La Spinona Sori Gepin Barolo 2011

Spinona Bricco Faset Barbaresco is made from 100 percent Nebbiolo.

This single-vineyard Barbaresco comes from Pietro Berutti's 8 hectares of coveted vineyards on the top of the historic hill, Faset. It is 270 meters above sea level with a south, south-east exposure. The vines are an average of 35 years old. Only organic farming practices are used. The natural fertilizer comes from the 100 head of cattle that they have and no herbicides or pesticides are used.

Barbaresco shows a deep ruby red color with garnet reflections. An intense bouquet with hints of ripe cherries, wild berries and spice. White pepper, licorice and mint blend with enticing floral notes. Mouth-filling and well-structured with a full, velvety body and an austere and long finish.

HARVEST: late October. The grapes are harvested by hand in perforated baskets to allow air to pass through the bunches. The pressing is soft. Cold maceration for 24 hours at 12°C (for certain years).

WINEMAKING: Soft pressing with an initial cold maceration on the skins for 24 hours at 12C. Specially selected yeasts are used. Fermentation takes place for 12 to 14 days in stainless steel at 28-29 °C under temperature controlled conditions. There is a pumping over on the skins. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is racked and goes through a delicate pressing to obtain only the best wine.

AGING : 12-15 months in large 25 hectolitre wooden barrels of Allier and Slavonian oak.

REFINING: in the bottle for 12-15 months in a temperature-controlled environment.

Excellent with game, red meats, truffle dishes and aged cheeses.

Review:

This classically crafted wine opens with earthy aromas of rose, violet, leather and a whiff of game while the juicy palate offers black cherry, cinnamon and star anise. Chewy tannins provide support. It's already approachable but will continue to drink well over the next several years. Drink through 2022. - Wine Enthusiast 91 Points

Accordini Recioto Valpolicella "Le Viole" Late Harvest 2011 is made from 65% Corvina , 20% Rondinella , 15% Corvinoni
Intense and fruity aromas with concentrated brew of chocolate and cherries. The palate is flavorful with a harmonious finish.
Ideal as a dessert wine or to enjoy by itself with friends.

Review:

Sweetly fragrant, the Recioto displays linzer torte and black cherry with notes of loam and bitter chocolate. It’s viscous and very densely flavored, finishing on a rich, sweet note.-International Wine Review 90 Points

2011 Domaine de la Roche Redonne, "Mas Redonne", Bandol Rosé is made from 55% Mourvèdre, 35% Cinsault, 10% GrenacheNice light salmon color, typical of Bandol.

The wine expresses some citrus, Pomelos (a delicious type of grapefruit) and lots of white fruit aromas and minerality.
The flavors are fresh, fruity and very aromatic with tons of Apricot and Mango.

Yield : lower than 38 Hectoliters per Hectare
Alcohol per volume : 12.4%
Total Acidity : 3.46
Residual sugar: 0.23
PH: 3.28

The knock-out, full-bodied 2012 La Dame Rousse Tavel Rose (60% Grenache and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Bourboulenc and Clairette) offers complex notes of flowers, raspberries, loamy soil, pepper and spice. Dry, exuberant and loaded with personality as well as character, it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next year.-Wine Advocate #208 Aug 2013 90 Points

"The color is a light salmon rose. The nose reveals dried floral and red grapefruit aromas followed by textured, sweet spices. The mouth follows the nose with dry, delicate red fruit, a little dusty in texture, and fresh acidity. There are some ripe tannins and spices in the finish and aftertaste. All of this is delivered with confidence and moderate weight. In the end this is quite a pretty wine for drinking over the next several years. Now-2015."
 - Hogshead wine blog (September 4th 2012),***

 Offering up a touch more freshness and detail, the 2011 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard is also upfront and textured, with ripe black cherry, rose garden and spring flower-like nuances all flowing to a medium-bodied, elegant and textured palate. There’s not a huge amount of back-end depth but it’s gorgeous nonetheless and I love the overall focus. It should shine for 4-5 years. Drink now-2018. This was an impressive (and large) lineup of wines. Made by the brother/sister pair, Brian and Kimberly Loring, with Rachel Silkowski functioning as assistant winemaker, these efforts never lack for fruit or texture and, for the most part, reward immediate gratification. Having said that, I think these 2011s will offer a relatively broad drink window. The 2012s are more rich and voluptuous, with the purity of fruit and seamlessness of the vintage.  (8/ 2013) Wine Advocate 92 Points

Laird Cabernet Sauvignon Flat Rock Ranch is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.

Our Flat Rock Ranch vineyard is located near the north corner of where Yountville Cross Road meets Silverado Trail, on State Lane. This prized, complex fruit from the Yountville Appellation is a result of unique geological and meteorological conditions: volcanic soils similar to the adjacent Stags Leap District, but also display ancient coastal deposits, and sedimentary and alluvial soils that provide beneficial stress for our vines. Marine air currents from San Pablo Bay to the south are caught when they reach the “Yountville Mounts,” providing a natural cooling effect that balances warm, sunny days that ripen the rich tannins of our hallmark Cabernet Sauvignon to elegant distinction.

Tasting Notes: Bold violet-red color introduces a captivating bouquet of blueberries, tea leaf, and vanilla. This full-bodied wine has flavors of cassis, hazelnut and briary undertones with fresh acidity and chewy tannins on the palate.

Review:

"A focused and poised young cabernet with blackberry, blueberry and cherry aromas and flavors. Full body, velvety tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Shows depth and power. Better in 2019."

- James Suckling (December 2016), 93 pts

"The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Flat Rock Ranch, from another Yountville site, is softer than the Mast Ranch, with sweet tannin, dense purple color, plenty of crème de cassis, blackberry and blueberry. There is a nice floral element as well, and the wine finishes full, rich and impressive. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades."

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #222, December 2015), 94 pts

Laird Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is made from 100 percent Napa Cabernet.

This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from three vineyards: Mast Ranch, for its earthy and robust structure, Flat Rock Ranch, for its fruit-forward characteristic and silky structure, and Linda Vista Ranch, for its juicy and vibrant approach-ability.

Tasting Notes: Opaque ruby color with a tinge of purple introduces developing aromas of blackberry jam, cranberry, and acacia flower. This medium-bodied red wine expresses flavors of ripe black plum, walnut, and cassis on the front of the palate, and is complemented by chewy tannins and juicy cherry on the finish.

Vineyard: 42% Mast Ranch + 35% Flat Rock Ranch + 23% Linda Vista Ranch
Appellation: Napa Valley
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Review:

"A rich, unctuous wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is sweet, layered and enveloping in feel. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, cloves and new leather are all fused together. This is an especially intense, flamboyant expression of the vintage."

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (September 2016), 90 pts

"Aromas of blueberries, currants, spices and concrete. Medium to full body, firm and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs time to soften but so pretty already. Drink or hold."

- James Suckling (January 2017), 93 pts