2004 Hanzell Pinot Noir
Medium red in colour showing some age on the rim. Cherry, plum and earth on the nose with a hint of pepper. Secondary notes revealed more dark fruit and leather. A very complex and elegant wine with a smooth mouthfeel that was definitely more Burgundian in style. We weren’t sure if it would be anywhere near its peak after 13 years and were wonderfully surprised. While it was showing no signs of breaking down, it’s drinking beautifully now so wouldn’t wait if we had another in the cellar. Excellent
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The view at St. Francis Winery.
St. Francis Winery and Vineyards has for a long time been on our list of favourite California wineries. We can still remember the 1996 St. Francis Reserve Merlot, the wine that tuned us on to St. Francis and the wine that turned us on to Merlot! The fruit-forward and beautifully textured style of that wine remains the house style today.
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2004 Pesquera Reserva
Medium dark red colour. Beautiful nose of raspberries and black cherries supported by hints of baking spices. The medium+ body is textured and very smooth. The tannin is now fully integrated and the moderate acidity on the back end keeps the wine nicely delineated. This wine is very complex with primary flavours of plum, raspberry and blackberry. With a bit of air we also pick up leather and cedar notes. The fruit is ripe and full, possessing a slightly confectured note and is drinking perfectly right now. One of the best examples of a Ribera del Duero from a top vintage.
Excellent+
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In Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley, just outside the town of Healdsburg, sits a 1200-acre winery featuring a yellow Chateau, covered in vines, perched at the top of the estate. If you didn’t know better, you’d be forgiven for thinking you had stumbled upon a winery in Bordeaux, France rather than one in California wine country. Jordan Vineyard and Winery not only conjures up this feeling when gazing upon its stunning property, it also evokes Old World tradition with each sip of their wine.
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2002 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard
In a blind tasting this single vineyard, single variety from Napa could easily have been mistaken for a Bordeaux. Notes of earth, tobacco and oak combined with dark black fruits. Great structure to this wine with a lovely long finish. Big and smooth and despite high expectations did not disappoint.
Excellent
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