Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First a note about the 2012 Napa vintage. Good, right? Yes. While the fruit was abundant & nicely fruity, for me, lacked tannins, skin/ fruit ratio, depth and will not cellar like 13 or 14 etc..

When I visited w/ The Stag’s Leap Winery Winemaker, he told me, they normally make 75,000 cases of Artemis. In 12, they made 100,000 cases. They grow their own fruit but also contract fruit. While there are terms in their contracts w/ growers to refuse fruit, they could not refuse any. The fruit was that good. They even had to take Artemis out of tank early so they could finish their higher end Cabernets.

This 12 JC Muds Kitchen was made by Charles Hendricks. His second to last vintage at JC. One of the more unknown & underrated Napa Winemakers. James & Coleen misstepped in the separation but understand Coleen’s reasons. Charles Hendricks Apprentice, went his own way. Can’t say I blame him, just not a fan of his post work. Ok, but not the follow up I wished.

Nose; a dark core of currants/cassis, ripe/lush, blackberries, both plums, mulberries, dark, sweet cherries, black raspberries, strawberries and haunting blueberries, softly, layered baking spices, anise to black licorice-liqueur, sandstone/limestone, steeped fruit tea, melted, dark chocolate baking bar, sweet tarriness, French espresso, withering/candied/slightly floral, dark & red flowers framed in lavender/violets.

The palate fruits are; ripe, juicy, fresh, dark core of; currants/cassis, ripe/lush, blackberries, both plums, mulberries, dark, sweet cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, haunting blueberries & pomegranate high tones. Softly, layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, dark, mid spice intensity w/ heat, anise to black licorice-liqueur, sandstone/limestone, steeped fruit tea, melted, dark chocolate baking bar, sweet tarriness, French espresso, dry leather/tobacco, graphite, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry river stone, dry crushed limestone rocks, dry oak barrel shavings, withering/candied/slightly floral, dark & red flowers framed in lavender/violets, near perfect acidity with a well knitted/toned/balanced, elegant finish w/ great length that lasts two-minutes and long sets on spice & dry minerals. — a day ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.2

Beautiful blend from Paso. Balanced and elegant. 60% Syrah, — 3 years ago

M Mastro

9.2

Easter 2022 in new kitchen. — 4 years ago

Edward Nelson

9.0

Found a surprise rib roast in freezer. Turned out great. Bottle was in kitchen so easy choice. Great match. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is more tame than the Mud’s Kitchen. Not as astringent. More 93.5.

The fruit is prettier, nice ripe, not over the top. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, hints of boysenberries, black licorice, tarry notes, Indian spices, cinnamon, nutmeg, salted caramel, mocha powder, dry clay, sandalwood, moist tobacco, moist clay, forest floor, eucalyptus notes, volcanic ash, dark, red, flowers framed in lavender & violets. Nice acidity with a highly structured, well tensioned, nearly balanced finish that last minutes. — 3 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.1

Smells like your kitchen on a Saturday morning.

Warming blueberry pancake syrup, splattering bacon grease, chicory steeped coffee, baked cinnamon and nutmeg, and fresh air passing through open windows directly through a bouquet of violets.

Charismatic and vibrant, it's also chewy with a rich, sweet concentrated core of raisins, dates, and compote.

Not as complex and distinct, and multilayered as I was expecting, but hard to complain in a weekend state of mind. — 3 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Confrérie Des Chevaliers du Tastevin Sous-Commanderie d'Albany, Paulée Dinner; 6 February 2022 at Hooked Market & Kitchen, Latham, NY — 4 years ago

Dave

9.0

This wine has the kitchen sink in it. Dark fruit is hiding under the prominent leather, herbs, mint, tobacco, and earth. It's a fine sipper for jazz nights by the fireplace. Made my teeth red.
Listening to Bill Evans — 3 months ago

ESF

9.5

Stunner! One of the absolute best wines I’ve had from Chile. This is a kitchen sink blend that poured inky & brooding. No signs of age whatsoever. Immediately wafted gorgeous Left Bank notes of cherry, currant & cassis but there were also plum, blackberry & boysenberry. Distinct charred vanillin almost bourbon oak like. Subtle cedar & medicinal herbaceous quality that added depth & character. Huge plush full throttle on palate, definitely felt the ABV, aromas transferred to flavors all leading to long persistent finish. Kept opening & evolving over several hours. Impressive delineation of flavors, distinctive, integrated tannins, balanced… going back to hunt down every bottle they have. — 3 years ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.0

The 2020 Red Fiction, a California kitchen sink blend, offers up plenty of expressive dark fruit qualities along with suave floral topnotes. Juicy and energetic, it shows very good depth. Gentle, rounded tannins frame a long and focused finish that leaves sweet cherry and cassis notes behind. $20.00 (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, April 2022) — 4 years ago