2022 Tastings Continued
2021 Le Clos du Caillou “Le Caillou” Cotes-Du- Rhône Blanc
2021 Le Clos du Caillou “Le Caillou” Cotes-Du- Rhône Blanc
2021 Le Clos du Caillou “Le Caillou” Cotes-Du- Rhône Blanc
2021 Le Clos du Caillou “Le Caillou” Cotes-Du- Rhône Blanc
Score: 90 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 50% White Grenache, 35 % Viognier, 15% White Clairette
The wine had a beautiful bouquet of white flowers, pears, peaches, fennel seeds, white pepper, and crushed rocks. The wine had great acidity and a plush palate painted with hints of tart peaches, pears, beeswax, lemons, and a kiss of brine. The wine is medium-bodied with crisp clean layers of fruit and minerals that give way to a nicely balanced finish. Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2020 Le Clos du Caillou “Les Quartz” Cotes-Du- Rhône
2021 Le Clos du Caillou “Le Caillou” Cotes-Du- Rhône Blanc
2021 Le Clos du Caillou “Le Caillou” Cotes-Du- Rhône Blanc
2020 Le Clos du Caillou “Les Quartz” Cotes-Du- Rhône
Score: 91 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah
The wine had a bouquet of cherries, black raspberries, violets, tobacco, black pepper, vanilla, graphite, and black tea. The wine was medium to full-bodied with rounded tannins that gave way to a plush palate painted with hints of black raspberries, cherries, plums, tar, savory herbs, pepper, brown spices, graphite, and earth. The wine was nicely balanced and had supple layers of fruit and earth with a hint of smoke on the finish. Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2020 Le Clos du Caillou “Les Safres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2021 Le Clos du Caillou “Le Caillou” Cotes-Du- Rhône Blanc
2020 Le Clos du Caillou “Les Safres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Le Clos du Caillou “Les Safres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 94 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 95% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre
The wine had an elegant bouquet of cherries, plums, boysenberries, licorice, sandalwood, tobacco, exotic spices, pepper, and violets. The wine was medium to full-bodied with rounded tannins that gave way to hints of black cherries, blueberries, boysenberries, licorice, soft herbs, pepper, brown spices, citrus, and briny silt. The wine was complex with dense refined layers of fruit and earth that were beautifully balanced. The wine should continue to evolve nicely over the next 17 years; thus, rewarding those with the patience to cellar it. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2020 Le Clos du Caillou “Les Quartz” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Le Clos du Caillou “Les Safres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Le Clos du Caillou “Les Quartz” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 95 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
The wine had an alluring bouquet of boysenberries, pomegranates, black raspberries, violets, vanilla, baking spices, licorice, and tilled earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded gripping tannins that painted the palate with hints of black cherries, boysenberries, blueberries, brown spices, white pepper, dried herbs, and tilled earth. The wine was elegantly complex with bold layers of fruit and earth that harmonized perfectly together. This wine should evolve nicely over the next two decades but should be approachable in about 8 to 10 years. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2020 Le Clos du Caillou "La Réserve" Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Le Clos du Caillou "La Réserve" Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 97 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 60% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre
This wine had a sexy bouquet of plums, black raspberries, currants, caramel, brine, black tea, spice, licorice, creamy chocolate, smoke, and tilled earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gave way to hints of plums, blackcurrants, strawberry compote, raspberries, licorice, savory spices, tobacco, chocolate, and wet earth. The wine was complex with bold layers of fruit and earth that were elegantly balanced and harmonized beautifully together. The wine should reward those with the patience to cellar it. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2020 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 95 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 60% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 1% Vacarrese, 2% Assorted Other Varieties
The wine had a beautiful bouquet of black raspberries, cherries, redcurrants, graphite, leafy tobacco, pepper, chocolate, thyme, and tilled earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that painted the palate with hints of blackberries, cherries, pomegranates, tart raspberries, tobacco, graphite, cedar, soft herbs, crushed gravel, and tilled earth. The wine was elegant with complex layers of fruit and earth that harmonized perfectly together. The wine was bold yet subdued with a nice level of acidity that gave balance and poise. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2019 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 96 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 62% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 13% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 1% Vacarrase, 1% Assorted Other Varieties
The wine had a bouquet of boysenberries, blackberries, black cherries, dried tobacco, rose petals, violets, charred animal fat, pepper, graphite, soft herbs, and wet earth. The wine was full-bodied with gripping tannins that painted the palate with hints of black cherries, plums, pomegranates, blackberries, thyme, sage, tobacco, chalky minerals, graphite, pepper, char, and newly wet forest floor. The wine had a lovely level of acidity that gave balance to complex layers of bold fruit and savory earthy terroir notes. This wine should evolve nicely for those with the patience to cellar it for 10 to 17 years. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2016 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2016 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 95 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 62% Grenache, 18% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah, 6% Cinsault and 2% Assorted Other Varieties
The wine had a bouquet of bright raspberries, pomegranates, cherries, blackberries, red hot candy, tobacco, black tea, roasted coffee, cocoa powder, and tilled earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gave way to hints of red and black berry fruits, herbs of Provence, black tea, pepper, powdered chocolate, espresso, tobacco, and tilled earth. The wine was complex with bold layers of fruit and savory earth that were balanced with a beautiful level of acidity. There was sophistication and elegance to this wine that brought poise to a powerful backbone. The wine is approachable now but should continue evolving nicely over the next decade. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2020 Domaine La Barroche “Fiancée” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine La Barroche Julien Barrot Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Domaine La Barroche “Fiancée” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Domaine La Barroche “Fiancée” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 97 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 55% Grenache, 45% Syrah
Wafting from my glass was a seductive bouquet of blackberries, boysenberries, blueberries, violets, soft baking spices, chocolate, caramel, tobacco, charred animal fat, brine, and tilled earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate and painted it with hints of blackberries, boysenberries, plum, blueberries, dried herbs, leafy tobacco, caramel, cocoa powder, crushed briny minerals, and fine dusty earth. The wine was beautifully complex with bold layers of fruit and earth that were subdued with a nice level of acidity that brought balance and harmony to the palate. The wine displayed amazing strength and concentration alongside elegance and sophistication. This wine should reward those with the patience to cellar it. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2020 Domaine Du Grand Tinel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc
2019 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Domaine Du Grand Tinel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc
2020 Domaine Du Grand Tinel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc
Score: 90 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 60% Grenache Blanc, 25% Clairette, 15% Roussanne
The wine had a floral bouquet with white flowers, white peach, pineapple, pears, white pepper, citrus, brine, beeswax, and crushed minerals. The wine was medium-bodied with a lovely level of acidity that gave balance to a palate painted with hints of white peaches, pears, pineapple, guava, lemons, beeswax, brine, crushed minerals, and soft spice. The wine shows beautifully and should continue evolving nicely for a few years. Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2019 Domaine Du Grand Tinel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Domaine Du Grand Tinel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc
2019 Domaine Du Grand Tinel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 94 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre
The wine had a wonderful bouquet of blackberries, black cherries, boysenberries, black raspberries, violets, tobacco, roasted coffee, dried herbs, char, and tilled earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate with hints of black cherries, blackberries, pomegranates, raspberries, boysenberries, leafy tobacco, thyme, sage, soft spice, tilled earth, and a kiss of sweet oak. The wine was complex with bold layers of fruit and earth that were balanced with a lovely level of acidity. This wine will reward those with the patience to cellar it for several years; thus, drink after 2026 through 2034. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2019 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 96 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 100% Grenache
The wine had a bouquet of black cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, leafy tobacco, caramel, cocoa powder, dried herbs, black tea, brine, and dusty earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate with hints of black raspberries, blackberries, cherries, plum, tobacco, black tea, dried herbs, baking chocolate, chalky minerals, soft brine, and dusty dried earth. The wine was complex with savory layers of fruit and earth that were balanced with a nice level of acidity. There is a beautiful bold focus and concentration to this wine without losing its elegance. The wine should evolve nicely over the next two decades. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2001 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2001 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2019 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2001 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 95 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 100% Grenache
The wine had an alluring bouquet of cherry liquor, blackberries, plums, forest floor, brine, soft herbs, pepper, pine nuts, and tilled earth. The wine was full-bodied with dissipating tannins that gave way to a luxurious palate painted with hints of plums, blackberries, currants, cherry liquor, savory dried herbs, soft pepper, crushed briny minerals, dried leaves, and fine dusty earth. The wine was complex with supple layers of fruit and earth that were absolutely beautiful. The wine had a lovely level of acidity that gave balance and poise to the bold structure. The wine was fully mature and showing brilliantly, but I expect it to only last another few years before going into decline. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2006 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Heres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2001 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2006 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Heres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2006 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Heres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 94 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 100% Grenache
The wine had a lovely bouquet of pomegranates, cherries, cassis liquor, figs, dried herbs, soft spice, leather, char, and wet earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gave way to hints of red and black berry fruits, cassis liquor, thyme, sage, brine, sweet dates, smoke, tobacco, and wet forest floor. The wine was beautifully complex with rich layers of fruit and earth that harmonized perfectly together. This wine's bold backbone and focus were balanced with a nice level of acidity. This wine requires patience as it's just now approaching its window of drinkability, but it should continue evolving nicely for another 15 to 20 years. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2020 Chateau Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2001 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Alexis Establet” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2006 Domaine Du Grand Tinel “Heres” Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2020 Chateau Mont-Redon Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Score: 95 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 8%
Mourvèdre and 2% Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin and Vaccarèse
The wine had a bouquet of cherries, raspberries, blackcurrants, baking chocolate, soft exotic spice, herbs, smoke, graphite, and violets. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate with hints of cherries, blueberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, chocolate, dusty minerals, exotic spices, graphite, tar, tobacco, and earth. The wine was complex with rich layers of fruit and earth that harmonized perfectly together. The wine had power that was balanced with a beautiful level of acidity bringing elegance and poise. The wine is approachable now but should continue evolving nicely over the next two decades. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2018 Chateau Mont-Redon Reserve Gigondas
2018 Chateau Mont-Redon Reserve Gigondas
Score: 91 Points
Location: Rhône Valley, France
Blend: 85% Grenache, 9% Syrah and 6% Mourvèdre
The wine had a lovely bouquet of blackberries, black cherries, licorice, sage, tobacco, white pepper, star anise, smoke, leather, and dusty earth. The wine was full-bodied with gripping tannins that painted the palate with hints of blackcurrants, blackberries, cherries, tobacco, roasted animal fat, sage, chalky minerals, exotic spices, and tilled earth. The wine was beautifully complex with layers of fruit and earth that were balanced and kept in harmony with a nice level of acidity. The wine is approachable now and should drink well over the next 8 to 10 years. Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2021 Domaine Gayda Collection Viognier
2020 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Cabernet Franc
2021 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Chenin Blanc
2021 Domaine Gayda Collection Viognier
Score: 90 Points
Location: Languedoc, France
Blend: 100% Viognier
The wine had a fragrant bouquet of white flowers, lemon blossoms, apricots, pears, white peach, guava, citrus, wet river rocks, and honeysuckle. The wine was medium-bodied with a nice level of acidity that gave balance to a palate painted with hints of crisp orchard fruits, lemon oil, crushed minerals, and a touch of honey on the finish. The wine is nicely layered with a clean focus of fruits and earth that are intriguing and lovely. Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2021 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Chenin Blanc
2020 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Cabernet Franc
2021 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Chenin Blanc
2021 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Chenin Blanc
Score: 92 Points
Location: Languedoc, France
Blend: 100% Chenin Blanc
The wine had a beautifully expressive bouquet of white flowers, orange blossoms, pears, pineapple, lemongrass, beeswax, brine, sweet white figs, and crushed minerals. The wine was medium-bodied with a nice level of acidity that gave balance to a luxurious palate layered with hints of pears, pineapples, lemons, crushed minerals, fresh-cut herbs, beeswax, brine, and a touch of brioche. The wine was complex with integrated layers of fruit and earth that harmonized perfectly together. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2020 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Cabernet Franc
2020 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Cabernet Franc
2020 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Cabernet Franc
2020 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Cabernet Franc
Score: 93 Points
Location: Languedoc, France
Blend: 100% Cabernet Franc
Wafting from my glass was a concentrated bouquet of blackberries, cassis, black cherries, graphite, bell pepper, caramel, vanilla, black tea, dried sage, cigar box, and tilled earth. The wine was medium to full-bodied with rounded tannins that gave way to hints of black cherries, blackberries, cassis, graphite, black tea, vanilla, baking spices, dried herbs, and dusty earth. The wine was complex with savory layers of fruit and earth that harmonized beautifully together. The wine should continue evolving nicely over the next few years for those with the patience to cellar it. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2020 Domaine Gayda Chemin de Moscou
2018 Bell Wine Cellars “Clone 169” Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Domaine Gayda Figure Libre Cabernet Franc
2020 Domaine Gayda Chemin de Moscou
Score: 94 Points
Location: Languedoc, France
Blend: 59% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 6% Cinsault
This beautifully opaque wine had a vivid bouquet of blackberries, boysenberries, violets, soft herbs, exotic spices, charred animal fat, chocolate, and dusty earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate and painted it with hints of blackberries, boysenberries, black cherries, brown baking spices, exotic spices, char, dried herbs, chocolate, juicy pomegranates, and tilled dusty earth. The wine was complex with masculine layers of fruit and earth balanced with a lovely level of acidity. The wine was structured with lush and savory terroir notes that harmonized perfectly with the concentrated dark fruit. This wine should evolve nicely for those with the patience to cellar it for 8 to 12 years. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: October 2022
2018 Bell Wine Cellars “Clone 169” Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Bell Wine Cellars “Clone 169” Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Bell Wine Cellars “Clone 169” Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Bell Wine Cellars “Clone 169” Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 94 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine was dark purple with a bouquet of cassis, blackberries, cherries, dry sage, baking spices, caramel, black tea, toasted oak, and dusty earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate and gave way to hints of ripe blackberries, black cherries, cassis fruit, chocolate, caramel, sage, black tea, tobacco, toasted oak, and dusty earth. The wine was complex with velvety layers of fruit and earth that were balanced with a lovely level of acidity. The wine needs 8 to 10 years to develop and reach its window of maturity; however, after that it should drink beautifully till 2035. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022
2019 Clos Du Val Estate Cabernet Franc
2018 Bell Wine Cellars “Clone 169” Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Bell Wine Cellars “Clone 169” Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Clos Du Val Estate Cabernet Franc
Score: 95 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 96% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine had a lovely rich bouquet of black cherries, blackberries, plums, violets, bell pepper, dried herbs, soft spice, chocolate, earth, and toasted oak. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate with hints of blackberries, plum, tart cherries, currants, sage, spice, baking chocolate, toasted oak, and tilled earth. The wine was masculine with a rustic backbone that was subdued and balanced with a lovely level of acidity. The wine was complex with integrated layers of fruit and earth that blended perfectly together. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022
2018 Clos Du Val Hirondelle Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Clos Du Val Hirondelle Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Clos Du Val Hirondelle Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Clos Du Val Hirondelle Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 95 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This dark beauty had a lovely bouquet of blackberries, black cherries, roasted coffee, star anise, sage, cinnamon, chocolate, toasted oak, and dusty earth. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate and painted it with hints of blackberries, black cherries, salted caramel, dry sage, brown spices, toasted oak and tilled dusty earth. The wine was complex with plush layers of fruit and earth that lingered on the palate, giving a long, luxurious finish. The wine had a nice level of acidity that gave balance to a rich layering for fruit and earth. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022
2019 Clos Du Val Yettalil
2018 Clos Du Val Hirondelle Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Clos Du Val Hirondelle Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Clos Du Val Yettalil
Score: 96 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec
This Bordeaux Styled blend had a bouquet of blackberries, cassis fruit, black raspberries, plum, sage, salted caramel, vanilla, chocolate, exotic spices, pinenuts, graphite, and toasted oak. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate with hints of crushed blackberries, cassis fruit, plums, baking chocolate, exotic spices, dried herbs, lead pencil, black tea, toasted oak, and dusty earth. The wine was complex with savory layers of fruit and earth that gave way to a long luxurious finish. The wine was balanced with a nice level of acidity that brought harmony and elegance; thus, this wine should evolve beautifully over the next decade for those who have the patience to cellar it. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022
2019 Faust “The Pact” Coombsville Napa Valley
2018 Clos Du Val Hirondelle Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Faust “The Pact” Coombsville Napa Valley
2019 Faust “The Pact” Coombsville Napa Valley
Score: 95 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine had a robust bouquet of blackberries, cassis fruit, boysenberry, violets, leafy tobacco, tar, black tea, sage, and toasted oak. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that painted the palate with hints of blackberries, boysenberries, cherries, sage, star anise, crushed gravel, tobacco, tar, dusty earth, and sweet toasted oak. The wine was luxuriously layered with dark fruits and savory terroir notes that gave depth and complexity. This wine is approachable now but will reward those who give it another 8 years before approaching. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022
2020 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Aonair Mountains Proprietary Napa Valley Reserve
2019 Faust “The Pact” Coombsville Napa Valley
2020 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 92 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc
The wine had a lovely bouquet of bing cherries, currants, blackberries, cigar box, baking chocolate, salted caramel, pepper, black tea, tar, iron, and toasted oak. The wine was medium+ in body with rounded tannins that gave way to hints of blackberries, bing cherries, currants, salted caramel, crushed gravel, iron, sage, soft spice, dusty earth, and toasted oak. The wine was complex with beautiful layers of fruit and earth that played nicely together. The wine is approachable now and should continue to develop for those who want to cellar it for a few years. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022
2020 Aonair Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Aonair Mountains Proprietary Napa Valley Reserve
2020 Aonair Mountains Proprietary Napa Valley Reserve
2020 Aonair Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 93 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This beautiful dark beauty had a bouquet of black cherries, currants, cassis fruit, molasses, dried sage, crushed gravel, led pencil, soft spice, and sweet toasted oak. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate with hints of cherries, black currants, cassis fruit, dried herbs, tar, graphite, earthy minerals, molasses, and toasted oak. The wine had a nice acidity level that balanced complex layers of fruit and earth. The wine should reward those who cellar it for 5 to 12 years. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022
2020 Aonair Mountains Proprietary Napa Valley Reserve
2020 Aonair Mountains Proprietary Napa Valley Reserve
2020 Aonair Mountains Proprietary Napa Valley Reserve
2020 Aonair Mountains Proprietary Napa Valley Reserve
Score: 94 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: Bordeaux Style Blend
The wine had an alluring bouquet of cherries, blackberries, currants, cassis fruit, cinnamon, molasses, powdered sugar, cocoa, dried sage, black tea, brined minerals, and toasted oak. The wine was full-bodied with tannins that gripped the palate and painted it with hints of blackberries, currants, cassis fruit, black cherries, dried herbs, dusty brined earth, tobacco, vanilla, baking spices, chocolate, iron, and toasted oak. The wine had a beautiful acidity level that balanced a rich palate with complex layers of fruit and earth. This wine should reward those who give it at least 8 to 10 years before approaching it. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022
2020 William Selyem Three Sisters Vineyard Chardonnay
2020 William Selyem Three Sisters Vineyard Chardonnay
2020 William Selyem Three Sisters Vineyard Chardonnay
2020 William Selyem Three Sisters Vineyard Chardonnay
Score: 92 Points
Location: Sonoma, California
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
This beautiful wine had a floral bouquet with hints of white flowers, jasmine, lemon blossoms, apples, pears, pie crust, chalky minerals, lemon zest, and a touch of sweet melon. The wine had a nice level of acidity that gave balance to a palate painted with orchard fruits, lime, brine, and wet minerals. The wine was complex with nice layers of fruit and earth that played together harmoniously. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022
2020 William Selyem Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir
2020 William Selyem Three Sisters Vineyard Chardonnay
2020 William Selyem Three Sisters Vineyard Chardonnay
2020 William Selyem Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir
Score: 94 Points
Location: Sonoma, California
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
The wine had an attractive bouquet of boysenberries, raspberries, cranberries, dried forest leaves, black tea, caramel, citrus, dried baking spices, and soft hints of forest floor. The wine was medium bodied with rounded tannins that gave way to a luxurious palate painted with cranberries, boysenberries, cherries, black tea, dried herbs, baking spices, brine, and tilled earth. The wine was complex with blue and red berry fruits dusted with savory terroir notes. The wine was nicely layered with a beautiful acidity that gave balance to a rich palate. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022
2020 William Selyem Luella’s Garden Estate Pinot Noir
2020 William Selyem Three Sisters Vineyard Chardonnay
2020 William Selyem Luella’s Garden Estate Pinot Noir
2020 William Selyem Luella’s Garden Estate Pinot Noir
Score: 93 Points
Location: Sonoma, California
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
The wine had a stunning bouquet of black cherries, cranberries, dried herbs, soft spice, orange blossoms, tilled earth, cinnamon, and a kiss of cocoa. The wine was medium-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate with hints of black cherries, blueberries, candied cranberries, soft spice, dried herbs, cocoa, orange peel, dried leaves, and tilled earth. The wine was complex with beautiful layers of fruit and earth that blended perfectly together. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: November 2022