Sloan Asterisk Proprietary Red Blend 2013
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
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Winemaker Notes
Since its debut with the 2004 vintage, Asterick Proprietary Red represents the second selection from Sloan Estate, showcasing an alternate yet elegant and compelling expression of the terroir. Charming and bold, it is made from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Produced under the same obsessive attention to detail and unyielding standards as Sloan, Asterick is juicy and sensual, offering an explosion of fruit aromas and flavors. While it holds the promise of aging potential, it is a splendidly inviting wine that is intended to satisfy the desire for instant gratification.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Following the 2014, the 2013 Asterisk is more backward and masculine, with lots of chocolaty dark fruits, ground herbs, licorice, and scorched earth. It packs ample fruit as well as structure on the palate, and it’s beautifully balanced. Most 2013s are still in need of additional bottle age, and that’s certainly the case here. Give bottles another 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades. Rating: 95+
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2013 Asterisk comes bursting forth with crème de cassis, wild blueberries and black cherries scents with touches of dark chocolate mints, lilacs, black tea and espresso plus wafts of cardamom and cumin. Full-bodied, rich, boldly fruited and oh-so-decadent, it fills the mouth with generous black fruit layers, finishing with a minty lift.
Other Vintages
2016-
James
Suckling -
Jeb
Dunnuck
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
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Jeb
Dunnuck -
Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
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James
Suckling
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James
Suckling
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.