Cuvaison

TRL/Staff/Wine =8/8/9
This turned out to be a very club-worthy winery. If you note the club price is often less than our guiltless bottle price. That screams “join the club”! Their tasting room (in Calistoga) was small, but quaint. If you’re a club member, though, a tasting in the barrel room is offered. But’s let talk about the wine…

2006 Sauvignon Blanc: $19/$15/-

2005 Chardonnay Carneros: $22/$18/-

2005 Chardonnay S Block: $35/$28/$32
New oak(French); intense wine, worthwhile.

2005 Pinot Noir Carneros: $30/$24/$30
Full fruit nose, smooth but balanced finish; not tart. Not terribly complex but approachable.

2003 Napa Valley Carneros Merlot: $29/$23/$20
Disappointing palate after full, alarming nose.

1999 Napa Valley Merlot: $29/$22/($22-$35)
Chili pepper; very smooth, distinguished – silky.

2002 ATS Merlot: $54/$43/$43
Bordeaux style – very good.

2004 Carneros Syrah: $28/$22/$34Pepper, but smooth, earthy; blackberry. Serve with peppered dry rub steak.

2005 Diablo Syrah (Carneros): $30/$24/$20

2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder: $45/$36/$40
84% Cab, 4% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, 7% Cab Franc

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder
78% Cab

2003 Brandlin Mt. Veeder: $80/-/$48

Cuvaison - March 2010

As club members at Cuvaison, I find a lot of value in their wines. Their vintages can be a little hit and miss, but I'm not compelled to withdraw my loyalty because of it. I'll confess that this visit left us wanting, but I still left with a case, with some confidence of improvement with age. On a positive note, this was the first time we'd been back to the Calitoga tasting room since they remodeled it and it looks fabulous! The TRL rating had been an 8 before, but now its closer to a 9.

2008 ATS Chardonnay : $54/$43.2/$36
This is very good chardonnay, to be sure; I struggle with any chard at this price.

2008 Mariafeld Pinot Noir: $32/$25.6/--
Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad wine, it's just that its character isn't one I enjoy in a Pinot Noir.

2007 F5 Pinot Noir : $45/$36/$36-$40

2005 Carneros Merlot : $30/$24/$30

2007 Carneros Syrah : $23/$18.4/$20-$32 (dissenting opinions occur)
Very nice with gamey meat.

2008 Bald Mountain Zinfandel : $28/$22.4/$29
Smelled like metal, for some reason. This is one of the wines I enjoy opening to finish a day. Past vintages have been more rewarding, but this one will do just fine!

2006 Brandlin Cabernet Sauvignon : $85/$68/$42-$60 (dissenting opinions continue to occur)
Still a little lacking on the finish. For their flagship cab, this isn't a notable vintage. I've had this cab in the past, and it has been a much better value (at the club price), with complexity. Keep trying it in the future. There'll be better ones to come...

2007 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon : $36/$28.8/$40
What a nose! MMMM! This is one of my favorite cabs in this price range. I have come to learn that I really enjoy Mt. Veeder and Howell Mountain Cabs, and this one is emblematic. What a delicious value!