The Buzz 2009
Abbinare
91 points
Wine Spectator, May 2013
This polished red offers a vigorous flavor profile of ripe blackberry, currant and subtle spices, lingering impressively on the expressive, open-textured finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2017. 213 cases made. ‚ÄìHS — Harvey Steiman
Cabernet Sauvignon - Conner Lee Vineyard
Gold Medal
Seattle Wine Awards, April 2012 2009
A Gold Medal was awarded to our 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon - Conner Lee Vineyard by judges of the 2012 Seattle Wine Awards. See http://video.pbs.org/video/2277619791
90 Points
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, June 2013
Conner Lee is one of a small number of Washington vineyards that merits vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine lacks nothing, and the fruit is firm, sculpted, and varietally correct, with a touch of ripeness around flavors of plum and cherry. Enjoy it young, or cellar it for another five years. -- P.G. (6/1/2013) — Paul Gregutt
Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
19/20 points
Review of Washington Wines, August 2012
2009 :Nota Bene Cellars Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red, Red Mountain Composed of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc and 14% Merlot, this wine displays a purplish ruby color and a rich nose of blackberry, Bing cherry and black currant, with scents of black roses, anise, cigar box, sandalwood and rubbed sage. The dark berry fruits are deep and penetrating, marked by notes of black licorice, cola, French roast and Red Mountain earth and minerals. On the back, the wine turns rich and chewy, with sensations of macerated berries, cherry liqueur, mocha and cinnamon bark. The bright fruit acids (6.93 g/L) enliven the wine on the lengthy ripe, grainy tannin finish. As another fine expression of Red Mountain terroir, this gets 19/20 points. —Rand Sealey
90 Points
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, June 2013
This is three-fifths Cabernet Sauvignon, the rest split between Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It's supple and forward, with pretty, plummy fruit and pleasing touches of cinnamon and spice. -- P.G. (6/1/2013) — Paul Gregutt
Conner Lee Merlot
90 Points
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, June 2013
Only in Washington can you find pure varietal, single-vineyard Merlot at this price that shows such power and depth. Aged in American oak barrels with French oak stave inserts, it displays plenty of smoky caramel and coconut flavors, but the fruit is there in good proportion. This wine is sure to find plenty of admirers; if only more than just 58 cases had been produced. -- P.G. (6/1/2013) — Paul Gregutt
Conner Lee Vineyard
19/20 points
Review of Washington Wines, August 2012
2009 :Nota Bene Cellars Conner Lee Vineyard Red, Columbia Valley This is deliciously savory, aromatic blend of 2/3 Cabernet Sauvignon and 1/3 Merlot. Deep purplish colored, it offers enticing scents of blackberry, cherry, cassis, mulberry, cigar tobacco, crushed roses, juniper berries and sultry oriental incense. The dark plush flavors are plush and mouth encompassing, yet focused, intermixed with bittersweet chocolate, licorice, French roast and Radar Hill Missoula flood minerals. The back reveals a cool vineyard berried intensity, along with notes of mocha, roasted nutmeats, cr?®me de cassis and pain grille. A final squeeze of macerated berry juice on the lightly spiced (nutmeg, clove) and oaked (20% new French) lingering sweetish tannin finish completes the wine. 19/20 points. — Rand Sealey
91 Points
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 6/1/13 2009
Price $35 Aged for 22 months in 20% new French oak, this blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot completes a trio of excellent Conner Lee-designates from :Nota Bene in 2009. It‚Äôs full bodied and streaked with herb, thistle, fresh greens, tart berries, and cocoa nibs. Pair it with a nice, juicy steak! ‚Äî P.G. (6/1/2013) — Paul Gregutt
Malbec - Verhey Vineyard
18.5/20 points
Review of Washington Wines, August 2012
2009 :Nota Bene Cellars Malbec, Yakima Valley, Verhey Vineyard This comes from a vineyard in the Rattlesnake Hills, near Union Gap, devoted entirely to Malbec. It displays a deep purplish color and intense aromas of wild blackberries, mountain blueberries, eucalyptus, violets, and whiffs of cracked pepper and spiced incense. On the palate, the dark fruits are well saturated, intermixed with black licorice, cola, bittersweet chocolate an alluvial sandy loam minerals. The intensity continues on the back with sensations of macerated blueberries, kirsch liqueur, mocha and spiced orange peel, followed by a final squeeze of bright fruit acids (6.53 g/L total acidity) on a lingering sweetish moderate tannin finish. This is one of the best buys in Washington Malbec I‚Äôve run across. Only 25 cases made. — Rand Sealey
Miscela
18+/20 points
Review of Washington Wines, September 2012
2009 :Nota Bene Cellars ‚'Miscela' Red, Columbia Valley ($25) Miscela is Italian for ‚Äúblend.‚Äù This consists of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec. Deep ruby colored, it shows rich aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, dried roses and tobacco. The dark fruit flavors are thickly textured from the Cabernet Sauvignon, intermixed with notes of chocolate, licorice, cola and earth. On the back, the wine turns ripe and savory, with touches of roasted berries, mocha, and graphite, followed by a chewy moderate tannin and acid finish. 18+/20 points. — Rand Sealey
Syrah
91 points
Wine Spectator, April 2013
A lovely mix of floral cherry, red plum and spice flavors push easily through a veil of crisp tannins in this juicy, flair-filled Syrah. Drink now through 2017. 125 cases made. ‚ÄìHS — Harvey Steiman
Syrah - Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
19/20 points
Review of Washington Wines, August 2012
2009 :Nota Bene Cellars Syrah, Red Mountain, Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, This 100% Tablas Creek clone Syrah exhibits a purplish ruby color and a lovely, perfumed nose of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, black roses, and lavender with whiffs of violets, smoky incense and cracked pepper. On the palate, the dark fruit flavors are lavish and well saturated, yet with a deep, focused core, intermixed with black licorice, bittersweet chocolate, French roast, and Red Mountain scorched earth and minerals. The concentration continues on the back with sensations of macerated berries, cr?®me de cassis, and roasted nuts, followed by a squeeze of blueberry juice, and culminating in a lingering, spiced (cinnamon, nutmeg), moderately oaked (50% new French) ripe, chewy tannin finish. As a fine example of richly fruited, terroir-driven Syrah, this gets 19/20 points. — Rand Sealey
91 Points
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, 6/1/13 2009
Price $35 This is pure Syrah from Ciel du Cheval, and is head and shoulders above the winery‚ Columbia Valley bottling. The sleek, detailed, steely spine that is a vineyard characteristic gives this wine both power and suppleness. The fruit is perfectly ripened and nicely set in firm, ripe, polished tannins. P.G. (6/1/2013) — Paul Gregutt
Una Notte
18.5/20 points.
Review of Washington Wines, September 2012
2009 :Nota Bene Cellars 'Una Notte' Red, Columbia Valley ($30) Purplish ruby colored, this blend of 51% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 9% Mourv?®dre offers striking aromas of wild blackberries, cherries and plums, with scents of dried roses, brambles and smoldering spiced incense. The dark fruit flavors are thick and chewy, loaded with bittersweet chocolate, black licorice, roasted coffee beans and earth. The chewiness continues on the back with roasted berries and nuts, dried cherries, cinnamon bark, clove and nutmeg on a warm (14.1% alcohol) ripe tannin finish. 18.5/20 points. — Rand Sealey
89 points
Wine Enthusiast Magazine, June 2013
Half Grenache, 40% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre, all sourced from vineyards in the Royal Slope region. Exceptionally fragrant, with appealing plummy, juicy blueberry and cherry fruit. A hint of leather does not detract, though it seems to toughen up the tannins with a touch of bitterness in the finish. P.G. (6/1/2013) — Paul Gregutt