Tag Archives: california winemaking

by

2021 Burnt Sacrifice, Orin Swift Cellars

The 2021 Burnt Sacrifice is another representative of the Dave Phinney six pack; it arrived with the Trigger Finger covered in Notes previously. Of late, fewer red blends have come home with me, but you know, dear readers, that I’m game for anything produced by Orin Swift Cellars.

Burnt Sacrifice 2021
2021 Burnt Sacrifice, Orin Swift Cellars, St. Helena, California, USA.

And this is a pretty good one. It’s not quite the headliner of a Mercury Head or Papillion, or even cult favorites such as the Machete and Palermo that I really love, but a solid entry from my favorite winemaker. More importantly, it rose of the ashes of California’s Glass Fires, which ripped through northern Napa Valley in 2020 but thankfully did not burn out all of the region’s goodness. Phinney originally conceived of Burnt Sacrifice as a Pinot Noir and donated its proceeds to the Napa Valley Community Foundation. The winery has changed the blend of Burnt Sacrifice (ostensibly to “keep it new and inspire curiosity”) year over year, and the 2021 is actually not a Pinot—it’s a blend that features Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Syrah grapes from the Valley Oak, Nunn, Snow’s Lake, Frei, and Barrelli vineyards across California. 

When you uncork a Burnt Sacrifice, you’re treated to rich notes of dark berry fruit…perhaps black cherry or blackberry?…and just a bit of oak. I don’t know if that’s because of the leaves that inspired the wine’s creation post-fire, or because the vintage was aged for eight months in French Oak. Or just part of my imagination? Regardless, it has a full mouthfeel and is bold on the palate. I should have aged this for a few months just to take the edge off the finish, but it still goes down pretty easy and made me wistful for another bottle. 

The 2021 Burnt Sacrifice is worthy of your time, based on both its excellent notes and dark berry goodness, and the cause it’s supporting. Whether you’re hosting guests or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, a bottle of Burnt Sacrifice is sure to make the moment and create memories that linger long after the final drop. Experience a bottle of Burnt Sacrifice wine for yourself!

by

2021 Trigger Finger, Orin Swift Cellars

To celebrate the 52nd birthday of my favorite winemaker, I purchased a six pack of “mystery reds” from Orin Swift Cellars and crossed my fingers for Palermo or Papillon (which is how I’d like to celebrate MY 52nd birthday). Given the price point, I was doubtful of pulling my top draft picks but leaned into the offer—it had only upside to this Phinney fan. Several weeks later I signed for the delivery and burst the box, immediately recognizing the Trigger Finger (this a 2021) graphic from the winery’s website: https://www.orinswift.com/wines/trigger-finger/

It’s my first Trigger Finger, so I wanted to take a moment to commemorate it here. The 2021 Trigger Finger is a Grenache, one of the world’s oldest red wines, and a varietal that’s less frequently covered in Notes Of Note. Like all my favorites, it pours deep, ruby red and just dances in your glass.  Notes of red berry goodness, plum, and bit of spice are easily detectable right from the rim…rich, cherry, and elegant. Upon tasting the 2021 Trigger Finger, I wanted to call out black cherry flavors, maybe raspberry, and that spice. It’s not quite the spice of a Syrah, but still very present. The finish is long and smooth, a beckoning finger that pulls you back for another sip.

2021 Trigger Finger, Orin Swift Cellars
2021 Trigger Finger, Orin Swift Cellars, St. Helena, California, USA.

According to the winery, “The 2021 opens with notes of candied strawberry, pomegranate, Mission fig and fig leaf, with just a touch of red chard, musk, and baking spices.”

It’s also supposed to be versatile and pair well with a variety of foodstuffs that range from your (eye roll here) charcuterie board to grilled lamb chops or roasted vegetables—we probably covered a couple of those use cases before this first bottle was gone. Orin Swift aged the 2021 Trigger Finger for nine months in French and American Oak. Whether you’re reading here as a seasoned veteran or just looking to sample a new favorite, this Grenache is sure to captivate the senses and leave a lasting impression. Glad we have one more of these ourselves!

by

2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary, Caymus Vineyards: A Review

Hello friends it’s been far too long, and far too many bottles escaping a recap. I’m fixing that right now, courtesy of the 2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a limited-edition headliner of a wine that commemorates the Wagner family and its Napa Valley roots. 

2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary, Caymus Vineyards, Fairfield, California, USA.

The 2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon pours in a distinctive, deep ruby hue. Swirling it in the glass reveals not only its vibrant crimson color but also dark berry aromas of goodness…probably black cherry or plum? Other tasters cite its “baking spices” and “enticing whiffs of cocoa, tobacco, and leather,” but I’m pleasantly covered in the berry framework of this intriguing bottle and miss a few of those nuances. That may be attributed to our consumption of this Caymus bottle in its (relative) youth rather than allowing its profile to mature over the next 5 to 10 years? Anyway, the 2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary is a full-bodied wine with layers of ripe black fruit and vanilla, and I find myself doing less sipping and more swirling of the wine. Like many Wagner wines, it’s velvety on the tongue and has a fulsome mouthfeel that leads to a balanced, satisfying finish.

Fruit for the 2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary was harvested from diverse terroirs, ranging from the cooler Coombsville region in the southern part of the Valley to warmer Calistoga in the north. Also in the mix are grapes from the renowned Rutherford and Oakville appellations—all blended in the production of a complex, intensely enjoyable Napa Cab that is itself a celebration.

From its deep, inky color to its rich, concentrated flavors of dark fruits and spices, the 2022 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 50th Anniversary truly captivates the senses. It’s a milestone for the Wagner family and a testament to their ongoing pursuit of excellence. This 2022 Caymus deserves to be savored and appreciated, both for its exceptional quality and also for the legacy it represents. I’m so pleased we have another one to hold for the future!

by

2021 Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon, Orin Swift Cellars

I’m remembering this one gladly – a fella’s requested birthday drink to commemorate another trip around the sun. Many thanks to Cara for all the special touches that make for a fun celebration and looking forward to many more.

2021 Palermo Cabernet Sauvignon, Orin Swift Cellars, Napa Valley, Saint Helena, California, USA.

I’ve been privileged to sample the Palermo on happy occasions in the past, and you can read a review of the 2016 at your convenience.

by

2021 Salman Vineyards Petite Syrah, Jeff Runquist Wines

NotesOfNote has suffered throughout 2023 because of my various distractions and competing priorities, but having sampled this Jeff Runquist over the past week it’s high time to get back to spreading the joy of good grapes. Any reasonable reader of Notes may be aware that his 1448 is a go-to weeknight wine for this oenophile. On rare occasions, though, I’ve had the great pleasure of sampling the next tier of Runquists.

2021 R Petite Syrah, Salman Vineyard, Jeff Runquist Wines, Clarksburg, California, USA.
2021 R Petite Syrah, Salman Vineyard, Jeff Runquist Wines, Clarksburg, California, USA.

To read previous reviews of the 2017, please be sure to view here or more fully here. Thanks, as always, for coming along for the ride here with Notes.

by

2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonnet Hill

For this guy, there’s nothing like a great bottle of California Cab…except perhaps when it’s a GIFT bottle like this 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, from Bonnet Hill in Healdsburg. According to my favorite wine store, the 2021 Bonnet Hill has jumped onto the scene in June of this year because of its incredible wine country pedigree.

2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonnet Hill, Healdsburg, California, USA.

You have to know that the fruit for the Bonnet Hill comes from Andy Beckstoffer’s Crimson Ridge Vineyard in Lake County. It’s just to the north of Napa and slowly emerging from its sleeper status for Cabernet. Elected to the Culinary Institute of America’s Vintners Hall of Fame in 2010, Beckstoffer is a legend in Napa for his family-owned Beckstoffer Vineyards, numerous contributions to the quality of Northern California grape growing, and land prescrvation advocacy throughout the Rutherford Viticultural Area. Beckstoffer started investing in the Lake Country region several years ago, purchasing a 1,200-acre vineyard he named “Amber Knolls” in the Red Hills AVA—which is from where this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon originates.

It’s amazing value in the glass, a deep, ruby red that shares whiffs of cherry and plums…innate, inky mouthfeel that rings authentic and terroir as you taste it. Didn’t need to breathe; it was ready to go right out of the glass—no aeration, either. Bottled as Bonnet Hill, this 2021 is complex and had far less tannins than I expected…very easy drinking and a gentle finish. 

The first Beckstoffer Crimson Ridge wines all released at over $80 per bottle, as spotlighted here. The 2021 Bonnet Hill is an absolute gem, priced well below that audacious marker, and I’m going to have to head back for more right away. It’s fantastic juice at a fantastic price!