Country: | United States |
Region: | Washington (Columbia Valley) |
Winery: | Rainier Ridge Winery |
Grape Type: | Merlot |
Vintage: | 2006 |
Bottle Size: | 750 ml |
Pine Ridge Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 7% Petite Sirah, 5% Malbec.
While admiring the cranberry red hue, forward fruit aromatics of black cherry and cassis begin to make your mouth water before the first sip! On the palate, juicy notes of blueberry compote and cherry cordial meld seamlessly with hints of cinnamon and cream soda. The wine methodically transitions from the bright, round entry through the viscous midpalate and onto a broad-shouldered finish. This is where hints of clove, graham cracker and toasted marshmallow are juxtaposed with those of dark roast coffee and Bing cherry. This wine can be enjoyed now but will benefit from another 10 to 20 years of bottle age.
It pairs beautifully with a vegetarian chili and cornbread slathered in a generous helping of sweet cream butter.
Review:
Alluring nuances of rose petal, tobacco and cinnamon lead into a ripe, chocolaty palate of black cherries, cocoa and raspberries as a soft, velvety texture achieves a very smooth mouthfeel.
-Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
Alain de la Treille Merlot is made from 100 percent Merlot.
This Merlot has a deep red color. On the nose aromas of red fruits with a herbal note and spicy scents.
It is the perfect match for grilled meats, game and red meats.
A dramatic, ridgetop landscape — rising 1500 feet above Lake Hennessey, staring west over Pritchard Hill — persistently influenced by a push/pull draw between The Valley’s floor and Lake Berryessa. This wild, untamed, eastern frontier of Napa Valley, produces singular, terroir-driven wines of captivating beauty, power and lift. An unseasonably wet and cool springtime produced significant shatter at Sage Ridge in 2019, reducing our yields by 50%, leading to a particularly flamboyant edition of this wine.
An incomparable expression of Cabernet Sauvignon — massively pure red fruit character, delivered on a ribbon of ultra-suave tannins and gorgeously seductive high tones. The palate never relents its come-hither posture. Aromatically, puts forth an intriguing botanical complexity that is unmistakably site-specific. As our experience with this one-of-a-kind terroir deepens, we remain endlessly excited for the potential of these unique ridgetop vineyards. Get your hands on a bottle and pull the cork…a wine built for immense near-term gratification.
Review:
"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Sage Ridge Vineyard opens with open-knit notes of plum preserves, baked blackberries and boysenberry jam, leading to a core of crème de cassis, mocha, camphor and Indian spices with a touch of unsmoked cigars. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and dense with black fruit preserves, framed by soft tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and very spicy. Only 75 cases were made. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (November 2021), 95 pts
Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot Toscana IGT is made from Merlot.
Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot has an explosive olfactory impact. The wide aromatic bouquet ranges from cherry and plum jam to notes of black tea, rhubarb and graphite, with small final notes of fermented tobacco. The entrance is bursting. The palate is invested by the imposing and typical structure of Tuscan Merlot, enveloping and warm. Tastefully in symbiosis with the olfactory notes, the dense and linear tannin accompanies hints of coconut and black pepper in retrolfaction.
Review:
James Suckling 94 Points
Sequentis is a limited-edition Reserve Merlot that advances our devotion to Bordeaux varieties. The remarkable 2021 vintage opens with heady aromas of rose petal, plum, blackberry jam, cooked strawberry, ripe black cherry and baking spice. A medium-bodied mouthfeel floods the senses with extraordinary complexity, including layered flavors of pomegranate, raspberry, blackberry, coconut, tobacco and vanilla. Balanced acidity and fine tannins converge on a smooth, velvety finish.
Review:
The Daou hallmark of toasted pecan and walnut aromas show on the nose of this Merlot, which also offers ripe berry and toasted herb touches. The palate carries the savory, nutty tone as well, with dark cherry providing fruit and firm tannins holding strong. Drink now-2035.
-Wine Enthusiast 93 Points
The climate in the Champagne region in 2006 was characterised by a hot, dry season, which had a significant impact on the vines. September’s summery conditions were decisive, effectively drying out the outbreaks of botrytis and encouraging exceptional ripening of the grapes. Beginning on 11 September, the harvest stretched out for almost three weeks, the ideal time for a superior-quality crop. This vintage is a perfect example of how a favourable climate can influence the champagne quality.
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 Plénitude 2 marks a new encounter between Dom Pérignon and the year 2006, underlining the crucial importance of time in the making of this vintage. Its persistent, suspended light offers us an invitation to contemplation, celebrating the joy of a moment of perfection. This balance between earth and sky is underpinned by a strong tactile dimension, the authentic signature of Dom Pérignon: without touch, flavour does not unfold in either the space or time of the tasting, a perfect mirror of the space and time of its production. Today, Dom Pérignon 2006 Plénitude 2 enfolds us in its warm and luminous light. It then reveals its full-bodied, substantial and curvaceous qualities, leaving in its wake the emotion of a champagne that is both enveloping and delicate.
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 Plénitude 2 reveals a soft, warm and reassuring sweet bouquet, rich in subtle nuances. Its aromatic profile boasts a remarkable finesse with floral and mineral tones. This composition rapidly unfolds to reveal delicate notes of wild peach, citron, calisson and mocha, creating a unique and memorable experience on the nose. The palate of Dom Pérignon 2006 is full-bodied, both restrained and tender, developing into a thick texture that gradually becomes firmer. The complexity of the wine increases, revealing a subtly saline nuance. On the finish, an exquisite bitterness and wonderful maturity prevail, enriched by deep aromas of dried fruit, cocoa and toasted hazelnut, which blend harmoniously to offer an exceptional wine tasting experience.
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2006 Plénitude 2 is distinguished by its soft, warm character, ideally expressed when paired with seafood such as langoustine and scallops. This wine pairing harmony continues with veal and Jerusalem artichoke dishes, which highlight its delicate, enveloping nature. The flavours are further enhanced by herbs such as rosemary and basil, while hints of acidity from lemon and bergamot fully reveal its breadth and refined structure. This vintage illustrates Dom Pérignon’s ability to create fine wines that capture and enhance the essence of the ingredients with which they are served.
Review:
A blonde bombshell of a Champagne, hedonistic with its alluring brioche, creamed cherry and glazed tangerine flavors that show embellishments of fragrant saffron, candied ginger, fennel seed and vanilla, yet there's lovely definition and focus via the racy, lemon-infused acidity and plush texture. Long and minerally on the finish, with the rich profile joined by a subtle undertow of smoke, oyster shell and brine. Drink now through 2040.
-Wine Spectator 98 Points
Rainier Ridge Merlot is made from 90% Merlot & 10% Cabernet Franc
Washington State's hot growing season followed by a cool fall created a longer harvest that resulted in wines with ripe, rich flavors. Hot dry weather in August gave way to cooler temperatures and light rain in mid- September, slowing harvest and extending hang time. Warm, dry weather resumed in early October, giving us bright and concentrated fruit.
A dark ruby red color leads to aromas of smokiness with black plums, blackberries and a bit of orange. Flavors of toasted bread, smokiness and blackberries fill the palate rounded out by orange peel on the finish.
The Rainier Ridge Winery Estate
Rainier Ridge Winery honors two of Washington State's greatest assets, world class wine and the striking Mount Rainier ( 14,410 feet). Rainier Ridge wines embody the rich Washington terrain responsible for producing some of the world’s finest vinifera grapes. Sourced from Washington’s famed Columbia Valley and bursting with dark berry and tropical fruit, Rainier Ridge Chardonnay and Merlot deliver grandiose flavors at a modest price.
The Rainier Ridge Winery Vineyard
Washington State is the nation’s second largest producer of premium wines. Recently recognized by Wine Enthusiast magazine as “Wine Region of the Year”, the high-quality premium wines have earned the state international recognition, critical acclaim and legions of loyal consumers. It’s a winning combination that translates into success in the marketplace. Washington’s success with vinifera grapes is due in large measure to the state’s unique geography. The vineyards are planted on the east side of the Cascade Mountains which serve to protect the region from marine weather off the Pacific coast and limit rainfall to just 6-8 inches annually. Low rainfall and free-draining soils allow vineyard managers to control vine vigor in order to promote flavor development. Warm daytime temperatures ripen fruit to perfection, while cool autumn nights protect the grapes’ natural acidity.
Long Shadows Pirouette Meritage is made from 68% Cabernet Sauvignon 15% Merlot 8% Petit Verdot 6% Cabernet Franc 3% Malbec
Philippe Melka, named one of the top nine winemakers in the world by Robert Parker, used small lots from Washington State's finest vineyards to craft this enticing red blend.
Like the last several growing seasons, 2016 was another hot year that required extra care in the vineyards. Building on the success of our canopy managment program over the last few vintages, we worked with growers throughout the season to encourage growth of the canes and outside foliage to protect against the sun while opening up the fruit zone for even maturation. Warm temperatures in the fall hastened ripening, but the Columbia Valley's cool autumn nights protected the grapes' acidity, yielding bright, vibrant wines that will drink well in their youth but also promise to bring enjoyement to those who cellar.
A variety of fermentation methods were used to enhance complexity and richness in this classic Bordeaux blend. Hand-harvested Cabernet was fermented in 400L French oak barrels that were gently rolled throughout fermentation to integrate the oak with refined, dark fruit flavors and give the wine its silky mouthfeel. All other varieties were fermented in traditional stainless steel tanks, with select lots enjoying longer skin contact to enhance the wine's dark color and mid-palate. The finished wine was aged 22 months in French oak barrels (75% new) before bottling unfiltered and unfined.
Review:
"The 2016 Pirouette is made by Philippe Melka and it's a total blockbuster based on 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and the palate Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec that was fermented in barrel and aged 22 months in 75% new oak. Crème de cassis, blackberries, toasted spices, cedar, and forest floor notes all emerge from this deep, rich, opulent red that has sweet tannins, a thrilling texture, no hard edges, and a monster finish. This is another best-to-date from this estate and it's an awesome wine." -Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
Cazaux Vacqueyras Blanc Les Clefs d'Or is made from 50% Clairette, 30% Roussanne and 20% Grenache Blanc.
A wine with lively acidity, expressive aromas of fennel and white flowers. It is long and full in the mouth with minty and anisy aromas mixed with white peach flavors. Refreshing and mineral character.
Clairette grapes are green harvested to concentrate and harmonize aroma. Each grape varietal is hand picked separately. Pressing with skin contact at low temperature. Aged 12 months in stainless steel tank. (No oak)
Enjoy this wine with all sorts of fish starters, squid salad with olive oil and basil. A must try with fresh oysters.