Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I drank a fair amount of Regusci back in the day, but that was when Charles Hendricks was the Winemaker. His last full Regusci vintage, birth to finish was 2013. He did work most of the 2014 growing season, but didn’t vinify it. I guess if you’re going to go out 2013 is a grand vintage to do it. He trained their current Winemaker, but he makes a different style than Charles. Every Winemaker wants to do their own thing. I can’t say blame him/them, but I can decide whether I want to buy & drink them.

When I find older, well preserved Regusci vintages Charles made on the secondary market, I buy them. Not many pop-up anymore.

Owner Jim Regusci inspired the creation of “The 1932.” It is an homage to Regusci's estate vineyards and dedicated to Gaetano Regusci, who acquired the ranch in 1932. They farmed agriculture long before they made wine. First time having this bottling. 2012 is primarily Cabernet with Merlot & a splash of Cabernet Franc.

This is a classic Charles-Regusci creation. Notes after a 45 minute decant. It’s a strong 93 that pushes 94.

The nose is dark & brooding. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, some blueberries with raspberries on the edge of the glass. Steamy oak to cedar, dry tobacco, used leather, dark tarriness, anise that rounds out into licorice, black tea, dark spices, some dry herbs-light sage & bay leaf, dry crushed gravel w/ limestone, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, baking soda, melted, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, black turned earth w/ leaves, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender.

Ripe but with a dry-ish feel; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries that has a liqueur feel to them, ripe, juicy strawberries as it opens up further, some blueberries with raspberries hovering over the top. Shaved oak to cedar, dry tobacco, used leather, dark tarriness, anise that rounds out into licorice, black tea, dark spices with some palate heat, some dry herbs-light sage & bay leaf, dry crushed gravel w/ limestone, dry stone with dust, charcoal notes, clove oil, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, baking soda, melted, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, black, turned earth w/ leaves, dark, red flowers framed in violets & lavender. A slight burn of alcohol on the center tongue, not the back of the throat, which is a bit odd, dark & red slightly withering but candied flowers framed in prominent lavender & violets, full round acidity with a well; tensioned, structured, balanced, elegant finish that lands squarely on evolved earth, dark spice and lasts minutes.

This is still ascending and will reach its peak in three to five years. It will slowly descend over the next 5-8 years.

Photos of; their tasting room/bar, fantastic picnic area, for sale vegetable/fruit cart and a long shot of their estate vineyard & winery. — 22 days ago

Ming L

9.1

A bottling from Hall’s appellation series, the expressive nose showcases black currant, ripe plum, mocha, fall foliage, and crushed rocks. Medium to full, the palate is concentrated and well balanced. Plush tannins.
Fruits were sourced from the soda canyon area (roughly between Stags Leap and Atlas Peak). 26 months in French oak barrel, 65% new.
I think I like the North End bottling a bit more. — 3 years ago

Stephanie Knapp

9.2

2020, loved it — 2 months ago

James Naphen

9.2

2012 Twomey Soda Canyon Ranch Merlot - Review (November 2024)

The 2012 Twomey Soda Canyon Ranch Merlot remains a stellar example of Napa Valley elegance and richness. Its garnet hue hints at its depth, while the nose offers complex layers of ripe blackberry, licorice, graphite, dark chocolate, and cloves.

On the palate, a velvety texture highlights blackberry and fruit compote, evolving into a refined finish of chocolate and fine-grained tannins. Balanced and luxurious, this wine pairs beautifully with roast duck, aged Gouda, or beef Wellington. — 4 months ago

with Melissa

Tom Garland

9.4

Inspire Napa Valley Sat. afternoon tasting with Antonio Galloni. Panel includes:
Brad Grimes - winemaker Abreu
Helen Keplinger- Keplinger wine
Mary Maher - Silverado farming
Francois Peschon -accendo, vine hill ranch
Jason Smith- MS

WINES
2018 BV George de Latour
2019 Stags Leap SLV
2018 DVO Napa Valley Red
2017 Bond Quella
2019 Lingua Franca estate chardonnay
2019 Domaine de Bichery brut champagne

Each panel member picked a wine that had an impact on them. — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Rob French

9.0

Big flavor. Fruit (plum?) in a good way not jammy. A little earthy and spice notes. Enjoyed it with Christmas in January — 3 years ago

Norman Gennaro

9.0

Way too young — 4 months ago

Yoly Sardinas

9.1

Love it!! — 9 months ago

Andrew Formi

8.9

Better as time went on…. I should really be more patient — a year ago

Paul T HB

9.3

Had to try one off the truck,
Last Bottle sale for $30.00, winery $100.00.. bought 4 should of bought 6
With proper rest period easy 95-96.

Blend of 89% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc, 1% merlot from Nuns Canyon (62%) and Hamel Family Ranch (38%). Interesting fermentation program: 52% stainless steel, 38% concrete tanks, 10% neutral French oak barrels. Aged 26 months in 66% new French oak, 34% once-used French oak. — 2 years ago