Liquor

Great old world style cab from CA. Graphite nose with blackberry, blueberry, baking spice and mint Flavors start out interestingly earth driven with graphite, spice and soil then lead to fruit notes of blueberry and blackberry. Short length dry finish. --Seth Ransom

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DESCRIPTION With each vintage of the acclaimed Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, the Beringer Winemaker chooses the best lots from our reserve vineyards in the Napa Valley, each of which demonstrate remarkable expression of terroir. Beringer’s extraordinary collection of vineyards is the result of a significant and decades-long relationship between viticulture and winemaking. VINOUS “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is fabulous. As always, the Private Reserve is built on a core of Howell Mountain fruit. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, grilled herb, spice and licorice all flesh out in the glass. The Private Reserve packs a serious punch, but like all the 2018s shows a more refined expression of tannin that really elevates it.” - Antonio Galloni, March 2021   JAMESSUCKLING.COM “Wild blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, tobacco and dark spice on the nose. Dried violets, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, powdery tannins and a creamy texture. Intense, yet restrained and refined, with a solid core of dark berries and bitter chocolate. Really focused and crafted with exemplary Napa cabernet character.” - James Suckling, January 2021

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Winemaker Notes These Côte-Rôtie vines include holdings in the Le Champin, Leyat, Côte Blonde, Les Moutonnes, La Brosse, Fongeant, and Le Champin lieux-dits. The vineyards are split between the steep inclines guarding the slopes above the town of Ampuis and the flat plateau, which has been planted since the 1960s. Critical Acclaim Jeb Dunnuck Closer in style to the 2018 than the 2017, the 2019 Cote Rotie is a big, rich, powerful Côte Rôtie that has loads of meaty, gamey black fruits, smoked herb, pepper, and chocolate-like aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, a round, layered texture, terrific tannins, and a great finish, it's a powerhouse yet traditional Côte Rôtie that will need 4-5 years to shed its baby fat yet evolve for 20+ years.Barrel Sample: 93-95 Decanter Very ripe, dark plum aromas with a touch of currant and cinnamon. It is dense and deep, with marked acidity for the vintage. A good sense of freshness, with some floral hints behind the ripe fruit. Not extracted, no heaviness – it's medium-bodied, but with impressive impact and detail. The wood is noticeable at this early stage, but it's well-judged and I think it will meld nicely into the wine with time. There’s precision, freshness and lightness of touch even though the fruit is very ripe. Impressive.

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James Suckling 96 points, James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com: “Sweet berry, orange peel, cedar, bark and forest flower aromas follow through to a medium to full body, with linear and fine tannins and a crunchy undertone. It’s very subtle and fresh for a 2017. Crisp and vivid. It’s refined and acid-driven. Needs three to four years more to soften. Try after 2026.” 04/23 Other 96 Points, Aubrey Frick, www.jebdunnuck.com: “The 2017 Brunello Di Montalcino is surprising in its freshness, considering the warmth of the vintage, and speaks to the cooler, northern-facing exposition of the estate. It is refined with ripe red cherry, raspberry, anise, and incense and is fresh with cherry fruit, warming spices, macchia, and herbes de Provence. It is ripe though it maintains a medium frame, with well-managed tannins and balanced acidity. It is a lovely and charming wine and is rather approachable now. Drink 2024-2040.” 03/23

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Aromas of sliced citrus, cherry and flowers follow through to a medium body, with creamy tannins and crunchy fruit at the finish. Lovely combination of fruit and acidity. Very drinkable now but will age nicely.--JAMES SUCKLING The 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino is pure and energetic, with ripe cherry fruit, rose petals, orange zest, and spice. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and ripe, soft, supple fruit throughout, it is energetic and long on the palate, with a soft, coating mineral texture. Elegant, pure, and warming on the finish, with no harsh edges, its floral perfume lingers with notes of lavender, red berries, and refreshing salinity.  --JEB DUNNUCK

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Winemaker Notes The 2016 Arise offers a rich attack with sweet, plush tannins and notes of cherry, plum, and smoked duck in a long finish of coffee, plum, and blueberry. An ideal 2016 harvest season resulted in rich fruit of uncompromised character. The 2016 Arise is Blackbird at its core of supple winemaking. Blend: 55% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot.

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Excellent Napa representation of a Bordeaux blend. Went very well with Chipotle beef burrito. Deep ruby color throughout with long, thick legs. Nose of dark fruit, leather and toast. Opening of black fruit favoring black cherry and black plum with dried leaves, violets, licorice and granite. Medium-plus bodied and medium acidity with lovely, complex tannins that emerge slowly and fade gracefully. Peace and cheers! --Ed Lamb

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Professional reviews ROBERT PARKER (94) The 2018 Prince of Hearts Paradise Hills Vineyard is composed of 48.8% Merlot, 48.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.7% Cabernet Franc and 1.2% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with notes of black plum preserves, Morello cherries, black raspberries and redcurrant jelly with suggestions of cedar chest, menthol, pencil lead and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has great intensity with a real skip in its step, featuring bold, crunchy fruit and rounded tannins with seamless freshness and a fragrant finish. JEB DUNNUCK (97) Checking in as close to an even split of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with around 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2018 Prince Of Hearts Red offers a stunning, Bordeaux-like nose of red and black currants, new leather, lead pencil, graphite, and bouquet garni. With medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, classy background oak, and a great finish, this head turner has plenty of richness, yet it's the balance, purity, and texture that keep you coming back to the glass. Bravo!

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WINEMAKER'S NOTES: Baby Blue is always built for pleasure right out of the gate and this beautifully aromatic rendition is no exception. Loads of rich red and black fruits, plus a delightful hint of blueberry, all get the party started. This is followed up by a nice compliment of baking spices, vanilla, a kiss of gentle herbs, and just the right amount of beautiful French oak and earthy goodness to round things out on the finish. Wonderful length and supple tannins make for easy enjoyment of this joyous red. Perhaps the most versatile of Blue Rock's wines, you can pair this Baby Blue with just about any meal you care to match with a nice red. Of course grilled meats always come to mind, but poultry in rich sauces or exotic global cuisine such as Indian, Thai or Vietnamese will work equally well.

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Tasting notes This wine has a dark, intense colour, with hints of violet. The nose reveals a complex mix of aromas including raspberry, black pepper, violets, cloves and subtle notes of dark chocolate. On the palate the wine is well-balanced with a refreshing acidity and ripe tannins that contribute to the harmony and smoothness of the palate. This wine will reveal its complexity with further bottle ageing. This is one of the first vintages of Caro to be predominantly Malbec based.

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Dark red in color. Long legs in rhe glass. Nose of leather, tobacco and cedar. In the palate notes of oak, vanilla, and black fruit. Medium body, high tannins, medium acidity with a long and round finish. Had this at the Beach House of very speacial friends and family, paired with an assorted BBQ medley of chorizos, picanhas and new york steaks. --Carlos E Duque Chevalier

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