Exploring
the Wines of the Livermore Valley Part 2 - Fenestra
By FBWorld Team
Fenestra
has a long history in the Livermore Valley, as it has been in
operation for over thirty years. Their recently promoted head-winemaker,
Meredith Miles, is relativity new to the winery, but she's looking
to further the legacy of Fenestra's owners, the Replogle family.
Sourcing fruit primarily from the Livermore Valley and Lodi,
they offer a wide variety of wines, so you are bound to finding
something that's to you're liking .
Here's
what our panel had to say about a handful of Fenestra's current
releases:
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Fenestra
2012 Verdelho
Winery:
Fenestra
Grape(s): 100% Verdelho
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromatics of lime and tropical fruit open up into floral
hints on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of tart apple,
lime, and kiwi, accented by hints of minerals. A supple
wine that will pair nicely with a variety of seafood dishes,
fans of dry, fuller-bodied whites should try this bottle,
especially at the price.
Rating: 88 |
|
Fenestra
2010 Petite Sirah
Winery:
Fenestra
Grape(s): 100% Petite Sirah
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 25-30
Review:
Notes of blackberries, blueberries, and black cherries
mingle with suggestions of clove, black tea, and oak on
the nose. Flavors of bramble fruits and blueberries come
together with nuances of sweet spice, tea leaves, and
earth on the palate. Dark and supple but still quite smooth,
if you're not a fan of robust, peppery Petite Sirah, this
is a wine to try.
Rating: 89 |
|
Fenestra
2009 Malbec
Winery:
Fenestra
Grape(s): 100% Malbec
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromas of blueberries, plums, and boysenberries mingle
with notes of sweet spice and clove on the nose. The palate
delivers flavors of blueberry, raspberry jam, and plum
accented by notes of cinnamon, minerals, and floral hints.
Quite smooth, with rich dark fruit, it's much more approachable
than most earthy South America versions of the variety.
Rating: 89 |
|
Fenestra
2009 Conjugation
Winery:
Fenestra
Grape(s): 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43%
Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, & 3% Malbec
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 40-45
Review:
A bouquet of dark berries, minerals, cocoa, and floral
hints rise up from a glass. Flavors of blueberry, raspberry,
and black cherry emerge on the palate along with hints
of earth and sweet spice. A smooth, lush red with soft
tannins, fans of laid-back Bordeaux-style blends will
enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 90 |
|
Fenestra
2009 Grenache
Winery:
Fenestra
Grape(s): 100% Grenache
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromatics of bramble fruit and cherries meld with notes
of vanilla and baking spice on the nose. A sip delivers
flavors of raspberry, blackberry, and plum that unfold
into suggestions of pepper and herbs. A lighter, fruit-driven
red that's very approachable, enjoy a bottle with grilled
chicken or Spanish tapas.
Rating: 90 |
|
Fenestra
Tawy Port
Winery:
Fenestra
Grape(s): 50% Petite Sirah port, 16%
1999 Petite Sirah port, 9% 1999 Mourvedre port, 9% 2001
Syrah port, 8% 1998 Zinfandel port, and 8% 1999 Syrah
port
Region: Livermore Valley
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromas of walnuts, almonds, dark chocolate, mingle with
notes of cassis and maple on the nose. The palate delivers
flavors of currants, almonds, and cocoa along with suggestions
of apple pie and caramel. A tawy port that's true to their
traditional character, pick-up a bottle to have with your
Thanksgiving pies.
Rating: 89 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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