Whitehall Lane
Reserve Morisoli Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Poured into a decanter to remove some sediment and to be fair, needed about 30min of air stretch its legs. The 1994 Reserve “Morisoli Vineyard” pours a deep ruby color moving towards a garnet rim with a near opaque core. Medium viscosity with some moderate staining and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of desiccated black and red fruits: brambles, black cherry, currants, tobacco, leather, cedar box, organic earth, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+(?) acid. The tannins are completely integrated now; almost silky. Confirming the notes on the nose however it comes across much more youthful; bright and full of vigor! The finish was long and handsome. This is in a really great spot right now; fully mature and holding fast. To be frank, the nose was ready to go the moment the cork was pulled but the palate needed a moment to catch up; a bit coiled so folks who have these should allow for a little patience. A beautiful wine and a reminder what exercising some restraint can do (this came in under 14% abv). Drink now.
Poured into a decanter to remove some sediment and to be fair, needed about 30min of air stretch its legs. The 1994 Reserve “Morisoli Vineyard” pours a deep ruby color moving towards a garnet rim with a near opaque core. Medium viscosity with some moderate staining and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with powerful notes of desiccated black and red fruits: brambles, black cherry, currants, tobacco, leather, cedar box, organic earth, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+(?) acid. The tannins are completely integrated now; almost silky. Confirming the notes on the nose however it comes across much more youthful; bright and full of vigor! The finish was long and handsome. This is in a really great spot right now; fully mature and holding fast. To be frank, the nose was ready to go the moment the cork was pulled but the palate needed a moment to catch up; a bit coiled so folks who have these should allow for a little patience. A beautiful wine and a reminder what exercising some restraint can do (this came in under 14% abv). Drink now.
Nov 12th, 2023
Oak is a bit prominent for me. Yet, after three days of being open, it's still standing.
Oak is a bit prominent for me. Yet, after three days of being open, it's still standing.
Jul 28th, 2016
After some debates, I picked this well aged Napa cab to pair with American Wagyu zabuton and wood fired whole branzino.
An absolutely fantastic bottle. Vivid Ruby red with violet hue. Blackberry and plum linger around, commingling with cedar, pinecone, dried tea leaf, licorice, and leather. Not quite the plush palate I expected. Rather it’s delicate yet lively, with impeccable acidity and integrated tannins that still have baby bite.
The ‘92 reserve is from Morisoli vineyard in Rutherford with 5% Merlot and 3% CF.
After some debates, I picked this well aged Napa cab to pair with American Wagyu zabuton and wood fired whole branzino.
An absolutely fantastic bottle. Vivid Ruby red with violet hue. Blackberry and plum linger around, commingling with cedar, pinecone, dried tea leaf, licorice, and leather. Not quite the plush palate I expected. Rather it’s delicate yet lively, with impeccable acidity and integrated tannins that still have baby bite.
The ‘92 reserve is from Morisoli vineyard in Rutherford with 5% Merlot and 3% CF.
