Winery - Bell
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Shows overripeness in the raisin flavors that accompany cherries and cassis. A fairly unbalanced wine that’s probably at its best now.
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Bell Merlot - 2003
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
There’s a sharpness, a cutting acidity to this wine that hits you immediately and makes everything else hard to appreciate. Too bad, because the tannins are lush and the fruit and oak seem to be very nice.
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Bell Merlot - 2003
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Off in quality from previous vintages, Bell’s ’04 Bordeaux blend has a naggingly weedy, chlorophyll edge to the cherry and blackberry flavors. It’s not going anywhere in the cellar.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a nice, easy-drinking Merlot, but it also has enough complexity to pair with a good cut of meat. It’s dry and shows stylishly fine tannins that frame rich flavors of blackberries, cherries, licorice and cola.
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Bell Merlot - 2006
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A good wine, but lean and herbal for such a ripe vintage. The dominant flavors are of sage, tobacco and coffee, accompanied by some tough tannins. Theinish turns tannic and gritty. Try aging, but it’s a gamble. —S.H.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Soft in the mouth, with a somewhat simple structure, this Syrah’s main virtue is flavor. It’s enormously rich in ripe blackberry- and cherry-pie filling, cola, licorice, mint, chocolate, bacon and pepper flavors, and is fully dry.
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Bell Syrah - 2007
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The wine tastes like it comes from hot country, as indeed this 2,200-foot high vineyard is during the summer. It’s too soft in both acids and tannins, but makes up for it with deliciously sweet, but dry, chocolate-covered cherry and blackberry flavors that have quite a bit of sophistication.
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Bell Syrah - 2004
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The earthy nose never completely sheds its slightly green quality, but everything else is right on the money. It’s full-bodied, with a soft, sensual mouthfeel. Nice cassis fruit and some layered oak appear on the finish. Good acidity sparks a juicy mouthfeel, and there’s character and depth throughout.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A bit tough and gritty in tannins, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was grown in the Beckstoffer III vineyard. It shows herb-infused flavors of red and black cherries and plenty of cedar. Drink now through 2011.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This one has some of Syrah’s patented " funky" aromas, such as sauerkraut, prunes, barnyard and pepper. But in the mouth, it offers plenty of sweet berry fruit, spice and mocha. The wood influence here is heavy, but not overpowering or offensive - just be prepared for some oak-driven individuality.
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Bell Syrah - 1997
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