Regusci
Patriarch Stags Leap District Red Blend
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, USA
I have posted on a number of occasions that Charles Hendricks is the most underrated Napa Winemaker. It happens in every world region. He made Regusci’s wines through 2013. The relationship ended midway through the 2014 vintage. Patriarch & Angelo’s are their best cuvées when he made them. 2013 an amazing vintage.
I scour the secondary markets for his James Cole and Regusci vintages. Recently, there were many and I bought them all. They are harder and harder to find. Becoming very rare.
This 2013 in fine shape. The cork perfect as is the state of the wine.
Charles’s magic is he makes wines that are elegant young and will age effortlessly & get better.
This 2013 is still in its ascending phrase and will drink well for another 5-10 yrs.
The entry is lush-juicy-ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum skin, plum, poached-baked strawberries w/ hues of raspberries-blueberries-pomegranate. Dark chocolate to cake, mocha powder, caramel, mid berry cola, softly layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg-cinnamon-vanillin, dark, mid tensioned spices, dry twig, limestone powder, dry stone, grilled meats, moist volcanic clays, mostly sandalwood to soft cedar notes, dry tobacco, old leather, hues of graphite, dark rich earth topped with dry earth & leaves, notes of mint-eucalyptus, dry to withering dark, red, blue flowers framed in fading red roses, excellent acidity with a finish that shows firmness, balance, beautiful structure-tension with elegance, lasts minutes and falls on spice & earthiness on the long set.
This will work its way towards 96-97 in the next few yrs.
I have posted on a number of occasions that Charles Hendricks is the most underrated Napa Winemaker. It happens in every world region. He made Regusci’s wines through 2013. The relationship ended midway through the 2014 vintage. Patriarch & Angelo’s are their best cuvées when he made them. 2013 an amazing vintage.
I scour the secondary markets for his James Cole and Regusci vintages. Recently, there were many and I bought them all. They are harder and harder to find. Becoming very rare.
This 2013 in fine shape. The cork perfect as is the state of the wine.
Charles’s magic is he makes wines that are elegant young and will age effortlessly & get better.
This 2013 is still in its ascending phrase and will drink well for another 5-10 yrs.
The entry is lush-juicy-ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum skin, plum, poached-baked strawberries w/ hues of raspberries-blueberries-pomegranate. Dark chocolate to cake, mocha powder, caramel, mid berry cola, softly layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg-cinnamon-vanillin, dark, mid tensioned spices, dry twig, limestone powder, dry stone, grilled meats, moist volcanic clays, mostly sandalwood to soft cedar notes, dry tobacco, old leather, hues of graphite, dark rich earth topped with dry earth & leaves, notes of mint-eucalyptus, dry to withering dark, red, blue flowers framed in fading red roses, excellent acidity with a finish that shows firmness, balance, beautiful structure-tension with elegance, lasts minutes and falls on spice & earthiness on the long set.
This will work its way towards 96-97 in the next few yrs.
Part of Two bottle vertical, the ‘10 was very mellow and soft. Black berry, chocolate notes.
Part of Two bottle vertical, the ‘10 was very mellow and soft. Black berry, chocolate notes.
May 23rd, 2018I like this producer and the Patriarch. However, as smooth, elegant and beautiful this 11 is tonight, It's short on body, a little concentration and a fair amount of structure from what this producer does in good years. It more the 2011 vintage (bad spring fruit set, cool summer temps and October rains for those producers that waited to pick) than the winemaker. On the nose; ripe plums, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, strawberry liqueur notes, lots of baking spices, violets, volcanic minerals and dark & milk chocolate. The body is M with M-M+ tannins. Plums, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, boysenberries, strawberry liqueur notes, lots of baking spices, violets, volcanic minerals and dark & milk chocolate, mocha, light caramel, crushed dry rock powder, suede style leather, light spice, nice acidity and a good ripe fruit driven finish that simply lacks the structure & some concentration that you normally get from this producer & vineyard. 2011 is definitely not a long-term cellar. 8-15 years in most cases...a little longer with the very high-end producers.
I like this producer and the Patriarch. However, as smooth, elegant and beautiful this 11 is tonight, It's short on body, a little concentration and a fair amount of structure from what this producer does in good years. It more the 2011 vintage (bad spring fruit set, cool summer temps and October rains for those producers that waited to pick) than the winemaker. On the nose; ripe plums, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, strawberry liqueur notes, lots of baking spices, violets, volcanic minerals and dark & milk chocolate. The body is M with M-M+ tannins. Plums, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, boysenberries, strawberry liqueur notes, lots of baking spices, violets, volcanic minerals and dark & milk chocolate, mocha, light caramel, crushed dry rock powder, suede style leather, light spice, nice acidity and a good ripe fruit driven finish that simply lacks the structure & some concentration that you normally get from this producer & vineyard. 2011 is definitely not a long-term cellar. 8-15 years in most cases...a little longer with the very high-end producers.
Sep 30th, 2017Fruits are creamed. Blackberries, black raspberries, raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries on the back palate, dark chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, anise, sweet spice, sweet minerals with a slight edge, rich wet dark earth, soft sweet leather, tobacco leaf and the finish is rich, lush and elegant.
Fruits are creamed. Blackberries, black raspberries, raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries on the back palate, dark chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, anise, sweet spice, sweet minerals with a slight edge, rich wet dark earth, soft sweet leather, tobacco leaf and the finish is rich, lush and elegant.
Aug 21st, 2016
It still has some years left but it’s tasting perfect to me right now. I love the stags leap terroir from Regusci!
It still has some years left but it’s tasting perfect to me right now. I love the stags leap terroir from Regusci!
Oct 17th, 2018
Great pairing with short rib, has some life left
Great pairing with short rib, has some life left
Mar 7th, 2015
