Cab and Chard take this weeks top 4 spots.

Two Cabernet Sauvignon’s and two Chardonnay’s take the top 4 spots in this weeks “Tasting Round-Up”. Seems kind of fitting considering that they are the two of the top planted wine producing grape varietals in the world.

Top Wine Grape Varietals Worldwide (Including Market Share)
Source: International Business Times

No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon (6.3%)

No. 2 Merlot (5.81%)

No. 3 Airen (5.48%)

No. 4 Tempranillo (5.05%)

No. 5 Chardonnay (4.32%)

No. 6 Syrah (4.03%)

No. 7 Garnacha Tinta (4.01%)

No. 8 Sauvignon Blanc (2.39%)

No. 9 Trebbiano Toscano (2.39%)

No. 10 Pinot Noir (1.88%)

2013 12C ‘G3 Georges III Beckstoffer Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Wine Spectrum 96+: In 2012 we acquired another block of Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon called B2A giving us a nice base to create a barrel select reserve wine for 12C. The combination of our original clone 7 block with this clone 4 block created a wine which couples Napa’s charm with the old world’s sternness. Dark ruby to the core, scents of acacia, dark fruits, and cedar flow effortlessly into a wonderland of succulent fruit. A full bodied mid palate preludes a rush of fine grained tannins that lift the overall back bone of the wine into a finish gushing with blue fruits, currants, high toned floral  notes and barrel tannin. A long decant will put this wine into a nice place upon release and it will gain further complexities and depth for several more years. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Less than 100 cases produced. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted by Mike Smith, who was mentored by the talented Thomas Rivers Brown, and has worked on labels such as Schrader, Maybach and Outpost!

2013 12C Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Beckstoffer George III Vineyard’, Napa Valley

Wine Spectrum 95+:The Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard was a perfect location to produce a prodigious wine from the cooler than normal vintage. Loaded with volcanic rock, slightly sloped and planted to clone 7, the B1B block is typically my first Cabernet to come in. 2013’s perfect weather patterns and an ample crop load in the vineyard produced a wine with great intensity and purity. Deep crimson in the glass, aromas of cassis, tobacco, cocoa and anise emanate from the glass and gain in strength as it sits in the glass. The mid palate co-mingles rich red fruits, chocolate covered cherries and distinct spice this vineyard is known for, making this a powerhouse of complexity and structure.Notable plush tannins and natural acidity couple with a distinct minerality created from the heavy graveled soils frame this Cabernet Sauvignon into an amazingly complex and noteworthy wine. Drink in the first year with a long decant or age 6-8 years to bring out some of the hidden nuances. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Less than 200 cases produced! This wine is a fantastic deal for 100% Beckstoffer Georges III fruit. This is just the 6th vintage 12C has produced, and as always, the 2013 vintage is highly allocated with just a few hundred cases made. Do not miss out on this offer! 

2013 Saint Helena Winery Chardonnay, Sonoma Mountain

Wine Spectrum 94+: Saint Helena Winery’s Chardonnay fruit is grown on Scopus Vineyard in the Sonoma Mountain appellation of California, farmed by Ulises Valdez, one of California’s most respected vineyard managers. The Scopus vineyard is 15 acres, all Chardonnay, sitting at roughly 700 feet above sea level, sloping eastward above the town of Glen Ellen. During summer, the Pacific coastal fog lingers here, creating cool nights and mornings. The soils are very rocky with volcanic red earth on the hillside.

This wine is made by Aaron Pott. The clusters are pressed whole before tank fermentation using native yeasts. The fermented wine is then put into French oak barrels (half new, half once-used) where it goes through malo-lactic fermentation and then is aged sur lie with battonage for 16 months before bottling.

 

2013 Darms Lane Chardonnay, Oak Knoll

Wine Spectrum 95: Subtle and nuanced, our 2013 Chardonnay offers aromas of Asian pear, brioche with hints of caramelized apple and fig. The rich yet balanced palate presents more pear and apple flavors. Moderate acidity and a good mouthfeel, our 2013 is round, soft with excellent texture that should pair nicely with food especially cream dishes. 800 cases produced.

100% Chardonnay – 65% Estate Bon Passe Vineyard – 35% Trefethen Vineyard.

 

 

2014 Pins du Pyla Rose, Bordeaux

Wine Spectrum 94+: This is the personal project of F. Thienpont, whose family owns such legendary Right Bank estates as Vieux Chateau Certan and Le Pin, as well as Chateau Puygerand and the rising Saint Emilion star Chateau L’If. The consulting enologist for this wine is the reknowned Stephane Derenoncourt, who also consults for many well-known Bordeaux Estates such as Beausejour Duffau-Lagarrosse, Pavie-Macquin, La Mondotte and Clos Fourtet. This Rose is inspired by the ocean and the quaint little beach town of Pyla-sur-Mer, home of the world’s largest sand dune.

90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. Fermented and aged for 5 months on lees in stainless steel. 

 

2012 Spell Estate ‘Weir Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Yorkville Highlands

Wine Spectrum 94+: The Weir Vineyard in the Yorkville Highlands is located on a south facing hillside of rocky gravely soils at an elevation that ranges between 850 and 1000 feet. Cool ocean air funnels up the Anderson Valley to regulate the ripening of the exceptional fruit from this vineyard. Our Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir is highlighted by earthy, smoky notes and is expected to age for a decade or more. A dark ruby color, this youthful and elegant wine is darker and more tightly wound at this point than the 2011. Aromas of rose pedal, smoke, raspberry, and cola laced rhubarb fill the glass. Intense bing cherry, ripe raspberry, roasted oats, and smoky flavors coat the palate and carry through on the lingering finished heightened by a mineral element and bright acidity. Enjoyable now, but will reward the patient. 194 cases produced.

 

2013 Fortune 1621 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Wine Spectrum 93+: On November 9, 1621, the ship Fortune entered Plymouth Harbor bringing the second wave of settlers, just a year after the Mayflower. Edouard Bompasse was one of 35 passengers to disembark.

From the owners of Darms Lane comes the fourth release of this stunning Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. The Bump family is directly descended from Edward Bompasse, and with this new project, they want to celebrate the adventurous spirit that the other original settlers embodied.

Fresh nose of blackberry, cassis, and touches of dried violets. The palate is full-bodied with pure notes of blueberries intermingled with chocolate, caramel and hints of bacon. 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot.

A phenomenal wine for the value made by Brian Mox, formerly the winemaker for Lewis Cellars and Etude.