Our
Favorite (Under the Radar) Wineries & Winemakers
- Part 3 - Bryan Kane (Red Wines)
By FBWorld Team
Bryan
Kane is a winemaker that really deserves more attention
than he's getting. His commitment to sustainable farming practices,
natural winemaking, and a focus on "making wine in the
field" has resulted in some very fine offerings. Bryan
divides his time among a few different projects, but each label
he has attached himself to sees the quality of its wine flourish.
Here's
what our tasting panel thought about the red wines produced
by the wineries Bryan works with. (Check out what we thought
of his white wines in Part Two of our series.)
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Vie
2009 Las Madres Vineyard Syrah
Winery:
Vie
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Sonoma County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and black cherries
are accented by notes of spice and olive on the nose.
The palate delivers flavors of blackberry and blueberry
along with highlights of pepper, earth, and all-spice.
A rich, bold Syrah, with balanced tannins, it's an excellent
varietal made from an under-appreciated grape variety.
Only 150 cases were made.
Rating: 93 |
|
Vie
2009 Alder Springs Syrah
Winery:
Vie
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Mendocino County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 45-50
Review:
Aromatics of bramble fruit, game, and spice rise up from
a glass. Blackberry, cherry, and boysenberry flavors are
accented by suggestions of smoked meat, vanilla, and pepper
on the palate. A rich, layered Syrah, with a lovely balance
of fruit and spice, it's an excellent expression of the
variety. 100 cases produced.
Rating: 93 |
|
Vie
2009 Thompson Vineyard Syrah
Winery:
Vie
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Santa Barbara County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 40-45
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, plums, spice, and vanilla greets
the senses. A sip reveals flavors of bramble fruit and
plum along with lively notes of pepper and smokey oak.
A rich, robust wine that's supple, dark and spicy, fans
of Syrah will enjoy this bottle very much.
Rating: 92 |
|
Vie
2009 "L' Imaginare" Grenache
Winery:
Vie
Grape(s): 91% Grenache, 7% Syrah, 2%
Mourvedre
Region: North Coast
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 35-40
Review:
Aromas of cherries and strawberries mingle with suggestions
of white pepper and anise on the nose. Flavors of strawberry,
cherry, and blackberry come together with notes of spice
on the palate. An approachable, lighter red, fans of Cali-Rhones
will enjoy this bottle. 120 cases were made.
Rating: 91 |
|
Vie
2009 Melange Maison I (Red Blend)
Winery:
Vie
Grape(s): Grenache, Syrah, & Mourvedre
Region: North Coast
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 25-30
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, cherries, earth, and pepper
rises up from a glass. A sip delivers flavors of bramble
fruit and black cherry that unfold into hints of vanilla,
spice, and game. A darker, heartier blend with supple
tannins that will improve with aging, fans of rich GSM
blends should try this bottle. 250 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Winery
SF 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvingon
Winery:
Winery SF
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet
Region: Napa Valley
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, cassis, and black cherries
unfurl into nuances of licorice, oak and all-spice on
the nose. A sip reveals flavors of blackberry, currants,
and cherry that flow into suggestions of sweet spice,
herbs, and oak. Cabernet fans will enjoy this bottle.
250 cases produced.
Rating: 91 |
|
Winery
SF 2011 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Winery SF
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: North Coast
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromas of raspberries, cherries, and blackberries mingle
with hints of cinnamon and thyme on the nose. Flavors
of cherry and boysenberry come together with suggestions
of minerals, orange spice, and black licorice on the palate.
A lighter yet lively Pinot, it's elegant enough to sip
on its own but has the acidity to hold up to a variety
of white meat dishes.
Rating: 89 |
|
Winery
SF 2010 Zinfandel
Winery:
Winery SF
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: North Coast
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 20-25
Review:
The nose offers aromas of blackberries, plums, and black
cherries along with notes of sweet spice and peppercorns.
Blackberry and cherry flavors come together with suggestions
of clove, pepper, and sassafras root. A rich wine, with
a supple mouthfeel and ample depth, it's a Zin so good
Cabernet fans will enjoy the wine. 500 cases were made.
Rating: 91 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2010 Gypsy Rouge
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 76% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre,
3% Syrah, 2% Counnoise, 2% Cinsault & 1% Petite Sirah
Region: Lake County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromas of red berries mingle with floral notes and herbs
on the nose. The palate reveals flavors of raspberry,
strawberry, and cherry accented by suggestions of red
licorice and white pepper. A light, approachable wine
with ample fruit, fans of smooth, sophisticated reds will
enjoy it.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2010 Petite Sirah
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100 % Petite Sirah
Region: Lake County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, cherries, dark chocolate, and
clove rises up from a glass. Flavors of blueberry, blackberry,
and cherry meld with hints of sweet spice and coffee on
the palate. A lush, rich wine that very nice structure,
fans of smooth, supple reds will enjoy this bottle very
much. Just 75 cases produced.
Rating: 91 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2010 Syrah
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Lake County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 30-35
Review:
Aromatics of plums and blackberries meld with suggestions
of sweet spice, mocha, and oak on the nose. A sip delivers
flavors of blackberry, plum, and black cherry that unfold
into notes of all-spice, cocoa, and cedar. A rich, velvety
red with concentrated dark fruit that supple tannins,
it has the goods to stand of to lamb or steak now, but
will also improve with time in the cellar. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2010 Mourvedre
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Mourvedre
Region: Lake County
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromas of black cherries, boysenberries, and raspberries
mingle with suggestions of leather and spice on the nose.
Flavors of cherry, blueberry, raspberry emerge on the
palate with accents of white pepper and dusty earth. A
smooth, lighter-bodied red, it offers ample fruit with
nice highlights of spice that lovers of Rhone varieties
will enjoy. Just 50 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sol
Rouge 2009 Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sol Rouge
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lake County & Napa County
Year: 2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 95-100
Review:
Blackberry, cherry, and currant aromas come together with
hints of sweet spice and cedar. The palate reveals flavors
of cassis, blackberries, and black cherries that unfold
into notes of toasty oak and all-spice. A rich, more robust
Cab with supple tannins, fans of dark fruit and solid
structure will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 90 |
|
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Howell Mt. - Napa Valley
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 70-75
Review:
A bouquet of blackberries, plums, cherries, and walnuts
greets the senses. The palate unfurls flavors of blackberry,
boysenberry, and bing cherry with accents of chocolate,
cola, and nutmeg. Balanced tannins and rich flavors make
this a very inviting wine. Enjoy now with lamb or give
it some time in the cellar. 392 cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
|
Howell
Mountain Vineyards 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel
Winery:
Howell Mountain Vineyards
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Howell Mt. - Napa Valley
Year: 2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 40-75
Review:
Aromas of boysenberries, cherries, blackberries mingle
with suggestions of anise and clove on the nose. Flavors
of blackberry, cassis, and black cherry come together
with notes of walnut and sweet spice on the palate. A
rich, supple wine that will pair nicely with food now
or age well in the cellar, it's a Cab drinkers Zin. 212
cases produced.
Rating: 90 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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