Mitchell Rabinowitz

9.5

Producer
David Arthur Vineyards. Family estate founded by David Arthur Long, with roots on Pritchard Hill dating to the Long family’s land purchases beginning in the 1950s. The winery began in 1980 and released its first vintage in 1985. Elevation 1147 Cabernet and a Napa Valley Proprietary Red sit at the core of the portfolio. 

Region
Napa Valley, with estate vineyards high on Pritchard Hill above St. Helena. The site is a rocky, iron-tinted hillside that has become one of Napa’s most coveted neighborhoods. 

Grape Variety
Bordeaux-style blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the mix. Component percentages vary by vintage. 

Terroir
Hillside blocks on Pritchard Hill with thin, stony volcanic soils and significant elevation. Fruit for the Proprietary Red is drawn from the estate and select Napa Valley parcels, then aged about 20 months in French oak. The goal is supple structure and near-term approachability without giving up cellar potential. 

Characteristics
Color
Deep ruby with a slowly forming brick rim consistent with a 2010 Napa red of hillside origin.
Nose
Black cherry, cassis and baked plum, with notes of anise, cocoa and dried herbs that this cuvée often shows. 
Palate
Medium-plus body. Dark cherry and blackberry at the core, framed by fine oak spice and a lift of savory herb. Tannins are resolved but still present. The cooler 2010 season adds brightness and line. 
Finish
Long, with lingering cassis, cocoa and a graphite echo typical of Pritchard Hill Cabernet blends. 

Terroir–Characteristic Connection
The rocky, low-vigour Pritchard Hill soils concentrate small berries and tannin, which read as density without excess heaviness. Elevation and afternoon exposure give ripe black fruit, while the 2010 vintage’s cooler arc preserved acidity and lifted the finish. 

Vintage Variation
2010 in Napa Valley was long and cool with brief heat spikes, producing Cabernet-based wines of freshness, slightly lower alcohols, and classical proportion. Many show strong aging trajectories. 

Decanting Advice
For a sound bottle today, decant 45 to 60 minutes to clarify sediment and open the mid-palate. If particularly youthful on opening, extend to 90 minutes.

Drinking Window
Now through 2030, with the best bottles holding longer given the vintage’s structure. 

Tier/Assessment
Excellent. The combination of estate pedigree on Pritchard Hill, the house’s balanced oak regime, and the 2010 vintage’s poise produces a Napa Valley proprietary red that is complete and ageworthy. — 5 hours ago

Kaitlyn Wi

9.3

A nice full body medium tannin. Robust with a bit of jam and earth. — 3 years ago

Debra Copeland, WSET3, CSWS

9.0

A fabulous crisp Cremont for happy hour! — 4 years ago

with Farzina and Joanna

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Arthur Metz – Crémant d’Alsace Cuvée Prestige (N/V)
Alsace – France 🇫🇷

Overview
Made in the traditional method, this Crémant d’Alsace blends Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay (exact ratios not disclosed). Arthur Metz, founded in 1904, is one of Alsace’s largest and most recognized sparkling producers, with a long tradition of crisp, approachable fizz.

Aromas & Flavors
Dry, floral, with grapefruit zest, ripe mineola, and mandarin peel. Light orchard fruit notes bring freshness, accented by a subtle mineral edge.

Mouthfeel
Clean, crisp, and light-bodied. Fine bubbles carry bright citrus flavors into a refreshing, easy-to-drink finish. Very much in line with traditional Alsatian sparkling style.

Food Pairings
Ideal as an aperitif, with shellfish, sushi, or light salads. Also pairs nicely with goat cheese or Alsatian tarte flambée.

Verdict
A lively, floral, and citrus-driven Crémant d’Alsace. Easy to enjoy, refreshingly light, and a great alternative to Champagne at an approachable price point. 🍾✨

Did You Know?
Crémant d’Alsace is France’s most popular Crémant AOC, with over 30 million bottles produced annually — yet it often delivers Champagne-like character for a fraction of the price. — a month ago

Max Gottesfeld, FWS, CSW

9.0

It’s like almost every Napa chard from a high end producer. It’s good but not amazing. It reminds me of a warm hug. — 10 months ago

Riccardo Arrigoni

9.3

Ultima bottiglia bevuta 30 aprile 2022. Molto morbido ancora tannino si sentiva bene ma levigato molto elegante. Purtroppo ha perso in serbevolezza, una beva da contemplazione. — 3 years ago

MysticMtnMama

10

The red is close to a Dornfelder, I loved it! — 4 months ago

Michael J Holroyd

9.2

Vey floral and spiced. Cold almond extract flavor as well, delicious — 8 months ago

无中文＝乳

9.6

这个价位喝到最像香槟的起泡了，半甜却一点不腻，酵母的香气该有都有！ — 2 years ago

Elizabeth Harris

9.1

A full body wine that delcious and savory with delicious fruity forest floor aromas. It has a lovely blended flavor.

Color: dark red liek black Berry juice or jam. As arthur said liek blood.

Aroma: dark like a forest floor! Smells like currants ans black berries and cherries. There's a slight plum smell, like my plum syrups.

Taste: its mouth filling. Its a savory flavor. It reminds me of Eberle Barbera wine slightly. There's a grassy, earthy flavor. There's a deep plum fermented flavor. My mouth  after water and locking my teeth taste apple like. Chewing the wine releases apple flavors. The deep fruit flavor is so deep to me that idk its savory. There's a metallic feel in my mouth. — 4 years ago