Falstaff Magazin International 00/2021

wine / CALIFORNIA BEST

wine / CALIFORNIA BEST OF CALIFORNIA 100 100 98 2015 HARLAN ESTATE PROPRIETARY RED Oakville, Napa Valley Dark ruby colour, purple reflections, delicate brightening on rim. Notes of ripe cherries, nougat, fine notes of spice, a hint of tangerine zest, very multi-faceted bouquet. Velvety, elegant and expressive, perfect tannins, silky, round texture, mineral and endowed with great length, already very seductive, certain development potential for several decades. P.M. 2012 CABERNET SAUVIGNON SCREAMING EAGLE, Napa Valley Deep colour, opaque core, purple reflections. Beguiling black fruit with hints of cassis and liquorice, ethereal nuances, some mint and honeysuckle and notes of oak and cedar. Powerful, chocolatey, taut, concentrated, supported by tannins. Flexes its muscles on the finish with a flash of ripe cherry. P.M. 2015 VECINA BOND ESTATES, Napa Valley Deep ruby colour, opaque core, purple reflections. Dark berry fruit is accompanied by toasted aromas and ethereal spice. A multi-faceted, attractive nose. The palate is complex, silky, textured, elegant and supported by well integrated tannins, mineral and lasting. There is some nougat in the aftertaste. Will definitely evolve. P.M. 100 2014 HILLSIDE SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON Stags Leap District, Napa Valley Dark ruby colour, purple reflections. Ripe blackberries, fresh cassis, delicate hints of mint and lime zest, toasty aromas in the background, pleasant oak spice, very multi-faceted bouquet. Juicy, complex and round, expressive texture, firm tannins that persist for a long time, mineral and lasting, fine nougat, delicate minerality in the background, very powerful, yet elegant finish, spicy-peppery aftertaste. P.M. 100 2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON EXCELLENZ HALL WINES, Napa Valley Dark ruby colour, opaque core, purple reflections. The nose opens with cassis and overtones of violet, fresh blackberry, a touch of cedar and oak: a most attractive nose. The palate is uncommonly harmonious, fine fruit expression, ripe cherry, perfectly integrated tannins, impressive length. Certain to evolve. P.M. 97 2012 LARRY HYDE & SONS VINEYARD AUBERT WINES, Carneros Bright straw colour, silver reflections. On the nose there are nuances of tropical fruit, a touch of pineapple, candied lime zest, white blossom with a hint of brioche and honey in the background. The palate is complex, shows dark minerality and is finely meshed. White stone fruit appears on the long finish which comes with a salty aftertaste. P.M. 100 99 97 STAGLIN FAMILY VINEYARD, ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON Rutherford, Napa Valley Deep ruby, opaque core, purple reflections. Pleasant note of oak, a touch of dark berry, nuances of liquorice and cassis, fresh orange zest, nougat, inviting bouquet. Juicy, expressive and elegant, ripe black cherries, fine tannins, round and supportive, chocolate touch on the finish, perfect and long lasting, silky, already immensely seductive. P.M. 2014 DOMINUS DOMINUS ESTATE, Napa Valley Dark ruby colour, purple reflections. On the nose attractive, dark fruit with overtones of spice, cherry nougat and an ethereal touch. The palate is powerful, taut and brims with dark berry confit. Bold tannins, mineral nuances on the finish, great length. This is one for laying down. P.M. 2015 KRONOS VINEYARD, CORISON WINERY Rutherford, Napa Valley Dark ruby colour, purple reflections. Ripe cherries and dark forest fruit, tobacco nuances, typical dusty Rutherford spiciness, delicate notions of oak, ethereal nuances of violets and eucalyptus. Juicy, medium complexity, expressive and equipped with fine tannins, shows good length, taut style, marked by precision and freshness. P.M. Photos: provided 56 falstaff summer 2021

TASTING TASTING INFO WEITERE BEWERTUNGEN MORE TASTING UND BESCHREIBUNGEN NOTES AT FINDEN SIE FALSTAFF.COM AB SEITE 148. 97 2016 RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON TO KALON VINEYARD ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY, Oakville, Napa Valley Deep crimson, still deep core. Floral nuances and hints of black cherries, delicate cassis and tobacco, dry spices, cardamom, a hint of rose petals. Full-bodied but not lush, blackberries and blueberries, embedded in spicy, ripe tannins that give the wine great length, sweet dark fruit, comes with a great promise for ageing, Drink 2025-2050. P.M. 97 2016 INGLENOOK RUBICON RUBICON ESTATE Rutherford, Napa Valley A notion of tar and petrichor, appears before subtle black fruit. Dark, brooding fruit intensifies on the palate where dense but elegant tannins subside to reveal layer upon layer of elegant fruit, of cherry-skin savouriness, of graphite. The majesty of Cabernet is right here in this glass. Give it a decade and you will have an emblematic wine of place and grape. Drink 2025-2050. A.K. 96 2015 SCALLOP SHELF, PEAY VINEYARDS ESTATE PINOT NOIR Sonoma Coast, California 13% Subtle cherry, peony, blood orange zest and tea leaf combine into a heady, seductive aroma. The shimmering notions of these flavours persist on the sinuous and structured palate where silken tannins and pervasive freshness frame the purity of the red fruit. Great elegance and depth, purity and poise. Drink 2021-2035. A.K. 96 2014 KUTCH WINES MCDOUGALL RANCH PINOT NOIR Sonoma Coast, California 12.4% White pepper, ripe, red cherry, a touch of Amarena, mossy forest floor and a notion of crushed green cardamom make for a heady nose. More air opens up hints of iron oxide. The palate is sleek and profound, displaying that full range of fruit and spice on an elegant, concentrated yet translucent body that simply draws you in. Much depth and aroma, no fat at all, just poise. Drink 2021-2035. A.K. 96 2014 OPUS ONE OPUS ONE WINERY, Oakville, Napa Valley Deep ruby colour, purple reflexes. The nose seems restrained and needs air, then shows liquorice and cassis, cardamom, oak spice and orange zest. The palate is complex, very elegant, finely-meshed with pronounced fruit and texture, fine freshness and a chocolatey aftertaste, lasting and most promising. P.M. 96 2014 PROMONTORY PROMONTORY, Napa Valley Ethereal blackcurrant on the nose with floral overtones. The palate opens with silkiness, generosity and intense fruit. There is tactile minerality and ripe acidity with a rich background. The rounded body is filled to the brim with fruit. All the elements are deeply fused. There is rigour, length and aromatic complexity. Impressively long. U.S. 95 2016 SEGHESIO FAMILY VINEYARDS CORTINA ZINFANDEL Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California Rich yet translucent ruby colour. The nose is filled with ripe blueberry, raisin, prune-like aromas dressed with Chinese five spice. A surprisingly fresh palate show integration of alcohol and rich flavours, fine tannins and structured acidity. It is rare to find a Zinfandel that shows so much concentration and elegance at the same time. G.Z. 95 2018 INGLENOOK SAUVIGNON BLANC, RUBICON ESTATE Rutherford, Napa Valley The nose opens with promising smokiness and a hint of waxiness. There is a classical balance. All the fruit – peach, plum, Meyer lemon – is present but insinuating itself with subtlety. There is well controlled generosity and an exquisite, smooth but textured mouthfeel. Lovely, timeless elegance here. Gorgeous now, certain to evolve. Drink by 2040. A.K. 94 2014 RIDGE GEYSERVILLE RIDGE VINEYARDS, Alexander Valley Dark ruby colour, purple reflexes. The nose has pronounced red berry and fresh red cherry, the Carignan shines through, fine herbal savouriness. The palate is vibrant, comes across as light-footed, there is a touch of Morello cherry and firm tannin. Pleasant spice on the finish. Shows real potential. P.M. Up to € 20 / $ 30 € 21 – 30 / $ 31 – 40 € 31 – 50 / $ 41 – 60 € 50 – 100 / $ 61 – 110 € 100+ / $ 110+ summer 2021 falstaff 57