Wines
of the Week: California Bordeaux
The
vintners of California have embraced the grape varieties
of Bordeaux planting acres and acres of vineyards. Given their
popularity amongst the wine drinking population, it's no surprise.
Here's what our panel thought about a handful of recently tasted
offerings.
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Yorkville
Cellars 2012 "Richard the Lion-Heart" Blend
Winery:
Yorkville Cellars
Grape(s): 50% Merlot, 35% Malbec, 9%
Cabernet, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Carmenere, & 1% Cab
Franc
Region: Mendocino County
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Fragrances of currants, blackberries, plums, and earth
greet the senses. The palate offers flavors of black currant
and bramble fruit with accents of earth and baking spice.
Supple tannins and robust fruit flavors make this wine
a fine match for lamb chops.
Rating: 89 |
|
Mount
Aukum 2009 "BDX" Blend
Winery:
Mount Aukum
Grape(s): 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35%
Cabernet Franc, & 30% Merlot
Region: El Dorado, Ca
Year:
2009
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Notes of black cherries, blackberries, and plums meld
with traces of sweet spice and cocoa on the nose. Flavors
of cherry, bramble fruit, and plum unfold into suggestions
of dark chocolate, coffee, and clove on the palate. An
elegant wine with soft tannins, pair a bottle with a roast
chicken. 371 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
|
McGrail
Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
McGrail Vineyards
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Livermore Valley, Ca
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: n/a
Review:
Aromatics of blackberries, cassis, and black cherries
come together with traces of chocolate, toasty oak, and
cinnamon on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of bramble
fruit, cherry, and currant that wrap around notes of vanilla,
sweet spice, and minerals. Supple with good structure,
enjoy a bottle with a juicy steak now, or give it some
time in the cellar. 1,926 cases were made.
Rating: 90 |
|
Midnight
Cellars 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Midnight Cellars
Grape(s): 80% Cabernet Sauvignon &
20% Merlot
Region: Paso Robles
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 40-45
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, cherries, and cassis interweave
with traces of spring flowers and vanilla on the nose.
A sip delivers flavors of black cherry, bramble fruit,
and black currant that meld with traces of lavender, creamy
oak, and white pepper. A smooth Cab with plush tannins,
pair a bottle with a mushroom risotto. 470 cases were
made.
Rating: 88 |
|
Midnight
Cellars 2011 Malbec
Winery:
Midnight Cellars
Grape(s): 100% Malbec
Region: Paso Robles
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 35-40
Review:
Fragrances of blackberries, blueberries, and currants
mingle with notes of earth, dark chocolate, and anise
on the nose. Flavors of blackberry, currants, and black
cherry combine with suggestions of minerals, tobacco,
and dark chocolate on the palate. Dark and rich, enjoy
a bottle with chicken mole. Only 98 cases produced.
Rating: 89 |
|
Liberty
School 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Liberty School
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Paso Robles
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
A bouquet of black cherries, currants, blackberries, and
smoky oak greets the senses. The palate delivers flavors
of cherry, cassis, and blackberry that unfold into notes
of dusty earth and spice. A supple wine with ample fruit,
it's a rather approachable Cab.
Rating: 87 |
|
Liberty
School 2012 Merlot
Winery:
Liberty School
Grape(s): 100% Merlot
Region: Central Coast, Ca
Year:
2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 10-15
Review:
Aromas of blackberries, cherries, and plums meld with
suggestions of earth, rose petal, and vanilla on the nose.
Flavors of blackberry, plum, and black cherry interweave
with traces of minerals and vanilla on the palate. Rich
and dark, this Merlot will match nicely with hamburgers.
13, 601 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Hearst
Ranch 2011 Malbec
Winery:
Hearst Ranch
Grape(s): 0% Malbec, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon,
& 4% PetitVerdot
Region: Paso Robles
Year:
2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Aromatics of cherries, raspberries, and plums are accented
by traces of clove and earth on the nose. Flavors of pomegranate
and bramble fruit unfold into suggestions of sweet spice,
herbs, cedar. Bright and smooth, it's a very approachable
Malbec.
Rating: 89 |
|
Sierra
Vista 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery:
Sierra Vista
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: El Dorado, Ca
Year:
2010
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
n/a
Price: 25-30
Review:
Cherry, plum, and bramble fruit aromas meld with nuances
of creamy oak and sweet spice on the nose. Flavors of
blackberries, cherries, and plums emerge on that palate
along with hints of toasty oak, minerals, and herbs. Bright
yet supple, open a bottle with your favorite lamb dish.
150 cases were made.
Rating: 89 |
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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