Napa Valley Wine Tasting Notes

1997 Peju
Napa Valley Merlot
Score: 88.0
"Ripe black cherry and vanilla, with just a touch of dill. Chewy, mouthfilling, with a neverending finish, well-integrated tannin and firm structure make this a wine for current drinking, as well as for aging over the next decade."

1996 Peju
Napa Valley Cabernet Franc
Score: 87.0
"Cabernet Franc is used in blending to give Bordeaux and California Cabernet Sauvignon a bit more structure and spice. On its own its a big, muscular wine with a flavor like blackberry reduction with some smoke and licorice notes in the background. Chewy, with a firm tannic structure, this is a wine that can be enjoyed now with tomato based sauces, lamb or game, but would benefit from another 5 years in the bottle. "

1997 MAYACAMAS
NAPA VALLEY Chardonnay
Score: 89.0
"Tart green apple, round vanilla, bright green cilantro overtones, crisp finish."

1997 Lorenzi & Shipman Cask One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 93.0
"Most of the cult Cabernets of California are so out of balance that Id rather pour them down the drain than drink them. Heres a wine that should be a cult favorite-a wine of fabulous balance, with leather and cedar overtones matched by substantial blackberry fruit. Aromatic, dense but giving, layered and complex, with great structure and soft tannin. What a joy to drink! A great match for lamb, beef stew or other full-flavored fare. Drink now, or lay down for a few years."

1997 Jacques de Coninck (Beaucanon)
Napa Valley Chardonnay estate bottled
Score: 87.0
"Low pitched aroma and lean, tart, green apple flavor, crisp structure, and best of all a long minerally finish. Best paired with something like Dover sole in lemon-butter sauce."

1996 Grgich Hills
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 90.0
"Given some time to breath, this wine really opens up, showing black currant and cherry fruit, vanilla, and a hint of tarragon. Firm, integrated tannins give the wine structure for the long haul. Enjoy now and for the next decade or more."

1997 Cosentino Winery
Napa Valley Merlot Reserve
Score: 88.0
"Not a Merlot for the faint of heart, this is a powerful wine crammed full of black cherry fruit and subtle oak spice. Full-bodied, with firm structure and well-integrated tannin, drink it now or lay it down for another 3 to 5 years."

1996 Cosentino Winery
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Score: 91.0
"Showing style and finesse, with all of the elements in balance, Consentinos reserve has an expansive nose of cassis that follows through the palate on an elevated plane that holds its intensity and complexity right through the finish. Oak adds its own subtle dimensions of toast and nutmeg. Structured to last a decade or more, if you lack the patience the tannin is unobtrusive enough that you can drink it now."

Chandon
Napa County [sparkling wine] Reserve
Score: 89.0
"Mandarin zest with subtle fresh walnut flavors, cramy texture, tart citrusy finish. Moderate dosage, fine balance."

1995 Beringer
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve
Score: 93.0
"There is a spicy edge to this full-flavored Cabernet. Deep, concentrated blackberry, ginger and nutmeg give the wine layers flavors, while subtle vanilla and toast pop up in the long finish. Improves considerably with aeration. A wine with a bit of charisma. Serve with curry or lamb. "

1996 Turnbull
Oakville Napa Valley Sangiovese
Score: 91.0
"One of the best Sangioveses from California. Deep cranberry, light cinnoman, medium-light body, light tannin and perfect balance, persistent finish."

1996 Beringer Third Century
Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Franc
Score: 89.0
"My loss is your gain. I had to evaluate this wine now, when it is really designed for longterm aging. Its a medium-bodied though dense wine, balanced, with full well-integrated tannin, blackberry fruit, peppermint, licorice and some earthy components. Rated as to current drinkability, its quality will really show with another 7 to 10 years in the cellar."

1996 Stags Leap Wine Cellars
Fay Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 93.0
"A triumph in a difficult year, I only hope you can afford it, as Fay vineyard is once again on top of the heap. Intense aromatic blackberry and spicy French oak aroma. On the palate it shows berry, dark chocolate and a hint of bell pepper, with moderate tannin and a warm, mouthwatering finish. "

1996 Stags Leap Wine Cellars
SLV Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 92.0
"Nearly the equal of Fay, the SLV has an opulent aroma of ripe blackberries with a lower layer of cassis, following through to the palate with a toasty note. Moderate tannin on the mid-palate becomes more obtrusive through the finish. It would be hard to imagine a dry wine with more fruit than this. It should last another 15 years, and be near its peak by 2005."

1998 William Hill Winery
Napa Valley Chardonnay
Score: 90.0
Refined citrus and kiwi flavors with mineral undertones and just a touch of oak. Crisp and refreshing. Classy rendition that cries out for seafood.

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