Archives: Wine Reviews

Rock Wall Zinfandel 2012

92
Rock Wall
Fanciful Name: Hendry Vineyard
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $24.99

Tasting Notes: Dark fruit aroma. Flavors of plum, blackberry and pepper. Good mouthfeel. Substantial tannins lead to a long finish.
Rock Wall Zinfandel 2012

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Rocca Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

95
Rocca Family Vineyards
Fanciful Name: Collinetta Vineyard
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2010
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $95

Tasting Notes: From a vineyard located in the Coombsville AVA, just east of the city of Napa, this lovely example of a Napa Valley cabernet is sure to please the most discerning of palates. Intensely dark in the glass, the nose is filled with black fruit, and hints of toast. Exceptionally well balanced, with a long finish.
Rocca Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

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Rocca Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

95
Rocca Family Vineyards
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $50

Tasting Notes: A blend of 86% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 4% petit verdot, barrel-aged for 20 to 24 months. This is an elegant wine, reminiscent of a good Saint-Julien. Distinctive cabernet sauvignon aromas and flavors predominate. The merlot adds a velvety texture, the petit verdot adds a pleasant herbal nuance. Tannins are firm. While nice now, five to six more years will allow some lovely development.
Rocca Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

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Robert Craig Zinfandel 2012

94
Robert Craig
Fanciful Name: Howell Mountain
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $75

Tasting Notes: 100% mountain fruit and an absolutely unbelievable Zinfandel. Fleshy ripe black and blue fruits, silky layered impressive texture and, finally, nuances of eucalyptus and herbs on the long finish. This wine is about finesse and structure and delivers an incredible mouthful of California Howell Mountain Zinfandel with each sip. Just treat yourself; you won’t regret it!
Robert Craig Zinfandel 2012

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Peju Province Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

92
Peju Province
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $50

Tasting Notes: A great example of Napa Valley cabernet. Powerful, yet balanced. Intense, but with elegance. The palate, with its rich, dark fruit, goes on for a long time; the finish balancing fruit and acidity. A great wine, across the board.
Peju Province Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

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Pedroncelli Zinfandel 2013

95
Pedroncelli
Fanciful Name: Mother Clone
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
Retail Price: $17

Tasting Notes: John Pedroncelli, Sr. planted the first vines for this classic in 1927. Vintage after vintage, the wine is unique and stylistic. There is a bouquet of lilac, black fruit preserves and spice. Concentrated flavors of blackberries, blueberries, clove and pepper coat the palate and finish with a lovely herbal nuance and a touch of Dry Creek terroir. Supple tannins balance out the whole and ensure that this wine will develop in-bottle for several years. It will complement an array of world cuisines.
Pedroncelli Zinfandel 2013

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Miner Family Winery Red 2010

95
Miner Family Winery
Fanciful Name: The Oracle
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2010
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $100

Tasting Notes: While the cuvee’ is reminiscent of a superb Left Bank Bordeaux, The Oracle is all Napa Valley. Lush aromas and flavors of lilac, violet, blackberry and cassis abound with nuances of charred oak and allspice. The mouthfeel is rich. The finish is long with a hint of terroir and a perfect balance of tannin and sweet/tart acidity. This fabulous wine calls for a medium rare Filet Mignon. The 2010 is surprisingly approachable, but we suggest cellaring a bottle or two for 3-5 years.
Miner Family Winery Red 2010

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Miner Family Winery Chardonnay 2011

93
Miner Family Winery
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $54.99

Tasting Notes: From their Chardonnay series, this is the “wild yeast offering.” The Miner family sources from three of the top Napa sites, and then utilizes native yeasts. For the fermentation process, 16 months in oak with 100% malolactic and barrel fermentation yield a rich, opulent wine, ripe with tropical fruit notes. This one can only improve with light cellaring, if you’re patient enough.
Miner Family Winery Chardonnay 2011

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Migration Chardonnay 2013

94
Migration
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Retail Price: $34.99

Tasting Notes: Only their fifth release, winemaker Bo Felton is hitting his stride as Duckhorn expands from their Napa base and utilizes 14 of the best vineyard sites in the cool-climate Russian River. Rich layers of complex tropical fruit on the nose lead to a rich balanced mouth feel, with rich vanilla and butterscotch on the finish.
Migration Chardonnay 2013

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Matthiasson Chardonnay 2013

93
Matthiasson
Fanciful Name: Linda Vista Vineyard
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $27.49

Tasting Notes: Killer Cali chard with a Burgundian temperament. Incredible balance is this wine’s hallmark. Fresh pear, yellow apple and almond paste are all present with great depth. Vibrant acidy provides the framework for the pure fruit and mineral expressions.
Matthiasson Chardonnay 2013

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Mathew Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

92
Mathew Joseph
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $25

Tasting Notes: Notes of cherry and chocolate are abundant on the nose. Full flavors of ripe cherries lead to a well-balanced lingering finish.
Mathew Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

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