Category: #oakville

Sometimes you just run across a wine that you want to marry, or at least keep as a mistress. Sex with wine-don’t pretend, you know you have thought about it. Well this is one of those.

Once you pull the cork you are automatically hit with oh the Garden of pleasure, violets, roses and plumeria, ( I was just in Hawaii). Smell is actually 90% of taste. All of my senses are in overdrive now, and I am already tasting, my mouth is flowing juices like an excited virgin. The immensely dark juice pours into the glass. So intriguing, inviting and yet mysterious.

As I pour the wine into my mouth I am hit with WOW just amazing amounts of fruit. Succulent and supple. The intense concentrated flavors that are packed in here are so hard to define individually. But, man oh man, you definitely get the plum, black cherry, licorice. On the end you will note coffee and chocolate. The pleasures of the body all in one bottle. The rich velvety touch of the juice touches my soul. I feel a euphoria coming over me. The long finish with ever so light tannins envelops me, taking control. I am entranced now, my body is begging for more. And more it shall have. I must go now I am about to have a relationship with my wine.

On a more serious note. The Baxter family continues to provide excellence. Phil Baxter Jr. has followed in his fathers footsteps-providing some of the best wines in Napa. Some old world nuances mixed with new world style. Beautiful.

20180227_173610.jpg

This is one of the best wines you will ever have. Not much on the market so if you find it buy it.

$$$

Enjoy

Altra cabernet hails from Atlas Peak, Napa.  It is the “child” of Margo Culcasi and Gerry Moffit, a fitting tribute to a long lasting friendship.  Gerry is the winemaker and is also associated with Kapcsandy, Blankiet and Grace Family.  These wines are of course some of the premier wines of California. So my expectations were high going into this.

Whoa, the nose just about rips through your soul.  The smell of freshly pressed fruit erupts through the air making the nostrils quiver.

Once you pour the juice into your mouth, the rich depth and complexity overloads the senses.  The mouth is watering uncontrollably.  So much is going on.  The taste of cherry, casis, chocolate with hints of wood (cedar) all explode in the mouth.  You would expect big bold tannins that make you pucker.  Instead you have these soft, lovely elegant tannins  that are just beautiful to the mouth.  And, all of these flavors very gradually recede…over like a month.  This is been one of life’s most pleasant experiences.

Enjoy

@80

wp-1462905639354.jpg

The Del Bondio-Poncia family has been growing grapes in Napa for over 100 years.  Their vineyards in Oakville and Rutherford, now farmed by brothers Rich Poncia and Jim Del Bondio, have been producing high quality juice for  fellow wineries for as long. Now producing wine for themselves in a certified organic environment the whole family plays a role in the success of these beautiful rich wines.

Tonight I am tasting the A Meta, a blend of 50% cabernet and 50% syrah.  The wine is the color of garnet. Aromas of ripe black cherry, you know that aroma you get when you first open a jar of cherry jam.  An almost sweet smell , a floral and fruit bouquet.

As I pour the liquid into my mouth my taste buds erupt.  Oh WOW there is so much happening. First the fruit hits you square.  That unbelievable flavor, a rich cherry, plum mix that coats and soothes.  Next you notice the soft notes of coffee and chocolate, oh yes you do, followed with a very slight hint of tobacco.  Pepper and spice linger well after you have swallowed.  Firm tannins finish off.  Unbelievable.  An amazing complex wine.

Enjoy

wpid-20150711_190232.jpgwpid-20150711_191038.jpg

As you see I paired this with a piece of chocolate cake,  I wish you could taste this now, my mouth is watering