Gonzalez Byass Una Palma
The Macharnudo and Carrascal ‘pagos’ (estates) deliver an expression of the best of our land in this intense, salty, richly flavoured and mineral Fino. The solera comprises 139 barrels that undergo biological ageing for more than 6 years. Three have been selected for this release, numbers 84, 11 and 90, from the second floor of the Gran Bodega Tío Pepe.
The three barrels were selected for their special finesse and delicate nature and because they are a faithful reflection of how Tío Pepe evolves. Barrel 84, 11 and 90 display aromas of breadmaking, almonds, talcum powder and the veil of Flor. The wine is elegant, very dry, richly flavoured, salty and slightly bitter on the palate.
Gonzalez Byass Dos Palmas
This sublime Fino is aged for a very long time, developing flavours that reflect a perfect balance between the soil and the veil of flor. For this release of Dos Palmas, we selected numbers 87 and 76 of the 148 barrels that make up this solera, on the second floor of the Gran Bodega Tío Pepe.
A deep golden colour with amber glints and delicate tears. Complex on the nose, with prominent aromas of flor. Sharp and piquant with nutty aromas, it displays a great balance between the albariza soil and an old fino aged in the winery. These two barrels reveal the splendour of the flor. The barrels selected this year were numbers 87 and 76.
Orin Swift Blank Stare 2018
Every now and then when tasting wine, you come across one that makes you fall into its gravity. One moment you’re having a great time with friends and the next you’re stuck with your nose in the glass—time stands still and you appear to have a blank stare on your face. The gravitational pull makes time stop. In fact, the third iteration of Blank Stare follows in the footsteps of two great vintages for Sauvignon Blanc. Sourced primarily from the Laguna Ranch, MacMurray and Two Rock vineyards, the wine’s main premise is to do just that, make time stand still with glass in hand, just for a few seconds.
Glowing in the glass, the aromatics concentrate with notes of lemongrass, fresh cut grass and hints of lavender, cream and jasmine. On the palate, the entry is all acidity but with a serious mid-palate—lively flavors of kiwi, lime and intriguing minerality. The finish is bright and youthful with a slight Meyer lemon rind closing out the wine.
Orin Swift Blank Stare 2019
A glowing pale straw with a striking touch of chartreuse sits in the glass. Aromatically, the wine pops with lime zest, gooseberries, ripe passionfruit, fresh cut grass and lemon bars. On the entry, the acidity acts like a belt, constraining the voluptuousness; similar taste profiles to the nose plus crispy green apples and the faintest hint of fresh sage abound. The finish is reminiscent of ripe kiwi and limoncello, teetering on a beam of lingering acidity.
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
"Expressive and fragrant, with honeysuckle, candied ginger, tangerine and lemon curd flavors on a full, fleshy frame. A fresh thread of acidity keeps the flavors bright and focused, with accents of matcha green tea, dried white flowers and spice lingering on the finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases made." - 92 points, MaryAnn Worobiec, Senior Editor and Napa Bureau Chief at Wine Spectator
Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Our Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon was handcrafted from grapes 100 percent from the legendary Monte Rosso Vineyard. This impressive, fullbodied red wine has great depth and a surprisingly soft mouthfeel for such concentrated fruit. The wine swirls with aromas that include black cherry, earth and the classic Monte Rosso spice. On the palate, it offers red and dark fruit flavors including raspberry and blackberry, plus black fig and hints of dusty chocolate and espresso. Aging in French and American Oak created assertive-but-smooth tannins that melt seamlessly into a lingering, elegant finish filled with flavors of anise, toasted oak and vanilla.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"This bold, flavorful wine offers well-integrated tones of red currant, dried cherry, dusty leather and clove. Savory and profound in elongated tannins, it holds its powerful ripeness and structure with pride, showing the stuffing to age well." - Wine Enthusiast, 93 points
"Well-crafted, offering a complex mix of rich berry and cherry fruit, with scents of dried herb and licorice that are supple and refined, gliding along on the palate to a happy finish. Drink now through 2028. 1,750 cases made." - 92 points, James Laube, Senior Editor at Wine Spectator
Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Our Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon was handcrafted from grapes 100 percent from the legendary Monte Rosso Vineyard. This impressive, fullbodied red wine has great depth and a surprisingly soft mouthfeel for such concentrated fruit. The wine swirls with aromas that include black cherry, earth and the classic Monte Rosso spice. On the palate, it offers red and dark fruit flavors including raspberry and blackberry, plus black fig and hints of dusty chocolate and espresso. Aging in French and American Oak created assertive-but-smooth tannins that melt seaMLessly into a lingering, elegant finish filled with flavors of anise, toasted oak and vanilla.
Varietal : 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"High-toned and rich cabernet with lots of dark-berry, chocolate and vanilla character. Iron, too. Full-bodied, dense and layered. A little old-school, but lots of richness at the end." - 93 points, James Suckling
Orin Swift Mercury Head 2018
Dark violet with a ruby crown, the wine exhibits classic Napa Cabernet aromatics with our style: black fruits—plum and cherry—dark chocolate, leather and Rutherford Dust coalesce from the glass. The entry is elegant and begins to flood the palate with notes of cassis, blackberry, blueberry, caramel and a touch of brown sugar and cinnamon: rich and bold. Seamless and focused, the wine closes with lingering dusty tannins and a touch of baking chocolate.
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot