Recommendations from our tasting panel
PICK OF THE WEEK 2014 Alexander Valley Vineyards Alexander School Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Overall score: 18.5 (9 for quality, 9.5 for value) Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with seven scores of at least 9. “Cedar, leather and tobacco with chewy tannins.” My score: 9. “Raspberries and cherries. Age-worthy.” Varietal/blend: 100 percent cabernet sauvignon. Alcohol: 14.2 percent. Winery/vineyards/ winemaking: Hank Wetzel founded the winery in 1975 on the site of Cyrus Alexander’s homestead, and now a third generation of the family is in the cellar with Harry Wetzel IV assisting AVV’s longtime winemaker, Kevin Hall. The fruit for this cab was harvested from a single 25-year-old hilltop vineyard on AVV’s Alexander Valley property. The gnarly, lowyielding vines produce loose clusters of pea-size grapes that offered rich, concentrated flavors from the droughtimpacted vintage. After harvest, they were destemmed, then aged in French oak for 24 months. Winemaker notes: “This is a smooth wine with flavors of dark fruit, cassis, vanilla and chocolate. Silky with wellintegrated tannins and flavors that linger for a long time.”
Pairings: Prime beef, grilled medium rare Price: $39.89 at Spec’s
ALSO RECOMMENDED 2014 Stewart Nomad Cabernet Sauvignon
Overall score: 17.6 (9.1 for quality, 8.5 for value) Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with six scores of at least 9. “Well-balanced with a nice, long gripping finish.” My score: 9.1. “Ripe blueberry flavors and black cherries. Rich and smooth.” Houstonian Michael Stewart put down wine roots in Napa Valley, Calif., in 1999. The Nomad fruit, 100 percent cabernet, is from the Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard near St. Helena. Paul Hobbs consults with the Stewart winery, working with resident winemaker Blair Guthrie. Alcohol: 14.5 percent. Price: $174.99 at Spec’s
2016 Fetzer Shaly Loam Gewürztraminer
Overall score: 18.8 (8.8 for quality, 10 for value) Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with four scores of 8.9. “Ripe and fruity.” My score: 8.9 “Sweet but crisp. Delicious.” Fetzer dates from 1968, and its wines consistently overdeliver for their price points. The fruit, which was whole-cluster pressed, then fermented in stainless steel with partial lees contact, comes from cool-climate vineyards in Mon- terey County, Calif. John Kane, who spent 14 years working with California wine icon Kent Rosenblum, took over as the winemaker before the 2016 harvest.
Alcohol: 12 percent. Price: $6.99 at Spec’s
2015 Amici Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve
Overall score: 18 (9 for quality, 9 for value) Our tasters: It didn’t work for one taster, but four others gave it a score of at least 9. “Purpleblack in color, smoky campfire notes. Huge!” My score: 9.3. “Big and extracted with layers of flavor. Soft tannins.” Former Houstonian John Harris owns the winery, and Anthony Biagi oversees the cellar. There’s a little cab franc and petit verdot in the blend, which fermented mostly in stainless steel, then aged 20 months in 85 percent new French oak. Received 93 points from James Suckling. Alcohol: 14.7 percent. Price: $64.13 by special order through Spec’s
2016 Nine Hats Benches Vineyard Pinot Gris
Overall score: 18.9 (8.9 for quality, 10 for value) Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with four scores of at least 9. “Lovely floral notes with Meyer lemon. Round, rich fruit.” My score: 8.9. “A lively, fresh, floral, tart wine. Pear and melon notes.” From the Columbia Valley’s Horse Heaven Hills Vineyard, the name refers to the Long Shadows’ team of nine international winemakers. The Benches Vineyard near Walla Walla, Wash., is 1,400 feet above the Columbia River. Alcohol: 14.1 percent. Price: $14 from ninehatswine.com