The Hyde Vineyard is located on the eastern edge of the Carneros appellation in Napa Valley. HdV is a venture between the Hyde Family of Napa Valley and the de Villaine Family of Burgundy. The families, related by marriage, share long histories in French and Californian winemaking.

The 2006 HDV Syrah is to me very reminiscent of some of the wines that can be found in the Cote Rotie appellation located in France's Northern Rhone. It seems to me that it's a cool weather Syrah and one that takes the best of both the California sunshine and the cool Carneros climate.

On the nose I get fantastic and very expressive aromas of black currant, bramble berry, black plum, tea leaf, and tobacco. There is also just a touch of the meaty and game-tyoe aromas that can be associated with Syrah grown in the Northern Rhone.

On the palate the wine is very opulent and rich, but maintains a striking acidity and impeccable balance. I get flavors of black currant, blackberry, mineral, spice, and broiled game meat. The wine also contains a touch of what I like to call the "delicious factor" or a savory character I find in perfectly ripened fruit. Excellent Syrah....93 points

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This Pinot Noir is composed of grapes sourced from the two vineyards on opposite sides of the Anderson Valley AVA. This blend consists of 85% Balo Vineyard and 15% Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir. It's a small production wine with under 500 cases produced and is an exceptional value for under $30 retail.

On the nose I get some pretty red fruit aromas of raspberry, cranberry, and red currant. These flavors combine with a savory red licorice note and hints of mineral and earth.

On the palate the wine continues to display it's vibrant red fruits of cranberry, cherry, and red currant, but also shows some interesting earthy tones and a touch of smoke. It's a high-octane and full flavored wine and one that represents what the Anderson Valley appellation is pretty well known for....big red fruit, complex minerality, and a not-so-bashful alcohol content. 88 Points

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Viña Cobos is a project that Paul Hobbs started with his Argentine partners Andrea Marchiori and Luis Barraud in 1997. Since then they have built a beautiful portfolio of wines that include the labels called Felino, Bramare, and Cobos.

The 2009 Viña Cobos Felino Chardonnay is made from fruit sourced from Argentina's most famous wine growing region, Mendoza. It's 100% Chardonnay that was whole cluster pressed and was only partially barrel aged (23%) while the remainder of the wine was aged in steel tanks.

On the nose I get some very nice aromas of red delicious apple, grapefruit, citrus, kiwi, toast, and subtle hints of bread dough or yeast. It's a very clean and bright bouquet and one that expresses the essence of the fruit rather than the barrel regimen.

On the palate the wine continues to exhibit this same vibrancy and displays flavors of citrus peel, apple, mineral, wet stone, and just a touch of toast from the oak. It's a tart wine that shows good acidity and balance.  88+ points

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Located about five miles northwest of St. Helena at the top of Spring Mountain lies the Paloma Vineyard. It's a 20 acre property that sits over 2000 feet above sea level and is planted to both Merlot and Cabernet.

Their famous Merlot is a blend of Estate Merlot and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. The percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon ranges from 12 to 18 percent depending on the vintage. The wine is generally aged in new or used French oak barrels for 19 months.

On the nose I get some really beautiful aromas of luscious black currant, bramble berry, black plum, dark chocolate, mocha, and just a hint of kalamata olive. There is definitely hints of sweet tea leaf and black cherry that begin to unfold as the wine has some time to open up in the glass.

On the palate this wine displays rich and super ripe flavors of blackberry pie, mocha, black cherry, cedar, and dark chocolate. This is very intense wine and carries loads of big ripe tannin and finishes extremely long on the palate.

I have to admit that this may be one of the more profound efforts I have tasted with California Merlot. The wine is ultra-sexy, rich, ripe, full, and almost seems sweet, although of course it's fermented completely dry. Great stuff.....just really great stuff. 95 points

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I honestly believe that this wine may be close to the best Chardonnay made in all of California. Of course, I haven't tasted every Chardonnay made in California......but of the hundreds that I have been privileged enough to taste in the last decade, I can say without any hesitation this is by quite a margin the best value in the market. I mean, it's under thirty dollars folks.....and on my most recent trip to Napa Valley where I tasted a couple hundred wines, it was the clear stand-out of the excursion.

Maldonado is a small family owned and operated winery in Napa Valley, that truly represents what impeccable vineyard managing and the love of the terroir can bring to a glass of wine. I invite you to visit their website and read about their history and how this great family has built their legacy upon sound principles, hard work, education, and a love for California.  Maldonado Vineyards

The Parr Vineyard is actually located in Sonoma County and I'm not entirely sure who owns the property, but I would imagine that if the Maldonado's don't, then they have a long standing relationship with whoever does. Anyways, I just hope they continue to produce this wine in the future.

On the nose the wine displays some really intoxicating and brilliant aromas of quince, pear, golden apple, vanilla, orange peel, and subtle hints of almond. The bouquets is quite explosive and one that immediately fill the room with these beautiful aromas.

On the palate the wine is equally impressive and shows flavors of tangerine, dried apricot, fig, vanilla, spice, and red delicious apple. The wine is intense and full-bodied, yet maintains a seamless balance and very nice acidity. The finish is delicious and very extended. 95 points


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