News, Tasting Round-Up
A few beauties from this week.
Here are few of the stunning wines we tasted this week. Let us know if you want to add any of these to your personal collection.
2012 Ad Vivum ‘Sleeping Lady Vineyard’ *Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville
Wine Spectrum 95 The 2012 Ad Vivum is deep garnet red with a trademark Sleeping Lady iridescent violet edge. Aromas call to mind an array of profound fruits: cassis, plum, cherry and black raspberry, along with vanilla and espresso bean. In terms of texture, a slate-like minerality and very finely-grained ripe tannins are in harmony with sweet oak. This wine will certainly drink nicely upon release, but expect it to be able to age gracefully for at least 15 to 20 years in the bottle. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 250 cases produced. *Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville also supplies fruit for Harlan and Orin Swift’s ‘Mercury Head.’
Upon finishing his training at Chateau Petrus, Chris became the original winemaker for Dominus, working under Christian Moueix for 12 vintages. He then moved on to Caymus, where he was the head winemaker for 7 years. He is currently the consulting winemaker for Swanson Vineyards, and Ad Vivum is his independent project.
2013 Corazon del Sol Malbec Uco Valley, Mendoza
Wine Spectrum 94 Fresh, aromatic and earth driven from our estate’s expression of high elevation Malbec planted on ancient river beds at 3300 feet in the foothills of the Andes. Aged 14 months in 2nd and 3rd use French oak to showcase the elegant personality of mountain Malbec. This Malbec is focused on presenting the fresh fruit liveliness, floral nuances, and the elegant grape tannin texture developed from the intense mountain sunshine of Los Sauces, Uco Valley. About 700 cases produced.
Dr. Madaiah Revana purchased 17 acres of vineyard at the base of the Andes in 2008, seeking to add to his family of estate wineries which includes Revana Family Vineyard in Napa Valley and Alexana Winery in Willamette Valley. Corazon del Sol wines are made by famed winemaker Santiago Achaval.
2012 Kapcsandy Estate Cuvee’ State Lane Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
WSI 97 AG 95 The 2012 Estate Cuvée is fabulous. Graphite, smoke, cedar, tobacco and licorice blossom in a voluptuous wine endowed with superb depth and pure vintage 2012 radiance. Dark spices, rose petal and mint are some of the many notes that are laced into the super-expressive, resonant finish. This is a fabulous example of the year. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot.
2013 Maldonado ‘Los Olivos’ Chardonnay, Napa Valley
Wine Spectrum 95 The 2013 vintage is expressive and multi-dimensional with aromas of vibrant citrus, cardamom, banana, pineapple, and delicate floral notes. A bright fleshy entrance with complex layers of ripe green fig, lemon curd, citrus peel, vanilla, and barrel spice. Possibly the most exuberant vintage of this vineyard produced yet!
Forty-five years ago, the Maldonado Family arrived in Napa, and now, with four decades of grape growing experience, they produce less than 400 cases of several unique wines. With their Los Olivos Chardonnay breaking through 6 years ago, and leaving a memorable impression, they have expanded to release tiny amounts of other wines, both from their own estate in Jameson Canyon, as well as from a few select other vineyards they manage in the cooler micro climates of Sonoma County and Napa Valley. Hugo Maldonado and consulting winemaker, Jean Hoefilger, originally met at Newton, where the Maldonados still manage all of the vineyards.
2013 Hoopla ‘The Mutt’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Wine Spectrum 93+ Aromas of dark, ripe fruit with flavors of dark chocolate and currants, making it a pleasure for any occasion. Has a medium-full body with a soft texture and a bright finish. This quality is at an extremely good price point for a 100% Napa Valley wine. About 600 cases produced.
“The Mutt” was inspired by Sophie and Maya, our beloved rescue dogs. “The Mutt,” like Sophie and Maya, is unique, interesting, and fun. The grapes used are the “seconds”—what we don’t use in our premium wines, we salvage and use in “The Mutt.” Sophie and Maya aren’t shy about their pedigrees, and we’re not shy about using “seconds,” either, because they make a wine made from premium grapes very affordable and tasty, too. So come along and take a walk on the wild side—this Cabernet will have you running through the vineyards, leaping for joy!
