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The 2017 Arise offers a rich attack with sweet, plush tannins and notes of cherry, plum, and smoked duck in a long finish of coffee, plum, and blueberry. An ideal 2016 harvest season resulted in rich fruit of uncompromised character. The 2016 Arise is Blackbird at its core of supple winemaking. Blend: 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. RP 92 pts, WW 92 pts, WS 90 pts -
The Garnacha from these two spectacular plots is hand harvested and rigorously sorted at the winery. The wine spent the first 18 months of ageing in 40% new, 60% used puncheons and demi-muids. The next 10 months were spent in completely neutral 600L demi-muids. The profile of the wine is extremely elegant and focused on the linear, pure expression of the Garnacha from Calatayud. JD 94 pts, JS 90 pts. -
We started to pick the grapes, manually, in early October, in small 20 kg/44 lb boxes. The first selection was carried out at the vineyard, and we collected only the best bunches, perfectly ripe and in top condition. At the winery, a second selection was carried out at the sorting table, removing those clusters found to be less suitable. After gentle destemming and crushing, the grapes were placed in tanks where they underwent alcoholic fermentation at a temperature below 28°C/82°F. After 18 days of fermentation and maceration, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels, with weekly bâttonages for two months. It was aged for 22 months in new French oak barrels (70%) and the rest in French oak barrels with two wines. JS 92 -
Plenty of blueberry and blackberry character with hints of spices. Medium body. Fresh finish. Hints of chocolate add to the complexity. JS 91 -
The 2017 Chardonnay Arthur was aged 10 months in about 15% new oak and has pure aromas of golden apples, quince, toast, honey, almonds and notions of elderflower, hay and chamomile. The light to medium-bodied palate is silky and delicate with mouthwatering acidity and a long, lively finish. 100% Chardonnay. RP 92 pts, WS 91 pts. -
Coming mostly from Sonoma, the 2017 Zinfandel Old Vine is medium ruby in color and opens with fantastic aromas of mixed berry preserves with spiced peaches and cranberry, potpourri, dried hollyhock, rooibos tea and oodles of exotic spices. Medium-bodied, it offers intense tricolored flavor layers with grainy tannins and juicy freshness, finishing long on a peachy note. A perfumed, restrained and delicious style. Blend: 86% Zinfandel, 5% Petite Sirah, 5%Carignan, 4% Field Blend Reds. WS 93 pts, WW 92 pts, RP 91 pts. -
Impressive, complex array of wild cherries, raspberries, garrigue herbs, lightly spiced pastry and stony, chalky minerals. Super-fresh florals. The palate has superb texture, roundness, completeness, depth and detail. Powerful yet elegant with powdery tannins and essence-like red fruit. Super-fleshy, supple and dense core, then strong at the edges. Layer upon layer peels away on the finish. Rhone Blend. JS 98 pts, JD 97 pts, RP 96 pts, D 93 pts. -
Wild and brambly with a wealth of mixed berries and dark chocolate. The palate has chalky tannins that are compressed and set like plaster. Chocolate and dark berries to finish. Drink or hold." JS 91 pts, JD 91 pts. -
The NV Brut La Française is based on 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 25% Pinot Meunier, all fermented in stainless steel and blended with 30% of reserve wines. It is a pure, fresh and well-structured Brut that seems more elegant, complex and round than the Brut Réserve. The persistent finish is clear, fresh and well structured, with refreshing lemon flavors and a nice grip. My sample was said to be bottled in 2014 and disgorged in March 2017 with nine grams of dosage. There is good length and tension here as well as sweet cherry aromas in the aftertaste. WW 93 pts, RP 91 pts, WS 90 pts. -
With a bouquet of cedar, spice, and sun-ripened blackberries, our Sonoma Zinfandel makes a strong first impression. Bold and richly textured on the palate with an intensity and purity of fruit reflected in notes of wild blueberries, plum, and black currants. A light dusting of tannins provides structure and a long finish that is boueyed by fresh juicy acidity. 100% Zinfandel. WE 90pts. WS 90pts, WW 90pts. -
Maroon in color with a garnet hue, this wine has an enticing nose of maraschino cherries, blackberry bramble and brisket with notes of clove and star anise. It’s mouthwatering with a juicy entry and has a fruity mid-palate of currant with toasted vanilla and roasted brown sugar character from American oak barrels. Structured tannins provide an elegant character with a long and expressive finish. Given proper cellaring, this wine will provide drinking pleasure through 2041. 95.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.7% Merlot, 0.4% Petit Verdot, 0.3% Malbec and 0.3% Cabernet Franc. WW 92 pts., D 92 pts. -
Maroon in color with a garnet hue, this wine has an enticing nose of maraschino cherries, blackberry bramble and brisket with notes of clove and star anise. It’s mouthwatering with a juicy entry and has a fruity mid-palate of currant with toasted vanilla and roasted brown sugar character from American oak barrels. Structured tannins provide an elegant character with a long and expressive finish. Given proper cellaring, this wine will provide drinking pleasure through 2041. WW 92 pts, D 92 pts.