1 | Wine | Napa Valley | Page 4

"Good bright red-ruby. Cherry, redcurrant and flowers on the nose. Supple on entry, then a bit youthfully clenched in the middle, showing good grip to the flavors of cassis, minerals, licorice and herbs. Not hugely rich or fleshy but has good structure. A tad dry and peppery on the finish. This wine was to have been bottled in April."

"Aromas of pear, lime and orange blossom mingle with subtle floral notes and the perfect amount of sweet toasty oak and vanilla. On the palate, intensely forward fruit and bright natural acidity complement each other and lead to a long rich finish."

"Our 2011 Napa Valley Chardonnay opens with fresh, creamy aromas of ripe pear, apple and citrus, with light butter, yeast and spicy oak tones adding complexity. The wine’s rich, focused, green apple, melon and guava flavors are nicely balanced by fresh acidity and a piquant mineral tone. Both mouthfilling and elegant, this quintessential Napa Valley Chardonnay is delectable now, but it will develop even greater complexity with another 5-8 years’ bottle age."

"Creamy vanilla-tinged oak cloaks dried currant and berry fruit, graphite and crushed rock, firming nicely on the finish. A true to form Cakebread Cabernet."

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Stags’ Leap District (Napa Valley) is quite pretty in this vintage. A warm, resonant bouquet laced with espresso, plums and spices meld into expressive dark berries as this mid-weight, polished Cabernet opens up in the glass. Hints of raspberry jam, rose petals and mocha are layered into the persistent finish. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is rarely inexpensive, but this is about as good as it gets for the money."

"Lush and dark fruits of blackberry, berry pie, black cherry, white pepper, peppermint, molasses, Oreo cookie, turmeric, vanilla, clove and nutmeg. A mouthwetting snap of acidity balances the round and ripe fruit, and the thin-skinned Zinfandel tannins propel the wine into an elegant and impressive big Pinot Noir style."

"A medium ruby color and aromas of dark cherries, briary strawberry and subtle hints of vanilla and lavender give way to a lush, silky palate with more bright fruit, cedar, and toast. This wine also has a great acid/tannin balance that should allow for great aging potential in the years to come. Enjoy!"

"Combines richness with elegance and finesse, offering intense, focused citrus-laced pear, honeysuckle and melon notes that expand on the lingering, flavorful finish."