David Ramey has had a vast winemaking influence on the style of a number of leading producers, among them CHALK HILL and RUDD ESTATE, where he is still the general manager. Under his own Ramey label he produces remarkably fine Chardonnay, impressive for its finesse, intensity and sheer quality as much as for its weight […]
The Plumpjack winery is just a part of a leisure-based operation that specialises in food and wine and includes the luxury Squaw Valley Inn at Olympic Valley. Good to very good Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay are produced and Syrah has also now been added to the small range. The winery is nestled into the […]
The Harris’s sizeable vineyard property in the heart of Oakville underpins the admirable quality achieved at this excellent small estate. Production is very small at around 5,000 cases. Winemaking expertise is provided by Heidi Peterson Barrett and in the principal wine, the Cabernet Sauvignon (blended with Cabernet Franc and Merlot for harmony), she achieves a […]
This MONDAVI/Rothschild (Mouton-Rothschild) joint venture was conceived in 1978, the first vintage being in 1979 and remains independent from Constellation in its vineyard management and administration. At the time, super-premium Napa styles of Cabernet had not really materialised and Opus One was uniquely highly priced among its peers. During the 1990s the Mondavi Reserve Cabernet […]
Arguably the most famous wine name in California now purchased by Constellation Brands. The late Robert Mondavi must take much of the credit for the positive public face of California wine when it re-emerged as a quality region in the 1970s. The company has very widespread wine interests in California although most overseas investments and […]
This is Kendall-Jackson’s super-premium label, producing distinctive Cabernet Sauvignons that showcase the best single-vineyard characteristics of prime mountain-grown fruit. The wines are vinified in the same facility as the flagship CARDINALE, which by contrast is a blend of sources. While vineyard source and low yields of 2–3 tons/acre are key to the great fruit in […]
Small boutique winery producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the Money Ranch Vineyard, as well as a red blend Aprile Super Oakville. This is dominated by Sangiovese with a little Cabernet Sauvignon to add grip. The wine is in a light, elegant style but offers impressive intensity at this price level. It is supple and […]
Agustin Huneeus sold Franciscan to Canandaigua in 1999 along with the two sister wineries ESTANCIA and Mount Veeder Winery, although he retained his prestige QUINTESSA operation. The wines here are good and in most cases offer reasonable value for money. They are very much in a rich California vein, being very ripe, upfront and fruit-driven. […]
There are just two main wines at this well-established (first vintage 1979) estate in the heart of Napa. The original winery here dates back to 1885 and was created from gold-rush money. Fruit quality is maintained through ownership of vineyards in five sites and covering no less than 95 ha (235 acres). The Cabernet is […]
This very pricey red is the jewel in the crown of the KENDALL-JACKSON empire. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot sourced from prime vineyards both benchland as well as mountain plots on Mount Veeder, Diamond Mountain, Spring Mountain and Howell Mountain. A massively powerful and concentrated red with copious quantities of super-ripe […]
