This vintage of Trueman emerges as a quintessential example of McLaren Vale Cab, round in shape and fruit forward, backed by spice and savory herbs. It offers ripe blackberry, violet, tobacco leaf, olive and peppery spice flavors. In the mouth the plump fruit is tempered by the variety’s typically powerful tannins. The juxtaposition works well, although it lacks some of the elegance and complexity inherent in the cooler 2017 vintage. Drink 2022–2036.
Stewed cherry, toast and sandalwood aromas align on the nose of this bottling. Sour-cherry-compote flavors come through on the palate as do sagebrush and mountain-herb elements.
Well-structured, with rich acidity to the fresh-cut apple and Asian pear flavors that show savory richness. Sage cream accents fill the contoured finish. Drink now through 2026.
Deep in black cherry and black-pepper flavors, this well-balanced and relatively full-bodied wine tastes rich and satisfying. Moderate tannins interlace with the dark fruit, accented by subtle oak spices that demand more sipping.
A spicy richness fills the broad textured apple pastry, dried apricot and ripe pear flavors in this white. Creamy midpalate, with a long and plush tasting finish. Drink now through 2025.
Tensile, with concentrated white plum, dried sage and preserved citrus flavors that are bound by focused acidity. Saline accents linger with meringue notes on the finish. Drink now through 2024.
A spearmint aroma meets pomegranate and raspberry jam on the nose of this widely available bottling. There’s a rocky grip to the palate, where fresh mint and strawberry sorbet flavors are enhanced by turned loam and dried herb elements.
Roasted red-cherry aromas are cut by singed sagebrush on the nose of this bottling. There’s a dusty, earthy core to the palate, where the crisp red fruits are lean and fresh.
Broad-textured, with toasty accents to the baked apple and dried pear flavors. Brioche notes accent the open-textured finish. Drink now.
Seared marshmallow and peachextract aromas are ripe on the nose of this bottling. There’s a zing of acidity on the palate, giving some depth to the hazelnut, peach and sweet butter flavors.
Broad-shouldered, with zesty blackberry, roasted sage and white pepper flavors that finish with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2025.
Tangy citrus, pineapple and peach flavors are juicy and appealing, with mouthwatering acidity on the finish. Drink now.
This white has light peachy accents to the baked apple and dried pear flavors, with buttery hints showing on the juicy finish. Drink now.
A zesty blend, with energetic black cherry, smoky anise and pepper flavors. Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2025.
On the light side, but smooth and ripe tasting, this wine eases onto the palate with apples, peaches and a hint of vanilla, while soft acidity gives a broad texture.
Soft and silky, with modest cherry and strawberry blossom accents. Drink now.
Compact but refreshing, with dried citrus zest notes and apple flavors. Offers a touch of dried flowers on the finish. Drink now.
Straightforward lemon-lime and green apple flavors are juicy and refreshing, with a note of dried chamomile on the finish. Drink now.
From vines planted in 1982, the 2019 Merlot W.S. Keyes Vineyard checks in as 81% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Sauvignon that was brought up in 84% new French oak. This deep, full-bodied, powerful, impeccably balanced beauty offers up loads of ripe black cherries, blackberries, graphite, scorched earth, and Asian spices on the nose. It's another stunning example of mountain Merlot that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years, and it's going to cruise for 20-25 years in cold cellar. The Cabernet component really shows in the tannin structure. This is a serious, incredibly age-worthy Merlot that, in my opinion, is one of the greatest Merlots in California.
Pure, classic California notes of crème de cassis, spicy oak, chalky minerality, graphite, and spring flowers emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot that's sourced from multiple mountain AVAs in the valley. Full-bodied and powerful on the palate, it has a deep, rich mid-palate, beautiful tannins, notable acidity, and a great, great finish. It's another brilliant wine from Carpenter that can offer pleasure today yet also evolve for 20-25 years or more.
Also from two sites, the 2019 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is all Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 87% new French oak. It's another deeply hued Cabernet revealing a stunning bouquet of ripe red and black plums, graphite, bouquet garni, tobacco, and sappy flowers. Rich, full-bodied, gorgeously balanced, and lengthy on the palate, it deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for 20-25 years. As with most Spring Mountain releases, it shines just as much for its complexity, nuance, and balance as its power and richness.
A combination from two sites, the 2019 Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is another elegant, yet concentrated, structured, and expansive Cabernet from Chris that shines on all accounts. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, graphite, scorched earth, and some floral notes all define the nose, and it's full-bodied on the palate, with terrific purity, building, ripe tannins, bright acidity, and an undeniable sense of minerality on the finish. This rich, concentrated, structured 2019 warrants 5-6 years of bottle age and will be incredibly long lived.
The 2019 Red Wine, based on 67% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and miniscule amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot, is the most difficult blend to put together. A deep, rich, powerful Merlot, it has tons of red and black fruits as well as chalky minerality, medium to full body, a dense, compact mid-palate, and complex notes of spring flowers and spice.
Winemaker Chris Carpenter fashions the Caladan releases to be more complex, lifted, and perfumed. Mostly from Spring Mountain, the 2019 Cabernet Franc checks in as 79% Cabernet Franc and 21% Merlot, aged in 75% new French oak. Gorgeous black raspberry, cassis, and earthy currant fruits as well as lots of spring flowers, iron, and spice notes emerge on the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied, pure, and polished on the palate, with plenty of tannins and structure. It has some accessibility today, yet smart money will hide bottles for 4-5 years, and this beauty is going to evolve for at least two decades.
Black raspberries, cassis, spring flowers, and tobacco notes dominate the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, a beautiful, classic, medium to full-bodied, incredibly satisfying Cabernet that does everything right. Drink this complex, perfumed, elegant beauty over the coming two decades. The blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, aged in 81% new French oak.