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Duarte Zinfandel
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The Noah "Duarte" Zinfandel may be the softest, most succulent, round, ripe and sweet-fruited zinfandel I've tasted. Boy, does it ever work! There's not a trace of the alcoholic heat or aggressiveness which mars most zinfandels this big, rich and ripe.
This vineyard, of course, was made famous by Turley, whose own 2002 "Duarte" zinfandel clocks in at 16.7% alcohol. At a full two degrees less, though, Noah's version tastes about as perfectly ripe as a wine can possibly be. This zinfandel is truly a beauty, and as impressive – and certainly enjoyable – as any 2002 I've tasted. The level of quality, scarcity and flat-out oomp, is incredible. This self-described "modest boutique winery" has delivered a modestly-priced, but immodestly imposing winner here.
From an ungrafted vineyard planted in 1896, there's a ripeness and sweetness of fruit, with just the right touch of well-hidden acid structure that may only be possible in the best zinfandels. And I can't remember the last time I tasted one quite so luscious and appealing – without being the least bit syrupy or heavy – as this one is.
Which is of course the problem with zinfandel, and partly why there's so much stylistic variation. Zinfandel grape clusters ripen so unevenly that the same bunch will often have raisin berries and green ones. Winemakers have a lot of latitude with zinfandel, but it seems their choice always involves tradeoffs. Ripeness means pruniness and excessive alcohol; structure and cleaness means shrillness. What's so remarkable here is to have a perfectly ripe, beautifully textured zin that's "only" 14.7% alcohol, and which has NO greenness and NO pruniness. AND isn't at all syrupy. In my experience, this is virtually unique.
Interestingly, all the other Noah zinfandels come in a green Bordeaux-shaped bottle. But this comes in a heavy, brown-tinted Burgundy bottle, which does seem more appropriate for the style.
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Here is another beautiful zinfandel from the team of Noah Taylor and Alan Haywood
This famous vineyard is situated in the hills above the city of Sonoma. It was planted in 1974 by Peter Haywood, Alan’s father. Today, it produces some of the finest zinfandel available from Sonoma. The 2002 exhibits intense, spicy, peppery fruit flavors and is a wine that cries to be paired with food! The quality is absolutely astonishing and amazes me every time I open a bottle and enjoy the bouquet of fruit that rises from my glass. I have a difficult time restraining myself from drinking it all before my food is ready. Somehow I manage and am always glad I do, because there are few zinfandels better suited to be drunk with a meal!
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Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
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A very balanced and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon, the dark ruby color of this wine is an indication of its richness. Aromas of cedar, cherry, raspberry, fine tobacco and vanilla predominate on the nose. This exceptional wine was aged in French Oak barrels, giving this medium-bodied Cabernet its smooth silkiness.
These grapes come from prime estate-owned Napa and Sonoma vineyards and are blended by master winemakers Noah Taylor and Alan Haywood (son of famed Peter Haywood, of Haywood Estates).
Noah Taylor is an award winning cellar master and former wine maker for Retzlaff Vineyards in Livermore, while Alan Haywood was with Haywood Estate Winery in Sonoma where his extensive background in winemaking, vineyard development, management and cellaring has made this partnership a dynamic combination.
Their combined experience has resulted in the creation of this Cabernet Sauvignon, which is another in a fine line of premium, boutique wines.
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Estate Merlot
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Produced from the Hopper Creek Vineyard in Yountville, this is our 2000 Estate Merlot. Yes, the Millennium Merlot was our second opportunity to work with this beautiful fruit of Hopper Creek Vineyard. This wine has a Ruby Garnet color with great clarity, and aromas of plum, peach, cherry and discreet oak nuances of vanilla and rose. Its firm structured tannins balance perfectly with the full fruit and oak. This wine is a fine companion for savory foods, as it captures the serious side of merlot's character. The nature of the Yountville appellation is also expressed with a pleasing mineral element. This merlot is both balanced and elegant!
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