California is the biggest wine producing state of the USA and until recently accounting for 90% of total production. With a wealth of different micro climates and soil varieties this allows a large range of wine styles to be produced. Our list includes some of California's most celebrated wineries, as well as wines that we can afford!
Tasting notes: An uncompromising approach to quality here: low yielding, high quality vineyards are hand-pruned and thinned, sustainably farmed, and hand picked.
The grapes are barrel fermented with lots of lees stirring and bottled without filtration. The result is a great example of elegant, leesy chardonnay.
Tasting notes: The 2005 Dominus continues to strut its stuff, tasting like a Napa hybrid blend of a St.-Emilion and Pomerol. Its dark ruby/purple-tinged color is followed by notions of cedarwood, spice box, roasted herbs, sweet black cherry and cassis fruit, licorice, and truffles. Full-bodied with excellent fruit intensity, complex aromatics, supple tannins, and a long finish, this 7,000-case blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot should drink well for two decades or more.
Wine Advocate # 180
Dec 2008 Robert Parker 95+ pts
Tasting notes: The estate’s second wine is the 3,600-case cuvee of 2004 Napanook, a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. A strong effort, it offers a beautiful seductive nose of dried herbs, damp earth, sweet cherries, cedar, and spice box. Opulent, round, sexy, and delicious, it should be consumed during its first decade of life.
Wine Advocate # 168
Dec 2006 Robert Parker 91 pts
Tasting notes: The dark ruby/purple-hued 2005 Napanook (76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot) reveals a big, spicy, tobacco, black currant, sweet cherry, new saddle leather, and loamy soil-scented bouquet. With attractive fruit, a soft, round, full-bodied mouthfeel, and beautiful complexity as well as balance, it is one of the most Bordeaux-like Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines made in Napa. This 2005 should drink easily for 10-12 years.
Wine Advocate # 180
Dec 2008 Robert Parker 91 pts
Tasting notes: Sourced primarily from two Stags Leap Districts - the famed Hillside estate and the Borderline vineyard - this generation-and-a-half idea is a great selection for Shafer lovers who might not be able to indulge in the Hillside Select (or can't get their hands on a bottle). Sweet blackberry, plum and current fruit aromas and flavors are complemented by nuances of savory herbs, cocoa and cigar box (complete with cigars!).
"Bright, medium ruby-red. Expressive, rather wild nose melds cassis, black cherry, tobacco, iron, mocha, leather and brown spices. A bit less plump than the 2005 version, but suave and vinous, with good cut and life to the varietally typical flavors of currant, leather, mocha and tobacco leaf. This slightly restrained, soil-driven wine still needs time to unwind and will merit a higher score if time brings more pliancy. Finishes with firm, building tannins and sneaky length." (May/June '09) 90 points Wine Enthusiast.
