B Cellars is a relatively new label making wine from some of the finest vineyards in the Napa Valley. While they are producing a range of single-varietal wines, their main focus is on blending to create unique, intriguing wines. Today we are pleased to be offering the 2005 Blend 25, made from 61% cabernet sauvignon and 39% syrah, sourced from such famed vineyards as Stagecoach and To Kalon. While these grapes are not traditionally blended together in Europe, they make a beautiful pairing, with the syrah bringing added color and lushness to the already structured cabernet.
Inky purple in color, you can tell just by looking at it that the Blend 25 is going to be a big wine. The nose opens with a hint of blueberry, and is dominated vanilla, caramel, and briary spice. The palate brings gobs of blackberry and black cherry, with floral notes, anise, and exotic spice. There is great complexity derived from layers of fruit and spice that go on and on through the finish.
The Blend 25 is a bit of a paradox; it is full, super dark, and brooding, but without being heavy. It is lush, full and fruit driven, yet is not at all cloying thanks to good structure and smooth tannin. This will definitely be a favorite for fans of full-throttle, ripe New World wine, but at the same time has the depth and complexity to work for people that usually prefer more restrained, Old World wines. It can definitely be enjoyed on its own, and would pair well with the usual suspects for big red wine: grilled meat, hearty stews, and so on. Wine from vineyards of this renown is seldom priced under $75; at under $40 this is an opportunity not to be missed!
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
94 Points
Juice explodes right out of the glass with its dark purple in color and bursting aromas of black cherry jam, boysenberry, raspberry and wild cherry interlaced with hints of baking spice, espresso bean, and toasted nut. The palate is ripe and juicy with flavors of dark cherry, huckleberry and raspberry perfectly integrated with notes of spice, dark chocolate, and a kiss of toasty oak.
