2007 Claret Napa/Sonoma Reserve
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Tasting notes
Deep ruby. Liqueur-like aromas of black cherry, cassis, blackberry, bitter chocolate and slightly tarry oak are accented by a minty nuance. Wonderfully broad, fine-grained wine with shocking inner-mouth lift thanks to its balance of sweetness and urgent acidity. Still amazingly primary in a classic mountain style--in fact, almost simple today. Penetrating black fruit, violet and licorice flavors carry impressively on the firmly tannic, chocolatey finish, which shows no dryness. This infant is evolving at a snail's pace. (ST) 93+
Critic scores
Robert Parker
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Full bodied, with dark chocolate, berry, and licorice. Very powerful and rich, with an in-your-face velvety style but I appreciate it. Nice and chewy, give this three of four years of bottle age.
The two most expensive offerings include the 2007 Reserve Claret. Its opaque purple color is followed by a beautiful flowery nose revealing notions of blueberry pie, blackberries, cassis and a hint of vanillin in the background. An opulent, full-bodied red with great depth, purity and richness, it is a blend of 82% Sonoma fruit and 18% Napa fruit. The texture is like a skyscraper and the wine is plush, opulent and ideal for drinking over the next 10-15 years. This brilliant estate, whose vineyards straddle the Napa/Sonoma county line at the top of Spring Mountain, continues to turn out a bevy of exciting wines that first made headlines when Bob Foley was the winemaker. The transition from Foley to the current winemaker, Sally Johnson, has gone flawlessly. Tel. (707) 963-4949; Fax (707) 963-6039