Happy April!
Below are some of the best new offerings I’ve been able to bring into our wine cellar. There were other wines I acquired that didn’t make it onto our website because we already sold out. Email me at wine@deandeluca.com to be included on the release offering list so you know what’s arriving before we sell out.
The Vineyardist Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Mark Herold is back making Cabernet and The Vineyardist is his debut back to Cab since his days of making Merus as vintner. From the Calistoga estate owned by Dirk Fulton and Beck Kukkola, Mark Herold and vineyard manager Jim Barbour have combined their extensive winemaking and winegrowing expertise to bring this UNBELIEVABLE Cab to market. The ’09 Vineyardist comes from Diamond Mountain and is 100% Cabernet. Full-bodied with incredible depth and long length on the palate, this is one of the most exciting new projects of the year. 392 cases were produced and to be honest, working with them early last fall is what helped to secure this allocation. It also didn’t hurt that I bid and won their 5 case, 2010 production of a special barrel lot a few weeks ago.
Harris Estate Jake’s Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
I’m happy to bring Harris Estate back into our cellar. Now under the winemaking leadership of Thomas Rivers Brown, this ’09 Cab comes from their 2.5 acre vineyard called Jake’s Creek Vineyard. Of their three vineyards, this is the one that matures later in the season and showcases rich, dark fruit and firm tannin. We tasted this offering with Harris Estate and think it will show better if decanted for an hour or two before drinking. Ideally, you will want to let this rest in the cellar for another year or two.
Harris Estate Indulgence Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Thomas Brown sourced the fruit for this 08 vintage of Indulgence from their neighboring Engelhard Vineyard. Using 100% new French oak like their other offerings, this 126-case production Cab brings a lot to the glass at this price. This is winemaker Thomas Brown’s only offering from Harris Estate that is not coming from their estate vineyards and shows a little fleshier fruit and flashier style than the estate Cabs.
Gemstone Estate Red 2009
A few things have changed at Gemstone. First, they’ve changed their packaging and I think for the better. Secondly, they’ve changed the names of their offerings- now they’re offering the Gemstone Estate Cab and Estate Red. The Cab will be released in the fall and the Estate Red is available now. Thirdly, they are no longer selling fruit to other premier Napa Valley wineries and keeping their fruit for themselves. The ’09 Estate Red is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 4% PV and 4% Cab Franc. I tasted this two weeks ago and think this is their best Red blend to date. Silky and opulent, this ’09 offers that dark red fruit with a little minerality on the palate. Even better, it’s showing really well now.
Drew McDougall Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009
Mc Dougal Ranch Vineyard is in the Sonoma Coast and what some Sonoma Coast vineyards are labeling as the “True Sonoma Coast” since it’s about three miles from the Pacific Ocean. Dark red fruit and mineral notes fill the glass with medium-bodied tannin. 2009 is considered to be one of the best vintages for Pinot Noir in the last decade and this ’09 from Drew is evident of just how good the vintage was for this finicky grape.
Drew Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009
Three great “heirloom” clones were combined to produce this ’09 Weir Vineyard Pinot from Drew– A Domaine Romanee Conti clone, a Rochioli field clone and A Swiss Clone named 2A. As a result, this 180 case production showcases a very Burgundian-style Pinot. There’s black cherry, earth, floral notes and a little spice on the finish that make this offering both elegant and compelling.
The Paring Red 2008
Matt Dees, winemaker for Jonata and Screaming Eagle, just released this 2008 vintage of Red and it’s really good at its respective price. Comprised of 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 7% PV, 6% Syrah and 6% Grenache, this is a balanced Red and will continue to show well for the next 2-3 years.
The Paring White 2009
This is the wine to drink on the warmer spring days that are approaching. Winemaker Matt Dees created this ’09 White using 66% Sauvignon Blanc, 22% Viognier and 12% Semillon. Medium-bodied, with exotic fruit notes that permeate the nose and palate, Matt aged this with 1/3 stainless steel, 1/3 neutral French oak and 1/3 new French oak. As a result, the wine is lush but not too heavy on the palate thanks to the mineral notes and natural acidity from his barrel program.
Tobias Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
I immediately got on board with this new project as soon as I met with Dawn Forman and tasted the debut ’09 vintage with her. Comprised of 75% Howell Mountain Cab from Dawn and Toby Forman’s home vineyard and 25% Rutherford Merlot, this wine shows well immediately upon opening. A great food-friendly Cab with balance in fruit and earth, Toby learned his winemaking skills from his time spent at his father Ric’s winery, Forman. 300 cases were produced.
Keever Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
This is one of my favorite Cab producers in the Napa Valley. Their Cabs are balanced and offer unique characteristics without pushing the ceiling with crazy pricing. This is made by Celia Welch (also winemaker of her own Corra as well as for Kelly Fleming, Lindstrom and Scarecrow among others). Sourced from their vineyard on the west bench of the Mayacamas in Yountville, this ’09 Cab needs to be decanted before drinking. I just tasted it and it started showing its deep red fruit and clove notes after about a half-hour being opened. The tannins are refined and the wine gives you a very satisfying finish.
Ramey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
While David Ramey’s single vineyard Cabs are impressive, it’s his Napa Valley Cab that we’ve had great success with because the blended vineyard components result in a very classic Ramey-style Cab and they show really well at a younger age. This ’08 Cab is mainly Cabernet with a little Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Cassis and sweet cedar oak fill the glass with structured tannin. Wine critics have been raving about this wine and for good reason.
Gros Ventre Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2010
Last year I worked with vintner Chris Pittenger to release his debut vintage and it was a big success because the wine is that good. The 2010 Sonoma Coast is another great offering at a very good price. Chris blended 8 different heritage clones and in the bottle, this means a Pinot with notes of “cherry, strawberry, and black raspberry, with a hint of cream soda, cardamom, nutmeg and forest floor”. The texture is supple and it will show well if you let it sit open for a half-hour. Don’t forget, Chris learned Pinot from his days working at Marcassin – not a bad place to learn. 96 cases were produced.
Gandona Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
I tasted this debut vintage Gandona (meaning humble man) yesterday and it absolutely should be decanted for at least 2-3 hours if you are going to drink. Made by Philippe Melka, this is pure Pritchard Hill Cab, with great structure and power but will benefit greatly with time in the bottle. The fruit is rich, black and full-bodied. The tannins on this Cab are firm but not overwhelming. 100% Cabernet, this bottling is sourced entirely from what they call “The Old Block”, which is comprised of 1.6 acres under vine that Jim Barbour planted as vineyard manager for the property. 125 cases were produced.
Gandona Encosta Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
The Gandona Encosta (meaning slope) is a Cab this comes from their newer hillside vineyard. 5.8 acre vineyard was planted in 2007 and is completely terraced and is above the Bryant Family vineyard. In the bottle, it is already showing spectacular deep red and dusty cocoa notes. The final blend is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. Winemaker Philippe Melka and vineyard manager Jim Barbour have taken some serious time to develop the vineyards and wine in the bottle for both Encosta and Gandona. 150 cases produced.
Cabaud Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
This new 100-case production is made by Luc Morlet and is sourced from the 3-acre Seiller Vineyard off of Crystal Springs Rd on the base of Howell Mountain. 5% of the Cab comes from the Missouri Hopper Vineyard in Oakville. I used this for a private wine tasting last week earlier this week and it was the best wine showing. This Cab shows big, rich layers of Cab. After decanting for an hour, I liked the opulence that this Cab brought to the table. I just brought in 24 more bottles of this and plan to bring in more.
Drinkward Peschon Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
A favorite release of mine each year, I have it set in my calendar to email them around this time every year to see what Drinkward Peschon I can get for D&D. Lisa Drinkward and Francoise Peschon started this label with the 2000 vintage and to this day, there’s still a cult-like demand for this Cab. Lisa, owner of Behrens & Hitchcock and Erna Schein and Francoise, winemaker for Vine Hill Ranch and Araujo started this brand because of their friendship and their daughter’s too. I say this every year but it’s true – they could easily charge double for their efforts. This ’09 Cab is sourced from some properties they have ties with and is a great representation of a balanced, layered Cab with signature notes of wild blue fruit and violets. There is less earthy flavor than the ’08. The final blend was 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot. 630 cases were produced.
Coup de Foudre 37.2 Red 2009
Tasting this wine, you’ll immediately find notes of opulent, deep black and purple fruit that glide onto the palate. Sourced from a few key vineyards in Calistoga, this ’09 Red is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cab Franc. The percentages are a little deceiving because in the glass, this wine is rich and multi-layered representing a full-bodied Merlot blend with a long, satisfying finish. Winemaker Kent Jarman produced 350 cases of this newly released offering.
Coup de Foudre Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2009
This Sta Rita Hills Pinot comes from their 3 acre Rio Vista Vineyard and brings deep briary notes and black cherry to the glass. On the finish, you will taste clove and a little spice. Like the rest of California, the 2009 vintage for the Sta. Rita Hills region was phenomenal for Pinot and this is a solid example of what good Pinot tastes like from this Santa Barbara County sub-region. Winemaker Kent Jarman has taken over at Coup de Foudre and has done a good job of producing balanced, well-integrated offerings.
Paloma Merlot 2009
I still think this is one of the best Merlots available today. Coming from Barbara Richards’ Spring Mountain vineyard, this is why you should really like Merlot. I just re-tasted this with co-vintner Sheldon Richards and it is showing silky smooth tannin with layers of espresso and cocoa powder (yes cocoa) with blackberry and some tobacco. The final blend for this is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. We talked about how they’ve remained reasonable in price and Sheldon was adamant about not marking up each vintage. I found that refreshing and it makes me like this wine and the Richards family even more.
Lindstrom Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
This is one of my favorite Cabernets coming out of Napa Valley today. I’ve been a fan of their wine since before their debut vintage and think their new release is as good, if not better than their previous offerings. This is only because their vineyard is showing more maturity each year. The ’09 offering from their Stags Leap District vineyard shows great depth in the fruit and layers. It’s structured and not over-extracted. Celia Welch (Scarecrow, Keever, Kelly Fleming & Corra) is still their winemaker and has been since their inception. Highly recommend. $110/bottle
Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Another great offering this month is the VHR 2009 Cab. This is made by Francoise Peschon, also consulting winemaker for Araujo and vintner of Drinkward Peschon. Located in Oakville, this vineyard encompasses valley, hillside and mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. They have been farming this vineyard since the late 1950s and were sourcing all of their fruit to a few premier wineries in the Napa Valley until the 2008 vintage. In ’08, they picked fruit from the best lots for their own wine. This ’09 vintage is their second vintage and showcases pure dark berries and cassis. 375 cases were produced.
Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Chris Phelps was the founding winemaker for Dominus Estate and later left to work with Caymus and then Swanson. After more than 30 years of making wine for others, Chris is now making his own wine. The 2008 Ad Vivum is 100% Cab and comes from the Sleeping Lady Vineyard, which is just south of Keever in the western bench of Yountville. Raspberry and black cherry fill the glass with a little spice and granite – the tannins are refined and offer a smooth mouth feel.
Dancing Hares Mad Hatter Red 2009
The Mad Hatter is back and it’s a great vintage for them. The ’09 is a blend of 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 59% Merlot, 7% PV and 7% Cab Franc. With natural acidity throughout, this offering reveals generous notes of ripe blackberry and cedar with a little minerality on the finish. Made by Andy Erickson, this is a great-buy wine and is showing well now if you let it sit for an hour before drinking.
Cobb Rice-Spivak Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008
I just tasted this with David Cobb last week and was impressed with how well it was showing and how clean it was. This is a true Sonoma Coast Pinot – Rice-Spivak Vineyard is located a few miles from the Pacific Ocean and is comprised of both Dijon and Swan clones. Deep red fruit dominates the palate along with a little spice and anise. 450 cases were produced.
Paradigm Winery
This continues to be a standout winery, known for making incredibly expressive Oakville offerings from their estate vineyard. And even better, their offerings have all maintained over-reasonable pricing. Made by Heidi Barrett and Mark Fasi, I would highly recommend ALL of these offerings- they are showing well now and are very enjoyable. I just tasted them last week and think the ’11 Rose of Merlot is crisp and clean with subtle fruit notes. The ’08 Cab is fleshy with supple tannin and a finish that whets the palate. The ’08 Cab Franc is deep with dark blue fruit and the’08 Merlot is my favorite of all three Reds that were shown.
Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
As you might already know, this was the original bottling when vintner Jayson Woodbridge began Hundred Acre back in the 2000 vintage. Kayli Morgan is the name of the vineyard that surrounds the front of the Woodbridge’s house and was the first vineyard planted. All Hundred Acres tend to show VERY well upon opening and don’t need a lot of time in the bottle or manipulation to show its potential. The ’09 vintage is comprised of 100% Cabernet.
Last summer, we did a video of Jayson’s perspective and my perspective on Hundred Acre. Click here for the link to see the video interview.
Hundred Acre Ark Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
As the second bottling of Hundred Acre for the portfolio, this is probably my favorite of the two from his property on Howell Mountain. The vineyard is in the shape of an arc and is higher in elevation on Howell Mountain. The Ark is more intense than the Kayli Morgan and offers more structure. This is my favorite of all of the Hundred Acre offerings because I think it has more structure and weight. This offering is also comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Maybach Materium Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Since their 2004 debut vintage, I’ve been a fan of Maybach and fortunately, forged a good relationship with vintner Chris Maybach before their first offering. Winemaker Thomas Brown is most known for his winemaking efforts at Schrader, Casa Piena, Jones Family, Harris Estate and especially Maybach. His efforts along with prime Cabernet from the Weitz Vineyard, located on the eastern Oakville bench, have resulted in some of the most compelling Cab in bottle each year. Chris’s great-great grandfather was the founder of Maybach auto engines and partnered with Gottlieb Daimler to design and build the first Mercedes car. It’s a pretty interesting parallel between the wine and auto brand – both signify excellence and high-quality. This ’09 is no doubt as consistently styled as past vintages and showcases the Maybach vineyard site. This is a very seductive wine and whets the palate with focused notes of dark red fruit and sweet cedar. It has a gorgeous, long lingering finish. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, there were 462 cases produced.
Carte Blanche Sandstone Seven White 2009
Comprised of equal percentages of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, this Alder Springs single vineyard Rhone-Style White is clean, vibrant and not too heavy on the palate. Flavors of pear and white floral with citrus oil show from the nose to the finish. The vineyard blocks for this offering range from 1700-2700 feet, which enhances the natural acidity. 125 cases were produced.
Carte Blanche Sonoma County Proprietary White 2010
This 250 case production is comprised of 68% Sauvignon Blanc from Knights Valley and 32% Semillon from Alexander Valley. This is one of the most impressive Bordeaux-style Whites I’ve tasted in awhile. Like their Sandstone Seven White, this ’10 offering is clean and pure. While full-bodied, it’s doesn’t grow tiresome on the palate. Highly recommend.
Carte Blanche Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2009
This Sonoma Coast Chard is a blend of Nobles Vineyard and Lone Oak Vineyard. This is important to note because both provide distinctly different characteristics. Nobles is closer to the coast and brings vibrant acidity and cooler apple fruit to the palate. Lone Oak is more inland and offers richer Chardonnay to the blend. Combined, this is a very unique Chard with just the right amount of acidity to even out the lush notes of the Lone Oak fruit. 300 cases were produced.
Carte Blanche Proprietary Red 2009
This was the best showing Red of the two I tasted with Carte Blanche. This ’09 Proprietary Red is comprised of 47% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cab Franc and 5% Petit Verdot and reveals rich, dark fruit and “mocha, tobacco and bittersweet chocolate”. With a lot going on in the glass, layers of different toned fruit dominate the palate with smooth, lush tannin. 125 cases were produced.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks a lot,
Kerrin Laz, Wine Director
Dean & Deluca
www.facebook.com/DeanDeLucaWine
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