2014 Rotie Cellars Northern Blend
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Tasting notes
(14.5% alcohol; aged for 16 months in second- and third-use barrels; includes fruit from SJR vineyard as well as Boyd's own estate vineyard in the Rocks District, but fruit from the high-altitude Dwelley vineyard brings freshness to the blend, according to Boyd): Good deep red. The nose offers a hint of high-toned Rocks funkiness along with scents of raspberry, flint, chicory, white pepper and flowers. Supple, savory, smoky wine with red berry flavors complemented by a gamey element. A bit saltier than the 2013 version, without quite the aromatic complexity or definition of that wine. (My look at the components of the 2015 release suggests that this will be the wildest bottling to date of the Northern Blend.)
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(14.5% alcohol; aged for 16 months in second- and third-use barrels; includes fruit from SJR vineyard as well as Boyd's own estate vineyard in the Rocks District, but fruit from the high-altitude Dwelley vineyard brings freshness to the blend, according to Boyd): Good deep red. The nose offers a hint of high-toned Rocks funkiness along with scents of raspberry, flint, chicory, white pepper and flowers. Supple, savory, smoky wine with red berry flavors complemented by a gamey element. A bit saltier than the 2013 version, without quite the aromatic complexity or definition of that wine. (My look at the components of the 2015 release suggests that this will be the wildest bottling to date of the Northern Blend.) (ST)