A by Acacia Pinot Noir 2019
Set in the heart of Napa Valley’s Carneros Wine Region, it was established in 1979, long before there was an AVA or any real interest in the region. Just a belief and a Pioneer spirit that great Pinot and Chardonnay can be grown here and was one of the first to release a vineyard designated Pinot Noir in California.
If you’re looking for a totally enjoyable, light bodied, easy drinking Pinot Noir at a ridiculously affordable price, look no further.
Nose is dominated by dark cherries, plum and just a hint of cola. Palate is bright and inviting with a welcoming mouthfeel with ripe cherries as the main attraction (no surprise there) with a hint of raspberries, plums and red currents to round things out. Nice balance between fruits and acidity and good length on the finish.
I’d pair this with Salmon cakes, chicken, turkey and salads with strawberry or raspberry dressing. This is drinking well now but will cellar out another 3 – 4 years.
Drouhin ‘Roserock’ Chardonnay 2018
The Roserock Series of wines showcase all the elegance and finesse you would come to expect from a first-class Winery unabashedly displaying its French roots at a price point that is accessible to everyone.
Sourced from their Eola-Amity Hills Vineyard this just could be the best Chardonnay to come out of Oregon under $40
The nose is all honey and peach with hints of apples, cashews and floral notes rounding things out. Enticing- definitely. The palate could be mistaken for French but that reflects a combination of Robert Drouhin at the helm, French clones, volcanic soils, cooler summers and higher elevation, all wrapped up in good old fashioned Burgundy wine making know how. Wonderful combination of honey nougat, cashews, apples and pears with just a hint of lemon and orange peel on a long finish. Absolute delight to drink at super value price point. Excellent balance should see this cellaring out to 2028.
Spring Mountain Cabernet 2018
“The 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet vintage belongs in an echelon with the finest of the past two decades”. – Decanter Magazine.
Originally three separate vineyards established in 1873, the Draper Vineyards (La Perla) consisting of 435 acres was the first site of Cabernet plantings on Spring Mountain. Interesting side note: part of the La Perla estate incorporates the first vineyard planted by Fredrick and Jacob Beringer in 1882. All that being said, there is some serious winemaking history behind this winery not to mention numerous accolades.
I’ve been fortunate enough to taste several vintages of this wine since moving to the States and I have to say the 2018 is an absolute delight to drink, I have a soft spot for this wine, it has never disappointed me and the 2018 is no exception.
Considered to be one of the best vintages in two decades, surpassing the 2012 and 2016 vintages this is excellent opportunity to grab yourself a great Cabernet made from Mountain fruit (restrained and elegant) from an excellent vintage by a great winery. Sounds like an unbeatable combination to me.
The nose opens with cherries and floral notes of violets and lavender with some dusty blueberry notes and spices to round things out. The palate is bright and full of character showcasing an array of cherries, cassis and blueberries with secondary notes of plum, tobacco and spices. Nice bold structure and tannins evident. Hints of olive and savory notes evolving on the palate after some much needed decant time- 2 hours plus.
This wine will age beautifully over the next 10 years and will reward your patience. Given the anticipated shortage of wine out of Napa from the 2020 and 2021 vintages, this is a must buy for any serious Cabernet lover.
Vine to Table 