2023 Coho “Headwaters” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 92+ Points
A trace reserved at opening, yet deep, complex and structured, this gutsy bottling delivers aromas of dark plum, black raspberry, black currant, vanilla, graphite and toasted nuts poised above mineral notes and a rich undercurrent of bottled Italian sour dark cherries. On the palate, it is gutsy, generous in body and more revealing in personality than initially expected, sporting lingering flavors that run parallel to the nose. Built for steaks and dark roasts and drinking even better the second day after opening, it is likely three years from it’s full expressing and will clearly reward cellaring. 350 cases produced.
2020 Aubry Cabernet Les Belles Filles Vineyard, Coombsville, Napa Valley
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 93 Points
If not as generous in body as the spectacular 2019 Aubry, the 2020 is a tasty, mature, dinner worthy Cabernet that is currently at a much lower price. The attractively-evolved nose is polished and forthcoming, and it’s sweet-natured aromas of blueberry and dark cherry rise above counterpoints of clove, vanilla, nutmeg and baking spice. It proves as sleek, elegant and complex as expected on the palate, where it is medium-light in body yet lingers with focused flavors of blueberry, dark cherry, sandalwood, clove, nutmeg and baking spice. At the finish there are undercurrents of black fig and black olive although the main core of bright fruit fruit stays at center stage, with thge the savory notes keeping a pace behind. The wine is now fully ready to enjoy 100 cases produced.
2021 Muscardini Tesoro Red Wine, Napa Valley
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 92+ Points
This is a vivid, still clearly youthful wine that richly rewards airing. As it airs, it reveals a rich, focused vibrant layering of sour red cherry, pomegranate, Jamaica Agua Fresca, cinnamon, star anise, mace and baking spice scents. The wine at first seems both powerful and somewhat gripping through it’s combination of coiled fruit, zest and tannin, yet it gradually unfolds to reveal surprising elegance, fine length and lingering flavors of true nobility. Sure to get better for another few years, it will repay decanting and service with richly flavored cuisines at this point. A New World “Super Tuscan” blend of 43% Sangiovese, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Syrah. 1935 Cases Produced.
2023 Brooks Note Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 92+ Points
Bright, rich, notably spicy and full of tightly-wound, youthful fruit, this classy Pinot unfolds scents of red cherry, lingonberry and red raspberry, atied to others of cinnamon stick, mace, baking spice and dried orange peel. It proves as fresh and focused as hoped on the palate, where zest and polished tannin bring a sense of tension to the gradually emerging fruit and spice flavors and that tension persists through a lingering, mineral-laced finish. If still a hint youthfully coiled, it is brightly focused from start to finish and should grow in nobility and appeal over the next two or three years. 300 Cases Produced.
2023 Vignerons Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 92 Points
Youthfully subtle, yet complex and seductive to the nose, this gradually expansive Pinot Noir offers aromas of Bing cherry, dry red cherry, whortleberry, strawberry-rubarb pie, star anise, hints of toasted grain, mace and hazelnut. The wine’s savory complexities join the fruit to create a fine harmony on the palate and everything lingers nicely through a very long and polished finish. A fine and elegant dinner wine already, it is certain to be even better next year. 300 cases produced.
2022 Cochon “Wild Hog” Rhone-style Blend, Sonoma County
San Francisco Wine Panel Score 92+ Points
Classy, focused and youthful, with an even finer future ahead, this pretty yet substantial red blend is not to be missed. Aromas of cranberry, red cherry, pink peppercorn, mace and hazelnut husk highlight a bright and evolving nose. In the mouth, it is rich, zesty, focused and lingers, while firming tannins promise growth yet never blunt the fruit or the wines current appeal. Everything grows deeper, darker, fruitier and richer on day two although the wine is truly impressive after even modest airing. It will surely grow in dimension over the next two years and at it’s price it is well worth cellaring. A Chateauneuf du Pape-esque blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Carignane, Cinsault and Viognier. 300 cases produced.