Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, 2010
Date Tasted: 2/25/12
Price: Suggested Retail is $27.00
From The Winery: 13.5% alcohol, 75% Sauvignon Blanc/25% Semillon, aged in 100% French oak
Impressions: A really nice wine with some interesting characteristics added by Semillon and oak. Ripe but crisp, with grapefruit aromas, fresh-cut grass, herbal tones, and vanilla blending together seamlessly.
Rating: Highly Recommended
Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, 2010
Date Tasted: 4/3/12
Price: Suggested retail is $24.00 (I’ve found this one for $16.00 and consistently below $20.00)
From The Winery: 14.8% alcohol, 100% Zinfandel
Impressions: Structured, harmonious, and priced for the bargain bin, this Seghesio zin might be my wine of the year so far. It’s simply a phenomenal value. Generous, but far from fruit-bombish aromas of boysenberry and plum, and notes of mocha, sweet spice, and cedar. I’ve tasted this wine on a handful of occasions this year and was consistently impressed. Wine Enthusiast liked it as well, as they recently gave it a 93.
Rating: Highly Recommended
Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards Cheval Sauvage Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley, 2008
Date Tasted: 4/3/12
Price: Suggested retail is $60.00
From The Winery: 14.5 % alcohol, 100% Pinot Noir
Impressions: I was seriously impressed with this pinot. So impressed, in fact, that any voices in the room suddenly turned to “Wah Wah Wahs” a la Charlie Brown’s teacher as I devoted my full attention to this beauty. Rich, fruitful aroma of dark berries with a bit of spice. Velvety, seductive texture in the mouth, with beautiful harmony. A must-try.
Rating: Highly Recommended
Zichichi Family Vineyard Estate Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, 2007
Date Tasted: 3/27/12
Price: Suggested retail is $28.00
From The Winery: 15.7% alcohol
Impressions: A big, rich, zin packing some heat (literally, on the finish). Delicious aromas of fresh blueberry pie, with cassis, a nice peppery component, and bacon fat.
Rating: Recommended
Siduri Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, 2009
Date Tasted: 3/15/12
Price: Suggested retail is $30.00
From The Winery: 14.1% alcohol, 56% Clos Pepe Vineyard, 44% Cargasacchi Vineyard, 1231 cases produced
Impressions: Persimmon, strawberry pie, mushroom, and smoke intermingle in this robust Siduri Pinot. Smooth in the mouth, with generous oak. There’s nothing subtle about this wine. Not one of my favorite efforts from this powerhouse pinot producer, but worth giving a shot.
Rating: Not Too Shabby.
Some nice wines and good judgement as I see it; the Duck Horn Sauv-blanc is one of the best I’ve tried, and worth the steep price.
Dennis
Thanks Dennis,
The Duckhorn is really nice. Not to say that I don’t appreciate un-oaked Sauv Blanc when done well, but the Duckhorn shows off some of the interesting complexity that can be added to Sauv Blanc with a little oak.