My 8th vintage of Dry Creek Valley Estate Cabernet is dark inky purple, with multiple and complex legs that last for minutes, hinting at the future: the initial legs are fat and slow but segue into medium legs followed by fast thin ones. We love the classic aromas from Ricci Vineyards. I get sweet oak, sawdust, and cedar box. There are hints of cherry cola, blueberry, and aromatic French herbs. Perhaps even a wisp of milk chocolate and red fruit. The flavors show both red and blue fruits, balanced against ethereal cherry cola and sweet oak. The texture is broad but not dense, and coherent from start to finish. The mouthfeel is elegantly balanced. From mid palate on I get a soft creaminess that ends with alcohol and lip-smacking. 195 cases.
Old world meets new world... stop. Did you say native yeast? Stop! did you say ony $100? High end Bordeaux can't compete, and Italian Super Tuscans don't have a chance. This aromas of forest spice lead to hints of red fruit and cherry cola. On the taste I even get some black currant and chocolate notes... and a long long aftertaste. Most of the best reds in the world use Merlot because of its characteristics as a blending grape... here we show off how great Merlot can be. Limited production: 118 cases (Now 36).
Our 9th vintage of Dry Creek Valley Estate Cabernet is dark reddish-purple, with multiple layers of legs that linger. We love the classic aromas from Ricci Vineyards; classic elements of red and blue fruits pop with the alochol and sweet-oak, sawdust, and cedar box. There are hints of cola, blueberry, and aromatic red fruits. The flavors are coherent and show both red and blue fruits. The texture is elegant, and lip smacking by the finish. It's balanced and will age. 135 cases.
Old world meets new world... stop. This could be the best red you'll taste this year (besides the Cabernets). High end Bordeaux can't compete, and Italian Super Tuscans don't have a chance. This aromas of forest floor and spice lead to red fruit and cherry cola. Honey, is that milk chocolate?... the creaminess is divine and the finish sublime with an aftertaste that goes on for days. Most of the best reds in the world use Merlot because of its ability to meld other parts of Cabernet Sauvignon together as a blending grape... here we show off how great Merlot can be in its own. Limited production: 85 cases.
My 7th vintage of Dry Creek Valley Cabernet is gorgeous and could be our best yet. Dark purple, with inviting aromas of red and blue fruit. There are hints of forest, candied boysenberry, and wisps of citrus. The oak is once again restrained, balanced and deliciously sweet. There are hints of fresh sawdust, cedar, and sandalwood that segues perfectly to fruit and acid flavors. The after taste goes on for days. The mouthfeel is as elegant as I've had from any California Cabernet - reminsicent of the old world styles of Napa in 1986 and the more modern 2007 vintages. The tannins flow from beginning to end: refined, polished, and almost unoticeable because of the balance between fruit, acids, vineyard dust, and barrel oak. Is it blue fruit or red fruit? The textures are fantastic from mid palate on... there's near perfection between creaminess, alcohol, cleanliness, and lip-smacking-ness! 213 cases (Down to 6 cases).
This is our second vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley!!
This vintage is sublime. The color is a deep dark purple with inviting aromas of darker fruits and sweet oak. With hints of sandalwood, salty air, orange peel, and soft oak and wisps of cedar. The flavors are classic Alexander Valley terroir. There's darker fruit, but milk chocolate and baking spices pop into the finish. The after tastes linger perfectly and leave me smiling.
This reminds me of the old-world styles of Napa Cabs from the 80's and 90's but without the fruit bomb forward style that never ages. Drink from 2022 to 2028. Produced 68 cases, with just 9 remaining.
Old world meets new world... and as good as any Merlot I've tasted... Ever wonder if Petrus at $500 a bottle or the killer Italian red, Le Macchiole at $325, was worth it? Now you will... This merlot has spice, red fruit, cherry cola, black currants and chocolate notes... and an aftertaste that goes on for days... fantastic flavors and absurd pricing... At $100 this stuff is a lay up for serious red drinkers. Most of the best reds in the world use Merlot becuase of it's characteristics as a blending grape... here we turn the tables on the wine world and create elegance and royalty. Limited production... And remember that a Magnum equals 2 bottles of 750 ml bottles of wine!
Old world meets new world... and as good as any Merlot I've tasted... Ever wonder if Petrus at $500 a bottle or the killer Italian red, Le Macchiole at $325, was worth it? Now you will... This merlot has spice, red fruit, cherry cola, black currants, sweet oak, and chocolate wisps... and an aftertaste that goes on for days... fantastic flavors and absurd pricing... This is a lay up for serious red drinkers. Most of the best reds in the world use Merlot becuase of it's characteristics as a blending grape... here we turn the tables on the wine world and create elegance and royalty. Limited production... And remember that a Magnum is 2 bottles.
April 24th at the Restaurant Charelston, where Chef Cindy Wolf and her staff will pair vintages of my wines with her food. Service is Michelin starred quality. Come join us! SOLD OUT... call to be put on waiting list.
The Captain’s Cabernet is for Apes who believe life gives us choices and opportunities even if we’re bored to death.
This vintage is a dark inky purple, with multiple and complex legs that last for minutes, hinting at the future: the initial short fat slow ones segue to medium fast and finally two or three lines tease you to wait. We love the classic aromas from Ricci Vineyards (terroir for sure). We get sweet oak sawdust and cedar box, hints of cherry cola, blueberry, and French but gentle aromatic herbs. A wisp or two of milk chocolate and red fruit hovers in the glass forever it seems.
Tasting it reminds me of the 2009 with red and blue fruits balanced up against cola and sweet oak. There's the usual lip smacking but this vintage drinks with a powerful elegance. The terroir of Dry Creek Valley, with grapes and French oak highlight the broad palate of a red wine with delightful lingering flavors and polyphenols. A great way to be bored. And remember that a Magnum is 2 bottles of 750 ml bottles of wine!
