The Buzz 2014

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Arianses Vineyard

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89 points

Tasting Date 04/05/2018

Damp earth, sappy flowers, and ample darker fruits emerge from the 2014 Cabernet Franc, which is medium-bodied, fresh and lively on the palate, with present tannin and good acidity. It's a charming, earthy, enjoyable red to drink over the coming 7-8 years. Maturity 2018 - 2026. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck.

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Ciel du Cheval Vineyard

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88 points

Vinous Review October, 2017
(14.7% alcohol):Bright ruby-red. Musky aromas of raspberry, smoked meat, coffee and mocha. In a supple but slightly rustic style, with its raspberry, chocolate, flint and olive flavors showing a meaty, leathery aspect. Finishes with reasonably sweet, dusty tannins and good length. Drink 2018-2022-- Stephen Tanze

91 points

 

Tasting Date 04/05/2018

Offering plenty of cassis, black raspberry, spicy oak and hints of crushed flowers, the 2014 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Blend is also terrific. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and layered on the palate, with terrific purity, it's another fresh, focused, impeccably made wine from this estate that's going to evolve nicely. This cuvée is a blend of 39% Cabernet Franc, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 29% Merlot, aged 22 months in barrel. Maturity 2018 - 2026. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck.

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Malbec - Heart of the Hill Vineyard

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88 points

Vinous Review October, 2017
Bright medium ruby. A note of reduction to the aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, plum and leather. Offers good mid-palate sweetness, as well as solid energy and lift to its sappy, slightly high-toned dark berry flavors. A leathery element adds complexity. Finishes a bit inky in a positive way, with finer tannins than most of Nota Bene's other red wines. (The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Heart of the Hill Vineyard was considerably more leathery and finished tart and dry.) Drink 2018-2022-- Stephen Tanzer

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Merlot - Ciel du Cheval Vineyard

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88 points

Vinous Review October, 2017
Bright, dark red. Perfumed aromas and flavors of cherry, smoke, chocolate, licorice, tobacco and herbs. A juicy, spicy midweight with good intensity and inner-mouth lift. But this Merlot's somewhat drying tannins and hard-edged finish limited my enthusiasm. Drink 2018-2022-- Stephen Tanzer

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Miscela - Red BDX Blend

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90 points

Tasting Date 04/05/2018

Better, the 2014 Miscela Red Blend offers more black raspberries, spring flowers, spice, and vanilla oak aromatics, medium to full-bodied richness, and a polished, elegant, textured style. It's a good value at 25 bucks and should keep for a decade. The blend is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, and 8% Malbec, aged 22 months in barrel. Maturity 2018 - 2025. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck.

 

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Mourvèdre - Heart of the Hill Vineyard

Red Mountain, 2014

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18.5+/20 points
This wine displays a semi opaque ruby color and a rich, smoky (a trait of Mourvèdre) nose of blackberry, huckleberry, plum and black currant with scents of dried roses, mulberry, tobacco, garrigue, pepper and spiced incense. The dark fruit flavors are thick, almost massive, with notes of black licorice, dark cocoa, Sumatra roast and Red Mountain scorched earth. The saturation continues on the back with sensations of grilled berries and nut meats, crème de cassis and burnt charcoal, followed by a savory ripe tannin finish. Rand Sealey - Review of Washington Wines

 

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Syrah 

Columbia Valley, 2014

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87 points

Tasting Date 04/05/2018

A blend of 98% Syrah and 2% Viognier, aged 22 months in barrel, the 2014 Syrah is a ripe, chewy, fruit forward effort that gives up lots of smoky black fruits, medium body, and a clean finish. Drink it over the coming 3-4 years. Maturity 2018 - 2021. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck.

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Syrah - Stone Tree Vineyard

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88 points

Vinous Review October, 2017
Bright ruby. Riper but rather reduced aromas of cassis, raspberry, smoked meat, leather and nutty oak. Smooth, fine-grained Syrah with dark berry and cranapple flavors complicated by savory spices, sage, bay leaf and leather. Finishes firmly tannic and dry, with good length. Not bad. Drink 2019-2024-- Stephen Tanzer

 

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Una Notte

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90 Points

Robert Parker's - Wine Advocate 

Reviewed 29 June 2018
A blend of 72% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 14% Mourvèdre, the 2014 Una Notte bursts from the glass with a complex bouquet of currant leaf, raspberries and earthy garrigue. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and flavorful, with a chewy, fragrant finish. It's a rustic but characterful Rhône blend to enjoy over the next 4 or 5 years. - William Kelley

88 Points

Vinous Review October, 2017
Full, dark red. Rather complex, perfumed nose offers scents of raspberry, red cherry and tree bark complicated by leather and earth notes. A smooth, fruity, moderately concentrated midweight with a slightly candied, resiny quality. Finishes with lingering notes of dried cherry and spices. Drink 2017-2020-- Stephen Tanzer

87 points

Tasting Date 04/05/2018

Based largely on Grenache, the 2014 Una Notte Red Blend includes 14% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with the Grenache brought up all in stainless steel and the Syrah and Mourvèdre in barrel. Medium ruby/purple-colored with lots of currants, cherries, tapenade, and lavender aromas and flavors, it's medium-bodied, supple, and nicely textured on the palate. Drink it over the coming 3-5 years. Maturity 2018 - 2023. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck.