Winery - Stonegate
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Normally used as a minor blending grape with Cabernet, Petit Verdot is difficult to make interesting by itself, and this one is no exception. Midnight black, raspingly dry and fiercely tannic, it has tobacco, cherry and oak flavors. Might someday evolve into something, but who knows.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Loveliness in a glass, this finely etched Merlot benefits from the vintage's richness and great vineyards. The aromas are a delight, brimming with blackberry, cassis, mocha and smoke, and leading to deep, satisfying flavors and a velvety texture. Classy and delicious, and sturdy tannins suggest midterm ageability.
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Stonegate Merlot - 1999
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
There’s not much oak in this very fruity, crisp wine, with fig, citrus flavors veering into tropical fruits, and a cinnamon and chocolate finish. The texture is lush, supple and creamy.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
As part of a blend, this PV would bring darkness, depth of flavor and tannins to the finished wine. On its own, it’s, well, dark, deep and tannic. The flavors veer toward dark stone fruits and black berries, with a coffee earthiness.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
All four of Stonegate’s Bordeaux single-varietal wines, including this one, share the same characteristics of dryness, rich fruitiness and strong, dry tannins. They march against the prevailing soft, gooey style, and seem to be built for cellaring. Try holding this Cab past 2007.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
It’s extraordinarily, mouth-numbingly tannic, and acidic, too, but even that can’t stop the cascade of blackberries and black currants from throttling the mouth. This is an ageable wine, well able to stand and improve beyond 2010.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Almost black and Smells youthful, with cassis and oak aromas. Then you taste. The first impression is tannins. They’re thick and firm and will take years to melt. But the core of blackberry fruit suggests the wait will be worth it. It’s also nice to taste a Napa Cabernet that actually has tannins these days.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Light on fruit, with blackberry and cassis flavors that are a bit thin in the middle, this wine is nonetheless distinguished. You have those beautiful Napa tannins, acidity and structure, and fine toasty oak; even though it’s not a blockbuster, the finish is full of sweet, limpid fruit.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Not bad for this vintage, which has ended up thinner than originally thought. The grapes had to struggle to ripen, and you can taste the tension between greenness and sweetness. Quite a bit of oak adds charred, smoky, vanilla notes and a glyceriny sweetness. This is elegant stuff; not a big wine, but it is very well made and its pedigree is obvious.
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Stonegate Merlot - 1998
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Somehow, this fine winery gets left off a lot of “best of” lists, which makes it a great value, especially from a super vintage like ‘97. This is serious Napa Cabernet, filled with fancy black currant, cassis and mocha, and complex with toasty oak. It’s very dry and elegant, one of those wines that fills the palate with the most sumptuous flavors and textures. It’s so focused, it’s delicious now, but there’s no doubt it will age and improve for a long time.
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