Winery
of the Week:
Nottingham Cellars - Livermore Valley, Ca
Good
California Cabernet does NOT have to come from
the Napa. One underrated region is the Livermore Valley (located
just southeast of the Napa Valley), and the folks at Nottingham
Cellars are mainly focused on proving the area is very
capable of producing world-class Cabs. With their talented winemaker,
Colin Cranor leading the charge, they've won over many fans
(including our tasting panel), and if you pay them a visit,
we bet you'll be won over, too.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Nottingham
Cellars 2011 "Micro-Lot" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Nottingham Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 50-55
Review:
Aromas of cherries, plums, and boysenberries mingle with
traces of cola, sweet spice, and chocolate on the nose.
Flavors of black cherry, plum, and bramble fruit combine
with notes of mocha, clove, and earth on the palate. An
elegant Cab with plush tannins, enjoy a bottle with your
favorite portobello mushroom dish. 196 cases were made.
Rating: 91 |
|
Nottingham
Cellars 2012 "Smith Ranch" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Nottingham Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 55-60
Review:
Blackberry, cherry, and currant aromas meld with dark
chocolate, floral earth, and oak on the nose. A sip reveals
flavors of blackberries, cassis, and black cherries that
flow into suggestions of chocolate and toasty oak. Rich
and dark, with bountiful tannins, steak would make an
excellent companion for it. 100 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Nottingham
Cellars 2012 "Supremacy" Blend
Winery:
Nottingham Cellars
Grape(s): 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14%
Malbec, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, & 2% Cab Franc
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 75-80
Review:
A bouquet of black cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate,
and cinnamon rise up from a glass. Blackberry, cherry,
and plum flavors emerge on the palate alongside whispers
of mocha, sweet spice, and thyme. With supple tannins
and opulent flavors, lamb chops would be a fine pairing.
350 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Nottingham
Cellars 014 "Fraser-Howard" Chardonnay
Winery:
Nottingham Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Fragrances of apples, pears, clove, and citrus zest greets
the senses. The palate showcases flavors of golden apple,
crisp pear, and ripe peach, along with accents of citrus
zest, clove, and buttery popcorn. A lush, mouth-filling
wine with a friendly acidity, have a glass with crab cakes.
175 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
See
more at: (click
here)
Note:
Wines rated with a "+" have not yet reached their
peak quality but will do so over the next few years
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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