Review:
Fresh violets, lilac, wild plums, allspice and wild herbal aromas pour from the glass. The focused palate shows tart cherry preserves, warmed cloves, roasted coffee and dark chocolate that finishes with a crushed chalk minerality. Fine tannins are present but in balance, working with fresh acidity to keep this wine in harmony. Drink now–2045.
-Wine Enthusiast 97 Points
Mason Cellars Pelissa Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2020 Mason Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is quintessentially Oakville from nose to finish. Attractive fresh blackberry, red current and chocolate with a hint of sweet oak boast out of the glass. This wine showcases graphite, velvety tannins and concentrated, beautifully balanced flavors with a bit of spice and white pepper. These bold flavors typical of Oakville Cabernet are rounded out with velvety tannins, a weighty mid-palate and a long, juicy finish.
Production Notes:
The fruit was delicately hand-picked in the early morning hours and brought into the winery for processing. The grapes were crushed, about 60% whole berry, and cold soaked for three days before being inoculated for primary and malo-lactic fermentation. Once dry, the wine was put down to barrel for 20 months in medium toast French oak, 25% of which was new.
Vineyard Notes:
Grapes for our 2020 Mason Cabernet Sauvignon are sourced exclusively from the Pelissa Vineyard in Oakville. This vineyard spans 60 acres and is planted to Old BV Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Zinfandel. This vineyard is named for Andrew and Babe Pelissa, who after their marriage on August 30, 1930, made their home at the site of this vineyard which, at the time, was a dairy. Oakville is the core of Napa Valley’s famed Cabernet Sauvignon production, and this site is no exception with the flawless blending of climate and soil to create a remarkable wine.
Review:
“This firmly structured, well-balanced wine has the feel of a classic Bordeaux blend. Just-ripe red and black fruits blend with subtle toast, cedar and mint on a moderately tannic, slightly tangy texture. The wine is tasty enough to decant and drink soon with grilled lamb chops or roast chicken. Best from 2026–2036.” – Jim Gordon
-Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
Matheus Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett is made from 100 percent Riesling.
This Goldtröpfchen ranks as an unofficial "Grand Cru" delivering light floral and fresh Kabinett style wines.
Their later harvest wines, Spatlese and Auslese, tend toward apricot flavors, honeyed notes and superb intensity. All grapes are grown on Devonian slate.
Enjoy with slightly spiced sushi or moderately spicy Indian cuisine such as chicken Vindaloo.
Matheus Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling is made from 100 percent Riesling.
QBA stands for "Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete", which means that the wine comes from one of the 13 designated wine regions.
A beautiful wine with delicate perfumed aromas. Medium bodied, well balanced, filled with peaches and green apples, crisp and fresh acidity.
Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is made from 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15%Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec.
The 2021 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby in the glass with purple hues. The rich bouquet of spiced black plum and cocoa nib are balanced with aromas of fresh earth and crushed flint. Intense and opulent flavors of ripe blackberry, cedar, mocha, and black currant coat the broad and balanced palate and the ripe tannin creates a perfect frame for the lush fruit expression. Cherry cordial and cola linger on the long, quenching finish.
Review:
Precise and expressive, with handsome flavors of blackberry, bay leaf and espresso that build richness and structure toward refined tannins.
-Wine Spectator 93 Points
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is spicy, showing off a gentle peppery tinge and dusty rose tones that give way to dried black cherries. This is wonderfully crisp and refined, with silky textures and depths of dark red fruit propelled by juicy acidity. It tapers off long and structured, yet the tannins are quite sweet. The 2021 finishes with a pleasant crunch and a lingering licorice tinge.
-Vinous 93 Points
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is based on 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. A rocking wine offering ample red and black plum-like fruit, chocolate, tobacco, and subtle violet-like aromas and flavors, I t's full-bodied and has a terrific mid-palate, velvety tannins, and a great finish.
-Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
Matthews Winery Columbia Valley Cuvee is made from 65% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec.
The 2021 Columbia Valley Cuvée sparkles with purple and deep garnet in the glass. Meadow flowers, fresh red berry, black plum, and cocoa powder aromas exhilarate leading to flavors of morello cherry liqueur, cardamom, mountain blackberry, and licorice snaps. This merlot-dominant blend is plush and weighty on the palate with powdery tannins. Dark stone fruits and dusty minerality coat the palate for a long, seamless finish.
Reviews:
A handsome blend, structured and polished, with expressive black cherry flavors accented by tarragon, mocha espresso and toasty spices that sail toward refined tannins. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Drink now through 2031.
-Wine Spectator 93 Points
This Merlot-based blend is a part of the Matthews tradition. Wildly fruity aromatics with whole berries, destemmed aromas driven by red berries, mountain blueberries, and a touch of green peppercorn and mocha dust. A streak of graphite underlines red berries, early season blackberries and a savoury herbal character that mingles complexity with fresh ripe fruits.
-Decanter 93 Points
Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Les Origines is made from 50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah
Matured in vats (grenache) and in oak casks (syrah and mourvèdre).
Deep and brilliant, purple-red colour. An exciting nose with aromas of black fruit (blackcurrant, cherry) spices and vanilla. This great aromatic complexity is found on the palate : the spices and ripe fruit appear with an elegant woodiness and harmonious tannins. The finish has good aromatic length and introduces a touch of liquorice and pepper.
A terrific Châteauneuf du Pape with great concentration and finesse.
Best between 2 and 20 years. Best to decant if young (less than 5 years old).
Soil type Extreme north of Châteauneuf du Pape. This plateau is made with a high quantity of red clay mixed with rocks. This area is considerated to be one of the best to produce rich and powerful red wines. By definition, LES ORIGINES will always deliver a great complexity and ageing potential. Winemaking & ageing Harvest is sorted by hand, destemmed and crushed. Fermentation temperature is controlled at 30°C. Vatting period of 18 to 20 days. Matured in vats (grenache) and in oak casks (syrah and mourvèdre).
Review:
"The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Origines is also deep purple-hued and has a classic bouquet of crème de cassis and blackberry fruits intermixed with notions of graphite, chocolate, and spicy wood. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, this is beautifully done and despite its more modern elevage, it has plenty of Provençal character and charm."
- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2020), 94-96+ pts
"Warm in feel, with a gush of plum puree and blackberry paste flavors, liberally laced with black licorice and roasted alder notes. A solidly built, modern version, with a nice tug of warm earth on the back end. Best from 2022 through 2034. —J.M."
- Wine Spectator's Insider (June 9th 2021), 93 pts
Bastgen Kestener Paulinshofberg Riesling Spatlese is 100 percent Riesling.
Yellow color with green highlights.
Beautiful peach aromas on the nose, rich and ripe fruits on the mouth with a refreshing acidity and honey notes. A very pleasing wine.
They meticulously tend 4.5 ha (11.11 acres) of which 80% is Riesling. The soil is made of slate. Their vineyards are located in Kesten and Brauneberg, on a steep terrace, and planted to 50-year old vines. Fortunately for Bastgen, they own part of the famous Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr. The vines produce very small, ripe berries that are very tasty.