A new addition to the Erna Schein portfolio, the 2007 Sainte Fumee delights us with aromas of black licorice, saltwater taffy, telecherry pepper and the minerality of wet stones. Dark yet vivid purple in color, this wine offers flavors of sweet cassis and plums with a hint of smoky bacon. Complex, yet fun – deep, yet balanced with a bright acidity, this is a food wine, a party wine, our own Angel of Meat if you will ... 70% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Petit Verdot. 370 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
Dec. 2008 (91 points) – Robert Parker
... the 2007 Sainte Fumee (382 cases) boasts an inky/purple color in addition to a floral-infused blackberry and blueberry-scented nose with a hint of toasty oak. Considerable power, elevated glycerin, a fleshy, full-bodied mouthfeel, and a long finish suggest it will drink well for 5-7 years.

 

Fat Boy is back, with an updated look and all of the power and richness of its predecessors. This wine exhibits a deep, dark ruby color with an intriguing nose of cocoa powder, clove, tobacco and cedar. Great structure and unctuous texture are complemented by the mouth-filling flavors of chocolate cherry cordial and espresso, all leading to an earthy finish of vanilla, leather and violets. 56% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc. 375 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
Dec. 2008 (90 points) – Robert Parker
The outstanding 2006 Fat Boy exhibits espresso, coffee, black cherry jam, charcoal, and pain grille characteristics. As its name suggests, this is a fat, succulent wine with loads of fruit, glycerin, purity, and length. Enjoy it over the next 5-7 years.

Wine Spectator
Online Only 2009 (92 points) – Tim Fish
Sleek and stylish, yet complex, offering red currant, clove and spice notes, with rich, layered black cherry, mocha and espresso flavors that take on momentum toward ripe but deep tannins. Drink now through 2014.

 

A deep, black/red color graces the glass, as the nose announces itself from a distance. Earthy scents of the dark forest oor blend with aromas and avors of meat grilling with sage and mushrooms. The flavors are explosive and add dark fruits, cherry and cocoa to this ne wine. The mouthfeel is lush, yet bright and has great balance. A long nish of plum and lavender is your “just desserts”. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 350 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #162
Dec. 2005 (91-93 points) – Robert Parker
The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Left Blank (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits classic creme de cassis characteristics along with hints of minerals, new saddle leather, graphite, and smoke. Rich, full-bodied, and superbly concentrated with a seamless integration of wood, acidity, alcohol, and tannin, it should drink well for 8-12 years.

 

This wine has a very dark garnet color. The nose is a complex, nutty bouquet with hints of violets, currants, mint and dusty oak. The body of this wine is built to age well and opens up beautifully in the glass. Balance and structure create an elegant wine with dark berry, huckleberry and red currant flaavors with a long, lingering finish. 80% Cab Sauv, 10% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. A blend from three of the Napa Valleys premier vineyards. 250 cases produced.

It started with the 1999 Oakville Cab, (Parker: 95-98 points) and ends with this 2004 Farewell Cuvee. Six powerhouse wines from the famous To-Kalon vineyard. This finalnal edition is all that you could expect. From start to finnish, this is a voluptuous, soft and elegant wine, with great balance and round tannins. The bouquet is loaded with aromas of caramel corn and black cherry. Dark chocolate, black berries and hints of nutmeg and all spice dominate the palate, and, in lieu of a “finish,” we felt an “after-glow”. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. 291 cases.

Wine Spectator
Online Only 2009 (92 points) – James Laube
Well-made in a superripe style, with ripe plum, berry jam and anise. Starts out smooth and concentrated, then firms up on the finish, where this shows a touch of heat and cedary oak. Drink now through 2016.

The Wine Advocate #162
Dec. 2005 (91-93 points) – Robert Parker
The deep ruby/purple-hued 2004 Farewell Cuvée is the estate’s last offering made from Beckstoffer Vineyard fruit. While tannic, rich, concentrated, and promising, it is not as impressive as the Beckstoffer Vineyard Cabernets produced in 2003 or 2001. It will unquestionably need time as this appears to be the most tannic, backward cuvee of the 2004 vintage from Les Behrens. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018.