Impressive for its purity and fleshy black cherry flavors, with details of pomegranate, strawberry and fresh herb details of thyme, sage and rosemary on a crisp, juicy frame. Accents of cherry cola and red licorice, as well as polished tannins. leave a lasting impression on the finish. Drink now through 2035.
Composed of fruit from carefully selected, sustainably farmed vineyard blocks across Alexander Mountain, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Bennet Valley, La Crema’s cab exhibits a velvety mouthfeel and ripe berry flavors. It is approachable, in both sipping and price point, yet bold enough to stand up to the Thanksgiving spread and discerning guests. Notes of blackberry, cocoa, and a supporting touch of oak bring out the savory flavors in roasted vegetables and an array of meats like pork and lamb, making it a versatile choice for the table.
A blend of equal parts of Merlot, Petit Sirah, and Syrah. It spent 20 months in oak, gaining a rich garnet color and flavors of blueberry, chocolate, blackberry, and a firm toasty oak structure. Perfect with rich meats like prime rib or leg of lamb.
Capable and obviously very clean and fresh Chenin. Far from the most characterful at this
stage but it's a very youthful (very pristine) wine. Bright-fruited but too expensive. Maybe
it will bloom?
The aim of winemaker Graham Weerts of Capensis, the Jackson Family Wines South
African Chardonnay project, is not to produce a copy of a northern Rhône wine but
something very evidently true to the site. Very pure, fresh and fruity. Hardly perceptible
tannins and lovely pure fruit. Perhaps not a very long-distance player but very charming –
a wine that improved overnight.
Nice balance between richness and crystalline character, with that grapefruit element running through it. Really sophisticated wine with a beginning, middle and end. I'm not at all sur it’s a bargain(!) but it's a very good drink.
Light nose but really very fresh and crisp on the palate with delicate fruit and more than a hint of the grapefruit character of the informing vineyard. The best-value Capensis wine? Though maybe not for the cellar.
The three Chardonnays are well delineated. This is very deep-flavoured and complete.
Beautiful balance and slightly bitter on the end, in a good way. A complex, slightly spicy
wine. The 'regular' Capensis is probably more refreshing and burgundian. Though this
comment would doubtless infuriate winemaker Graham Weerts who is trying not to ape
any other wine style but produce something ineffably South African.
Spirited and handsomely built, with expressive flavors of cherry and blueberry accented by anise and juniper berry as this builds tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032. 639 cases made.
Precise and filled with tension, this red slowly reveals notes of raspberry, pomegranate, dusky spices and mint while building toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. 230 cases made.
Offers a plump, generous mix of pear, apple and citrus flavors, with a touch of fresh peach on the juicy finish, plus a hint of almond blossoms. Drink now. 200 cases made.
Arcanum shows how well Cabernet Franc does in Tuscany, so well that the estate is planting more. Opens with a sauvage note of rosemary, oregano and dark berries. Copious ripe plum-like flavors on a suave palate with a peppery spiciness, firm acidity, and gorgeous balance. 100% Cabernet Franc sourced primarily from the Apparita (380m) and Belvedere (400m) parcels, the oldest Cabernet Franc vineyards of the estate (the estate has 17 ha total of Cabernet Franc in 12 blocks that all potentially contribute to to the final blend) located in the southwest part of the estate with sandy clay soils. Matured 12 months in 70% new French oak.
This impressive red offers a polished and powerful mix of violet, black currant, black cherry and spiced plum notes that are juicy and velvety. Details of bittersweet chocolate, rosemary, oregano, espresso and salted toffee add complexity and aromatics. Expressive and generous on the long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Drink now through 2039. From Australia.
Dark ruby. Opens with aromas of elderberry, tobacco and soil, progressing to dark fruited, tea-like palate. Broad and mouth filing with dense flavors, dry tannins, and rich extract on a lingering finish. A beautiful wine. 100% Sangiovese aged 12 months in second use French oak. pH 3.37, 15% alc.
(Stonestreet in Italian) is an elegant wine that opens with a fine perfume of flowers, fruit and mountain herbs. It’s high toned, ethereal, and well worth the money. Strada al Sasso is a selection of the best barrels from the 405m high Strada al Sasso vineyard planted in 1998 and overlooking the walled town of San Gusmé. Matured 12 months in second use French oak barriques. Sourced from the Castelnuovo Berardenga UGA, which will be listed on the label beginning with the 2022 vintage.
Powerful, with plenty of verve and polish to the generous flavors of morello cherries in syrup, spiced plum, black currant and juicy blackberry. Accents of bay leaf, sage and rosemary, along with pepper, black tea and licorice notes, linger on the long, velvety finish, backed by a hint of Sichuan pepper. Drink now through 2037.
The 2019 Journey is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon matured for 20 months in 40%. new French oak. It has pure, layered aromatics that unfurl continuously as it spends time in the glass: cassis and blueberry mingle with tones of menthol, pipe tobacco, soy sauce, chargrill and cocoa powder. The full-bodied palate offers Goldilocks ripeness, and its fruit is accented by mineral and floral character. It’s powerfully structured with powdery tannins and seamless acidity and has a long, complex finish. It will benefit from 3-5 years in bottle and will be long lived in the cellar. 240 cases produced.
The 2021 Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard comes from a vineyard west of the town of Occidental at around 1,000 feet of elevation. The wine was barrel fermented and matured for 13 months in 30% new French oak. It has pretty scents of lime peel, citrus blossom, cream cheese and graham cracker. The lightbodied palate is silky and concentrated with youthfully coiled flavors, tangy acidity and a long, mouth-coating finish. It will benefit from 2-3+ years in bottle. 268 cases were made.
From vines planted in 1995, the 2021 Chardonnay Three Jacks Vineyard was barrel fermented and matured for 14 months in 31% new French oak. It has detailed aromas of lemon confit, honeysuckle, oyster shell and crème fraîche. The palate is so dynamic! It has a luxuriously satiny texture and surprisingly concentrated flavors that range from lemon to honey and ginger. It’s structured by lightning-like acidity and has a very long, mineral-driven finish. 338 cases were made.
Barrel fermented and matured for 14 months in 13% new French oak, the 2021 Chardonnay Fog Dance Vineyard has a unique expression that’s both exotic and precise. It opens with gregarious scents of candied peaches, orange blossoms, honey and cashews. The palate pairs concentrated layers of spicy peach and tropical citrus fruit with tangy, laser-like acidity, and it has a very long, shimmery finish. 300 cases produced.
The 2021 Chardonnay Stone Côte, from a block within the Durell Vineyard, was barrel fermented and matured for 14 months in 13% new French oak. It has detailed aromas of apricot, citrus blossom, oyster shell, matchstick and beeswax. The light-bodied palate combines expansive, mineral-driven flavors with tangy acidity, and it has a long, textural finish. 386 cases were made.
Semi-opaque ruby. Dark cherry, plum and a hint of sandalwood show on the nose. Lovely, silky texture with pretty, up front fruit but not as much depth as the Strada al Sasso. On the palate notes of earthy tobacco complement fresh, dark red fruit. Finishes dry. This is the inaugural release of this Gran Selezione. 95% Sangiovese and 5%Colorino sourced from 550m high estate vineyards. Matured in second use French oak barrels for 12 months. pH 3.37, 15% alc
Semi-opaque dark red. This 100% Merlot (2018 is the first vintage to be all Merlot) is sourced from the Valadorna and Capraia vineyard blocks located in a cooler part of the estate with a stream running through it. It opens with scents of black plum, herbal spice, and a hint of blue fruit. This is a big, chewy wine that’s admirably concentrated, deeply flavored and beautifully balanced with a long, firm finish and fine tannins. 100% Merlot matured 12 months in 70% new French oak. pH 3.58, 14.5% alc.
Impressive for its structure and detail, this Pinot serves up raspberry and boysenberry flavors laced with forest floor and crushed stone tones that build richness toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2032.