Courtney Benham
Melange du Baum Terroir Expression Series Stags Leap District Red Blend
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
Being that I was around 2 years ago to see Courtney in crutches, this wine was especially funny to me because he got his inspiration from his unfortunate accident while biking. He is also a big Bordeaux wine fan, so this wine is a blend of Merlot, then Cabernet Franc, and a touch of petit verdot all from the Stag's Leap district. Drinks like a Napa version of Larcis Ducas - delicious.
Being that I was around 2 years ago to see Courtney in crutches, this wine was especially funny to me because he got his inspiration from his unfortunate accident while biking. He is also a big Bordeaux wine fan, so this wine is a blend of Merlot, then Cabernet Franc, and a touch of petit verdot all from the Stag's Leap district. Drinks like a Napa version of Larcis Ducas - delicious.
Oct 15th, 2018A staining dark burgundy with ruby highlights and a wide brim. Darkness abounds on the nose with blackberries and stewed plums initially. Toasted oak, slight vanilla, and boysenberry. New leather brings another dimension to this wine. You really should spend some time just smelling this. It’s so clean and just pretty.
A Right Bank blend with mostly Merlot from Stags Leap can be a thing of beauty and this certainly is. I mention oak but this is not over oaked. So much restraint is used here. This isn’t huge and ridiculous and flabby. It eschews all that in favor of a studious and clean wine that focuses more on purity of fruit and proper balance. Not over extracted at all, but rather lush and a bit sensuous.
More leather showing on the palate, along with smoked tobacco and blackberries. Pine nuts, a touch of dried grass and dark chocolate. This has years to go but is drinking just fine right now. A gorgeous little thing.
A staining dark burgundy with ruby highlights and a wide brim. Darkness abounds on the nose with blackberries and stewed plums initially. Toasted oak, slight vanilla, and boysenberry. New leather brings another dimension to this wine. You really should spend some time just smelling this. It’s so clean and just pretty.
A Right Bank blend with mostly Merlot from Stags Leap can be a thing of beauty and this certainly is. I mention oak but this is not over oaked. So much restraint is used here. This isn’t huge and ridiculous and flabby. It eschews all that in favor of a studious and clean wine that focuses more on purity of fruit and proper balance. Not over extracted at all, but rather lush and a bit sensuous.
More leather showing on the palate, along with smoked tobacco and blackberries. Pine nuts, a touch of dried grass and dark chocolate. This has years to go but is drinking just fine right now. A gorgeous little thing.
And I thought yesterday was a bad day at work ... so let’s go with another nice bottle :). This will take a few years to mature but great depth and enjoyable to drink
And I thought yesterday was a bad day at work ... so let’s go with another nice bottle :). This will take a few years to mature but great depth and enjoyable to drink
Jul 31st, 2020