Reviews

Buena Vista's top chardonnay comes from the Thornton Vineyard, an exposed site on the ridge between the town of Sonoma and Petaluma. It's clean with fresh pear and richer pear-nectar notes, the texture supple and round. The structure comes through in light touches of oak tannins, stony notes and the peppery feel of olive oil. Pour it with roasted arctic char. 

Brian Maloney makes this wine with fruit farmed by Charles Heintz at two vineyards, Heintz and Searby. His 2015 is a gracious chardonnay with apple-blossom scents and fresh red-apple flavors, seeming to capture the fog in its honeysuckle freshness. It's round and creamy, the waxy richness supported by a fine structure of oak. Lovely to drink now, this would complement a crab and avocado salad.

A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 JCB Passion Proprietary Red opens with a crème de cassis, char-grilled meat, garrigue and sautéed herbs-scented nose with notions of Indian spices, pepper and potpourri plus a touch of yeast extract. The medium-bodied palate is elegant, fresh, floral and finely textured, finishing long with some spices coming through. 1,468 cases were made.

The very deep purple-black 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon No. 10, made up of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, has an earthy, savory nose with notes of truffles, dried herbs and black fruits. The full-bodied mouth is powerful, firm and chewy with a lively backbone and long earthy finish. 192 cases were made.

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Yountville is one of the standouts in the District Collection wines. It’s a balanced, complete, beautiful wine that gives up lots of currant and black raspberry fruits as well as more and more spice, hints of toasty oak, and licorice aromas and flavors. Rounded, textured, and, again, beautifully balanced, drink it over the coming 15 years.

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Oakville comes from the east side of the appellation and is a fresh, pretty, perfumed wine. Blueberries, cassis, violets, incense and a kiss of graphite all give way to a medium to full-bodied, complex, silky red ideal for drinking over the coming 10-15 years.

A wine I was able to taste twice, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection St. Helena saw an extended maceration and roughly 20 months in 70% new French oak. It offers classic Cabernet red and black fruits, cedar wood, graphite, and tobacco, and is medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and has plenty of structure. It’s approachable today but should be better in 2-3 years and keep for 10-15.

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve is a terrific value that should be snatched up by readers. Giving up lots of classic Cabernet cassis and currant fruit, plenty of tobacco and earth, medium to full-bodied richness, and a great mid-palate, drink this impressive, balanced, classically style Cabernet anytime over the coming decade.

Plum fruit, sweet spices, eucalyptus, vanilla and blueberry cake show on the nose. Full-bodied with grainy tannins, a fine line of acidity and a chewy finish. Drink in 2019.

A juicy and fruity wine with brambleberry and chocolate. Some hazelnut. Medium to full body. Silky texture. Drink now or hold.