Napa Valley red wines
side as well as a beautiful freshness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of ripe / crunchy cassis, juicy black cherry and small notes of crunchy red berries associated with small hints of Zan, tobacco, cardamom as well as very discreet toasted hints / vanilla, crushed almond and chocolate. Tannins are fine, elegant, young and a bit firm. There are very discreet hints of hazelnut / almond and an imperceptible hint of tea (in the background) on the persistence. Beautiful, gourmande and juicy persistence. Small chews on the finish / persistence.
Score : 17.5/20 (95/100)
Joseph Phelps - Insignia 2015, Estate Grown
Napa Valley
The nose is fruity, elegant and offers a beautiful juiciness as well as a beautiful expression of the fruit. It reveals notes of crunchy / juicy cassis, crunchy blackberries, small notes of crunchy strawberry and touches of fleshy / juicy raspberry combined with small toasted touches, tonka bean, tea, a very discreet hint of cardamom as well as an imperceptible hint of almond and nutmeg. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, slightly fleshy, precise, elegant and offers a good definition, a beautiful gourmandise, a beautiful texture, a beautiful straightness, suavity, a beautiful expression of the fruit as well as a good structure. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy cassis and small notes of crunchy Gariguette strawberry combined with slight touches of fresh / juicy raspberry, chocolate, caramelization as well as hints of Bourbon vanilla, toasted hints and an imperceptible hint of tea / camphor (in the background). Tannins are elegant and a bit mellow. Good length. There is an imperceptible touch of coffee on the aftertaste. (2022+)
Score : 18+/20 (96-97/100)
Beringer - Merlot 2014, Brancroft Ranch Vineyard - Howell Mountain
Napa Valley
The nose is fruity, concentrated and offers power. It reveals notes of blackberry, cassis and liquorice associated with touches of blueberry and very discreet hints of spices, Zan and tobacco. The palate is fruity, welll-balanced, tense and offers a good definition, a slight acid frame, concentration, power, a slight suavity, a very slight freshness, a fine grain as well as a very slightly grainy sensation. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blackberry and cassis associated with touches of Zan, tobacco, cardamom, small touches of cinnamon as well as very discreet oaky hints and dark chocolate. Tannins are a bit grainy. Good length.
Score : 16+/20 (92-93/100)
Beringer - Private Reserve 2014, Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
The nose is elegant, concentrated and offers power (but full of balance) as well as richness. It reveals notes of cassis, crushed blackberry and small notes of liquorice associated with touches of raspberry, blueberry, Zan, liquorice as well as discreet hints of tobacco, cardamom and camphor. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, a slight acidulous frame, tension, elegance, a certain small richness, freshness, density, a beautiful suavity, a very slight tight matter as well as finesse. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, crushed cassis and small notes of black cherry, liquorice, tobacco associated with slight touches of sweet spices as well as a discreet touch of black pepper and very discreet hints of coffee. Tannins are slightly grainy and a bit chewy. There is a discreet hint of hazelnut on the persistence.
Score : 17.75/20 (95-96/100)
Beringer - Private Reserve 2013, Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
The nose is aromatic, elegant and offers a slight richness (but full of elegance). It reveals notes of wild blackberry, cassis and small notes blueberry, wild strawberry associated with touches of liquorice, cocoa, smoke, camphor, wood and a very discreet hint of flowers. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a beautiful definition, a slight juiciness, a slight acidulous frame, minerality, a beautiful complexity as well as a very slight austerity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of cassis, black cherry, blackberry and small notes of small wild berries associated with fine touches of cocoa, Zan, camphor, smoke as well as a discreet hint of tobacco / cedar. Tannins are fine, elegant, numerous and a small firm. Good length and persistence. There are slight hints of almond on the persistence.
Score : 18/20 (96/100)