Wine & Spirits

Winemaker Notes The deep red-purple color gives the hint of what follows in the nose and mouth. Aromas of black plums, black currants, sweet aromatic herbs, talcum powder, and tar combine to produce a bouquet that is so evocative of the Coombsville area in late fall. It enters the palate with a thick and sweet sensation, flows evenly to all corners of the mouth, and then tapers to a clean and polished finish. This is a classic beauty of a wine. Blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 2% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot

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Winemaker Notes Deep violet-ruby-red in color. Sena is complex and intense on the nose, with abundant fresh red fruit that recalls raspberries and cherries harmoniously mingled with notes of cinnamon and red tobacco, along with a light touch of incense and cedar. The palate confirms what the nose perceived and shows a predominance of red fruit nicely accompanied by sweet spices, a balsamic touch, and flavours that recall hazelnuts and walnuts. Vibrantly textured with fine-grained tannins lend liveliness and structure to the blend in a wine that is long and very elegant. With refreshing acidity, all signs point to a wine with tremendous longevity in the bottle. Blend: 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Carmenere,12% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot Critical Acclaim Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2010 Sena is more generous on the nose than the 2009, with crisp, ripe blackberry, boysenberry and graphite notes that are tightly coiled and, at the moment, not as expressive as the 2009. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. This is silky smooth in the mouth, harmonious and the oak is deftly interwoven into the structure. This is a sophisticated Sena. Drink 2014-2022.

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N° 14 is the third opus from the “COLLECTION AYALA,” a set of cuvees produced in limited quantities, unveiled only as they approach their peak level of drinkability. This ephemeral cuvee is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir — including Grand Cru Aÿ red wine. Thanks to its extended ageing in the cellar and a low dosage of 5.3 grams/liter, N° 14 expertise, the ephemeral cuvée N°14 is composed of the five emblematic Grands Crus that form the backbone of the House’s blends. Caroline Latrive wanted to work the crus in equal proportions, exclusively from the 2014 vintage and for the first time in a rosé version.

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Fleur de Miraval shows a very gentle and bright rosé colour, a vivid mousse with fine bubbles. The nose starts out elegantly – layered and nuanced with chalky notes, roasted hazelnut, marzipan, fresh butter, pink citrus and lemongrass. After some time in the glass the Pinot enters with crushed raspberry, cherry and pain d´épice notes. The palate is nicely built, showing great flavour intensity and an invigorating freshness. It´s classically bone dry (4,5 grams of dosage) with a chalky presence , balanced by a mellow creaminess. Flavours of marzipan, confit de citron and peach with layers of mature nuttiness and fine pastry. Elegantly built with great persistency and precision. Drinks truly well today but should certainly improve from further cellaring.

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Winemaker Notes Bright red with purple nuances. Respectable acidity and PH and a beautiful balance of musts that are well structured but harmonious and fruity. Blending wines with a non-invasive structure, a good balance in terms of acidity and density of the wine, combined with soft and well-integrated tannins. Beautiful spiciness. A pleasant palate of every day wine drinking, with juicy red fruits. A very good wine that is meant to be enjoyed young. Pair with grilled steak or steak salad, hamburgers and other casual but flavorful beef dishes. Has good acidity to compliment marinara and bolognese sauces. Critical Acclaim Vinous The 2021 Le Difese is redolent of crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, lavender, spice and sweet pipe tobacco. Medium in body yet nicely layered, the 2021 is impeccably balanced. It is also a sheer delight to taste at this early stage. In many vintages, Le Difese is a fruity, forward wine, but the 2021 has a nervy feeling of classicism that is hugely appealing. It's one of my favorite recent vintages. As it has been for some time, Le Difese is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from the estate and Sangiovese purchased from several properties in Chianti Classico, with the energy of Sangiovese very much driving the feel in this vintage. Decanter Le Difese in 2021 sports a majority of Sangiovese – 55% – in a break from the traditional 70/30 split in favour of Cabernet Sauvignon. Third-generation at Tenuta San Guido, Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta, explained that this decision was made to enhance the wine's 'local Tuscan' character, and to improve its drinkability early on as 'a first step into the Tenuta San Guido world.' While the Cabernet is grown on the estate, the Sangiovese is sourced, as always, from long–term partners based in Chianti Rufina. Bright, incredibly vibrant red, black and blue fruits introduce subtle, finely grained tannins with notes of wood and chocolate. It's at once juicy, tangy and crunchy, with good ripeness and great acidity. Matured for eight months in used barriques.

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With a touch of subtle effervescence, it starts with lively notes of crisp green apple, lemon curd, fennel, and notable hints of oil from tuna can or iron-like minerality. It showcases a truly unique and enjoyable character which I can say a pure Chablis. Nice wine, however, due to its rarity, it's very pricey though. --Youngrok Kim    

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The name Dana is Sanskrit, translating to “the Spirit of Generosity” and ties in to the “generosity” that nature gives each year with its production. In addition, each bottle of Dana Estates contains 12 lotus flowers, each representing the 12 months of the calendar year. Lotus flowers signify rebirth and symbolize the rebirth that the vineyards experience every year. Phillip Melka winemaker extraordinaire has crafted a truly extraordinary single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that appeals to serious wine enthusiasts and collectors. Only 300 cases produced. Vinous - 97 Points "Graphite, crushed rocks, smoke, melted road tar, black fruit and incense explode from the glass in the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard. A huge, structured wine, the 2011 boasts stunning depth, power and richness. The intense salinity of the vintage and the trademark Dana intensity of fruit meld together in a Cabernet of true distinction. What a gorgeous wine this is. This is the first vintage to incorporate more than the original first acre of plantings. The first vintages were pure clone 1 Cabernet, while subsequent vintages include See clone fruit as well. The 2011 was fermented in barrel and spent 21 months in oak, 100% new." (November 2013) James Suckling - 97 Points "Amazing aromas of blackberries, blueberries, mushrooms and violets. Full body with a dense, precise palate and a firm, intense finish. Masculine but formed and polished. This needs at least four or five years to come even more together. " (May 2014) Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 93 Points

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Winemaker Notes Deep dark color. On the nose aromas of cold chimenea, Mysore sandalwood, Dhofar incense, fresh crushed ripe strawberries, plum and candied cherry. On the palate it is voluptuous and spicy, very seductive and round with extremely soft dense tannins and long salty mineral finish. Critical Acclaim James Suckling Now we see the reality of what this is. Dark berries, blackcurrants, wet earth, spices and slate. Full-bodied yet so in check and refined. Cool fruit and fine tannins. Glorious. Pretty fruit. So together. Needs three or four to come around but beautiful. Wine Enthusiast Heady aromas of black currant, black pepper, baking spices and eucalyptus set the scene for flavors of dark plum, cherry, black tea and ground pepper, with a touch of smoke. Tannins come on a touch strong at first, then subside into a mellow, spice-filled finish. Overall, the feeling on the palate is very luxurious, with a visceral sense of minerality in the mouth.

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Winemaker Notes World's End Good Times Bad Times immediately stacks up to the top tier of To-Kalon producers in its premiere. With the number of wines that emanate from this vineyard, World's End like to think of it as the Clos de Vougeot of the Napa Valley. Made with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Critical Acclaim Wine Enthusiast Brambly and spicy red and black fruit mark this mighty Cabernet, sourced from the famed To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of Oakville. Despite its name it offers only Good Times, a well-composed, unabashedly hedonistic taste of juicy ripe Napa fruit and overtly lush tannins. James Suckling A soft, pretty cabernet with currant, berry and lemon-peel character. Full body with fine tannins and a fruity finish. Fresh and clean.

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This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Elegant and fruit forward. Rich and extracted. Full bodied with medium acidity and spicy. Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries. A great wine to have all by itself. 15.1% alcohol by volume. 95 points--Odedi  93 Points - The Wine Advocate The 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a muscular, yet refined wine. On the nose it offers concentrated dark fruit and mineral notes. The palate yields dark fruit characteristics such as black cherry and cassis. The tannins are fine and well-integrated. Good structure, lovely acidity, freshness and vibrancy. 

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Winemaker Notes The 2014 “IX Estate” exhibits a bouquet that marries richness with nuance. The vintage highlights the subtleties of each site. The classic black cherry and licorice at the foundation of this wine are threaded together beautifully with notes of Provençal herbs, iron mineral, and scorched earth. Fresh botanical herbal notes and savory bay leaf show the classicism of Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon itself. The complex flavors are pure and delineated; its immense subtleties are intoxicating. The seamless texture of the 2014 “IX Estate” is suave and smooth, such that its elegance belies its intensity. Blend: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot Critical Acclaim Robert Parker's Wine Advocate From their steep hillside vineyards on Pritchard Hill, the 2014 Proprietary Red IX Estate is an old-fashioned Médoc blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, but with some Cabernet Franc (rarely seen in the Médoc these years) as well as Merlot and Petit Verdot. Striking aromatics of violets, forest floor, loamy soil nuances, blueberry, black raspberry and blackberry soar from the glass of this spectacular 2014. The acidity seems reasonable but on the lower side, the texture is magnificent, and the overall purity and equilibrium flawless. This is a wine pushing, even demanding, a three-digit score once again, but I’m holding back – at least for now. This magnificent effort from Colgin should drink beautifully for 25-30 years.Rating: 98+ James Suckling Gorgeous aromas of lean pencil, blackcurrants and raspberries. So perfumed and glorious. Full-bodied, chewy and intense with great length and intensity. Silky and muscular yet agile and energetic. Needs three to four years to resolve some of the tannins. Better in 2020.

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