Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Gorgeous Cabernet, offering a mix of ripe, rich, fleshy currant and blackberry fruit, with hints of herb, olive and sage. Finishes with a firm, structured backbone and ripe tannins giving it depth and richness.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
While the 13,000-case cuvee of 1999 Cinq Cepages (76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot) is not as prodigious as the 1997 or 1996, it is potentially outstanding. This New World version of a high class St.-Emilion boasts an opaque ruby/purple color in addition to a sweet bouquet of licorice, dried herbs, tobacco, smoke, black cherries, and cassis. It is medium to full-bodied, with a lovely texture, admirable complexity, and a long finish. The question mark relates to the notion of elevated, dry tannin in the finish. My instincts suggest this characteristic will age out given the wine's overall concentration and intensity.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Home to a diverse array of smaller AVAs with varied microclimates and soil types, Sonoma County has something for every wine lover. Physically twice as large as Napa Valley, the region only produces about half the amount of wine but boasts both tremendous quality and variety. With its laid-back atmosphere and down-to-earth attitude, the wineries of Sonoma are appreciated by wine tourists for their friendliness and approachability. The entire county intends to become a 100% sustainable winegrowing region by 2019.
Sonoma County wines are produced with carefully selected grape varieties to reflect the best attributes of their sites—Dry Creek Valley’s consistent sunshine is ideal for Zinfandel, while the warm Alexander Valley is responsible for rich, voluptuous red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are important throughout the county, most notably in the cooler AVAs of Russian River, Sonoma Coast and Carneros. Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Syrah have also found a firm footing here.