I’ve
been receiving a lot of new releases from California lately (especially rosés),
so this report is my attempt to keep up!
This
week, I’m taking a look at two Sonoma County wines from Sosie, which really
wowed me with their brightness, freshness and lower alcohol vibes. I
also tasted some big name 2015 Napa Cabs (Beaulieu’s Georges de Latour Private
Reserve and LaJota’s Howell Mountain), which showed why they’re popular and
expensive.
These
wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.
2017 Castello di
Amorosa Chardonnay Reserve - California, Napa Valley
SRP:
$58
Bold
yellow color. The nose jumps out with rich baked apples, orange marmalade, lots
of honey, butter, cinnamon and nougat. The palate shows rich, buttery texture
but medium acidity. Baked apples and glazed pear fruit, topped in honey,
almond, ginger, cinnamon and floral perfume. A plump, rich style, but it
wrapped together well. Aged 10 months in all new French oak, with 75% maloactic
fermentation. (88 points)
2015 Sosie
Roussanne Vivio Vineyard - California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley
SRP:
$38
Bold
yellow color. Aromas pop with super tropical combos of pineapple, lychee, honey
butter, almond, tropical flowers. Medium-bodied (only 12.9% alcohol) with
moderating acidity, which really helps, and there’s a creamy, waxy texture.
Flavors of yellow apples and pineapple, laced with floral potpourri, salted
nuts, white tea, there’s some underlying mineral tones. Bold and tropical in
flavors yet it’s nuanced and light on its feel – a nice combo to find in
California Roussanne. Native yeasts, barrel fermented, all maloactic
fermentation. (90 points)
2015 Sosie Pinot
Noir Spring Hill Vineyard - California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
SRP:
$43
Bright
cherry colored. Nose shows fresh red cherries and pomegranate with lots of
spiced tea, bay leaf, pepper, paprika, rose petals – this has a really spicy,
savory nose that I love. Medium-bodied and really fresh with dusty tannins and
bright acidity on a frame of about 13% alcohol. Red cherries, raspberries and
pomegranate fruit blend well with notes of spiced tea, pepper, bay leaf, subtle
coffee and cedar notes. Complex and could develop in the cellar but it’s
already harmonious. Aged 16 months in 25% new French oak. (91 points)
2016 Sidebar
Cellars Zinfandel -
California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP:
$28
Bright
deep ruby color. Aromas of wild red currant, raspberries, tangy summer plums,
with spiced tea, lavender, clove, pepper and forest floor. Full-bodied but
fresh with velvety tannins and zesty acidity. The juicy plums and wild
raspberry fruit is topped in sweet clove, coffee, pepper, tobacco, and an
earthy-mineral component. A gorgeous, vibrant Zinfandel. Includes 10% Alicante,
10% Petite Sirah and 12 other varieties compose 2% of the blend, aged in old
oak for 12 months. From the Alegria Vineyard, replanted in 1950. (91 points)
2016 Beaulieu
Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - California, Napa Valley
SRP:
$33
Deep
purple color. Nose boasts juicy, sweet black cherries, dark plums and
blackberries, backed up by cocoa, vanilla and sweet tobacco. Velvety on the
palate, full and juicy with medium acidity and plenty of juicy dark currants
and plums. Notes of violets, coco, leather, tobacco, some savory notes as well.
Easy-drinking, accessible now, yet shows some solid complexity and depth. Includes
a combined 22% Syrah, Petite Sirah, Touriga Nacional, Malbec, and more. Aged 15
months in 30% new oak. (88 points)
2015 Beaulieu
Vineyard Tapestry Reserve - California,
Napa Valley
SRP:
$65
Bright
purple color. Rich and bold on the nose with a solid core of black cherries and
currants, roasted plums, with sweet cocoa, violet petals, clove, espresso, and
some underlying earthy, savory notes. Full-bodied on the palate with a rich,
velvety tannic structure, moderating acidity underneath helps keep it
relatively fresh, but this is a big, smooth red with lots of juicy black fruit.
Very pretty, though, with violets, clove, mint, vanilla and cocoa notes, with
earthy undertones. Really opens up with air, so I’d recommend decanting or sometime
in the cellar. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc
and 3% Petit Verdot aged in 60% new French, American and Hungarian oak for 22
months. (91 points)
2015 Beaulieu
Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve - California, Napa Valley
SRP:
$150
Vibrant
purple color. Nose shows deep, rich, pure fruit (blackberry, cassis, roasted
fig), along with an intoxicating blend of violets, tobacco, eucalyptus, mint,
and an earthy, rocky essence in there, too. So suave and texturally flashy the
palate with a full, bold presence (15%+) but there’s a lively, elegant feel
too, with velvety tannins and medium adity. Black currant and dark plums along
with a complex mix of earthy, rocky, forest floor notes with sweet tobacco,
espresso, mint chocolate chip, and a spicy potpourri element. Big stuff but it
holds itself together really well, and while it can age wonderfully, I’m really
surprised by how accessible this is right out of the gates. Includes 4% Merlot,
3% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec, aged 22 months in 90% new French oak. (93
points)
2015 La Jota
Cabernet Sauvignon -
California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
SRP:
$125
Bright
purple color. Gorgeous aromatics that shift and evolve wonderfully: dark
currants, black cherries, complex waves of graphite, smashed rocks, menthol,
tobacco, espresso, violets. The palate is full but suave, and the tannins show
grip but rounded edges, while the acidity is really bright and keeps me
salivating. Pure black currant and tart blackberry fruit is laced with tobacco
leaf, graphite, violets, mint, coffee, dark chocolate, espresso. Air does
wonders to this wine, so I’d recommend a serious decant if opening in the next
few years, otherwise feel free to properly cellar this and forget about it for
a long time. Includes a combined 25% Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit
Verdot. Aged 22 months in 65% new French oak. (95 points)
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