So I went to Napa to check out my favourite cabernet makers:
- Sequoia Grove
- 2012 Chardonnay ***
- 2006 Chardonnay ****
- 2010 Reserve Rutherford Cabernet ****
- 2006 Reserve Rutherford Cabernet *****
- 2008 Lamoreaux ***
- 2008 Stagecoach ***
- 2008 Morasoli *****
- 2009 Cambrium ***
Went away with the reserve 2010 and 2006, assuming that the 2010 will devel op into *****.
Funny note: Morasoli is also Rutherford, so it seems I like the terroir in Rutherford. It felt a lot like an amarone. I was very close to getting this one , but wanted to hold onto my money and see what the others had to show . Cambrium is their "taking on Insignia, Opus One, Screaming Eagle". It is ve ry closed now. I waited for it in the glass to open up over the course of a n hour and its just not ready to drink. I dont have the patience and condit ions at home for this kind of wine.
- BV
- Chardonnay reserve 2011 ***
- Pinot Noir Reserve 2012 ***
- Tapestry Reserve 2010 ***
- Georges Latour Reserve Cab 2010 ****
- Georges Latour Reserve Cab 2001 *****
- Georges Latour Reserve Cab 1993 *****
- Georges Latour Reserve Cab 1986 ****
- Cabernet Reserve Clone 4 2009 *****
Went away with a 2009 Clone 4.
Did an extra head to head comparison of clone 4 2009 vs latour 2001 as they were both 140$ and was quite similar. The extra taste confirmed that they were indeed pretty close to eachother. despite the age difference they were on the same development stage. Clone 4 was very slightly sweeter and peppery, Latour slightly more acid an d tannin, which is why it is more for long time cellaring, while if you wan t a Latour to drink earlier, clone 4 is a good substitute. Tapestry is french style fresh, grassy, acidic and tannic, which for me is not a good thing haha.
- Beringer
- Napa Valley Cab 2011 ***
- Knights Valley 2012 ****
- Napa Valley Merlot 2011 ***(*)
- Modern Heritage Pinot Noir 2012 ****
- Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 *****
Went away with Modern Heritage Pinot Noir 2012 and Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006.
Napa Cab vs Knights cab confirmed what I already had an idea of, that I ref er the Knights, as it is more earthy while the napa is fruitier. Also being cheaper, this is win win.
The merlot was surprisingly good for the price (20$), and the big surprise was the carneros Modern Heritage Pinot Noir. I normally prefer russian rive r pinot for the darker fruits and rougher texture, while carneros is normal ly fresher redder fruit and lacking body and structure, but this one was ju st wonderful.
I had to move to a separate room for the private reserve cabernet but to my surprise it was the best of all the wines I had today. So Beringer is not just all about appearances and celebrity name after all. Turns out they als o ripped me off for it as they charged almost the same as the vintage my wi nestore has (2009) , while 2006 was cheaper (albeit sold out). Thats the tr ouble of not having internet roaming activated on the phone.