Charles Smith Casasmith Jacks Barbera 2017

Charles Krug Family Reserve Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Rising 1,650 feet above the Napa Valley floor on the southwestside of Howell Mountain, the Family Reserve Howell MountainCabernet Sauvignon sits above the fog line. The distinctiveclimate, along with volcanic and iron-rich red soils, producefruit with great balance and intensity.

Review:

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release Cold Springs is the most distinctive of the wines in this range of limited-release Cabernets from Charles Krug. Gravel, licorice, menthol and spice all develop in a Howell Mountain Cabernet endowed with tremendous class and nuance.

-Vinous 92 Points

Coppo Pomorosso Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza 2017 is made from  100% Barbera.

Pomorosso can be considered Coppo’s landmark. It’s a cornerstone of Barbera’s history, a wine that played an important role for the international recognition of Coppo. 100% barbera, Pomorosso always respected the most strict rules of production, even way before they were written down for “Nizza docg”. The soil is marine sediment and rich in minerals, which gives the wine finesse, minerality, and longevity.

Review:

This is one of those fortunate wines that enjoys special recognition as its own brand, Pomorosso. It's also one of the pioneers of the recently minted Nizza denomination. Coppo has been making Pomorosso since 1984 and has learned a thing or two along the way. The 2017 Nizza Pomorosso is an excellent edition from a vintage that mistreated many of Piedmont's other varieties because of scorching summer heat. However, Barbera loves the heat, and this wine has absorbed every last sunbeam, adding to the wine's inner richness and concentration. Dark fruit, black currant, spice, tobacco and barbecue smoke rise from the bouquet. The aromas are big, but so is the wine's hold and grip on the palate. I taste the heat (this bottle declares a 16% alcohol content), but fresh acidity keeps the wine from feeling too heavy or ripe.

-Wine Advocate 93 Points

Domaine Charles Pere & Fille Pommard is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir.

Wine-making

The Pommard is a selection of seven different parcels, each fermented separately, with the final blend made at the end of aging to create the best expression of soil diversity. Fully destemmed then placed in vats for 15 days and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

Tasting notes

A deep ruby-purple color, the Pommard nose reveals blackberry and blueberry notes with a touch of ripe plum and cherry pith. The mouth provides firm tannins that melt across the finish, with beautiful persistent structure good for

ageing.

Food pairing suggestions: It will goes very well with coq au vin, premium beef cuts and hard cheeses 

Soil : Ancient alluvial soils to well drained pebbly clay & limestone soils in the center slope, and mix of Jurassic marl, brown calcic and limestone soils

Exposition : South East

Altitude : 250m to 330m

Average age of vines : 35 years

Surface area : 1.4 hectares

Yield : 40 hl/ha

Review:

This father-and-daughter estate, based in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune, also has vines in the Pommard in the Côte de Beaune proper. The wine, a blend from seven different parcels, is structured with some dense tannins as well as generous black fruits that will develop well over the next few years.”

-Wine Enthusiast 91 Points

K Vintners Syrah Royal City us made from 100 percent Syrah.

Royal City for REAL. Perfume of great complexity. Camphor, black cherry and forest floor. All spice building on the palate. Suave and full of finesse with cured olive and wet earth. This is where elegance reigns supreme. – Winemaker, Charles Smith

Review:

This is fantastic with dark-berry, tar, black-pepper, stone and almond aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied and tannic, yet polished and focused. A gorgeous finish. Shows balance and reserve. Lovely tannin tension. Drink after 2024.

-James Suckling 98 Points

Livia Fontana Barbera d'Alba Superiore is made from 100 percent Barbera. 

Organoleptic characteristics: intense ruby red color. Fresh and intense aromas with currants and berries notes. Warm, full, rich and persistent taste, full body. Suitable for long aging.

Excellent accompaniment to warm appetizers, rich first courses, red meat and the medium-seasoned cheeses.

Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Review:

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection has a deep garnet-purple color and features exuberant notes of crushed black cherries, mulberries and blackcurrant cordial with touches of unsmoked cigars, menthol, yeast extract and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, concentrated and opulent in the mouth, it has a solid line of plush tannins and plenty of backbone freshness to lift the generous fruit to a long fruity finish.

-Wine Advocate 95 Points