Winery - Selene
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
What a rich wine this is. It shows ripe varietal character in the tangerine, fig and cantaloupe flavors, but more than that, a white Bordeaux-inspired interventionist technique brings a leesy, oaky creaminess. Add to that refreshingly crisp Carneros acidity, and the bottom line is great Sauvignon Blanc.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Dry, ripe and exotic. Made from the Musqué clone, it shows melon, lime, mineral and white pepper flavors, with a touch of New Zealand-style gooseberry, brightened with crisp acidity. There are some green, feline notes that will make the wine controversial. Tasted twice.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
From this well-known Carneros vineyard comes this lighter lemon-lime SB with mixed citrus flavors and intense acidity. It’s a medium-weight wine with a rather short pineapple finish. It has some creaminess to the mouthfeel, but overall it just doesn’t ring the right bells to rate higher. Made by Mia Klein of Etude fame.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Exorbitantly fruity, almost undrinkable because it’s so strong in blackberries, cherries, currants and cocoa. The fruit strength seems to accentuate the smoky oak. But it’s balanced in terms of acidity, tannins and dryness. Desperately needs a few years. Better after 2012.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A delicious, complex Merlot, although all the parts haven’t come together and it needs time in the cellar. It’s extraordinarily rich in oak-inspired black cherries, red currants, violets, cocoa, spices and sweet sandalwood, and it should develop nuance and bottle bouquet after 2012.
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Selene Merlot - 2007
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Marked by a great big burst of ripe fruit, this Merlot is distinctly New World in origin. You can taste the sunshine in the purity of the blackberry, cherry and plum flavors. With complex but soft tannins, it’s so polished, you can drink it by itself.
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Selene Merlot - 2006
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is quite a rich, fashionable Sauvignon Blanc. It hails from a well-regarded vineyard on the Napa side of the appellation, and was lees-aged in 30% new oak, with the rest in stainless steel. The malolactic fermentation was prevented, resulting in savory, apple-crisp acidity. The wine is rich in green apple, Meyer lemon, lime and gooseberry flavors that finish utterly dry.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Plenty going on here. The nose is more oblique than fruity, with herb, anise, vanilla bean and baked apple. Unexpectedly crisp and stony on the palate, with bright, full-force pineapple, yellow apple and stone fruits. Not heavy, and finishes clean. A lively, balanced wine. Excellent for the region.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
From Mia Klein, this is a seriously good Cabernet Sauvignon, even better than the winery’s fine 2004. It shows a great balance of ripe tannins and fine acidity, with a judicious application of smoky oak. The flavors, of black currants and ripe mashed black cherries, have complex overtones of dark chocolate, olive tapenade and mushu plum sauce. Gorgeous now, and should age effortlessly for a decade.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Napa Cab doesn’t get any richer than this. It really sets the New World standard, with almost dessert levels of blackberries, cassis, plums, cherries, chocolate, elaborate new oak, the works. Also in the modern style are the tannins, as ripe, soft and sweet as butter. But it’s probably not an ager, and will be problematic at food pairing. From Mia Klein, it’s more of a tasting wine.
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