2003 Reserve Claret
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Tasting notes
The 2003 Reserve Claret is a blend of 67% Merlot and 33% Cabernet Sauvignon that achieved 14.4% alcohol. An exquisite candidate for wine of the vintage, it comes from a vineyard high on the summit of Spring Mountain. Eighty-three percent of the fruit comes from Sonoma and the rest from Napa County as the vineyard sits astride the county lines. Its dark plum/garnet color reveals a slight lightening at the edge. A beautiful nose of cedarwood, forest floor, red and black currants, kirsch and plum is followed by a full-bodied wine with great freshness, a rich, textured mouthfeel and sensational concentration with no heaviness. This is an uplifting, quintessential mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that outperforms the vintage. Just entering its plateau of full maturity, it can be drunk now and over the next decade. Tel. (707) 963-4949
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(two-thirds of the blend is merlot from the Mountain Top Vineyard, the rest cabernet sauvignon from both sides of the county line) Good deep red-ruby. Superripe aromas of plum, currant, mocha, lead pencil and chocolate; this reminded me of a head-spinning old vintage of Chateau Lafleur. Supersweet and downright liqueur-like, with near-confectionery flavors of plum and nutty oak. Wonderfully lush, seamless wine. Not particularly primary but the wine's boatload of sweet tannins and superb persistence suggest it will provide at least six to eight years of pleasure.