Last night we celebrated the return from Napa of Paul and Carol over a nice prepared meal, and much fine Napa cult wine. Paul and Carol shared some of their experiences and great pictures with us over the great Crawfish Etouffee that Diana made using my Brother-in-law Roy’s famous recipe.
The first wine of the night was a 2006 Huge Bear “Cabernet”
Wine Details:
Winery: Huge Bear
Appelation: Sonoma – Napa Valley
Varietal: Cabernet
Alc: 15.5%
Cases: Around 150 I have heard.
On the nose, rich ripe black currant, blackberry, and black cherry. A hint of black pepper, and vanilla with a nice minerally component as well. The fruit is full and round on the palate, the tannins are well integrated. This wine is a little dry on the front, but quickly follows with a long pleasant finish. This wine is not hot concidering it is so high in alcohol. It will age well for 7-9 years.
Rating: 92+ JH
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This wine is huge, thus the name, hold it for a few years and it will be fantastic. It actually is fantastic now, but you need to let it open up for a few hours.
Rating 91 PaulC
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The next wine up was an Bordeaux Style offering from Orin Swift Cellars called Papillon. Orin is the makers of one of our other favs The Prisoner. The bottle label is really cool photograph taken by photographer Greg Gorman. the bottle has a deep punt and is very, very heavy like a Darioush or Wicked Witch.
Wine Details:
Winery: Orin Swift
Wine maker: Dave Phinney – Mercury Head, The Prisoner, Stanton
Varietal: 63% Cabernet, 19% Merlot, 9% Cab Franc, 7% Petite Verdot, 2% malbec
Appelation: Napa Cal. (Morisoli Vineyard)
Alc: 15.1%
On the nose black raspberry, blackberry, chocolate, vanilla, bell pepper, white pepper, star anise, with a nice earthiness. On the palate a nice full mouthfeel, round tannins, nice long finish. This wine evolved and unfolded for over a hour in the glass, and by the time we finished, it was amazing. This is a big bold Meritage to be layed down.
Rating: 93 JH ___________________
Orin Swift is just one of my favorites and this wine is no exception. A beautiful nose and a wonderful body followed by a long silky finish. LIke James said, lay it down for a year or so, and this thing is gonna rock.
Rating 93 PaulC
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The next wine up for the evening was a 2005 Ghost Block Cabernet.
Wine Details:
Winery: Napa Wine Co.
Vintage: 2005
Varietal: Cabernet
Appelation: Oakville Napa Valley (Rock Cairn vineyard)
Alc: 14.7%
100% Organic, Aged 24 months in 70% new French Oak barrels. named after the old cemetary across from the vineyard where some of Napa’s wine pioneers RIP. 1600 cases made
On the nose, big ripe dark black Cherry, blackberry, Currant, violets, white pepper, black pepper, green bell pepper, and a nice dustiness. The wine has a firm structure, but the tannins are integrated. The palate is velvety smooth and round with a graceful balance and a very long finish. This is another extremely heavy bottle like the Darioush. If you are drinking this wine now, it will need to breath a good hour to show itself off.
I see this wine as a great investment as I think it will sour in price over the coming years.
Rating: 95 JH
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This wine is THE next big thing, think ‘cult wine – super find’ here. I’m buying as much as I can find.
Rating 95+ PaulC
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Last but certainly not least was a 2005 John Anthony late harvest Sauv Blanc.
Wine Details:
Winery: John Anthony
Appleation: Napa
Varietal: Sauv Blanc
Alc: 13%
Aged 10 months in 100% French Oak, 350 cases made.
On the nose pineapple, green apple, honey, orange, peach, grapefruit, and a nice musty aroma. Strong acidity that is bright on the nose, but somehow subdued on the palate. This is a very unique wine, and is hands down my favorite desert wine.
Rating: 94 JH
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I need to post my tasting notes from John and Michael’s back porch from last week, but I’m not quite ready… This wine is a thing of beauty. A wonderful story and a great late harvest wine that is not my usual style, but I think I’m in love.
Rating 93 PaulC