Winery - Nickel & Nickel
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A big Chard that will satisfy fans of ripe, oily fruit with a lavish overlay of oak. The flavors range from apples to peaches and sweet tropical fruits, wrapped in a buttercream texture. Finishes dry and spicy.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The winery specializes in single-vineyard wines, and this is certainly a unique Chardonnay, but it’s not an opulent one. On the contrary, it’s flinty, acidic and raspingly dry, which makes one think it was picked early. It’s almost like a Sauvignon Blanc, with its puckery lemon flavors.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
An enormously rich, extracted Cabernet, with dramatically layered blackberry, black currant and dark chocolate flavors, liberally accented with smoky new oak. The wine finishes bone dry, with considerable tannic astringency. Too tough and gritty to drink now, but should develop effortlessly over the next 6–8 years, at the very least.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Dark as midnight and very tannic and dry, this 100% Cabernet is somewhat forbidding in its turbulent youth. It’s very astringent and chewy, and the palate has to work to bite through to the core of blackberries, black cherries and cassis. Has all the hallmarks of a wine that will benefit from extended aging. Give it at least until 2012 and try again.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Impresses with its opulence and decadence. Soft, almost too soft, in texture, with a velvety, melted fudge mouthfeel that carries flavors of chocolate, vanilla, blackberry, cassis, spices and smoky oak across the palate through a long finish. A bit of a letdown in the middle palate.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This dry, tannic Merlot has simple flavors that are a bit unripe. There’s a green-bean streak that just barely breaks into coffeebean and plum. It’s not going anywhere.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Fairly soft for an ’05 Russian River Chard, this is very well-oaked and bone dry. The mouthfilling fruit has a spicy, pie-filling quality, and ranges from green apple and pineapple to honeydew and kumquat.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Co-released with N&N’s Suscol Ranch Merlot. This one’s as ripe in currant, black cherry and chocolate fruit, and the tannins are as intricate and complex. Seems just a shade less complete, although it’s still a dazzling wine.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The vineyard has been a reliable source of Chardonnays that display a good Carneros character. Acidity is never a problem, and the wines often have a Chablis-like minerality. Ripeness varies by vintage; this wine is from a cooler season, and shows lime zest and tart green apple flavors that new oak has made creamy and rich.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Aromas of ripe cantaloupe, vanilla and tropical fruits plus creamy malolactic notes show on the nose of this limited-production Napa Chardonnay. This offering, a distinct label from the proprietors of Far Niente, has apple, pear and white peach flavors. Expect caramel and nut accents on a smoothly textured, buttery palate. The finish is long and dry—you’ll see a reprise of the nutty elements plus a hint of lime.
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