Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
An excellent example of this cuvee, the still youthful 2002 Cinq Cepages is composed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by aromas of black raspberries, sweet cherries, black currants and hints of toasty oak, forest floor and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied with beautifully rich, supple fruit, good glycerin and silky tannins, this young but accessible 2002 is capable of another decade of enjoyment.
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Wine Enthusiast
Aloof and tannic now. It's very dry, and those tannins lock in and cry out for something to melt them. It's best to decant this wine many hours in advance of drinking it, but it should develop well over the next eight to ten years. Cellar Selection.
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.