Spike Wine 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, CA ($25)This Cab commemorates Spike, a loyal canine who inspired his owner during hard times. Fruit forward and ultra ripe, with a flash flood of brandied cherries. Sweet tobacco and Mediterranean herbs are sprinkled with white pepper, dousing the palate with a juicy array of red licorice and berries on the finish.
Savory, spicy and still fresh, with overtones of black olive, toasted almond, and plum and undertones of graphite and leather. Black cherry weaves through its sinewy, well-structured frame.
Ripe and ready aromas of black cherry and walnut. Lush and broad with spiced boysenberry, deep and dense. Elegant and seamless, and one of the better ’22 Cabs from a hot vintage. White pepper adds seasoning to the palate and refreshes the red and blue fruit on the finish.
Exotic aromas of beeswax and orange blossom lead to flavors of apricot nectar and lanolin. The low abv of 10.5% makes this an easy drinker, with a lovely, silky mouthful, and ample acidity to pair with shrimp, spicy Thai, blue cheese – probably endless ideas. This is a nod to the potential of this variety from Napa Valley! What a treat.
When it comes to memorable Sauvignon Blanc, St. Supéry champions the varietal. This 100% stainless steel bottling is sourced from their Rutherford property as well as their Dollarhide Estate and harvested over four weeks which results in layers and layers of fruit character. Floral tones shine with a pop of lemon-lime. Acidity is bright and luminescent.
Aged in 100% French oak (16% new) for five months, you can feel a creamy caress on the tongue. Tropical fruit radiates, while chamomile and sweet basil surround the mid-palate. Beautifully balanced, the only “sense” of oak is a hint of vanilla sandalwood on the lengthy finish.
After being opened, and swirled or decanted, this initially understated wine offers more generous red fruit notes recalling cherries and strawberries above all. Savory notes akin to wild mushrooms and damp earth arise. Very fine-grained tannins are well measured.
There are bright, juicy red fruits on the nose alongside a delicate touch of autumnal spice, a rose bouquet and subtle peppercorn. This Pinot Noir from a family-owned winery has a pleasing herbal quality from initial contact on the palate to its savory finish. The tannins are soft and the overall effect is easy like a Sunday morning.