Wines
of the Week:
Steven Kent - Livermore Valley
In
1996,
Steven Kent Mirassou set out to establish a new winery in California's
Livermore Valley, located just southeast of the San Francisco
Bay. There were only a handful of other producers in the area
at the time, but Steven believed in the potential for success
in the region. Now, twenty years later, The Steven Kent Winery
is flourishing and earning the valley plenty of acclaim for
its world class California-Bordeaux.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Steven
Kent 2014 "Merrillie" Chardonnay
Winery:
Steven Kent
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Arroyo Seco, California
Year:
2014
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 30-35
Review:
A bouquet of golden apples, pears, and vanilla greets
the senses. The palate showcases flavors of ripe pear,
pineapple, and apple, along with accents of toasty oak
and creamy vanilla. A nice balance of richness and acidity,
along with very pretty flavors, make this a standout Chardonnay.
522 cases produced.
Rating: 91 |
|
Steven
Kent 2013 "BDX" Merlot
Winery:
Steven Kent
Grape(s):
100% Merlot
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 45-35
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, dark cherries, and boysenberries
come together with nuances of sweet spice, dark chocolate,
and vanilla. A sip offers flavors of black cherry, blackberry,
and plum that unfurl into expressions of dark chocolate,
clove, and toasty oak. Plush tannins and alluring dark
fruit endear this wine to meat loaf. 316 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Steven
Kent 2015 Lola Blend
Winery:
Steven Kent
Grape(s):
60% Sauvignon Blanc & 40% Semillon
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2015
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 20-25
Review:
Fragrances of citrus fruits, pears, and wet stone rise
up from a glass. The palate reveals flavors of grapefruit,
lemon, and Asian pear that open up into elements of minerals.
A fresh acidity and opulent mouth-feel make this wine
a fine companion for grilled mahi mahi. 396 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Steven
Kent 2013 Ghielmetti Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Steven Kent
Grape(s):
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 60-65
Review:
Aromas of cassis, black cherries, and blackberries interweave
with notes of toasty oak, sweet spice, and dark chocolate
on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of currant, blackberry,
and cherry which come together with allusions of oak,
clove, and dark chocolate. Inviting fruit and plush tannins
endear this wine to lamb chops. 300 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Steven
Kent 2013 "Premier" Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Steven Kent
Grape(s):
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2013
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 95-100
Review:
Blackberry, plum, and cherry aromas intermingle with undertones
of mocha and cedar on the nose. Flavors of cherries, plums,
and boysenberries combine with highlights of dark chocolate,
toasty vanilla, and anise on the palate. An alluring,
lovely Cab with polished tannins, roast beef would be
a lovely pairing. 300 cases produced.
Rating: 92 |
|
Lineage
2012 Red Wine
Winery:
Steven Kent
Grape(s):
72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot,
& 4% Petit Verdot
Region: Livermore Valley, California
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 150-155
Review:
A bouquet of black cherry, bramble fruit, vanilla bean,
and herbs rise up from a glass. On the palate, flavors
of cherries, raspberries, and plums, along with undertones
of vanilla and camp fire spice come forth. Elegant and
smooth, open a bottle with beef tenderloin. Just over
300 cases were made.
Rating: 91 |
By
Jason Barlow
Other
Related Links:
Exploring
the Wines of the Livermore Valley Part 3 - The Steven Kent Winery
& La Rochelle
Winery
of the Week: Steven Kent - Livermore Valley, Ca
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
*Wines
rated with a "+" need
a bit more time to reach peak quality
but will
do so over the coming years
|