Winery - De Sante
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A big Cabernet, made from hilly vineyards on the eastern side of the appellation. It’s rugged in tannins, with a sandpapery mouthfeel, but with a massive core of perfectly ripened blackberries, cherries, currants and unsweetened chocolate. Very rich and dramatic. Give it until after 2009 to knit together.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
An average, everyday Cab, dense and soft, made in the style of ripe fruit and lots of oak. Tasted twice, with considerable bottle variation.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a richly sweet Chardonnay, made in the popular style, for drinking now. The orange, pineapple and apricot flavors are savory, and the oak gives caramel notes.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Very dry, acidic and minerally, this is not one of those lush, decadent Chardonnays. It shows controlled flavors of citrus fruits, pears, wet stones and spices. The malolactic fermentation was prevented, giving it tangy acidity. Give it a try with shellfish and roast salmon.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Too strong in green, feline smells and tastes, this dry, sharp wine has modest flavors of grapefruits and lemons.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Largely Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a tough, young bruiser. It’s very tannic now, but very fruity, with balancing acidity. Should purr along nicely for 10 years or so.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
De Sante has struggled with Sauvignon Blanc over the years, and while this blend, with 40% Sémillon, contains some good citrus flavor, it’s aggressive in drily sour green pyrazines.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
What’s so delightful about this Cabernet is that it shows classic Oakville structure in a wine that’s immediately drinkable. While it will take bottle age, it’s elegant and enjoyable now, with refined tannins and a brisk hit of acidity framing dry flavors of blackberries and black currants that close an earthy hint of mint and herbs. A worthy followup to the ’05.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A terrific Cabernet marked by the superbly ripe, fine tannins and classic blackberry and black currant fruit Napa so routinely delivers. Fully dry, it feels rich and full-bodied and important in the mouth, a wine to drink with fine foods and linger over as it breathes in the glass. Good now, after a brief decant.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
De Sante has produced a wine that goes beyond the usual Sauvignon Blanc. It has good varietal character, with adequate acidity backing up citrus, melon, fig and tropical fruit flavors. But there’s a structural complexity that must be due to Napa Valley’s terroir.
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