Winemaker Notes
A lovely nose defined by graphite, rose, plum and black cherry notes is balanced by nice acidity and fine, ripe tannins. The texture on the palate is dark, dense and broad, with a subtle savory/umami quality.
Blend: 56% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2014 Reserve Claret checks in as a blend of 56% Merlot and 44% Cabernet Sauvignon that’s mostly from the Sonoma side of the region (it’s 23% from Napa County). This deep ruby/purple-colored effort offers a rocking bouquet of spice plums, black raspberries, dried flowers, toasty oak and graphite. Deep, plush, full-bodied and layered, with a gorgeous texture and sweet tannin, it can be drunk anytime over the coming 20+ years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 56% Merlot and 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 77% coming from Sonoma and 23% from Napa, the 2014 Claret Reserve is medium to deep garnet-purple in color and offers notes of mulberries, warm plums, red currant jelly and kirsch with hints of underbrush, cigar box and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, soft, elegantly fruited and very earthy in the mouth, it has a nice suggestion of chew to the texture and plenty of invigorating freshness, finishing with great length.
Rating: 94+
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.