Michel Rolland MR 2012
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Robert
Parker -
James
Suckling -
Wine
Spectator
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This well-known wine consultant produces 250 cases of his 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon at the Alpha Omega winery. It is fashioned from a blend of many different vineyards, including Stagecoach on Atlas Peak, the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane and Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyards. Rolland delivers the goods in this 2012, which rivals his brilliant 2010. A dense purple color is accompanied by notes of charcoal, subtle barbecue smoke, creme de cassis, kirsch, licorice and vanillin. Full-bodied with low acidity, a fleshy, succulent, pure, well-endowed style, and a 40+-second finish, this rich, seriously endowed beauty is never over-the-top or out of balance. It is a world-class Cabernet Sauvignon such as Rolland has been making for over 35 years. Drink it over the next 15-20 years.
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James Suckling
Lots of black currant, blueberry and mineral character here. Full body, polished, chewy tannins and a long and flavorful finish. From the well-known international consulting enologist from Bordeaux. Shows reserve from the vintage.
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Wine Spectator
This captures ripe, rich, firm blackberry, graphite and mineral notes, with a wall of extracted tannins on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2018 through 2028.
Michel has had a love affair with the Napa Valley for decades and has made wine with the likes of Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Sloan, Dalla Valle, Quintessa and the list goes on. MR is Michel’s first brand from Napa and he asked Jean Hoefliger to be his winemaker. They work together on the final blending.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.