The Henry Wine Group - Sept - Dec 2017

The Henry Wine Group

Toll-free Order Desk: 800.669.9428

Current Vintage Tasting Notes:

2016 Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford District: dry farmed, organically grown, fermented and aged in stainless. Aromas of just-picked grapefruit, peach blossom and lemon grass. Fresh and vibrant on the palate with a nice steak of mineral/wet stone on the finish. This is a crisp, pure Sauvignon that I could quaff all day long. 2015 Chardonnay Napa Valley: dry farmed, organically grown, whole cluster pressed. Fermented in new oak barrels and then transferred to concrete. Has a wonderful palate feel with a fresh fruit character that is, well, darn refreshing. Apple, pear, and hint of nectarine. Just a hint of oak vanillin on the nose, super clean finish. Bravo. 2014 Merlot Rutherford District: dry farmed, organically grown, the vines’ roots go super deep into the soil bringing about intense, pure flavors and aromas of plummy fruit with silky texture. Older vintages of this wine bear out the fact that this is serious stuff with terrific aging potential.

2015 Zinfandel Napa Valley: dry farmed, organically grown, with 20% Petite Sirah and 2% Carignan. Fashioned in the style of the classic Napa Zins of the 1940s, this is not your typical high alcohol (this is only 13.6%) version of the varietal. I learned that, when dry farmed, a zinfandel vine is in harmony with itself and ripens its berries evenly. Who knew this about such a notoriously uneven ripener? This has classic brambly fruit with wild raspberry and cherry and a fresh, ripe palate with incredible finesse and balance. 2014 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley: dry farmed, organically grown, with grapes from the Red Barn vineyard on the valley floor of the Rutherford District and the Rossi Vineyard in the Rutherford Bench, with 11% Cabernet Franc. This tastes of the famous “Rutherford Dust” in its purest form, with blackcurrant and blackberry framing a toasty, coffee bean quality. This is a beautiful expression of Cabernet at its purest with just enough oak but not too much. Older versions of this wine show very, very well.

September–December 2017

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