Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.7

Parker 94 when it was released, its improved since then 🥩 recommended I was saving this until I found some more available, Tynan just released more of these one off 2012 today. This is a nice bottle 👍🏼. Not a fruit bomb pop & pour, I’ll take this over 3/4 of $100.00 bottles out there.
Winery notes-
It has an opaque inky black center with dark and deep ruby edges. A concentrated and layered perfume of cassis, smoked cardamom, black licorice, black fig, old cabinet, and chocolate ganache leap from the glass. The Petit Verdot lends crushed black pepper and incense aromas. This young wine is loaded with gobs of silky supportive tannin that build on the entry and carry all the way through to fleshy and gorgeous finish.

This wine is a "one-off" of sorts. Unfortunately, the vineyard was replanted soon after 2012, so I was only able to make one vintage. It's composed from a steep hillside block just 200 ft below the Meleagris Vineyard. Planted to Clone 6 and named Chiquito by its then owner and farmer, Cornelius Corbett, this steep east facing hillside is planted on deep rocky Aiken loam. The well-drained soils provide a perfect spot for growing Cabernet. A bit of Petit Verdot from the Stagecoach vineyard was co-fermented with the Cabernet to add a touch of richness and complexity. The Stagecoach Vineyard is across the valley atop the red clay and volcanic soils near Pritchard Hill. Together, the two varietals provide a synergistic layered darkness that is both brooding and inviting.

95% Cabernet Sauvignon
5% Petit Verdot
pH 3.85
Alcohol 14.4%
TA 5.2 g/L
124 Cases Produced
Unfined -- Unfiltered

— 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Frog’s Leap produces wine under the leadership of John Williams, a former dairy farmer from New York who created the winery in 1981. Great wine for Merlot lovers. Nice ripe dark fruit aromas. Wine has a small amount or Cab Sauvignon & Cab Franc added to give this wine nice structure. Plum and ripe blackberry flavors with wafts of cacao. Soft tannins, good balance, a joy to drink. Should age nicely over next 5-7 years. — 6 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Fresh, ripe nose of; huckleberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, black plum, plum, mocha/milk chocolate, caramel, baking spices, sweet rich clay soils, very light presence of herbs and fresh red flowers with violets. The body is full, rich and nicely resolved with round M+ tannins. The fruits are big and ripe; huckleberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, black plum, plum with strawberries dancing in the background. Caramel, mocha/milk chocolate, chocolate pudding, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, hints of clove, sweet rich clay soils, darker spices, crumbled volcanic minerals, touch of dry herbs, suede/velvety leather, mouthwatering, fresh round acidity and a long, rich, elegant, smooth as silk, balanced finish that lasts over a minute. Photos of; the the tasting room/bar, the fresh vegetable honor stand in front of the winery, picnic area and the view onto the valley floor from their terrace. Producer notes and history...born near the Italian-Swiss border, Gaetano Regusci journeyed to the Napa Valley in 1891 working at a dairy along today's Silverado Trail. In 1932, Gaetano cashed in his entire life insurance policy and purchased a foreclosed property across the road, known today as Regusci Ranch. For the next 30 years, Gaetano lived off the land, farming; corn, hay, walnuts, plums and grapes. He ranched cattle, ran a dairy and opened a retail market. They survived prohibition and the great depression. Gaetano held onto the Ranch, passing along the historic Stags Leap District property to his son Angelo in the 1960s. Regusci long before making wine were excellent farmers...a nice resume for growing grapes. Through five generations, they were commited to agriculture. Gaetano Regusci purchased a 289-acre estate in the Stags Leap District; which included one of the preeminent wineries of its time, the Grigsby-Occidental Winery established in 1878. At that time, the wine industry was not what it is today. Aside, from growing and making homemade wine and selling grapes. When Gaetano's son Angelo took over the family Ranch in the 1960s, he began planting Bordeaux varieties on the estate. His decision would prove to be visionary within a few decades. As the wine industry flourished so did their vineyards. They planted a 160 acres of grapes that reside on the estate today. Angelo's (Angelo's Vineyard, is perhaps their best bottling) son Jim became a farmer as well, taking over Ranch duties in the 1990's. Having farmed for many of Napa Valley's most notable vineyards, Jim decided to establish Regusci in 1996. Their first crush amounted to 1,900 cases. Today, they produce 6,500 total cases spilt under several different wines designations. It's a fun place to visit and taste. Behind the tasting bar, they have a two foot piece of the cable that was used to make the Golden Gate Bridge. Ask them to see it. However, it's as heavy as a large dumbbell. When you make an appointment, see about reserving one of their picnic tables after the tasting. If you get a table purchase your lunch before you get to the winery as they do not sell prepared food. However, during the growing season, they have a honor system cart for the fruits and vegetables they still grow as shown in the photos. It's a must stop along the Silverado Trail...a beautiful setting with amazing vistas. — 7 years ago