|
| |
|
| Ehlers Estate |
2010 |
Merlot |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 89 (10/2013): The juicy, sexy, well-made 2010 Merlot (97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc) reveals an attractive dark ruby/purple color in addition to notes of mocha, berry fruit and spice, a generous, opulent mouthfeel and a heady finish |
|
|
2010 |
1886 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon 1886 is composed of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. This brilliant, rich Cabernet boasts a deep blue/purple color as well as admirable ripeness, a touch of toasty oak, and copious blueberry, black currant, licorice and forest floor characteristics. Full-bodied and well-balanced with supple tannins, it can be drunk now or cellared for a decade or more. |
|
| Epoch Estate Wines |
2010 |
Authenticity Proprietary Blend |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Fairchild Estate |
2010 |
Sigaro Cabernet Sauvignon |
$135.15 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2010 |
Sigaro Cabernet Sauvignon |
$159 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Favia |
2010 |
Cerro Sur Proprietary Blend |
$100 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95 (10/2013): The 2010 Cerro Sur emphasizes their belief in older vines, and tiny yielding Cabernet Franc vines. The 2010, a blend of 69% Cabernet Franc and 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, exhibits a deep ruby/purple color and an expansive perfume of blueberries, violets and licorice, a succulent, plush, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, silky tannins, and no evidence of wood. It was bottled without fining or filtration. Drinkable now, it should last for 10-15 years.
VM 93+ (5/2020): Bright dark ruby to the rim. Darker and more brooding than the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Offers aromas of black cherry, licorice, menthol, brown spices and a whiff of fennel, but a bit bound-up today. Tighter and a bit higher-pitched than the Cabernet Sauvignon, with its sweetness and brisk acidity yet to come into perfect harmony. Very concentrated and structured even if it's not yet showing quite the current appeal and silkiness of the Cabernet but this wine too boasts terrific energy and its tannins are very suave. Finishes with a touch of Cabernet Franc leafiness, sexy dusty soil tones and a whiff of tobacco, not to mention plenty of tannic support and outstanding persistence. I suspect there's still more to come. Incidentally, this bottle lost none of its verve with 48 hours in the refrigerator but it will never be as plush and pliant as the Napa Valley version. A classic, potentially long-lived example of Cabernet Franc from cooler Coombsville. (Drink between 2022-2037). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
The Lincoln Grenache |
$60 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Figgins Estate |
2010 |
Proprietary Blend |
$85 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 97 (6/2013): On another level, the 2010 Estate Red Wine is something to behold! A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon – yet with smaller portions of Merlot and Petit Verdot – aged in 75% new and 25% 1-year-old French oak barrels for 20 months, it has a decidedly dark fruit profile with Pauillac-like aromas of black raspberry, creme de cassis, coffee bean, graphite, mineral and toasted bread all emerging from the glass. Deep, rich and layered, with a full-bodied, concentrated and structured feel on the palate, it fleshes out beautifully with air and is up there with the creme de la creme of the vintage and region. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age (or more) and will have 20-25 years of evolution. Drink 2016-2035. Coming from an estate vineyard that’s located on the eastern edge of the Walla Walla Valley, off of Mill Creek Road and at an elevation of roughly 1,750 feet, these wines are made by Chris Figgins (of Leonetti) and show classic profiles. As the score suggests, this is one producer not to miss! |
|
|
2010 |
Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$179 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 97 (6/2013): On another level, the 2010 Estate Red Wine is something to behold! A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon – yet with smaller portions of Merlot and Petit Verdot – aged in 75% new and 25% 1-year-old French oak barrels for 20 months, it has a decidedly dark fruit profile with Pauillac-like aromas of black raspberry, creme de cassis, coffee bean, graphite, mineral and toasted bread all emerging from the glass. Deep, rich and layered, with a full-bodied, concentrated and structured feel on the palate, it fleshes out beautifully with air and is up there with the creme de la creme of the vintage and region. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age (or more) and will have 20-25 years of evolution. Drink 2016-2035. Coming from an estate vineyard that’s located on the eastern edge of the Walla Walla Valley, off of Mill Creek Road and at an elevation of roughly 1,750 feet, these wines are made by Chris Figgins (of Leonetti) and show classic profiles. As the score suggests, this is one producer not to miss! |
|
| Force Majeure |
2010 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series I Proprietary Blend |
$60 |
4 |
|
| |
WA 95 (6/2013): Made by Ben Smith of Cadence with the overall intent to show elegance and refinement in a Washington blend, the 2010 Collaboration Series I checks in as a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance equal parts Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Borderline opaque purple in color, it offers a perfumed, civilized bouquet of fresh black raspberry, damp underbrush, pencil shavings, toast and violets to go with a full-bodied, gorgeously balanced and pure mouthfeel on the palate that carries a light texture and ripe tannin. All from the first-rate Ciel du Cheval vineyard and aged in 70% new French oak, it is an elegant, ethereal and age-worthy blend that will evolve gracefully for 3-4 years and have upwards of 10-12 years or more of ultimate longevity. Drink 2016-2025.
VM 92+ (11/2013): (64% cabernet sauvignon, and 12% each cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot; includes cabernet sauvignon plantings dating back to 1982 and 1975; made by Ben Smith; five of the eight barrels were new): Good dark red. Aromas and flavors of blueberry, coffee, mocha and sexy coconutty oak are lifted by a minty high note. Fine-grained and suave, in a distinctly cooler style for the year. Firm acidity and a pronounced medicinal reserve contribute to the impression of solid structure. Finishes with very smooth tannins and excellent length. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series III Proprietary Blend |
$60 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (11/2013): Bright ruby. Sexy, vibrant aromas of black raspberry and blueberry lifted by high notes of flowers, pepper and spices. Very pure, juicy and intense, with strong but integrated acidity giving excellent definition to the flavors of blackberry, blueberry, violet, pepper and spices. I'd like to have seen a bit more syrah funk but there's no denying this wine's intensity, firm tannic spine and excellent length. Nothing overripe or thick about it. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series III Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (11/2013): Bright ruby. Sexy, vibrant aromas of black raspberry and blueberry lifted by high notes of flowers, pepper and spices. Very pure, juicy and intense, with strong but integrated acidity giving excellent definition to the flavors of blackberry, blueberry, violet, pepper and spices. I'd like to have seen a bit more syrah funk but there's no denying this wine's intensity, firm tannic spine and excellent length. Nothing overripe or thick about it. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series IV Proprietary Blend |
$70 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (6/2013): The 2010 Collaboration Series IV is a Merlot-dominated blend that’s made by Carolyn Lakewold of Donedei Wines. The stated goal with this cuvee is to straddle the line between old-world and Nld World in style, and while I’m not sure how close they got to that mark, I can say that it’s certainly a beautiful wine. Possessing an inky purple color as well as an up-front, intense bouquet of black and blue fruits, violets, licorice, leather and liquid flowers, it flows onto the palate with a full-bodied, hedonistically styled texture that carries solid freshness and plenty of framing tannin that emerges on the finish. There’s a smidge of volatile acidity here, yet the wine handles it and is a plush, downright sexy effort that’s hard to resist. It should have over a decade of evolution. Drink now-2023. |
|
|
2010 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series V Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
8 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (11/2013): Bright, healthy ruby-red. Blueberry, cassis and menthol on the nose, along with a lower-toned whiff of nut skin; smells rather energetically extracted. Then lush and large-scaled on the palate, with sweet currant and raspberry flavors showing noteworthy depth. The huge tannins parch the tongue a bit, but the fruit outlasts them on the long finish. Definitely no-holds-barred! Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series V Cabernet Sauvignon |
$70 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (11/2013): Bright, healthy ruby-red. Blueberry, cassis and menthol on the nose, along with a lower-toned whiff of nut skin; smells rather energetically extracted. Then lush and large-scaled on the palate, with sweet currant and raspberry flavors showing noteworthy depth. The huge tannins parch the tongue a bit, but the fruit outlasts them on the long finish. Definitely no-holds-barred! Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Ciel du Cheval Collaboration Series VI Red Wine |
$60 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94+ (6/2013): A brilliant Southern Rhone-like blend of 56% Mourvedre, 38% Syrah and 6% Grenache that was fermented all in concrete and aged in neutral French oak puncheons, the 2010 Collaboration Series VI was made by James Mantone of Syncline Wines. Spectacular, with vividly defined aromas of blackberry, pepper, flowers, underbrush and licorice, it flows onto the palate with lively acidity, polished tannin and an elegant, seamless texture that has no hard edges and an overall classy, refined feel. Already approachable and complex, it will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink nicely for 10-12 years.
VM 91+ (11/2013): Good bright, medium ruby-red. High-toned aromas of red berries, red pepper and licorice, plus a whiff of tree bark. At once sweet and bright, with the red fruit flavors accented by spices and pepper. Lovely energetic, intense mourvedre here. A very successful blend with sound natural acidity. Most of the Force Majeure Vineyard's mourvedre fruit was stolen in 2010, with the thieves leaving only the outside rows intact. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Collaboration Series V Proprietary Blend |
$70 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (6/2013): The most full-throttle of the lineup, the 2010 Collaboration Series V is comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, from Ciel du Cheval blocks planted in 1975 and 1982, that was aged in 100% new French oak. Made by Chris Gorman, it offers up a decadent array of creme de cassis, smoked herbs, chocolate, roasted meats and freshly sharpened pencil-like qualities on the nose. Full-bodied, seamless and even elegant on the palate, yet with layers of fruit and texture, it has clean, integrated acidity, superb polish to its tannin and big minerality that emerges on the finish. Certainly impressive now, it still needs another 3-4 years of bottle age and will shine for 15 years or more. Drink 2015-2028+ |
|
|
2010 |
Collaboration Series VI Proprietary Blend |
$40 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94+ (6/2013): A brilliant Southern Rhone-like blend of 56% Mourvedre, 38% Syrah and 6% Grenache that was fermented all in concrete and aged in neutral French oak puncheons, the 2010 Collaboration Series VI was made by James Mantone of Syncline Wines. Spectacular, with vividly defined aromas of blackberry, pepper, flowers, underbrush and licorice, it flows onto the palate with lively acidity, polished tannin and an elegant, seamless texture that has no hard edges and an overall classy, refined feel. Already approachable and complex, it will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink nicely for 10-12 years. Drink now-2025.
VM 91+ (12/2013): (56% mourvedre, 38% syrah and 6% grenache; made by James Mantone of Syncline; fermented in square concrete bins and 500-liter puncheons): Good bright, medium ruby-red. High-toned aromas of red berries, red pepper and licorice, plus a whiff of tree bark. At once sweet and bright, with the red fruit flavors accented by spices and pepper. Lovely energetic, intense mourvedre here. A very successful blend with sound natural acidity. Most of the Force Majeure Vineyard's mourvedre fruit was stolen in 2010, with the thieves leaving only the outside rows intact. |
|
|
2010 |
Force Majeure Vyd. Collaboration Series Cabernet Sauvignon |
$60 |
4 |
|
| |
|
| Frank Family |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$49 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (11/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley opens with scents of cassis, smoke, licorice, violets and melted road tar. An attractive, medium-bodied wine by Napa standards, the 2010 is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. Blackberries, blueberries, cloves and menthol all flesh out on the finish. This is a very pretty, entry-level wine from Frank. A dollop of Merlot adds suppleness and softness. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2010 |
Reserve Petite Sirah |
$50 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2010 |
Reserve Pinot Noir |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (5/2012): Bright ruby. Sexy, oak-spiced aromas of candied blackberry, cherry-cola and mocha, with a sneaky floral quality building in the glass. Sappy and seamless in texture, with very good depth to its red and dark berry preserve flavors. Shows impressive power and energy on the finish, which lingers with resonating spiciness. In a plush, open-knit style and drinking very well right now. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2010 |
Reserve Zinfandel |
$20 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (6/2014): Dark red. Musky aromas of blackberry and blueberry. Sappy and seriously concentrated, with a lightly saline character to the flavors of black raspberry, truffle and pepper. In a pliant, rather plush style, finishing with sweet tannins and excellent length. |
|
| Gramercy Cellars |
2010 |
John Lewis Reserve Syrah |
$75 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (11/2012): (13.9% alcohol, vs. 14.2% for the Lagniappe): Medium red-ruby. Deep, brooding aromas of musky black fruits, spicecake, pepper, smoke, brown spices and black olive. Rich, suave and fine-grained, with lush, seamless flavors of raspberry and olive perked up by pepper and herbs on the end. The biggest and richest of the 2010 syrahs from this producer but I find a bit less personality and definition today than the Lagniappe is currently showing. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Lagniappe Syrah |
$59 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (6/2013): More rich, full and voluptuous, while still not losing the house style, the 2010 Syrah Lagniappe is a knockout Syrah that easily matches the brilliant 2009. Perfumed, intense and complex, with Northern Rhone-like aromas of wild berry fruit, smoked bacon, lavender and black pepper, it flows onto the palate with a classically constructed, firm mouthfeel that carries vibrant acidity, beautiful richness and a great finish. A 100% Syrah from Red Willow, Minick and S J R vineyards that spent 23 months in 14% new French oak, it builds brilliantly in the glass and will thrill for 10-12 years. Drink now-2022. |
|
| Greer |
2010 |
Greer Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$195 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Grgich Hills |
2010 |
Estate Grown Merlot Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 88 (10/2013): The attractive, complex 2010 Merlot exhibits plenty of espresso bean, red and black fruit, spice box, sweet cherry and Christmas fruitcake-like notes. This delicious, medium-bodied Merlot should be drunk over the next 5-6 years.
VM 87 (5/2014): Bright red-ruby. Black cherry, mocha and a hint of walnutty oak on the nose. Fat and sweet but a bit simple, with easygoing dark raspberry and blackberry fruit dominating. A little syrupy and in need of more verve. Finishes with substantial, moderately ripe, slightly dry-edged tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Miljenko’s Vyd. Petit Sirah |
$70 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Hall Winery |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (5/2013): Good bright, dark red with ruby highlights. Pure aromas of redcurrant, loam and licorice. Pliant and sweet, offering good texture and extract to its flavors of plum, currant, mocha and brown spices. Finishes with broad, sweet tannins and a drop of milk chocolate. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Hayfork |
2010 |
Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon |
$59 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (12/2012): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch has turned out beautifully now that it is in bottle. Sweet red cherries, mint, licorice are beautifully layered in a wine that stands out for its ripe, juicy personality. Clean veins of minerality frame the refined finish. This attractive, totally sexy Cabernet Sauvignon should drink well with minimum cellaring. It is another terrific effort from winemaker Haley Wight. The 2010 is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2010 |
Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) Bin-Soiled Label |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (12/2012): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch has turned out beautifully now that it is in bottle. Sweet red cherries, mint, licorice are beautifully layered in a wine that stands out for its ripe, juicy personality. Clean veins of minerality frame the refined finish. This attractive, totally sexy Cabernet Sauvignon should drink well with minimum cellaring. It is another terrific effort from winemaker Haley Wight. The 2010 is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Merlot. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Honig Cellars |
2010 |
Bartolucci Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 90 (10/2013): The single vineyard 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Bartolucci Vineyard exhibits toasty vanillin notes intermixed with red and black fruits. Nicely textured, rich, medium to full-bodied, elegant but substantial, this is a well-made Cabernet Sauvignon to consume over the next decade. |
|
| Jonata Winery |
2010 |
Todos Proprietary Blend |
$45 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (8/2013): Looking at the entry level effort, and almost making me wonder why you would pony up the money for the La Sangre when you can get this level of quality at less than half the price, the 2010 Todos, which is over 75% Syrah, offers up knockout aromas and flavors, full-bodied richness and a seamless, layered profile that is hard to resist. Blackberry liqueur, caramelized beef, chocolate and flowers are just some of the nuances here and this pure, polished 2010 can be enjoyed now or cellared for a decade. Drink now-2020. |
|
| Justin |
2010 |
Isosceles Reserve Proprietary Blend |
$120 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (8/2014): The star of the show, the 2010 Isosceles Reserve (90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot aged 21 months in 100% new French oak) is a deep, rich and muscular effort that still has some oak and tannin to integrate. Graphite, smoked dark fruits, exotic spice and sweet oak all emerge from this brilliant effort, and it hits the palate with a full-bodied, concentrated profile that carries layers of sweet tannin, solid mid-palate depth and a great finish. The tannin quality here is exceptional, and while it has no shortage of fruit, it retains a sense of elegance and balance. Give it 2-3 years in the cellar and drink it through 2025. |
|
| Kapcsandy Family |
2010 |
State Lane Vyd. Estate Cuvee |
$109 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 97 (11/2013): A model of grace and finesse, the 2010 Estate Cuvee is showing beautifully today. Grilled herbs, smoke, plum and black cherry notes all meld together in an exquisite, gracious wine loaded with finesse and elegance. Today, the 2010 is a bit reserved, but its energy and exuberance just need time to fully emerge. The 2010s vibrant and impeccably nuanced throughout. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Robert Keenan |
2010 |
Hard to Get Premiere Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$125 |
3 |
|
| |
|
|
2010 |
Spring Mountain District Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (5/2013): (100% cabernet sauvignon): Good bright red-ruby. High-pitched aromas of cassis, blackberry, bitter chocolate, loam and spices. Sweet, bright and tightly wound, with lovely inner-mouth perfume to the well-delineated spicy black fruit flavors. Youthfully medicinal, energetic wine with a firm tannic spine that will need at least a few years of bottle aging to unwind. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Kistler |
2010 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Slightly Raised Cork |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Kosta Browne |
2010 |
Kanzler Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (7/2013): The character of the Sonoma Coast comes through in the 2010 Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard. Bright, chiseled and focused, the 2010 impresses for its energy and vibrancy. Slightly gamy at times, the Kanzler boasts great balance, complexity and class. The addition of a small amount of whole clusters adds aromatic lift on the finish. This is another terrific showing from Kosta-Browne. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2010 |
Keefer Ranch Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$69 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (5/2012): Deep ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed scents of fresh red fruits, incense and candied rose, with a touch of star anise in the background. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering sweet raspberry and cherry flavors and a seamless, silky quality. Powerful but lithe pinot with excellent finishing lift and clarity. |
|
|
2010 |
Koplen Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$69 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (5/2012): Bright ruby-red. Heady aromas of strawberry, cherry-cola, potpourri and spicy oak. Silky, sweet and seamless, with superb depth and energy to its red berry and floral pastille flavors. Extremely suave pinot that shows excellent energy and clarity on the persistent, floral finish. |
|
| Lail Vineyards |
2010 |
J Daniel Cuvee Proprietary Blend |
$139 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (5/2020): Full medium ruby. Mineral-driven, claret-like nose combines aromas of cassis, blueberry, espresso, dark chocolate, bell pepper and celery salt. Wonderfully savory if quite reticent on the palate, offering very suave, fine-grained flavors of black fruits, spices, tomato stem and herbs; I would have guessed that there was some Cabernet Franc here owing to the hints of licorice and violet. Not a particularly opulent wine but long on complexity and soil character. Make sure to decant this wine if you plan to open it soon, or, better yet, give it another few years of cellaring. (75% new oak; like many of her Napa Valley colleagues, Robin Lail described 2010 as a difficult growing season) Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Larkmead Vineyards |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
12 |
|
| |
| WA 95+ (12/2012): Larkmead’s entry-level 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate captivates all of the senses from the very first taste. A huge, opulent yet structured Cabernet, the 2010 shows off tons of richness, power and structure, all while maintaining considerable detail and nuance. Black currants, melted road tar and asphalt blast thorough to the intense, palate-staining finish. I can’t imagine this being ready to drink before its 10th birthday. The 2010 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. This is a great 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. |
|
|
2010 |
Firebelle Proprietary Blend |
$95 |
14 |
|
| |
VM 94 (12/2012): The Merlot-based 2010 Proprietary Red Wine Firebelle boasts stunning depth, power and richness. Black cherries, chocolate, spices and new leather explode from the glass in this deep, resonant wine. There is more than enough fruit to fill out the wine’s big, broad-shouldered frame. This is an especially structured vintage for the Firebelle, partly because the Merlot is the lowest ever. Winemaker Andy Smith did a lot of co-ferments with the 2010 to bring all of the elements together. The 2010 is 42% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030. Antonio Galloni.
JS 94 (5/2014): Intense violets, dark chocolate and berries. Licorice. It's full-bodied with super-integrated tannins and a beautiful silky texture. It's long and fresh. A blend of 42% merlot, 35% cabernet sauvignon, 13% malbec, 5% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc. |
|
|
2010 |
Solari Cabernet Sauvignon |
$169 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2013): The compelling 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Solari (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) boasts an opaque purple color as well as notes of black currants, licorice, graphite and charcoal, sweet black fruits on the entry, and hints of pen ink and toast. The terrific aromatics are followed by a textured, multidimensional wine with a 45-second finish. As the wine sits in the glass, aromas of crushed rock and spice box also emerge. This complex, intriguing effort should drink well for 25+ years.
VM 96 (5/2020): Good dark red-ruby. Knockout nose melds black raspberry, mocha, licorice and sexy soil tones, with some very ripe suggestions leavened by dried sage and lavender nuances. Wonderfully sweet yet fresh, with its plush, fine-grained flavors of raspberry, cherry, plum and mocha given shape by perfectly integrated acidity. Finishes with firm but harmonious tannins and terrific rising length. The wine's sweetness is nicely buffered on the back end by an impression of medicinal reserve, but more in a red cherry way than black. This wine was tightly wound when I originally tasted it from bottle but it's evolving beautifully and could provide great pleasure now with some aeration. Outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon, and a beautiful expression of its site. Incidentally, the winery did not produce their special top-of-the-line Lark bottling in 2010 as yields were so low, so that juice went into the Solari. Harvested on October 13. (Drink between 2020-2039). Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Law Estate Wines |
2010 |
Audacious Red Wine |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93 (8/2013): An interesting blend of 44% Grenache, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and 10% Petite Sirah, the 2010 Audacious is a rich, voluptuously textured effort that’s loaded with fruit, chocolate, big minerality and toasted spice as well a full-bodied richness and a surprisingly approachable, silky palate. Showing more and more Grenache character as it sat in the glass, this beautifully made blend has juicy acidity, sweet tannin and should drink nicely for 4-5 years, possibly longer. Drink now-2018.
VM 90 (11/2012): Inky ruby. Highly aromatic scents of blackberry, cherry-cola, pipe tobacco and potpourri. Supple, gently sweet and seamless, offering dark berry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of candied rose. Closes on a floral note, with strong punch and lingering spiciness. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2010 |
Beguiling Red Wine |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 92 (8/2013): A blend of 94% Grenache and 6% Syrah, the 2010 Beguiling offers up beautiful Grenache typicity with loads of strawberry, black raspberry, licorice, spice and underbrush aromas all emerging from the glass. A rich, medium to full-bodied effort that has notable purity, great texture and no shortage of length on the finish, it’s incredibly impressive and should have a solid 7-8 years of overall longevity. Drink now-2018.
VM 91 (11/2012): Opaque ruby. Bright, mineral-laced aromas of red berry preserves, rose and star anise. Fully ripe but elegant too, displaying excellent clarity to its seamless raspberry and cherry flavors. Takes a turn toward darker fruits with air while maintaining its finesse, finishing with very good energy, mounting sweetness and gentle tannic bite. Winemaker Scott Hawley told me that this wine weighs in at 16.4% alcohol but because the vines are planted at "super-high altitude" there will always be buffering acidity to keep things in check. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2010 |
Intrepid Red Wine |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (8/2013): Even better and one prodigious Syrah, the 2010 Intrepid (100% Syrah) dishes out smoking notes of dark crushed berries, spring flower, coffee bean, edgy minerality and hints of chocolate that flow to a full-bodied, layered and multi-dimensional wine that carries its richness and depth effortlessly. Serious stuff, it is a classic Paso Robles Syrah that should not be missed! |
|
|
2010 |
Sagacious Red Wine |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 93 (8/2013): Comprised of 44% Grenache, 42% Syrah and 14% Mourvedre that was aged in 500-Liter demi-muids, the 2010 Sagacious is gorgeous. Exhibiting notions of blackberry and raspberry fruit intermixed with licorice, ground herbs and serious dusty soil and mineral, it is full-bodied, seamless and carries its layers of fruit beautifully with no weight. Already delicious, enjoy it over the coming 4-5 years.
VM 90 (11/2012): Glass-staining ruby. A wild, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe dark fruits, violet and pipe tobacco, with a smoky overtone. Lush and expansive but lively too, offering sweet blackberry and cassis flavors that pick up a tangy quality with air. Silky tannins add shape to the long, spicy, slightly warm finish. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Leonetti Cellars |
2010 |
Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 97+ (6/2013): More serious, edgy and structured, the spectacular 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot and 4% Carmenere that spent 22 months in new and neutral French oak. Layered, pure and complex, with ethereal spice-laced black currant and blackberry fruit, singed herbs, coffee and floral notes on the nose, this full-bodied, impeccably balanced 2010 has phenomenal purity of fruit, a great mid-palate and masses of finely polished, perfectly ripe tannin that coat the palate. Brilliant on all accounts, it will live to see its 25th birthday in fine form. Drink now-2035. |
|
| Lewelling Vineyards |
2010 |
St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa offers notes of creme de cassis, licorice, charcoal and toasty oak in a spicy, medium to full-bodied, pure, upfront, drinkable style, especially for a 2010. This beauty should continue to age nicely for a decade or more. |
|
|
2010 |
Wight Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (10/2013): Richer and fuller-bodied with denser fruit and more structure is the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Wight Vineyard. Exhibiting copious quantities of black currants intermixed with notions of camphor, spring flowers and toasty oak as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel, terrific intensity and purity, a voluptuous texture, and some tannin lurking under the lavish fruit and glycerin. It can be drunk now or cellared for another 15-20 years. |
|
| Lewis Cellars |
2010 |
Hillstone Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$125 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Linne Calodo |
2010 |
Booker Red |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (12/2013): (44% syrah, 32% grenache and 24% mourvedre): Opaque ruby. Smoke-accented cherry-cola, cassis and blueberry aromas, with hints of olive tapenade, violet and incense building with air. Plush, palate-coating and broad, with very good depth to its spicy dark berry and floral pastille flavors. Shows alluring sweetness on the finish, supported and shaped by velvety tannins. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2010 |
Overthinker |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (11/2013): (42% grenache, 35% syrah and 23% mourvedre): Vivid ruby. Powerful dark berry and cherry pit scents are lifted by notes of white pepper, candied flowers and allspice. Cherry-cola and boysenberry flavors show impressive clarity and breadth, picking up spicecake and lavender pastille nuances with aeration. Closes with striking energy and lift, leaving sweet blue fruit and Asian spice notes behind. Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2010 |
Problem Child |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (11/2012): (77% zinfandel, 16% syrah and 7% mourvedre): Dark ruby. High-pitched, floral aromas and flavors of redcurrant and cherry, with an exotic touch of Asian spices. Sappy and pure, displaying a silky texture and impressive energy. Notes of licorice and allspice come up with air and carry through the long, spicy, seamless finish. There's a pinot-like elegance to this wine that I find fascinating and inviting. Josh aynolds. |
|
|
2010 |
Sticks and Stones |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (8/2012): The 2010 Sticks and Stones is a gorgeous, vibrant wine laced with sweet red cherries, licorice, mint and spices. There is a purity and sheer finesse here that is striking. Sweet floral notes add lift on the finish. This is a stunning, medium-bodied wine built on freshness, acidity and length. In 2010 the blend is 71% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah. What a great way to start this tasting. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Long Shadows Wineries |
2010 |
Feather Cabernet Sauvignon |
$65 |
8 |
|
| |
WA 94 (6/2013): Showing the most sweet fruit and oak of the lineup, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Feather is made by Randy Dunn of Dunn Vineyards in Napa Valley. A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spends 22 months in 100% French oak, it is loaded with sweet black raspberry jam, creme de cassis, charred toast and crushed flower-like nuances that flow to a full-bodied, voluptuously textured Cabernet that builds in tannin and depth with air. Gorgeously pure and seamless, it needs 3-4 years in the cellar and will evolve gracefully for 12-15 years. Drink now-2025.
VM 91+ (11/2013): Good bright ruby. Medicinal, extremely primary aromas of cassis, blueberry and musky dusty spices. Creamy and deep but youthfully closed, showing strong medicinal reserve to the black fruit, licorice and graphite flavors. A painfully backward 2010, very tight and tannic today and in need of extended cellaring. A classic Randy Dunn cabernet. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Feather Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$130 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94 (6/2013): Showing the most sweet fruit and oak of the lineup, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Feather is made by Randy Dunn of Dunn Vineyards in Napa Valley. A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spends 22 months in 100% French oak, it is loaded with sweet black raspberry jam, creme de cassis, charred toast and crushed flower-like nuances that flow to a full-bodied, voluptuously textured Cabernet that builds in tannin and depth with air. Gorgeously pure and seamless, it needs 3-4 years in the cellar and will evolve gracefully for 12-15 years. Drink now-2025.
VM 91+ (11/2013): Good bright ruby. Medicinal, extremely primary aromas of cassis, blueberry and musky dusty spices. Creamy and deep but youthfully closed, showing strong medicinal reserve to the black fruit, licorice and graphite flavors. A painfully backward 2010, very tight and tannic today and in need of extended cellaring. A classic Randy Dunn cabernet. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Pedestal Merlot (1.5 L) |
$150 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (6/2013): A big, rich Merlot that’s made by famed Bordeaux consultant Michel Rolland, the 2010 Merlot Pedestal (81% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon) offers knockout aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, black raspberry, crushed flowers, licorice and big minerality to go with a medium to full-bodied, supple and sexy palate that firms up beautifully on the finish. There’s big fruit here, yet overall, it remains perfectly balanced and has sound underlying tannic structure. Give it 3-4 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following decade or more. Drink now-2020. |
|
| Mackay |
2010 |
Duck Press Red Malbec |
$25 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Matthews |
2010 |
Blackboard Colombia Valley Red Wine |
$15 |
12 |
|
| |
|
|
2010 |
Colombia Valley Claret |
$25 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (12/2013): Good dark red. Subdued but complex nose hints at redcurrant, mocha, graphite, brown spices and tomato leaf. Silky and fine-grained on entry, the mellow in the middle, with attractive oak-driven notes of sassafras and cola to go with the red fruits. Not overly sweet but quite mellow. This is just under 15% alcohol but I would not have guessed it. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Colombia Valley Reserve Red Wine |
$40 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (12/2013): Bright dark. Perfumed aromas of red- and blackcurrant, black cherry, licorice and musky mocha. Smooth and fine-grained, offering superb tactile concentration to its flavors of currant, blackberry, licorice and dark chocolate. Plenty of oak here but nicely balanced by fruit. Offers lovely sweetness and immediate appeal but this is more firmly structured than the 2010 claret, finishing with suave tannins and very good chewy grip. Built to age. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Colombia Valley Reserve Red Wine Bin-Soiled Label |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (12/2013): Bright dark. Perfumed aromas of red- and blackcurrant, black cherry, licorice and musky mocha. Smooth and fine-grained, offering superb tactile concentration to its flavors of currant, blackberry, licorice and dark chocolate. Plenty of oak here but nicely balanced by fruit. Offers lovely sweetness and immediate appeal but this is more firmly structured than the 2010 claret, finishing with suave tannins and very good chewy grip. Built to age. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Colombia Valley Syrah |
$20 |
20 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (12/2013): (15.4% alcohol; aged in once-used puncheons and once-used barriques ): Saturated bright ruby. Very primary, dark aromas of blackberry, licorice and illegal resiny herbs, lifted by a high-pitched violet perfume. Dense, juicy and suave but quite tightly wound in the style of the vintage. Dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors work more savory than sweet. This very young, long wine finishes with very fine-grained, suave tannins and a hint of bitter chocolate. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Montgomery Vineyard |
2010 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Morlet Family Vineyards |
2010 |
Coeur de Vallee Cabernet Sauvignon |
$189 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97+ (12/2012): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vallee is laced with freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries and mint. Weightless and crystalline, the 2010 is pure silk and finesse. The Coeur de Vallee is always the most elegant of Morlet’s Cabernets, and the 2010 plays true to type. Sweet floral notes add lift on the finish. The 2010 is gorgeous today, but it needs a few years in bottle to blossom fully. This is yet another tremendous wine from Luc and Jodie Morlet. The 2010 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030.
VM 94+ (6/2013): (blended with 24% cabernet franc): Bright medium ruby. Lovely violet lift to the intense aromas of cassis, licorice and bitter chocolate, complicated by sexy mocha and earth tones; a real essence of Oakville. Wonderfully plush and sweet in the mouth, with captivating minty lift to the pliant dark raspberry and spice flavors. Finishes very long, with noble, rising tannins that coat the teeth. An Outstanding and very suave wine in the making: I love the cabernet franc element here. |
|
| Mount Eden Vineyards |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$125 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 95 (4/2024): The most elegant and poised rendition of this wine in the modern era, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has aged gracefully thus far. The nose shows a pretty and floral side of Cabernet, melded with a smoky, smoldering undertone of complexity. Pleasant, understated tannins meld beautifully with a soft, precise and lively acidity. This wine can easily be overlooked in a lineup of showstopper vintages but offers a refreshing counterpoint that emphasizes the versatility of Mount Eden.
VM 94 (7/2014): Often the most overlooked wine in the Mount Eden range, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon shows the pedigree of this great vintage. Firm veins of tannin support a core of black fruit, tar, grilled herbs, smoke and incense in a wild, savory mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that dazzles with its exceptional overall balance and personality. This is another fabulous new release from Mount Eden. (Drink between 2016-2030). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| O'Shaughnessy |
2010 |
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon |
$99 |
5 |
|
| |
WA 96+ (12/2012): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain covers every inch of the palate with layers of deep, rich, dark fruit. Blueberries, blackberries, violet and cloves seem to pop right out of the glass in this juicy, extroverted wine. Deceptively approachable, the 2010 has plenty of tannin lurking beneath its massive fruit. I would not be surprised if the 2010 shuts down in bottle. It is one of the deepest, inkiest 2010s I tasted from Howell Mountain. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030.
VM 91 (6/2013): Good bright ruby-red. Black cherry, tobacco, chocolate mint and eucalyptus on the rather oaky nose, plus a pungent note of creosote. Then nicely ripe and juicy in the mouth, with surprising sweetness and attractive floral lift to the slightly medicinal redcurrant, licorice and mint flavors. Ultimately more red fruit than black in character. Finishes with broad, fine-grained tannins and good verve. I was initially put off by the strident nose but the wine calmed down markedly in the glass. |
|
|
2010 |
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon |
$139 |
6 |
|
| |
VM 97+ (12/2012): Dark red cherries, iron, crushed rocks, flowers and mint are all layered into the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder. Layers of bright underlying minerality and acidity give the 2010 much of its energy and sheer thrust. This is another exceptional wine, but readers will have to be patient. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030.
VM 90+ (5/2013): (nearly 100% cabernet sauvignon; this has a significantly higher pH than the Howell Mountain release: 3.79 vs. 3.61): Good bright medium ruby. Black cherry, licorice, mint and a whiff of crushed stone on the nose. Distinct purple fruit and bitter chocolate flavors are accented by a slightly raw black pepper quality. Very backward and tannic on the tight, slightly dusty finish. A bit brutal and hairy-chested. This fruit was harvested between October 22 and November 4. One hopes that the sweetness of fruit and oak I saw in this wine a year ago will come back with some bottle age. |
|
| Old Shore Vineyards |
2010 |
Tree Line Lake Michigan Shore Pinot Noir |
$20 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Pahlmeyer |
2010 |
Merlot |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 93 (12/2012): A firm core of tannins provides the underlying structure for the 2010 Merlot. This juicy, dark, yet wonderfully sophisticated and polished wine impresses for its balance and overall sense of harmony. The 2010 is impossibly young now, and it needs time, but is hugely promising. Layers of fruit flow effortlessly to the long, voluptuous finish. The blend is 89% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.
VM 92 (11/2013): The 2010 Merlot is rich, round and seductive for the year. Dark red berries, flowers, sweet spices and menthol all flesh out in a seductive, expressive wine loaded with class. Mocha, licorice and dark raspberries all flesh out on the inviting, textured finish. There is a lot to like in this generous, expressive Merlot. The 2010 is mostly estate Merlot, with 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2010 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir |
$55 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| Peacock Family |
2010 |
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir |
$50 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Peirson Meyer |
2010 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Signed Bottle |
$69 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (10/2013): Like its sibling, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon exhibiting a dense ruby/purple color as well as enticing floral notes intermixed with black currants, licorice and forest floor. With supple tannins, a rich, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel and an impressive sense of purity as well as symmetry, this 2010 should drink nicely for 15-20 years. |
|
| Pott |
2010 |
Incubo Cabernet Sauvignon |
$229 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Quilceda Creek |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$275 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 98+ (6/2013): Rich, backwards, structured and massively concentrated, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon comes mostly from the Champoux Vineyard (also from Galitzine, Klipsun, Palengat and Tapteil) and is comprised of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot that spent 22 months in all new French oak. Offering up plenty of creme de cassis, coffee bean, toasted spice, pencil shavings and violet-like qualities on the nose, it has palate staining levels of extract and tannin that come through on the mid-palate and finish. Gorgeously full-bodied, layered and textured, with perfect balance, this awesome Cabernet needs to be forgotten for 5-6 years and will have two to three decades of longevity. Drink 2018-2030. |
|
|
2010 |
Columbia Valley Proprietary Blend |
$79 |
8 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (6/2013): A superb entry level effort that has not only layers of fruit and texture, but solid back-end structure, the 2010 Red Wine is a declassified blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, yet has 15% Merlot and a splash of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc in there as well. Up-front, perfumed and intense, it offers up spice-laced red and black fruits, toast, cedar, vanilla and hints of chocolate to go with a full-bodied, mouth-filling and voluptuously textured palate. Lacking the polish and elegance that can be found in this estate’s upper tier efforts, it nevertheless has superb fruit, ripe tannin and serious length. Enjoy it while you wait for this estate’s other wines to mature. Drink now-2020. |
|
|
2010 |
Galitzine Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$129 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 97 (6/2013): Even more concentrated, structured and dense than the Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard (99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Merlot all from the Red Mountain AVA) delivers an incredible array of black currant, dark chocolate, cedar, tobacco and assorted spring flower-like nuances that give way to a massively concentrated, tannic and structured 2010 that has brilliant mid-palate depth, integrated acidity and a pure, detailed and energetic texture that carries through the finish. As with the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, this is more fun to taste than to drink presently and needs 5-6 years or more of bottle age to round into form. It too will have two to three decades or more of ultimate longevity. Drink 2018-2035. |
|
|
2010 |
Palengat Proprietary Blend |
$149 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 97 (6/2013): Refined, elegant and supple, yet also rich and concentrated, the Merlot-dominated 2010 Palengat has 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot in the blend and spent 20 months in 100% new French oak. Gorgeous on the nose, with notions of creme de cassis, violets, graphite and mint, it flows onto the palate with full-bodied richness and depth that’s paired with a seamless, incredibly elegant and polished texture. Firming up on the finish with masses of tannin, mineral and juicy acidity, this incredible 2010 needs 3-5 years of bottle age and will have upwards of 15-20 years of ultimate longevity. Drink now-2030.
VM 91+ (11/2013): (15.2% alcohol; 64% merlot, 22% cabernet sauvignon and 7% each cabernet franc and petit verdot): Good dark ruby-red. Superripe aromas of blackberry, licorice and espresso. High-toned and a bit liqueur-like in the mouth, with round, primary dark fruit flavors joined by licorice, milk chocolate and graphite. A somewhat unrefined if serious blend that finishes with chewy, chocolatey tannins that coat the front teeth and a slight impression of warmth. This was previously a cabernet-driven wine. |
|
| Quivet Cellars |
2010 |
Kenefick Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 93 (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Kenefick Ranch Vineyard’s attractive black currant and black cherry-scented nose leads to dark plum, spicy, lush, opulent flavors. This 2010 reveals a broad spectrum of spices, but the black, blue and red fruits are endearing, intense and persistent. This impressive, voluptuously textured, expansive, full-bodied wine’s low acidity and ripe tannin suggest it will drink well over the next 10-12 years.
VM 90+ (5/2013): Good full ruby-red, more saturated than the Napa Valley cabernet. High-toned aromas of cassis, licorice, spices, bitter chocolate and nutty oak. Richer and deeper than the Napa Valley version, with creamier flavors of black cherry, licorice and minerals lifted by a floral quality. Still a touch of finishing greenness to be absorbed but there's very good material to support a positive evolution in bottle. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Ramey |
2010 |
Annum Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$189 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 95 (9/2019): Deep ruby-black, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Annum, made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, gives up notes of baked plum and black raisin on the nose with crème de cassis, fenugreek, star anise, dried blue flowers and Jamón iberico plus graphite, cedar shavings and wonderful exotic spices at the core. Medium to full-bodied, it offers plenty of mineral, savory fruits with a sturdy frame of very fine, very ripe, very plush tannins and good freshness, finishing very, very long and layered. Yes! This is drinking beautifully right now. Only 200 cases were made. |
|
|
2010 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (5/2014): (63% new oak): Opaque ruby. Intense cherry, blackcurrant and vanilla aromas are complemented by licorice, pipe tobacco and woodsmoke. Plush, velvety black and blue fruit flavors pick up mocha and peppery spice nuances with air. The vanilla quality repeats on the persistent finish, which is firmed by dusty, building tannins. Shows its structure with air but doesn't come off as hard or edgy. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$189 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (5/2014): (63% new oak): Opaque ruby. Intense cherry, blackcurrant and vanilla aromas are complemented by licorice, pipe tobacco and woodsmoke. Plush, velvety black and blue fruit flavors pick up mocha and peppery spice nuances with air. The vanilla quality repeats on the persistent finish, which is firmed by dusty, building tannins. Shows its structure with air but doesn't come off as hard or edgy. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
Pedregal Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$159 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98 (12/2013): As usual, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is a fabulous effort. The debut vintage of this cuvee was 2004, which is still quite young (I recently rated it 95). From the Oakville appellation, it is aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels, but sadly, only about 260 cases are made. The 2010 boasts beautiful notes of fruitcake, espresso roast, chocolate and black currants in its complex, full-bodied, concentrated, multi-dimensional personality. There is a huge up-side to this beauty as the tannins have not yet fully resolved. Give it another few years of bottle age and drink it over the following two decades or more.
VM 93 (5/2014): (includes 15% petit verdot; 100% new oak): Inky ruby. Pungent black and blue fruit aromas show an exotic peaty quality and suggestions of incense, violet and Indian spices. Deeply pitched cassis and blueberry flavors are braced by juicy acidity and pick up a suave floral pastille nuance with aeration. The spice and blue fruit notes dominate the finish, which is firmed by youthful but harmonious tannins. While I have no doubt that this wine is built to age it's pretty showy already. |
|
|
2010 |
Pedregal Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$275 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98 (12/2013): As usual, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is a fabulous effort. The debut vintage of this cuvee was 2004, which is still quite young (I recently rated it 95). From the Oakville appellation, it is aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels, but sadly, only about 260 cases are made. The 2010 boasts beautiful notes of fruitcake, espresso roast, chocolate and black currants in its complex, full-bodied, concentrated, multi-dimensional personality. There is a huge up-side to this beauty as the tannins have not yet fully resolved. Give it another few years of bottle age and drink it over the following two decades or more.
VM 93 (5/2014): (includes 15% petit verdot; 100% new oak): Inky ruby. Pungent black and blue fruit aromas show an exotic peaty quality and suggestions of incense, violet and Indian spices. Deeply pitched cassis and blueberry flavors are braced by juicy acidity and pick up a suave floral pastille nuance with aeration. The spice and blue fruit notes dominate the finish, which is firmed by youthful but harmonious tannins. While I have no doubt that this wine is built to age it's pretty showy already. |
|
| Rasa Vineyards |
2010 |
Creative Impulse DuBrul Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$99 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (6/2013): Similarly styled, yet with a sweeter core of fruit and less herbal notes, the 2010 Creative Impulse DuBrul Vineyard is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that spent 28 months in 60% new French oak. A big, spice-laced and already complex 2010, it exhibits black raspberry-like fruit, spice-cabinet, toast, tobacco and dry aged beef qualities along with a full-bodied, decadent and creamily textured mouthfeel. As with the Perfect Union, it has solid, age-worthy structure under all of its fruit and will have 15+ years or more of prime drinking. Decant if drinking anytime soon. Drink 2016-2025. |
|
|
2010 |
Plus One Kiona Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (6/2013): Starting the Bordeaux varieties, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Kiona Vineyard Plus One is an outstanding effort that reveals an overall fresh, pure profile. Jammy black raspberry, creme brulee, underbrush and floral nuances all emerge from the glass and it is supple, full-bodied and surprisingly polished on the palate. While it lacks the sheer brilliance found in the 2009, it is still an outstanding wine. Gaining additional complexity with air, as well as a serious kick of acidity, it should drink nicely for 8-10 years. Drink now-2020. |
|
| Realm |
2010 |
Farella Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Reynvaan Family Vineyards |
2010 |
The Contender Syrah |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (6/2013): Even richer, the 2010 Syrah The Contender has a serious, deep and layered profile with notions of blackberry, smoked plums, ground pepper, big minerality, lavender and hints of gamey beef all emerging from the glass. These characteristics carry over to the palate where the wine is full-bodied, beautifully polished, concentrated and structured. Showing masses of finely honed tannin on the finish, this knockout effort will evolve gracefully for 12-15+ years or more. Drink 2015-2027.
VM 93+ (11/2013): (includes 4% marsanne): Good deep red. Initially subdued nose opened with air to show varietally accurate scents of raspberry, woodsmoke, game and brown spices. Sweet, plush and impressively deep, with an impression of baby fat leavened by firm acidity and a saline underpinning. The red fruit and game flavors carry well on the rising, very long finish, which features building, seamless tannins. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2010 |
The Stonessence Syrah |
$65 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (6/2013): Coming all from the estate’s The Rock vineyard and a 100% Syrah, the 2010 Syrah Stonessence doesn’t disappoint and has the peppered beef, salty minerality, lavender, pepper and black and blue tinged fruit profile that can be found, to varying degrees, in all of Matt’s wines. Full-bodied, concentrated and ethereally textured, it has a core of vibrant acidity, ripe tannin and a blockbuster finish. Possibly the most age-worthy in the lineup, I would give bottles another 3-4 years of bottle age, yet certainly, for those that can’t delay gratification, there’s ample pleasure to be found now. It will shine for 12-15+ years or more as well. Drink 2016-2027. |
|
| Rhys |
2010 |
Alpine Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$89 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 93 (8/2012): In this vintage, the 2010 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard is one of the more immediate wines in the lineup. It has plenty of fruit and depth, but not quite the complexity or layered personality of the very best wines in the Rhys lineup. Today it comes across as a bit one-dimensional, with pure power reigning over all else. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. Antonio Galloni.
BH 91 (1/2013): This is one of the riper wines in the range and it displays its wood treatment a bit more prominently as well with cassis, plum, spice and dried rose petal scents. There is good volume and a seductive mid-palate as there is good concentration and sap to the delicious yet entirely serious finish that is supported by firm but not aggressive tannins. This is really very good, if a bit of an outlier stylistically. Drink 2017+. Outstanding! |
|
|
2010 |
Family Farm Vyd. Pinot Noir Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 96 (8/2012): A drop-dead gorgeous wine, the 2010 Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard boasts stunning richness, depth and power. Juicy dark berries, wild flowers, licorice, tar, smoke and game emerge from the glass. The balance of aromatics, fruit and structure is simply fabulous. Fans of the Rhys wines will flip over the Family Farm in 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2022. Antonio Galloni.
BH 89 (1/2013): (San Mateo County, 12.7%.) There is substantial wood showing and the dark berry fruit and violet aromas are almost overwhelmed. The wood is also present on the delicious, round and solidly well-concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess good punch and a seductive mouth feel, all wrapped in a persistent finish where the wood rounds off and slightly sweetens it. There is very good material here and thus it's entirely possible that the wood will be successfully integrated in time but at the moment it is too much for my preference. Drink 2017+. |
|
|
2010 |
Horseshoe Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
VM 95 (8/2012): The 2010 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard is another wine with superb integrity in its fruit and terrific overall balance. Juicy red berries, hard candy. flowers, mint and spices are all woven together nicely. The whole clusters are very nicely balanced. There is wonderful focus and vibrancy throughout, leading to a weightless, totally gracious finish. Antonio Galloni.
BH 90 (1/2013): Here the floral dark berry fruit and spice-tinged nose is presently marked by the toasty wood though an hour or so of air helps to dissipate it. There is good volume and mid-palate density to the delicious, round and nicely detailed medium-bodied flavors that exhibit noticeable bitterness on the otherwise attractively long finish. The extended aeration also helped to largely, if not completely, dissipate the bitterness and it seems clear that this will be one of those wines that is best left to slumber in the cellar for several years first as it's conspicuously awkward today. |
|
| Rivers Marie |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (12/2012): The estate’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is an excellent choice for drinking over the next few years. Juicy dark berries, flowers, mint and cloves all come together nicely in the glass. Today, the 2010 is open and expressive, with soft, silky tannins and tons of near-term appeal, all qualities entry-level Cabernets should have. The 2010 is mostly valley floor fruit, with dollops of Panek, Corona and GIII. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. |
|
|
2010 |
Corona Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$89 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (12/2012): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Roberto Corona Vineyard has come together beautifully since I last tasted it. A rich sumptuous wine, the 2010 caresses the palate with layers of dark fruit, spices, menthol and licorice. The dark fruit and intense spices are pure Oakville. The French oak, which was quite noticeable last year, has integrated beautifully. The Corona is totally different than the Panek, but just as beautiful. In 2010 I have a slight preference for the Corona over the Panek, but both are striking and absolutely delicious. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. |
|
|
2010 |
Panek Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (12/2012): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard bursts from the glass with juicy dark red fruit. Supple, silky and easygoing, the 2010 nevertheless possesses plenty of underlying acidity and structure. Hints of cinnamon, cloves and dried flowers add lift on the dense, intense finish. The 2010 is ripe, juicy and totally irresistible. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025. |
|
| J. Rochioli Vineyards |
2010 |
Sweetwater Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$85 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94 (2/2012): The 2010 Pinot Noir Sweetwater is a large-scaled, dramatic wine. It boasts huge black fruit and notable intensity from start to finish. Sweet, perfumed aromatics develop in the glass, but the Sweetwater remains tannic and in need of at least another 1-2 years in bottle. The wine literally sizzles on the palate with energy, and my impression is it will be magnificent with time. The clones in this parcel are Dijon, 777 and Rochioli. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2020.
VM 92 (5/2012): Bright ruby-red. Aromas of redcurrant, strawberry and blood orange are complemented by subtle cola and anise accents. Shows deep, sappy red fruit and floral character on the palate, with high-pitched spice and rose notes adding energy. Closes spicy and very long, with resonating white pepper and star anise qualities. |
|
| Rotie Cellars |
2010 |
Homage |
$65 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Round Pond |
2010 |
Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$35 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 90 (5/2013): Cool, soil-driven aromas and flavors of blue fruits, licorice and underbrush struck me as quite claret-like. At once glyceral and fresh, offering lovely depth and sweetness in the middle, with bright tannins giving the wine more obvious focus than the 2009 release. Shows a distinct ferrous quality. Finishes with building ripe tannins. This should age very well. In comparison to the 2009s, the estate's 2010 cabernets are more acid- than tannin-driven, according to winemaker Brown. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
| Mark Ryan |
2010 |
Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon |
$51 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (6/2013): More refined and elegant, with classic Cabernet Sauvignon on the nose and palate, the 2010 Dead Horse is made from 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and the balance Malbec and Petit Verdot. Seeing 21 months in 78% new French oak, it has integrated its oak elevage brilliantly and delivers black currant, tobacco, pencil shavings, violet and wild herb qualities that flow to a full-bodied, concentrated and seamlessly textured 2010 that has juicy acidity, excellent mid-palate concentration and masses of finely polished tannin on the finish. Give it 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+ years or more. Drink 2016-2030. |
|
|
2010 |
Long Haul Red Wine |
$51 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 92 (6/2013): The 2010 Long Haul is a blend of 61% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot that comes from the top notch vineyard sources of Klipsun, Ciel du Cheval, Red Willow and Force Majeure. Aged in 73% new French oak, it possesses a big, voluptuous bouquet of plum sauce, spice box, violets, wild herbs and chocolate to go with a full-bodied, supple and downright delicious profile on the palate. Already delicious and hard to resist, it should nevertheless have 7-8 years of longevity. Drink now-2018. |
|
|
2010 |
Lost Soul Syrah |
$55 |
4 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (6/2013): Starting off the reds and coming all from the Red Willow Vineyard in Yakima Valley, the 2010 Syrah Lost Soul was harvested in mid-October and spent 20 months in 33% new Burgundy barrels. Inky colored, it offers up an elegant, yet meaty profile with notions of black raspberry extract, wood smoke, pepper, lavender and dark chocolate all emerging from the glass. Gaining additional freshness over the evening, with a sappy, spring flower-like quality adding lift, this full-bodied, serious Syrah has a stacked mid-palate, a layered, seamless texture and serious minerality that comes through on the finish. More than a little impressive, it should be given 2-3 years of bottle age and then followed over the coming decade. Drink 2015-2022. |
|
| Saxum |
2010 |
Bone Rock James Berry Vyd. Syrah |
$149 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 99 (6/2014): Coming from a steep, terraced plot of head-trained Syrah, the 2010 James Berry Vineyard Bone Rock (90% Syrah and 10% Roussanne) is easily the most structured, intense wine in the lineup. Sporting absolutely off-the-hook aromas of smoked meats, black fruits, liquid mineral, pepper, and cigar wrapper, it flows onto the palate with a thick, incredibly rich texture that somehow manages to stay light and fresh. A total behemoth, it needs time to fully flesh out, yet is up there with some of the most monumental young wines I’ve tasted. It should be forgotten for 3-4 years, and then consumed over the following two decades.
VM 96 (12/2012): (includes 11% roussanne and made with 50% whole clusters; 15.6% roussanne): Opaque ruby. A heady, alluringly perfumed bouquet displays scents of cherry compote, black raspberry, potpourri and incense. Deep, sweet and pliant, showing remarkably intense, concentrated red and blue fruit preserve flavors and a sexy floral pastille nuance. Shows superb clarity and energy on the gently tannic finish, which leaves sappy red fruit and floral notes behind. |
|
|
2010 |
Booker Vyd. Syrah |
$129 |
3 |
|
| |
JD 98 (12/2012): Also spectacular, the 2010 Saxum Syrah Booker Vineyard - a blend of 81% Syrah and 19% Mourvedre - is about as textbook a representation of a Paso Robles Syrah as I can think of. Locked and loaded with notions of ripe black and blue fruits, smoke, bouquet garni, espresso, and licorice, it is unabashedly full-bodied, rich, and yet elegant on the palate. Showing real class, as well as first-rate freshness, superb depth and concentration, and masses of tannin, this blockbuster syrah needs a solid 3-4 years of bottle age to flesh out and will keep for 15-20 years or more.
WA 94-96 (8/2012): From another of the great vineyards in Westside Paso Robles, the 2010 Booker Vineyard comes across as big, dark and brooding. Black fruit, game, licorice and tar are some of the many notes that take shape in this huge, intense Syrah-based wine. The 2010 was aged in 350-liter barrels, 60-70% new, all of which the wine handles beautifully. Layers of fruit continue to blossom in the imposing, expansive finish. The blend is 81% Syrah and 19% Mourvedre. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.
VM 94 (12/2012): (81% syrah and 19% mourvedre): Inky purple. An explosively perfumed bouquet evokes spicy red and dark berry liqueur, Indian spices, vanilla and floral oils. Spicy black raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavors are complicated by notes of violet pastille and show a plush, seamless texture. Gains weight with air but retains clarity. The spicy note carries through an impressively long, juicy finish, which features ripe, harmonious tannins. |
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2010 |
Broken Stones Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96 (12/2012): Even more perfumed and upfront aromatically, the 2010 Saxum Broken Stones is a brilliant effort. A multi-vineyard blend of 63% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache, and 3% Petite Sirah that was aged mostly in new French oak, it offers up a gorgeously pure array of black raspberry, charcoal, licorice, lavender, and assorted floral qualities on the nose. This flows to a full-bodied, deft, and elegant palate that has no hard edges, a weightless feel, and masses of fine, yet firm tannin on the finish. Give bottles another year or three, and then drink over the following 12-15 years.
VM 94 (12/2012): (63% syrah, 19% mourvedre, 15% grenache and 3% petite sirah; 15.3% alcohol): A complex, smoky bouquet evokes red and dark berry liqueur, candied flowers and Asian spices. Supple and juicy on the palate, with zesty acidity giving spine and lift to the powerful black raspberry and mulberry flavors. The smoky note comes back on the strikingly long, mineral-driven finish, which is focused, sweet and extremely long.
WA 92-94 (8/2012): A rush of dark Syrah fruit announces the 2010 Broken Stones. Menthol, tar and sweet spices develop with time in the glass, adding considerable complexity and nuance. This is a seriously rich, intense wine endowed with deep layers of fruit and a huge, muscular finish. Here, too, I sense the wine is a bit tight, but it should be ready to go in another 6 months or so. The blend is 63% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre, 15% Grenache and 3% Petite Sirah. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020. |
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2010 |
Heart Stone Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$105 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 95 (6/2014): More dense and rich, the 2010 Heart Stone Vineyard is a co-fermented blend of 51% Syrah and 49% Grenache that comes from a small 7-acre, south-facing vineyard located on the western side of Paso Robles. Aged mostly in large oak puncheons for 20-28 months, it offers up a savory, complex bouquet of kirsch and blackberry-like fruit, meat juice, Provencal herbs, dried licorice, and dusty minerality. Gorgeous on the palate as well, with a deft, elegant texture, building richness, and layers of chewy tannin, this beauty is reasonably approachable now, yet will be even better in 2-3 years. It will drink well for 12-15 years.
VM 94 (12/2012): (51% syrah and 49% grenache; 15.7% alcohol): Inky ruby. Powerful aromas of cherry-cola, blackberry, smoky minerals and violet, with a sexy oak spice nuance in the background. Lush and creamy on the palate, offering sweet, deeply concentrated dark berry flavors and a refreshing jolt of smoky minerals. Finishes bright and delineated, with lingering notes of cinnamon and candied flowers. |
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2010 |
James Berry Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$135 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 97 (6/2014): Sporting a vibrant ruby, semi-opaque color, the 2010 James Berry Vineyard is the most tight, backward version of this cuvee that I can recall. A blend of 52% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre, and 22% Syrah, it has a decidedly savory bouquet of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, violets, bouquet garni, ground pepper, and graphite. Full-bodied and layered on the palate, with brilliant mid-palate concentration, superb freshness, and masses of tannin, this brilliant Rhone blend from Paso Robles will stand toe-to-toe with the best wines out there, but it is not for those seeking instant gratification and will require 4-5 years of bottle age. In 2010, the Grenache component was aged in a combination of concrete tank and oak puncheons, and this shows in both the aromatics and texture, with less obvious sweetness and more freshness. It will evolve gracefully for two decades.
VM 94 (12/2012): (32% grenache, 26% mourvedre and 22% syrah, mostly fermented in concrete; 15.8% alcohol): Glass-staining ruby. Ripe blackberry and cherry on the intensely perfumed nose and in the mouth. Dense but surprisingly energetic, offering sweet black raspberry and candied lavender flavors and a hint of cola. Supple tannins give shape to a long, sweet, strikingly lively finish, which echoes the floral note. |
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2010 |
Paderewski Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$129 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 95 (7/2013): The 2010 Paderewski Vineyard is firing on all cylinders today. The Zinfandel is very much front and center in a big, boisterous wine full of personality. Mocha, chocolate, spice and plum notes caress the palate in a succulent, highly expressive wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. This is without question the biggest and most exuberant of the Saxum wines. Today it is stunning. The 2010 is 35% Zinfandel, 26% Mourvèdre, 19% Tempranillo, 11% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah.
WA 95 (8/2012): The 2010 Paderewski Vineyard caresses the palate with layers of expressive, sensual fruit. Zinfandel plays the leading role in the Paderewski, and that comes through loud and clear in the wine's inner perfume and sweetness. The 2010 boasts gorgeous length and purity, even if it is a bit tight from its recent bottling. Paderewski is a little warmer than some of the other sites Saxum works with, which seems to give the wine a note of softness that is immensely appealing, especially with some time in the glass. The 2010 is 35% Zinfandel, 26% Mourvedre, 19% Tempranillo, 11% Syrah and 9% Petite Sirah. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.
VM 94 (12/2012): (35% zinfandel, 26% mourvedre, 19% tempranillo, 11% syrah and 9% petite sirah; 16.1% alcohol): Opaque purple. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays scents of spice-accented black raspberry, cherry, violet and incense, with a bright mineral quality gaining power with air. Densely packed but impressively vibrant, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors that show iqueur-like depth and intensity. Floral pastille and raspberry notes carry through a long, sappy, seamless finish. |
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2010 |
Terry Hoage Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$109 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 95-98 (6/2012): I was blown away by the 2010 Saxum Terry Hoage Vineyard. The first vintage for this release, it is surprisingly old world in style and possesses a savory, classic aromatic profile of black fruits, duck fat, pepper, violets, and charcoal to go with a full-bodied, gorgeously textured palate. Fairly unique in the lineup for its gamy notes, this is pure Saxum on the palate and shows loads of fruit, yet still, the 2010 vintage shines brightly here and the wine has no shortage of focus, tannin, and length. As with the other 2010, I can’t imagine this not benefiting from short term cellaring and 10-15 years of prime drinking is certainly not out of the question here. Thrilling stuff and I can’t wait to see how this shows from bottle.
WA 94+ (8/2012): Here in its first vintage, the 2010 Terry Hoage Vineyard bursts onto the palate with rich, dark fruit. The weight power and richness of Syrah comes through beautifully in the layered, sumptuous wine. Flowers, licorice, mint, tobacco and grilled herbs wrap around the finish. The 2010 boasts serious density and fabulous overall balance. It is terrific first effort. The blend is 46% Syrah, 33% Grenache and 21% Mourvedre. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2020.
VM 94 (12/2012): (46% syrah, 33% grenache and 21% mourvedre, a third fermented with whole clusters; 15.1% alcohol): Vivid ruby. Seductive, highly perfumed nose displays strikingly pure raspberry and floral aromas. Fleshy red and dark berry flavors are enlivened by intriguing blood orange and floral pastille accents and become spicier with air. Picks up a suggestion of mocha on the finish, which is impressively focused, balanced and long. |
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| Schrader |
2010 |
GIII Beckstoffer Georges III Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$325 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 96 (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer George III Vineyard, made from clone 337, had a total production of 110 cases (compared to 260+ for the 2012). Its gorgeous nose reveals aromas of creme de cassis, blueberries, raspberries, vanillin and notions of cedarwood as well as incense. Deep and full-bodied with fabulous purity, a hallmark of all these wines, this spectacular 2010 has plenty of structure, but the fruit intensity and richness largely obscure the wine’s tannic profile. This beauty will be drinkable in several years and keep for 30 years.
VM 96 (12/2012): Schrader's 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon GIII Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard bursts from the glass with explosive dark blue and black fruit, exotic spices, flowers and menthol. There is an inner energy and tension in the GIII that makes this bottling stand out. Readers will want to give the 2010 a few years in the cellar, but it is strikingly beautiful even today. Over time, as I followed it, the wine continued to open up in the glass and put on considerable weight. In 2010, the GIII is a true standout. The GIII is clone 337 from the F block. Antonio Galloni. |
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2010 |
RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$325 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 99 (10/2013): Flirting with perfection, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard RBS from clone 337 was aged in new Darnajou barrels (80%) and the rest in new Taransaud barrels. There were 410 cases produced, which is several hundred cases less than the production in 2012. An unbelievable red wine, it boasts an inky/purple color as well as abundant notes of charcoal, white chocolate, toast, new saddle leather, blueberries, blackberries, creme de cassis and licorice. As the wine sits in the glass, some chocolaty, smoky elements also emerge. This virtually perfect Cabernet Sauvignon has been flawlessly made and should age effortlessly for 25-30+ years.
VM 97 (12/2012): Super-ripe plums, cassis, mint, mocha and violets caress the palate as the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard opens up in the glass. The RBS stands out for its gorgeous inner perfume, sweetness and plushness. Layers of fruit build effortlessly as this gracious, highly expressive wine flows through to its plush, generous finish. The minerality of the vintage comes alive on the vibrant, beautifully delineated finish laced with sensual crushed flower overtones. This is another striking wine. The RBS is clone 337 from the B1, B2 and E2 blocks. |
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| Sebastiani |
2010 |
Cherry Block Cabernet Sauvignon |
$99 |
2 |
|
| |
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| Seven Stones |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$225 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 95+ (12/2012): Aaron Pott crafts these beautiful wines at Seven Stones, a tiny estate perched atop St. Helena on property that once belonged to Bill Harlan when the Meadowood resort was originally developed. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is striking in its beauty. A warm, resonant bouquet redolent of espresso, mocha, French oak, sweet herbs and tobacco leads to an expressive core of fruit in this rich, sumptuous wine. Full-bodied, rich and intense, yet supported by veins of incisive minerality, the 2010 impresses for its exceptional balance. The combination of finesse and overall harmony is nothing short of compelling. The estate's Cabernet Sauvignon remains one of the most distinctive wines in Napa Valley. I can hardly wait to see how the 2010 develops in bottle over the coming years. The blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. |
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| Sheridan Vineyard |
2010 |
Block 1 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$139 |
9 |
|
| |
| WA 98 (6/2013): The incredible 2010 Block 1 comes from estate vineyards and is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 28 months in French oak. Massively concentrated, with a slightly backwards, brooding profile, it offers up an ultra-rich, meaty bouquet of smoked black currants, sage brush, mint, dry-aged beef and brown spice that gives way to a full-bodied, muscular 2010 that has a serious amount of fruit and texture that’s cut by juicy, lively acidity and ripe tannin. Disjointed right on opening, it improved beautifully over the evening (and consecutive days) and should be decanted for an hour or more if drinking anytime soon. It’s a unique, thrilling effort that will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink well for 15-20 years. Drink 2016-2030. |
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2010 |
Boss Block Cabernet Franc |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (6/2013): Starting out the 2010s, the 2010 Boss Block is a 100% Cabernet Franc that spent close to two years in 100% new French oak. Inky purple in color and concentrated, decadent and rich, it stays remarkable fresh and lively aromatically with dark chocolate-covered plums, roasted herbs, dried spices, pan drippings and charred earth all emerging from the glass. While this aromatic profile might not seem to live up to the billing of fresh and lively, there is certainly a lift and vibrancy to the aromas that keep it from coming across as heavy or cumbersome. Similarly styled on the palate, with a full-bodied, structured and firm mouthfeel, it has beautifully integrated acidity, masses of tannin and a focused finish that pumps out serious length. The most lively and fresh of Scott’s 2010s, yet still with some tannin to integrate, it should be given 2-3 years of bottle age and then consumed over the following decade. |
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2010 |
L’Orage Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
6 |
|
| |
| WA 93 (6/2013): A blend of two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Cabernet Franc that spent 24 months in half new and half once-used French oak barrels, the 2010 l’Orage is also fantastic and shows the deep, concentrated house style. Offering up decadent black cherry, black currant, spice box, lead pencil shavings and underbrush aromas and flavors, it doesn’t pull any punches on the palate and delivers massive amounts of fruit, texture and tannin. Firming up noticeably on the finish, it’s a broad, chewy effort that will benefit from short-term cellaring. A perfect intro into Scott’s wines, it will have 12-15 years of longevity. |
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2010 |
Singularity Syrah |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
| WA 97 (6/2013): Even more ripe and exotic on the nose, with notions of espresso roast, lavender, smoked duck, charred herbs and black fruits, the 2010 Singularity (100% Syrah aged 30 months in 100% new French oak) flows onto the palate with a gorgeously full, rich texture that carries layers of fruit, juicy acidity and ripe tannin that emerges on the finish. A massive, decadently styled wine that walks a fine line on the oak profile, with a subtle sheen of charred wood, it nevertheless manages to hold everything together and is a thrill ride of a Syrah. It should shine for 10-15 years. |
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| Somnium Cellars |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$85 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Soos Creek |
2010 |
Champoux Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
6 |
|
| |
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| Spottswoode |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$295 |
3 |
|
| |
WA 100 (10/2013): The brilliant 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts an inky/purple color as well as glorious aromas of spring flowers, lead pencil shavings, licorice and a multitude of wild mountain fruits, in particular black raspberry, blackberry and cassis reminiscent of a French Pauillac (although I always think of Spottswoode as the Chateau Margaux of Napa). With a flawless integration of tannin, wood and acidity, it comes across like a liquid version of haute couture from the house of Chanel. It should drink well young yet age for 25 years.
VM 96+ (11/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is drop-dead gorgeous. Over the last 12 months the 2010 has fleshed out beautifully. Today, the 2010 is rich, full-bodied and intense. The structure is that of a cold vintage, but the fruit and density are those of a year marked by three heat spikes. I imagine the 2010 will enjoy a long drinking window, starting in another few years, even if today the fruit is really popping. The 2010 is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. This is a dazzling wine from Spottswoode. |
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| Spring Mountain Vineyard |
2010 |
Elivette Proprietary Blend |
$110 |
2 |
|
| |
| JS 91 (5/2016): Fresh herb and berry character to this with some chocolate. Medium to full body. Bright finish. Drink now. |
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| Stags' Leap Winery |
2010 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$60 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 87 (10/2013): The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa (86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Malbec) exhibits elegant black raspberry, mulberry and chocolate aromas, a lush, nicely crafted, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, excellent purity, and plenty of berry fruit and wood spice characteristics. It should drink well for 15 or more years. |
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2010 |
Napa Valley Petite Sirah |
$30 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 90+ (10/2013): The 2010 Petite Sirah Napa, a blend of 77% Petite Sirah, 12% Syrah, 6% Grenache and the rest Carignan, Mourvedre and Viognier, is widely available as there are nearly 20,000 cases. This beautiful effort exhibits notes of raspberries, black cherry liqueur, crushed rocks, blueberries and other black fruits. At this stage it is still very much a fruit bomb, but I think the inclusion of the other varietals has toned it down and made it more approachable than a 100% Petite Sirah would be. This is a fascinating, pure, impressive wine to enjoy over the next two to three decades. |
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2010 |
Winemaker’s Muse Napa Valley Syrah |
$30 |
1 |
|
| |
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| Stone the Crows |
2010 |
Three Twins Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$95 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 91 (5/2013): (from vines planted in 2005 on volcanic soil in Conn Valley upslope from Anderson Conn Valley): Bright medium ruby. Very dark aromas of blackberry, purple flowers and minerals, plus a whiff of tobacco; hints at almost syrupy ripeness but shows good lift too. A seamless, fine-grained fruit bomb in the mouth, but with a restrained sweetness to its dark berry flavors. Finishes with substantial but very fine tannins. Winemaker Thomas Brown wants to see a bit more tannic grip, but the quality of the fruit here suggests that this will be a project to watch as the vines mature. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Orin Swift |
2010 |
The Abstract Proprietary Blend |
$45 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Switchback Ridge |
2010 |
Peterson Family Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$139 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 91+ (6/2013): Good bright, dark red. High-toned aromas of crushed cassis, cocoa powder and licorice. Silky and elegant on the palate, with ripe, intense flavors of cassis, coffee bean and minerals underpinned by strong acidity. Lovely mid-palate lift here. Finishes with notes of licorice and fennel and serious tannic clout. From a blend of two blocks: mostly clone 7, which gives the wine its black fruit element and muscle, and some 337, which contributes bright acidity and more aromatic red fruits. |
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2010 |
Peterson Family Vyd. Merlot (1.5 L) |
$130 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Tenor Wines |
2010 |
1:1 Proprietary Blend |
$65 |
13 |
|
| |
WA 94+ (6/2014): Looking at the top, Cabernet Sauvignon dominated release, the 2010 1:1 Columbia Valley incorporates slightly more Merlot than normal and checks in as 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec that spent 20 months in 100% new French oak. It offers fabulous purity in its cassis, licorice, toasted spice, graphite and lead pencil shaving like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, tight, focused and elegant, with integrated acidity and building tannin that comes through with additional time in the glass, this rock star Bordeaux blend will have upwards of two decades of longevity.
VM 90+ (11/2013): Bright, saturated ruby-red. Reticent aromas of cassis, black raspberry, spicecake, graphite, violet and bitter chocolate, plus a distinct herbal complexity. Offers a lovely restrained sweetness to its sappy flavors of raspberry, cherry, currant and spices. Good texture and extract here, as well as exotic spice and wild herb notes to provide mid-palate lift. With its serious dusty tannins and brisk acidity, this promising but youthfully bound-up wine needs time to unwind. Stephen Tanzer. |
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2010 |
Tenor Syrah |
$30 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94 (6/2013): An impressive, pedal-to-the-metal effort that stays balanced and fresh, the 2010 Syrah, aged 19 months in 100% new French oak puncheons (larger, 500-liter barrels), offers up a savory, complex array of creme de cassis, salted beef, licorice, pepper and chocolate as well as a full-bodied, beautifully pure and thrillingly textured mouthfeel. Showing more and more purity and Syrah typicity with air, this fantastic effort can be enjoyed now, but will be even better in 2-3 years. A 10-12 year drink window isn’t out of the question. Impressive!
VM 89 (11/2013): Medium-deep ruby. Sexy perfume of blackberry, minerals, meat and licorice. Dens, savory and a bit youthfully aggressive, with a slight youthful bitterness to the cassis and licorice flavors. Can't quite match the Bordeaux blends here for class or depth. My enthusiasm--as well as the wine's fruit--was muted a bit by the high alcohol. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Terlato Vineyards |
2010 |
Episode Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$228.65 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 88 (10/2013): The 2010 Proprietary Red Episode (44% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot) is a more Pomerol-styled effort displaying a deep ruby color, lots of mocha and black cherry notes, soft tannins and a round, hedonistic appeal. This elegant, pure 2010 is ideal for drinking over the next 5-6 years. |
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| Sean Thackrey |
2010 |
Sirius Eagle Point Ranch Petite Sirah (1.5 L) |
$165 |
5 |
|
| |
| VM 92+ (5/2014): Deep, bright ruby. Lovely expressive aromas of black raspberry, violet, licorice and bitter chocolate. Concentrated, dense and sweet, with excellent inner-mouth energy and lift to the flavors of dark berries, dark chocolate and flint. Perhaps most impressive today on the very long, ripely tannic back end. Long on personality for the variety. Showed eucalyptus and licorice pastille notes after 72 hours in the recorked bottle without losing its verve. Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Trinchero |
2010 |
Central Park West Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
|
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2010 |
Cloud’s Nest Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Venge |
2010 |
Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$119 |
2 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (10/2013): There are 350 cases of the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve which boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as beautiful aromas of cassis, red and black fruits, high-toned spicy oak, a full-bodied, layered mouthfeel, and a finish that lasts 45-50 seconds. This fabulous, All American Cabernet Sauvignon that comes from a first-growth site will offer glorious drinking over the next 20-25 years. I am glad to see the Venges building sweeter tannins into their wines so they have accessibility in their youth and adolescence. |
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| Vineyard 7 & 8 |
2010 |
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$125 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94 (10/2018): Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a little closed to begin, opening out to expressive wild blueberry, black cherry and black raspberry notes with touches of menthol, baker’s chocolate, underbrush and mossy bark plus a touch of truffles. The palate is full, firm and chewy with a lively backbone and plenty of muscular fruit, finishing earthy.
VM 92 (5/2020): Saturated deep ruby! Brooding, medicinal aromas of crushed mountain blackberry, sage, tar, licorice and bitter chocolate. Dense, deep and chocolatey on entry, conveying an almost port-like ripeness and a lack of restraint to its powerful mountain berry and black pepper flavors. Powerful but still a bit musclebound, and in need of further cellaring. This pungent, hugely tannic wine should become more civilized with a few more years of cellaring. Right now, it's no-holds-barred, and quite tannic. In fact, it's hard to believe that it's almost ten years old, as it tastes like a barrel sample. Classic mountain wine, but fans of more delicate Cabernets may find it a bit overbearing. A second bottle was a bit more pliant in the middle palate, showing a stronger licorice element, and of equal quality It, too, was quite tannic, but seemed a bit sweeter--and closer to maturity. (Drink between 2023-2038). Stephen Tanzer. |
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| Andrew Will |
2010 |
Champoux Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 94 (6/2013): Similarly colored, yet a step up in richness and depth, and certainly not aromatically challenged, the 2010 Champoux Vineyard is a superb blend of 42% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Franc and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 21 months in barrel, it possesses gorgeous aromas of black raspberry, creme de cassis, dried flowers, spice box and a dusty pebble minerality on the nose. Medium-bodied, elegant and beautifully balanced, with fresh acidity and moderate tannin, it has upside and should round into form with another 2-3 years of bottle age and have over a decade or more of total longevity. Drink 2015-2022.
VM 93+ (11/2013): (42% merlot, 32% cabernet franc and 26% cabernet sauvignon): Good full, dark red. Exhilarating aromas of blackberry, cocoa powder and rose petal. Suave, silky and seamless, with ripe acidity and an element of medicinal reserve energizing the savory flavors of dark berries and lead pencil. Really wonderful flavor intensity here. The very long, sappy, slowly building finish and well-buffered tannins suggest that this wine will enjoy a long and graceful evolution in the bottle. |
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2010 |
Sorella Champoux Vyd. |
$75 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 94+ (11/2013): Deep, dark bright ruby. Pungent aromas and flavors of black raspberry, blueberry, licorice and lavender are accented by a minty high note. Sweet, dense and inviting; at once seriously structured and light on its feet. This very intense, youthful wine finishes very long, with harmonious acidity, noble broad tannins and a savory saline complexity. From a crop level under three tons per acre, according to Chris Camarda, and it shows. Another beauty for the cellar. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 94 (6/2013): The top wine of the estate, the 2010 Sorella (meaning “sister” in Italian and made to honor Chris’ sister) is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc that spent the standard 21 months in barrel. Loaded with promise, it has a decidedly pure, classy and detailed bouquet of black currant, graphite, licorice, roasted meats and singed herbs. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it still holds onto the overall elegance and finesse driven style of the estate and delivers a seamless texture, chewy tannin and serious minerality on the finish. As with Chris’ other 2010s, short-term cellaring is warranted here and upwards of two decades of longevity should be expected. Drink 2015-2030. |
|
| Wolf Family Vineyards |
2010 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Woodward Canyon |
2010 |
Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon |
$55 |
10 |
|
| |
| WA 94 (6/2013): More refined and elegant, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series #19 is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot and was aged 20 months in 50% new French oak. Very classic on the nose, with plenty of black currant, tobacco leaf, chocolate, cedar and herbs, it is medium to full-bodied, seamless and perfectly balanced, with a light fresh texture that conceals underlying ripe tannin. Enjoy it over the coming 12-15 years. Drink now-2028. |
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