Reviews

From the producer’s estate vineyard planted on the Olivet Bench, this sublimely textured white is perfumed, zesty and complex. It delights in voluptuous layers of pear and honey in equal measure, showing both sides of deliciousness, fresh and fruity.

Cellar Selection

This fascinating and extremely appetizing wine is very dry, almost steely, with aromas like cinnamon and lime. These are followed by bracing and bone-dry flavors like lemon and Bosc pear with a touch of tannin in the texture, which is unusual for a white wine. Cellar for the mid-term and drink after 2018. 

Stony minerality surrounds sublime texture in this full bodied, balanced expression of the appellation’s Middle Reach neighborhood, an area known for producing wines of great beauty and subtle power. Apple, pear and richer characteristics of stone fruit are succulent on the palate, while a racy spiciness intrigues. 

This vineyard-designate from a lovely, coastal site imparts flavors and aromas of golden and green apple along with noticeably juicy apricot and peach. Light bodied, it shows an exuberance of fruit alongside notable minerality and a slight hint of sea spray. 

From a hillside spot pummeled by coastal influences, this lovely, light wine opens with a confectionary nose of meringue. Lemony acidity provides a lift of bright, focused tension balanced in concentrated stone fruit and spice with a strong oak backbone. 

This elegant, medium-bodied wine has fresh lemon and apple flavors, subtle butter and vanilla accents, good supportive acidity and a polished texture. The mouthfeel turns richer with each sip yet the appetizing balance remains. 

Loaded with cracked pepper aromas and flavors, defined by a balanced structure and boasting accents of ripe cherry and raspberry, plus smoky licorice. Drink now through 2026.—T.F

A strikingly complex if highly restrained nose brings together notes of admirably fresh red currant, plum, lavender, rose petal, earth and spice nuances that are also trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is excellent volume to the big-bodied, intense and muscular yet seductively textured medium weight plus flavors, all wrapped in an overtly powerful and long finish. Plenty of patience will also be required.

Lastly, the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape La Crau des Papes is even better, with ample strawberry, garrigue, black raspberry and floral aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, beautifully textured and with sweet tannin, it’s well worth checking out.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon JCB No. 10 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, mostly from the westside of St. Helena. This wine spent 19 months in 50% new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. There are only 210 cases of it, but it is a sensational effort. With an inky black color, notes of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, licorice, graphite and incense. It is full-bodied, layered and a big, juicy, succulent mouthful of Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next 20+ years.