2021 Maxville Estate Oranos Red Blend and 2021 Merlot Wines

 

Huddled in the Vaca Mountains is an AVA that is sparesly planted compared to many others in Napa Valley, but it is one that is creating delicious fruit.  The Chiles Valley AVA is home to Maxville Winery's 1000-acre estate, proudly possessing some vines that are now over 50 years old!  While this is extremely impressive, what garners our attention more is the wines produced that are strangely both delicate and bold when they need to be.  The soil in the estate vineyard is well-drained and the dry farming style provides the perfect pressure on the vines, forcing them to produce berries that are flavorful, colorful and memorable.

Maxville Estate Vineyard - Chiles Valley AVA courtesy of Maxville Winery

Over the next few weeks we are going to taste and share a handful of wines from Maxville.  But today we are concentrating on two wines - the 2021 Maxville Estate Oranos Red Blend and the 2021 Maxville Estate Merlot.

While the specific details of the composotion for the 2021 Maxville Estate Oranos Red Blend wine are a mystery, we are picking up profiles from what we believe are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and possibly Malbec.  The rich and inticing color suggests there may be a sprinkling of Petite Siraha as well.  Gorgous dark ruby color in the glass.  The nose presents dark red fruits, rich cacao powder, sawn hickory and earthy herbs.  This wine gives you a sense of "place"; you can alsmost feel yourself walking the vines as you taste this and enjoy the flavors of ripe raspberry, plum, wisps of campfire smoke, vanilla and chocolate against the structured tannins.  It's quite lovely and we personally would consider this a non-food wine (don't hate!) to enjoy the layers of flavors.  

ABV:  14.8%

AVA:  Chiles Valley

Winery:  Maxville Winery

Suggested retail price:  $120.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

We need to start this by telling you that we are still thinking about this wine!  While 2004 saw "The Sideways Effect" on Merlot, resulting in tumbling sales and tons of product sitting in warehouses and on shelves for years, we're thrilled that vintners and winemakers have re-embraced this varietal as it is one of our absolute favorites.  This 2021 Maxville Estate Merlot is beaming with aromas of muddled raspberries, scorched earth, dark chocolate and dried spices.  It is immediately inviting with restrained flavors of blackberry pie, hints of blueberry compote, sweet tobacco and vanilla that lead to a finish that is determined and delicious.  This is Merlot that was made with a purpose and the type of Merlot that we absolutely adore!

ABV:  15.1%

AVA:  Chiles Valley

Winery:  Maxville Winery

Suggested retail price:  $90.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour Sparkling Wine

 

This is quite possibly the best Brut Rosé we have tasted in a number of years!  It is, without a doubt, outstanding.  If you're looking for a lovely sparkling wine for a celebration or to pair with lighter food, you've just learned what you need to know.  Go buy this wine!   Now, if you want some more detailed inforamtion, keep reading.

The Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour Sparkling Wine is a non-vintage stunner both in appearance and taste, born from estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.   Named in honor of Louis XV's great paramour, Madame de la Pompadour, this sparkling wine makes you feel regal and elegant from when you gently pop the cork until you take your final sip.  Pink and peach in color, micro bubbles prepare you for aromas of fresh, picked-from-the-garden strawberries, joined with sweet buttercream, ripe melon, rose and baking spices.  It is incredibly creamy with homemade biscuits making an appearance mid-palate and a hint of minerality on the finish. 

If you love the dryness of a traditional sparkling Brut, then this is your wine.  We were fortunate enough to taste two bottles of this gem - once solo and then accompanied with smoked Gouda with fig spread and this wine sang beautifully!  This is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay.  The sur lie aging in the bottle really added to the creaminess and layers of flavor.  "Al Bacio"!

ABV:  12.0%

Carneros Appellation

Winery:  Domaine Carneros

Suggested retail price:  $45.00

Drink The Bottles score:  95/100

2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

 

When Barb and Bart at a charity event a few decades ago, their love of wine was a bond that they shared that ultimlately led them to opening their owe winery in Napa.  A quarter of a century ago the duo purchased 33 acres of prime Napa real estate and eventually they began producing Bordeaux and Burdundian styles of wines that promote their sustainably farmed vineyard.  These "estate only" exclusive wines promote not only traditional styles, but also the passion that Barb and Bret share for each other after all of these years.

Today we are tasting the 2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  As one would expect, it is memorable from cork pop to the finish with it's beautiful bottle and striking darker mulberry color in the glass.  Ripe berries, granite, wet stone, cigar paper and spice swim in the nose, creating a mouth-watering introduction that delivers.  Dark fruit, plum, spice cabinet, pencil shavings, cedar smoke and a hint of milk chocolate dance on the tongue, creating a persistent finish against sophisticated tannins.  This wine has only begun to show it's potential and we regret not decanting this prior to tasting.  It is a wine that you need to add to your cellar, not only to lay down for fifteen or more years, but to prove to yourself what a fine Napa Valley Cabernet should taste like.  It's beautiful!

ABV:  15.2%

AVA:  Napa Valley

Winery:  O'Brien Estate

Suggested retail price:  $120.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

2021 Ackerman Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Estate

In the southeastern corner of Napa Valley sits a once unfamiliar area of Coombsville, which is now the 16th AVA of the Valley.  The Ackerman family purchased their prized property over thirty years ago, recognizing the amazing fruit that grew in the area, ultimately creating exceptional wines.  This particular offering comes from a beautiful vintage that was ideal in many ways regarding the weather.  But for most, including Ackerman, the yields were lower due to a rainfall shortage.

This is the 2021 Ackerman Fmaily Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coombsville Estate.  While we tasted this, it transitioned from a fruit forward young wine to (after decanting) a wine that can be aged for decades, showing potential to only increase in flavor and enjoyment.  Initially we recognized a basket of blueberries, cedar shavings and graphite.   Some decanting and swirling quickly transitioned this full bodied wine to fresh raspberry and strawberry fruits, forest floor, hints of allspice and vanilla.  The feathery tannins help create an unforgetful and steady finish.  

This wine is very impressive and offers a beautiful, dark eggplant color.  While we really enjoyed this now, we think that this is an ideal wine to cellar and re-visit in three to five years.  The additional complexity that this will surely develop would add a couple of points to the overall score (if scores are your thing).  

Stay tuned as we chat with someone from the Ackerman team when we create a video review of their 2018 Memoir Red Blend!

ABV:  14.1%

Coombsville AVA

Winery:  Ackerman Family Vineyards

Suggested retail price:  $98.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93+/100

 

2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne

 

On the north end of Napa Valley in St. Helena, California sits a wine estate that until recently, has been unassuming for fifty years.  Sullivan Rutherford Estate was the dream turned into reality of James O'Neil Sullivan, a visionary who became passionate about wine in the 1950's when and his wife received a grape arbor as a wedding present.  Home winemaking eventually led to a move to Rutherford where Sullivan would plant roots - literally.

The 2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne wine consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (14%) and Petit Verdot (6%).  We initially did not decant this wine and allowed only "air time" in the glass.  A unanimous decision to decant for about thirty-five minutes made the difference with this one.  Homemade strawberry jam color solid to the rim.  This "heart of vine" Cabernet offers plum, graphite, wet gravel road, and toasted baguette on the nose.  The decanting brought the firm tannins alive and presented flavors of raspberry puree, violet, hints of oak,  and bits of cocoa.  Give this one some time to open up and it will reward you for the next 15 years or so.  In four or five years this could be teetering on perfection in a bottle!  If you're someone who enjoys a dry aged steak with your wine, this marriage would be impeccable.

Sullivan Rutherford Estate is now in the hands of managing partner, Juan Pablo Torres Padilla and we anticipate that this label will continue to produce incredible and cellar-worthy wines.

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley AVA

Winery:  Sullivan Rutherford Estate

Cases Produced:  2,600

Suggested retail price:  $80.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93+/100

2019 Hedges Family Estate La Haute Cuvée

 

The Red Mountain AVA of Benton County, Washington produces some of the finest grapes of the region, cultivating into wines that have unique expressions and Old World charm.  The 2019 Hedges Family Estate La Haute Cuvée is a fine example of terroir and the feel of a wine that could be cellared for 15+ years.  Winemaker Sara Goedhart has nearly 10 years as head winemaker at Hedges Family Estate and her twenty plus years in the business is evident in the bottle we have today.

Gorgeous, deep eggplant color that oozes to the edge of the glass.  This wine was not decanted but it was provided about twenty minutes of air time in the glass prior to tasting.  The first thing we noticed about this wine was how herbaceous it is and not the fruit bomb we may have been expecting.  Again, Old World style here all the way.  Fresh blackberries, dark chocolate shavings, pencil lead, mocha and leather blended effortlessly, each trying to take their turns to shine but not overpowering one another.  On the tongue is a satisfying, mouth-coating offering that offered more black fruits, baked Shiitake mushroom, garden herbs, fennel and damp earth.  

This is one of those wines that surprised us, but in the loveliest way possible.  It spent over 2 years in oak and the tannins are refined and minute.  Our recommendation?  Buy a half or whole case of this wine, open a bottle per year and see how it continues to develop.  We think there could likely be fifty more descriptors that could come out of this bottle.  It's a real treat.

ABV:  13.5%

Appellation:  Red Mountain AVA

Winery:  Hedges Family Estate

652 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $75.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100 

Winery Spotlight: Krupp Brothers Estate

 

About ten years ago, Jeff blindly reached out to Krupp Brothers winery to introduce himself as a fledgling wine blogger.  The winery was kind enough to send Jeff a few bottles to review, and the rest, as they say, is history.  We have been very enthusiastic fans of Krupp Brothers wines and have enjoyed sharing these wines not only virtually with their readers, but in person with their friends.  And, just as it should happen, it did.  Those friend started buying Krupp Brothers wines and eventually some of them became wine club members.  

In late August, we had the opportunity to travel with close friends to Napa and Sonoma for an amazing wine adventure.  This was our second visit to the Krupp Brothers estate in as many years and we were excited to share this special place with a new couple joining us on our trip this year.

"Napa Scott" posing with the Porsche tractor outside of the tasting room.  We believe that this is an obligator picture for anyone visiting the estate.

Our visit started with estate director Tyler Hinsley and our wine educator/tour guide Sierra Fiddler greeting us at the end of the picturesque drive.  I'd like to think they were eager to see us (which we know they were) but it might also be because we were running about 10 minutes late since we had just landed and headed straight to the estate from the Sacramento airport.

The grapes were looking amazing and about to burst! 

Because our trip was late August/early September, harvest was just around the corner.  Overall, the grapes this year looked, smelled and tasted extraordinary and the consensus in Napa Valley is that 2022 would be another vintage for the record books.  

Cabernet Sauvignon at Krupp Brothers estate

Sierra showed us around the estate and guided us to the veranda overlooking the manicured and beautiful vineyards.  She told us about the history of Krupp Brothers, Stagecoach Vineyard and the story about finding water in an area that was believed to be desolate.  Sierra was a breath of fresh air and incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable about "everything" Krupp Brothers.

Sierra Fiddler, tour guide extraordinaire

Much to our surprise, Dr. Jan Krupp, showed up and greeted us out back.  To say that I was over-the-moon would be a gross understatement.  While we met Dr. Krupp previously, it really meant a lot for him to take time out of his busy scheduled to entertain our questions for nearly an hour.  Believe me, I'm sure he's heard them all before!  Maybe our next tasting can be at his house?  (Hint, hint Dr. K!)

Dr. Jan Krupp fielding the group's questions and telling us stories

If you ever have the opportunity to sit down with a wine maker or a vintner, do NOT pass up the chance.  We learned so much from our time with Dr. Krupp and we had a lot of laughs on the way.  This is time that we will treasure forever!

Incredible setting and gorgeous wines at the Krupp Brothers estate tasting room

Our tasting included five (no, make that 6 because of a 'bonus' tasting) Krupp Brothers wines and charcuterie.  Each wine was unique, elegant and incredibly special.  It's so tough to pick a favorite.  We were determined this year to cellar some of our purchases away so we can enjoy them for many years.  All too often we drink the wines young and don't appreciate the aging capabilities of these gems.  We WILL be sharing our thoughts on these wines on the blog and social media at a later date.

Tyler Hinsley, estate director for Krupp Brothers

Another highlight of our visit was our new friend and estate director, Tyler Hinsley.  Tyler's genuine kindness, enthusiasm and excitement about the Krupp Brothers label was infectious.  He even helped us locate a couple of library wines that we can open at a much later date.  Tyler was incredible nice on the phone and via email, but became an immediate friend when we met him in person.  We also had the chance to hang out with Tyler later that evening when we visited the Krupp Brothers downtown tasting room for a fun time.

The "Cali Wine Trip" crew with Dr. Jan Krupp

There are literally hundreds of wineries you can visit in Napa and Sonoma.  In fact, the toughest part of planning any trip is narrowing down the list and then narrowing it down again.  While wish we could visit them all, visiting the special places like Krupp Brothers completes our adventure and creates memories of a lifetime.  Krupp Brothers is definitely a "must re-visit" destination for us and we think you will love it too!

For more information about Krupp Brothers, their story, their history and those incredible wines, please check out https://www.kruppbrothers.com

You didn't really think I wasn't going to get this picture, did you!?

Posted by Jeff

2021 Bells Up Winery Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir

 

Kicking off our series of Oregon wines, we started with this inviting Rosé that is as gorgeous in the glass as it is on the tongue.  The 2021 Bells Up Winery Prelude Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir first captures the eye with the stunning reddish hue, darker than many other Pinot Noir rosé on the market.  It was intriguing and immediately mouth-watering.  We tasted this wine both on its own merit and with food (which is unusual for us, but we had to prove a point to ourselves).  With ample time in the glass, we began swirling and collecting pleasant, but not overpowering, aromas of strawberry and pomegranate.  The fruit is more noticeable on the palate and the acid is in check and doesn't even begin to overpower this easy-drinking wine.  The finish is subtle and enjoyable.  While we don't always taste wines with food, there was something here that was urging us to do so. We tasted this with a variety of salty cheeses and the pairing was absolutely incredible.  This is definitely a "food" wine and one of the best Rosé of Pinot Noir that we have tasted in recent memory.  

ABV:  12.9%

Chehalem Mountains, OR

Production:  101 Cases

Suggested retail price:  $28.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2018 Galante Vineyards Olive Hill Petite Sirah

There's a lot going on with this wine that we love.  We, of course, have to start with the obvious first - the bottle.  No, your eyes are not deceiving you.  Yes, that is a 750mL bottle of wine.  The "petite" or stubby bottle is a nod to the marketing team over at Galante.  In fact, we really like everything they do and if you're a cowboy fan........ you will love it!  So let's talk about the wine.  This is the 2018 Galante Vineyards Olive Hill Petite Sirah.  It is estate bottled and comes from two different vineyards of seriously different elevations.   The color on this wine is absolutely mesmerizing.  It's a deep garnet and reminds us of a crushed velvet that you hung on your wall in the 1970's.  When we opened this bottle, aromas of boysenberry and cedar leapt from the bottle and we had a suspicion that this was going to be something very, very good.  With some air time, other aromas like toasted ciabatta and fresh blacktop joined in on the fun.  Strong but welcoming tannin framed the flavors of blackberry jam, violets and barn wood to a finish that was very strong but not overpowering.  We really appreciate a Petite Sirah that isn't jammed up by blending grapes and this offering from Galante Vineyards really allows the fruit to shine.  It is absolutely delicious!

ABV:  14.0%

Carmel Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $55.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100
 

2019 Galante Vineyards Almond Flat Pinot Noir

We are excited to be partnering with Jack Galante and his team at Galante Vineyards again and it was a lot of fun to taste this wine.  This is the 2019 Galante Vineyards Almond Flat Pinot Noir which is from estate fruit and 100% Pinot.  Bright aromas of crushed strawberries and orange zest initially with mushroom and dried herb following closely.  Cranberry and strawberry dominate the palate, joined by pleasant but not overpowering earthy and slightly smoky flavors leading to a long finish with modest and welcome tannin.  This wine is very young and you will have many years of enjoyment.  We tend to crush on wines that are estate-fruit driven and these higher altitude grapes create a memorable tasting experience with this offering.  The price is right and this wine would pair very well with a herbal, roasted chicken dinner with carrots.  This is absolutely lovely!

ABV:  13.2%

Carmel Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $50.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

2018 Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Estate Pinot Noir

 

We were first introduced to the wines of Sokol Blosser over a dozen years ago while trying their Evolution white blend with fondue.  Well-made Oregon Pinot Noir is always a treat to taste.  The 2018 Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Estate Pinot Noir is no exception!  Deep plum skin color with cranberry on the nose and mouth. The cranberry blends with tanned suede, campfire smoke, clove and white pepper to bring this wine to a strong finish with a solid acidic  backbone.   This wine is young and we think will be even more memorable in the next 18 months.  We think this wine would pair very well with beef stew or pheasant.  

ABV:  14.0%

Dundee Hills, OR

Suggested retail price:  $42.00

Drink The Bottles score:  90+/100

Patland Estate Vineyards Mystery Box Wine Deal!

 

It's not very often that you see a blog post here about a wine promotion.  In fact, this may be the first time!  But that is how excited and passionate that we are about this incredible deal!  Patland Estate Vineyards is once again offering their "Mystery Box" of wine for a limited time.  Keep reading...

To tempt you even more, we've been given the green light to share with you what was in last year's Mystery Box.  If you purchased this, you did VERY well (but you already know that!).

Last year's box included nearly $1500 worth of wine.  The six amazing bottles of wine were:

• 2008 Syrah
• 2010 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2011 Malbec
• 2012 Pinot Noir
• 2014 Port
• 2016 Sauvignon Blanc

What will be in this year's box?  We don't have all of the details but we know WITHOUT A DOUBT that you will receive some incredible wines for a fraction of the price.  Did we mention that the Mystery Box not only includes 6 incredible wines but also free shipping!  What a deal!

This isn't some gimmicky wine club where you spend $49 and get $11 worth of wine (and most of that value is in the glass for the bottles).  Michael Patland of Patland Estate Vineyards has told us repeatedly that this is without a doubt his favorite promotion of the year and it is always a mind-blowing value for the consumer.  We cannot stress this incredible deal from an amazing winery!  Get it now.

This deal ends October 31st.  Visit Patland Estate Vineyards today to get this deal!

2017 The Shepherd Estate Red

 

It is always a pleasure working with a winery partner year over year and having the fortune to taste the same label but differing vintages.  We last tasted this wine for the 2014 vintage.  The 2017 The Shepherd Estate Red is once again a blend of Syrah, Zinfandel and Tempranillo.  All of the grapes are sources from estate vines and the mixture of each grape differs each year, depending on the quality of the grapes and the overall desired affect.  This wine is a dark inky purple in the glass and (although tough to see in the picture) the cork is nearly black and sexy.  Solid color to the edge of the glass.  Blueberry pie, cedar bark and plum primarily on the nose.  Baked cherry cobbler, vanilla bean and cremè de cassis are lovely flavors with hints of black pepper wrapped up in lush tannin.  These three grapes are always a favorite and this wine drinks very, very easily now or you can hold it for 5+ years.  Most of the wines are tasted unescorted by food, but this would pair well with a hearty cut tomahawk steak with seasoned potatoes.  And, as always, this wine is an incredible bargain at just $25 suggested retail.

ABV:  14.2%

Napa Valley, Carneros, CA

Suggested retail price:  $25.00

Drink The Bottles score:  89/100

2018 Patland Estate Vineyards Select Barrel Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

 

What really impressed us by this Cabernet Sauvignon is the huge structure, sustainability and tasting profile that went along with this young wine.   The 2018 Patland Estate Vineyards Select Barrel Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the eleventh year for this limited edition wine and you'll have to jump on this quickly if you want to secure yours.  At only 3,540 bottles, the allocation surely runs out quickly, and for good reason!  Medium to dark garnet color with pomegranate, leather, black cherry and mint on the nose.  In the mouth is a medium-tannin, polished wine with dark red fruits, leather, vanilla and droplets of soy sauce towards the finish.  For such a young wine it drinks effortlessly and is as sexy as it can be for the greatest grape varietal in the world!  If you are lucky enough to acquire this wine, get as many as you can.  Drink one now and age the others for 5, 10, 15, 20 years.  Enjoy!

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley, CA

295 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $200.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

2016 Boeschen Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

I have never sat in a French bistro overlooking the Champs Elysees while enjoying the finest cuisine.  I have never read a first print of The Call of the Wild while sitting amongst the finest literary classics a prestigious library.   But those are two feelings that I get when tasting the 2016 Boeschen Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is an extraordinary example of winemaking with passion, care and diligence.  Many Napa Valley Cabernet examples are very fruit forward, but this one is more reserved, a big and powerful statement that is held back by the door of opportunity in a wine that can be enjoyed now or for the next 20+ years.  Dark purple, almost inky, this wine has a balance of dark cherry, tobacco leaf, cassis, and antique spice cabinet with satin-like tannin.  This wine was tasted at room temperature multiple times (hence, the wine streaks on the label!) with and without food and was a true champion every time.  I would recommend this with braised short ribs or venison.  Absolutely wonderful!

ABV:  14.6%

Napa Valley, California

Suggested retail price:  $110.00

Drink The Bottles score:  96/100

2013 Arns Winery Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Arns Winery is another fine example of a powerfully restrained, still young wine with tons of potential.   I "Drink The Bottles" when I get them, so unfortunately, sometimes I miss out what are probably the best years of many stellar wines.  I think that is the case here with the 2013 Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Arns Winery.  This wine has a gorgeous, sexy black color and a depth that you can see and feel.  Layers of chocolate cake, tobacco leaf, spicy paprika, and cherry cola marry with ease on the nose and in the mouth.  I feel like this wine has so much more to offer and the flavors will explode out of the glass in the next 3-5 years.  But who can wait??  This is a wine that is very tasty now, but will probably bring tears of joy to your eyes if you hold onto it and save it for that special occasion or special someone in the not-so-near future.  With only 300 cases produced, you better grab this quickly!

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley, California

Suggested retail price:  $90.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2012 Arns Winery Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon

2012 was a mixed year for many wine producers.  Some soared and some struggled.  Those who did soar rose way above the competition and this 2012 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon from Arns Winery is a fine example of wine made gorgeously and with style.   There is a big contrast in color from the 2011.  This was is very dark and inky, leaving behind a beautiful stamp on the cork.  I decanted this wine for about an hour but couldn't help myself to get lost in the aromas dark fruits, black licorice and damp, loam earthiness.  Solid mouthfeel and the aromas carry over to the same flavors, but add in some cocoa powder and hints of sweet berries on the finish for a mouth covering and memorable drinking experience.   Arns Winery wines are those that you want to take with you to a dinner party.  These are also great wines to share with folks who are not traditionally "wine people", but beware that those folks may think that all wines are this delicious!

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley, California

Suggested retail price:  $90.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

2016 Dawn's Dream Winery Bel Sogno Pinot Noir

So, here's the deal.  I've been lucky enough to taste several Pinot Noir from Dawn Galante's amazing team at Dawn's Dream Winery and each one is unique and pretty special.  Some are more fruit forward, some smoky, but this 2016 Bel Sogno Pinot Noir takes its own beaten path and stands out from the rest.  Wonderful dark purple in the glass with aromas of muted currant, black cherry, rose petal and vanilla cream.  This wine isn't a high acidic bomb and has a more mellow characteristic in the mouth, creating a finish that is welcoming and leaves you yearning for more.  The flavors are muted at first, but mid palate the sour cherry, black raspberry and red currant jelly blend for a tasting experience that really is satisfying.  When Pinot Noir is made this well, I prefer to sip it with good company, sans food.  I do think that a lighter, brothy soup would be a good pairing as would a braised duck breast or just good 'ol fried mushrooms!  Lovely bottle.

ABV:  14.1%

Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Suggested retail price:  $70.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100