Vineyard Creek
Beaulieu Vineyard
Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1970
This was back when André Tchelistcheff was making wine for BV. In fact, it’s because of Tchelistcheff that the Georges de Latour Vineyard was bottled separately in the first place. Decanted prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. This bottle of the 1970 pours a garnet color with significant rim variation; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with a mix of tart, ripe and dried mostly red fruits: red currants, lingonberries, Bing cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, old leather, dry gravelly earth, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. After enjoying the 1981 vintage a couple weeks ago, this is stunning leap in quality. The 1970 is evergreen and stole my heart. Drink now through 2040. — 3 days ago
Matthiasson
Linda Vista Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
Not getting a ton on the nose. Maybe some slight lemon and white flowers.
Good fruit flavor but also overpowering acidity.
Lemons, citrus, slight stone fruit but not a ton.
Good. Feel like because there’s no to little malo, the natural acid stays top. — 6 days ago
Staglin Family Vineyard
Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
2014 vintage. Go back with Staglin to the beginning. Have usually found it (both to their credit and detriment) slightly too acidic and lean without truly embracing one or the other. Distinctive style and it obviously works for them and theirs. Rauzan-Segla from Margaux does it better for the same pricing. — 13 days ago
Jay Kline
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 1997 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of cherry lozenges, star anise, leather, horse blanket, black pepper, organic earth, and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. I recently got to spend some time with Ren and Marilyn Harris of Paradigm and he shared with me that he thought Zinfandel was a variety that has the potential of being longer lived than Cabernet Sauvignon. I didn’t argue with him. Anyway, this is a killer Rafanelli Zinfandel that is aging ever so gracefully. Drink now through 2037. — 4 days ago