2011 Chappellet ‘Signature’ Chenin Blanc, Napa Valley
Bright straw color. The floral nose delivers ample complex aromas of honeysuckle, sweet lemon, freshly cut pineapple and hints of vanilla and nuts. Fermented dry, the wine gains a viscous creamy edge in the mouth, a result of barrel fermentation…. Read more
2008 Duckhorn Merlot, Three Palms Vineyard, Napa Valley
Thirty vintages after serving as Wine Lines’ “epiphany wine,” the “Three Palms” Merlot is still going strong. The 2008 vintage is ruby red in hue and enticingly perfumed. The aroma and flavor spectrum includes soft red berry/cherry, mild… Read more
2011 Ca’ Momi Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Opaque crimson/purple in hue. Pleasant aromas of currant and plum are accented with cedar, vanilla and cherry tobacco. On the palate, flavors of cocoa powder, light cinnamon and fleshy dark fruit come forward. The tannins are soft and furry, making… Read more
2012 Ca’ Momi Chardonnay, Napa Valley
Medium straw color. Sweet aromas of banana, apple, white flowers and vanilla waft from the glass. Once in the mouth, light baking spices, butter and fleshier stone fruit take center stage. This white is medium-full in body, clean and balanced. It is… Read more
2001 McKenzie-Mueller Merlot, Los Carneros, Napa Valley
This was brought by a friend to a recent dinner party, and what a treat it was. 12 years of aging have worked wonders for this now brickish wine, which still bleeds full berry flavors and keeps on producing more and more deliciousness as it opens… Read more
2011 Chappellet Chardonnay, Napa Valley
Medium straw in color. Tightly wound, the nose unfolds to reveal aromas of butter, baked apple, pear, a hint of roasted nuts and baking spices. The wine enters the mouth medium-full in body, then spreads out and coats the palate with rich,… Read more
2009 Lawer Family Wines ‘Three Coins’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Nearly opaque, glass-staining purple/black hue. The compelling nose offers up ample fleshy black cherry, currant, shoe polish, vanilla and cedar. There is a rich mouthfeel, turning fleshy toward the back. Refined in style, with no hint of the stated… Read more
2010 Lawer Family Wines ‘Hooker Old Boys’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Opaque ruby/purple color. The varietal nose offers up ripe red and black currant fruit, dill, olive and aromatic woodspice. Fleshy in the mouth, the wine is now showing youthful, medium-grained tannins. The finish lingers, with impressions of fleshy… Read more
NV Mumm Napa ‘Brut Prestige,’ Napa Valley
Light straw in color with a persistent medium bead, this Napa sparkler offers impressions of sharp green apple, sharp grapefruit and tonic water, leading to a canned pineapple finish that starts lean and mean and ends sweet and syrupy. Although a… Read more
2008 Conn Creek ‘Anthology,’ Napa Valley
Conn Creek’s flagship wine is a true Bordeaux-style blend, using all five red varietals from that region. The lovely, perfumed nose unfolds to reveal layers of violets, fleshy black cherry, jammy dark berries and pie spices. In the mouth, the wine… Read more
