2021 Pope Valley Winery Reserve Merlot

The history of Pope Valley Winery goes back 1897, when it was founded as Burgundy Winery and Olive Oil Factory by Ed Haus.  One hundred years later, a new lease on life was granted to the property when the Eakle family purchased it.  Brother and sister David Eakle and Diana Eakle Hawkins took the reigns in 2009 as the forward thinking, next generation owners to build on the legacy that had been created.  Today, Pope Valley Winery is creating some stunning wines under the esteemed Director of Winemaking, Jean Hoefliger.

We tend to sometimes provide spoiler alerts in our reviews and this one is no exception.  If this wine is any indication how 2025 is going to be, then we are in for a delicious and rewarding year!  First of all, if you're one of those people who turned their nose up to Merlot after watching Sideways over twenty years ago, please move on.  You're missing out on one of the most versatile and rewarding grape varietals in existence.  

Today we are tasting and talking about the 2021 Pope Valley Winery Reserve Merlot.  This wine is another fine example of the pain staking quality and attention to detail that is being obsevered by this producer.  Historically we have loved both their white and red releases and this one is leaning towards an all-time favorite.  Dark garnet inviting colors in the glass with chest-filling aromas of pipe tobacco, rosemary, green tea and those wonderful, juicy dark fruits that you would expect to find.  On the palate are welcoming and aggressive flavors of cooked plums, blackberry compote, crusty bread and allspice.  This is what we call a "make a fist and put it to your lips" type of wine.  

This wine has been in the bottle less than 18 months at this writing and we would anticipate that you can enjoy this one well into the next decade.  

ABV:  14.3%

Napa Valley AVA

Winery:  Pope Valley Winery

146 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $72.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100

 

Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon Series VIII

 

The newest batch of Remus Repeal Reserve is hitting shelves now and there's a lot to be excited about with this Series VIII release.  Master Distiller Ian Stirsman made some changes by blind tasting this and ultimately deciding on 101 proof and by also using a higher proportion of high rye recipe bourbon than in previous releases.  While some Remus Repeal Reserve releases have had more components in the final blend, the ten-to-seventeen year old aged bourbons really fire on all cylinders and have created a fantastic pour.

Series VIII is comprised of 9% 2007 bourbon (21% rye), 24% 2014 bourbon (21% rye) and 67% 2014 bourbon (36% rye).  The older bourbon definitely shows it hand in this expression, displaying aromas of cherry syrup, fine bound book leather, roasted nuts, vanilla and overly ripe plums.  It is mouth-watering and immediately eye-opening and it is reminiscent of your dad's bourbon that he purchased twenty years ago and occasionally sipped on when mom was away.

The initial taste offered elements of cherry cordial, light mocha beans, dried fruits, baking spice and light pepper.  Very silky on the palate and easy to approach for another sip..... and another.  It's sweet but stays in check by the pepper and oaky balance that rounds out the finish.  This is an fine example of the art of blending, tasting, testing and presenting the best effort of that work.  The Remus Repeal Reserve series has been increasingly popular over the years and this is a testament to why you need to try to find this for your home bar!

ABV:  50.5% (101 proof)

Distillery:  Ross & Squibb 

Suggested retail price:  $99.99

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

2019 Pope Valley Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

 

Here's another fine example of great wine made with exceptional fruit.  The 2019 Pope Valley Reserve Sauvignon Blanc sets itself apart from many others made with this grape.  If you're looking for a Sauvignon Blanc that is overly grassy with an strong acidic backbone, look somewhere else.  This wine effortlessly blends tangerine, yellow baked apple, honey, and interesting hints of river rock on the outer edge and finish.  This wine is surprisingly very silky smooth and a welcome change to "traditional" SB.  And talk about a food wine!  We feel that the versatility of this offering would pair with anything from artisan breads & jams to Eggs Benedict to sashimi and beyond!  We tasted this near room temperature but served chilled, this wine would be a porch drinker for certain.  Drink now. The 2020 vintage is currently available from Pope Valley Winery on their web site.

ABV:  14.46%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $32.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2018 Patland Vineyards Select Barrel Reserve Malbec

 

We have recently had the opportunity to taste several Malbec and admittedly, in the past, this has not been our favorite varietal.  Mostly it is because many of the Malbec we have tasted have been "good" but not great.  That certainly isn't the case with the 2018 Patland Vineyards Select Barrel Reserve Malbec.  Before we get into our thoughts, we will make a bold statement that this is probably the best Malbec we have EVER tasted!  Read that again.  It is absolutely stunning on all fronts - visual, aroma and taste!   In the glass is a concentrated, nearly opaque, incredibly dark colored wine.  It's gorgeous.  On the nose are lifted aromas of plum, mocha, chocolate bits, blackberry preserves and spring flowers.  This is one of those wines that fills the soul and while you can't wait to taste it, the aromas just want to make you swirl this glass over and over and really appreciate the goodness.  In the mouth is a gushing collection of dark berries, chocolate bar, ciabatta bread, and hints of espresso.  The wine finishes effortlessly and will continue to become more polished for years as it is very young right now.  This wine is drinking splendidly and we would love to visit it again in a few years.  If you are a Malbec lover, this wine is absolutely a "must have" wine for you!  

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $110.00

Drink The Bottles score:  98/100

2018 Calculated Risk Sonoma County Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Full disclosure here.   I purchased a few different cases of "close out" wines from an online discounter just to have some cheaper, every day drinking wine.  One of the purchases was this 2018 Calculated Risk Sonoma County Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.  I bought 4 bottles and for the price (and free shipping), I thought it was worth the..................wait for it...............calculated risk.  (Insert laughter here).  I digress.

This wine really didn't disappoint.  Of the wines that I purchased from the discount vendor, this one was one that I preferred over many that were less than spectacular.  There was a very distinct Cabernet nose and medium red color.  Sometimes you can open a cheap Cabernet only to find that you struggle to identify the aromas that typically accompany these grapes.  This was not the case here.  Dried fruit with dark chocolate yielded to dark, ripe cherries and a faint dusty book taste.  The finish wasn't incredibly long but it was pleasant and kept me coming back to finish the bottle.   I'm definitely not mad at myself for trying this one, although the suggested list price tag on the winery web site would leave you scratching your head (I paid $14.99 and free shipping).  I don't think this bottle would be one you could take a glass or two from and put back for another day.  It's a one and done deal!  Drink now through 2024.

ABV:  14.0%

Sonoma County, California

Suggested retail price:  $49.99

Drink The Bottles score:  86/100