
Sauternes region of France, just slightly South of Bordeaux, which is most recognized for producing superior sweet wines. Sauternes cultivates and produces the most famous and premium dessert wines. Grapes grown in Sauternes are mainly Semillon, but one can also find small amounts of Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and Sauvignon Gris. Semillon allows for a full bodied structure with notes of stone fruit, honeysuckle, and beeswax in Sauternes wine, while the Sauvignon Blanc gives earthy tones to the nose and valuable acidity for freshness. Traditional wines from Sauternes are a rich deep yellow color and increases to a rich tawny when aged in the bottle. Sauternes winemakers have a particularly interesting method of producing such fantastic dessert wines, botrytis. Under ideal circumstances, the grapes will be subjected to “noble rot” where the fungus dries out the grape and naturally concentrates the grape’s sugar content. Sauternes climate of dewy early daytime effects combined with temperate and arid afternoons gives the best environment for botrytis to form. Appellation laws in Sauternes regulate the harvesting of the grapes when they reach a weight of 221 grams per liter. Sauternes carry a very high risk in production due to the longer periods on the vine, allowing fungus to form, and lengthy time in a barrel. Good vintages that rely on nothing but nature for the sweetness and flavor are extremely prestigious and often come with a higher price tag.
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Far Niente Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Merlot, 2.5% Malbec, 2.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc.
Beautiful aromas of dark plum, red cherry, licorice and warm baking spices open onto a plush and silky palate layered with plum, spiced cherry and cassis. A classic Napa Valley Cabernet, fine-grained tannins and lively acidity support the wine throughout, while the finish is refined and polished.
Review:
Very precisely polished and focused wine with aromas of black cherries, blue berries and violets followed by green bell pepper, black ink and gravel. Underlying umami notes, too. Full-bodied, firm yet finely grained juicy tannins with bright acidity that balances out the palate. Beautifully integrated toasty notes and baking spices on the mid-palate and in the finish. Flourishing and artful wine that will age gracefully.
-James Suckling 96 Points
Pahlmeyer Jayson Red Napa Valley is made from 51% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc.
Voluptuousness meets vibrance in this classic Bordeaux-inspired blend. Ripe Merlot-dominant aromas of juicy macerated raspberry unfurl with hints of pencil lead, clove, cedar, and fresh sage. The compact fruit core, flanked by fine, polished tannin, surges open on a full, silky palate, giving way to complex underpinnings of earth and spice. A beam of bright acidity keeps the fruit fresh and focused through a soft, lingering finish of dusty plum and cocoa.
It’s best to serve this rich, layered wine at a temperature between 60°F and 65°F. Open and opulent in its youth, this wine is ready to match with a range of flavorful summer dishes such as Carolina-style pulled pork, bánh mì sandwiches, or bacon cheddar burgers.
Review:
This is a very polished wine in 2022, well-built with neatly knit tannins that form a solid foundation for the dark currant and blackberry fruit that floods the mid-palate. Good depth of concentration and driving energy create a sense of tension and vibrancy. Indeed not a shy wine, yet more approachable, with tannins almost melting away on the finish—very characteristic of the warm vintage. Grape sources include William Hill and Broken Rock in Napa, Stagecoach, Waters, and Round Pond in Rutherford, along with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from the iconic Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma. Grapes are sorted by hand, fermented in stainless steel with a small percentage in oak tanks, and then aged for 15 months in 80% new French oak. (JC)
-Decanter 94 Points