94 Points - Chris Sawyer "Sommelier to the Stars"
This is one of those powerhouse California blockbuster blends that just works. It just begs you to bring some to the party, splash it around, you get the idea. Approachable now or cellar for up to a decade... if you can wait that long. Grab a handful, bring on the meats and enjoy!
Food Pairings: To match the lavish flavors and grip in this brilliant blend, serve this wine with blue cheese aside nuts and dried fruits, charcuterie, risotto with wild mushrooms, juicy burgers, roasted squab, pan-seared duck with blueberry reduction sauce, Korean barbeque, gamey meats, or Osso Buco.
Varietals: 76% Petite Sirah and smaller portions of Zinfandel, Grenache & Syrah
Appellation: Mendocino County
Alcohol: 14.8% by volume
Total acid: 6.59 g/L
pH: 3.65
Aging: 20 months on American oak
95 Points
Rich and full-bodied, packed with dark fruit flavors of blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry. Notes of cocoa, cedar, and warm spice add complexity, while firm tannins and a touch of volcanic minerality reflect the bold characteristics of Calistoga’s terroir. Full-bodied in texture, and remarkably velvety. The tannins gracefully interweave, establishing a flawless equilibrium of acidity and pleasing fruit.
92 Points
Deep floral notes (violets), blackberry, black cherry, and cassis. Driven by the mountain's steep, cool-climate terroir, it balances rich notes of blackberry and pomegranate seamlessly intertwined with dark plum, cocoa dust, and roasted mocha, hints of roasted mocha and spice undertones add depth to its complex profile, culminating in a bold, yet elegant finish.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
