Some of the Best of the Best Part Two August 28th

Where else in Sarasota County can you sit down and taste well over $1000.00 worth of wine for a fraction of the price? Only here!

 

1-Hartford Court 2017 Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast California
Jeb Dunnuck 99 Rating
Coming from a site on a panoramic ridgetop located at 1150 feet in elevation, west of the town of Occidental and facing Bodega Bay, the 2017 Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard is another magical effort from this estate and is a quintessential Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. White flowers, salty minerality, apple blossom, and tart pineapple all emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied and has a wonderful purity, bright (almost racy) acidity, and a great finish. Brought up in 42% new French oak, it shows almost no trace of its élevage, and while tight and slightly closed on the palate, it’s nevertheless insanely good. Give bottles another year and enjoy over the following decade. R32-5

 

2-Sojourn Cellars 2018 Gaps Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast California
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Rating
A gem of a wine, the 2018 Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard comes from one of the great sites on the Sonoma Coast and saw a touch of stems (10%) and 50% new French oak. Tasting like a mix of a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir with its richness and depth and a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir with its elegance and finesse, this brilliant wine is loaded with wild strawberry and darker berry fruits intermixed with lots violets, spice, pine cone, and forest floor aromas and flavors. It packs plenty of richness and depth on the palate, has awesome tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and no shortage of length on the finish. Don't miss it! R23-1

 

3-Aalto 2020 PS Tempranillo Ribera del Duero Spain
James Suckling 96 Rating
Lots of depth here, with ripe blackberries and some nicely baked black cherries, roasted herbs, incense, dark spices, mussels and a balsamic tinge. An admirably fine dollop of tannins on the palate, which are immaculate and juicy, as they thoroughly dunk into the black fruit, melting into a persistent finish that lasts for over a minute. Very impressive. Drink or hold. R30-1

 

4-Purlieu Wines 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Napa Valley California
Wine Advocate 98 Rating
The deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Cabernet Franc Beckstoffer To Kalon opens with a gorgeous nose of Morello cherries, redcurrant jelly, blackberry pie and stewed red plums plus hints of wilted roses, Ceylon tea, pencil shavings and underbrush. Full-bodied and full-on seductive in the mouth, the soft, velvety-textured palate is laden with rich red and black fruit preserves, featuring loads of floral and mineral accents on the long, long finish. SP11-1

 

5-Sine Qua Non 2017 Grenache The Gorgeous Victim California
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Rating
Tasted from bottle, the deeply hued 2017 Grenache The Gorgeous Victim checks in as 76% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah, and the rest Petite Sirah and Viognier. This deep purple Grenache boasts a savory, almost bloody style that delivers full-bodied aromas and flavors of kirsch, blackberries, ground pepper, graphite, and iron. SP22-6

 

6-Cayuse 2017 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard Walla Walla Valley
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Rating
The only Syrah that includes some Viognier, the 2017 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard (this is the same site used for the Viognier) is always a great representation of the vintage as well as the wines of Christophe Baron. Ruby/purple-hued, with a rocking bouquet of black raspberries, smoked game, black pepper, and spring flowers, it has plenty of classic Rocks funkiness and meaty notes, medium to full body, a core of sweet fruit, and a great, great finish. It ranks with the top two to three wines in this vintage. It opens up nicely with time in the glass and shows well today, and it’s certainly going to cruise for 15+ years or more. R27-2

 

7-La Jota Vineyard 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain Napa Valley California
Wine Advocate 97 Rating
A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is deep garnet-purple colored and features gregarious crème de cassis, black cherry preserves and baked plums with touches of Indian spices, cigar box and charcuterie. Full, firm and decadently fruited, it has a fantastic foundation and very long, layered and expressive finish. Moderately high tannins but beautiful sweetness and fruit. Drink it over the next 25-30 years. SP27-3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions? Text me at 941-404-9685