2016 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon

 

2016 was generally a very good year for California Cabernet Sauvignon.  By far, the growing season was steady and uneventful, allowing grapes to help produce solid wines.  This 2016 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma Mountain is 100% Cabernet (yay!) and one that is extremely fairly priced.  We won't say "value priced" wine as that tends to actually devalue a brand.  We are going to call this wine an incredible deal.  Juicy blackberry, plum camp fire and cigar box on the nose with, at times, hints of dried spring flowers.  A dark, robust wine with flavors of black fruits, cherry tobacco, allspice and earthiness.  The wine really pulls you in immediately and leaves a solid finish on the palate.  This is the first Counterpoint that we have tasted and these 50+ year old vines are really strutting their stuff.  Excellent choice!  Drink now or for the next 10 years.

ABV:  14.6%

Sonoma Mountain, CA

Suggested retail price:  $50.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

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
 

2017 Patel Napa Valley Red Wine

Here's a another winner from a winery that we were introduced to about 13 months ago.  The 2017 Patel Napa Valley Red Wine is a luscious and aromatic offering that offers a dark purple and mouth watering welcome to the palate.  Ripe dark cherry, pencil lead, cocoa bits and cherry tobacco on the nose.  In the mouth is a powerful blend of red fruits, barn wood, black tea and cherry licorice.  This wine is framed with a solid acidic backbone and pulled together nicely for an amazing finish.  Tips the scale at nearly 15% alcohol but the balance is in check.  There were only 150 cases produced, but this one should be in your cellar while you can grab it.  Enjoy it optimally for the next 12-15 years.  Well done!

ABV:  14.9%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $75.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

2017 LOBO Wines Custom Red Blend

 

The 2017 LOBO Wines Custom Red Blend is a wonderful example that delicious wines don't have to break the bank.  This Napa Valley stunner blends Syrah (69%), Cabernet Sauvignon (26%) and Merlot (5%) , creating dark and bold aromas of blackberry, cigar smoke and grilling spices.  You get amazing mouth coating flavors of blackberry cobbler, tobacco leaf, vanilla and black cherry. The tannin is powerful yet polished and the finish is one that makes you turn your head and smile.  We filtered and decanted this wine as there was a moderate amount of sediment.  It is absolutely delicious and while it will likely age well for a decade or more, we like this one now or within in the next 3 years for best enjoyment.

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $70.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

2019 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine

 

We were really taken back by the 2018 vintage of this wine and the 2019 doesn't disappoint!  This is the 2019 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine.  The wine is a Bordeaux Blend that consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (20%), Malbec (12%) and Cabernet Franc (6%).  This is not an "in your face" type of wine but rather one with a graceful introduction to blackberry and cherry aromas framed with cedar plank.  In the mouth is a glass-like feel with very polished tannin against flavors of plum, blackberry, cherry cordial and baking spices.  The closing moments of the wine linger and this young wine will surely continue to provide more depth with some time in the bottle.  Simply lovely!  700 cases produced.

ABV:  14.5%

Walla Walla, WA

Suggested retail price:  $60.00

Drink The Bottles score:  90+/100

2019 Dawn's Dream Winery Eliza Jane Syrah

We have tasted many Pinot Noir from Dawn's Dream Winery over the years and this is an honor to taste the inaugural vintage of this Syrah.  The 2019 Dawn's Dream Winery Eliza Jane Syrah is named after Dawn's first granddaughter and the bottle label is also a tribute to her nickname, Ladybug.  The wine features a charming red color with aromas of raspberry, mild pepper, plum and spice.  Fresh wild blueberry flavors fill the mouth and dance with saddle leather, dried spices and lead to a very bright and lingering finish.  This wine is very well balanced and not over spiced or fuming of alcohol, which can be common with Syrah.  You would never guess that this is the first production of this wine by the restrained elegance that it presents.  Terrific!  

ABV:  13.5%

Carmel Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $58.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

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