Winemaker Notes
Blended from exactly 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, this 2008 Reserve Claret is characterized by luscious berry, plum and cassis flavors, a bright zing of acidity and silky, ripe tannins. The Claret was assembled from the final blends for the Vintner Select Merlot and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon wines, and was then allowed to marry in barrel for six months and in bottle for an additional eight months. The 2008 vintage provided the winery with an ultra-light crop of Clone 3 merlot for this wine. But it also produced warm, dry weather that allowed the merlot to mature to a singular intensity and aromatic complexity, reminiscent of the ripest vintages including 2002 and 1997.
Blend: 60% Merlot/40% Cabernet Sauvignon
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Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2008 Reserve Claret emerges from the glass with expressive dark red fruit, licorice, leather and spices, revealing gorgeous length and persistence. Firm yet well-integrated tannins frame the fruit beautifully from start to finish. Hints of mocha and sweet spices linger on the close. There is an attractive fleshiness to the Claret that makes the wine approachable and enjoyable even today. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023.
Rating: 93+ -
Wine Enthusiast
Few Bordeaux-style wines in California are as ripe and bold as this, but that's the Pride style. The wine explodes in spicy blackberry, currant and cherry fruit, almost like punch, while oak adds toasty notes. A heady wine, it's also brutally firm in tannins.
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.
Reaching up California's coastline and into its valleys north of San Francisco, the North Coast AVA includes six counties: Marin, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake. While Napa and Sonoma enjoy most of the glory, the rest produce no shortage of quality wines in an intriguing and diverse range of styles.
Climbing up the state's rugged coastline, the chilly Marin County, just above the City and most of Sonoma County, as well as Mendocino County on the far north end of the North Coast successfully grow cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and in some spots, Riesling. Inland Lake County, on the other hand, is considerably warmer, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc produce some impressive wines with affordable price tags.