The Frank Family Carneros Chardonnay is a great example of what an oaked Chardonnay should taste like. Barrel fermented in 34% new, 33% once and 33% twice-filled French oak barrels for 9 months. While ageing on the lees, the wine was hand stirred regularly to promote depth and longevity.
Fans of The Prisoner will like this broadly juicy blend of 81% Merlot with Syrah, Petite Sirah and Malbec. Thorn is sourced from acclaimed vineyard sites throughout the Napa Valley. The family of small vineyards offers vines of varying ages and regionality, lending to layers of character and complexity. The label which I love is a photograph of a wire wolf sculpture entitled, “Thorn” by Portuguese artist, David Oliviera.
The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon from Groth were whole-cluster pressed which gives their juice an incredible amount of high fruitiness and softness. To fully integrate the flavors as early as possible, the Estate Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon were both co-pressed and co-fermented. After pressing and settling, the juice was moved to neutral oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks, put through a long, cool fermentation, and allowed to age "sur lie" for a total of threemonths in barrel. Malolactic fermentation was avoided to preserve the fruit. This pressing, combination of fermentation techniques, and aging program adds complexity to the aromas, flavors, and preserves the bright fruit and lively natural acidity that make this wine so refreshing and enjoyable.
The Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay is 100% estate sourced Chardonnay from Santa Barbara. It's aged 7 months in 76% French oak, 28% new, with the balance in American oak. This Chardonnay is sur lie aged with lees stirred twice monthly to integrate the fruit and oak, and lend a creamy mouthfeel to balance the wine’s bright minerality.
Duckhorn Vineyards, has been making this Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc since 1982, the year I was born... coincidence? LOL Harvested from their estates and select Napa Valley vineyards, this rich and elegant Sauvignon Blanc was blended with Sémillon to add depth and complexity.
The name KARIA (KAR-ee-ah) is derived from the Greek word meaning graceful, and the 2017 KARIA Chardonnay lives up to its moniker. It shows how grapes from select cool-climate vineyards in southern Napa Valley can be vinified and blended into a seamless integration of fresh-fruit aromas and flavors, crisp acidity and subtle oak spice.
The Spanish term ‘Las Alturas’ means ‘the heights’, a fitting name for the Belle Glos vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands. At this elevation, the sunny but very cool climate creates a wine bearing all the hallmarks of this coastal region: robust, expressive, full bodied, and balanced by a firm acidity.
Mount Veeder Winery's Cabernet is a bold, full-bodied wine with a deep ruby color. This Cabernet is rich with ripe berries and summer cherry pie on the nose, complemented by hints of earth, cedar, rosemary, and dried sage. A supple, well-structured palate that's full, almost juicy, with a slightly mineral edge. Dark cassis fruit layers with bright blackberry, building complexity with layers of mocha and peppercorn. The wine is dry but finishes with a lovely, delicate sweetness derived from its fruit character and 20 months in fine oak barrels. This Cabernet was awarded 94 Points by Wine Spectator.
Eternally Silenced is the second vintage of Pinot Noir produced by the Prisoner Wine Company. The design of this bottle will definitely leave you speechless. The label is definitely on the dark side, but this is not unusual coming from this winery. The label which was designed by the winemaker is amazing to say the least.
This California Cabernet is dry, full bodied, bold and very smooth. Rodney Strong Reserve wines are the result of a careful blend of individual lots from meticulously farmed sections of some of the very best vineyards in Sonoma County.
Rosa Chalekian 