| 95 - 100 / WORLD CLASS: A very complex wine that is almost perfect in every respect. Very few wines ever achieve this height and are worthy of a dedicated, perservering search. 90 - 94 / OUTSTANDING: A complex, rich expansive wine with complexity, texture and style that sets it apart, well worth a diligent search. 85 - 89 / EXCEPTIONAL: A wine with some complexity, depth and structure; generally a highly recommended wine. 75 - 84 / VERY GOOD: A clean, fresh wine with some special attributes; a recommended wine. 70 - 74 / GOOD: A technically correct wine with no noticeable flaws. |
Jim Barbour, vineyard manager at Grace Family Vineyards, planted his 1/2 acre estate with budwood from Grace. The first vintage was in 1995. Jim is in the process of getting the rights to plant some adjacent land to increase the size of his vineyard. We urge our subscribers to get on his mailing list. Jim, without question produces some of the finest cabernet in California, period.
The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley is very dark ruby with an exotic perfumed bouquet of black currants, blackberry, bright plums, tobacco, sandalwood and chocolate with hints of lead pencil and mint. The complex flavors of cherries, berries, chocolate, mint, spice and nutty vanilla are lush and expansive with fabulous depth, followed by a very long, fruity, black licorice etched finish that lingers on and on. Our highest recommendation ever! (98)
The 1997 White Table Wine, "Bianco Nuovo Mondo", Alexander Valley, (55% Sauvignon Blanc, 45% Semillon) has perfumed aromas of rich melon, pear, citrus, fig and spice with floral highlights. The flavors of citrus, melon and spice are bright and forward with good depth and texture, followed by a fruity, spicy, crisp finish. (90)
Located on what was once part of the 48,000 acre Agua Caliente land grant. The land was also once owned by the Hearst family.
The 1996 Sangiovese, Sonoma County has a bright spicy nose of blackberries, raspberries, cassis, rhubarb, green tea and truffle. The flavors of ollieberry, fresh plum raspberry and brown spice with a hint of herb are rich and concentrated with good depth, followed by a bright, fruity, expansive finish. Very attractive. (90)
The 1996 "Cuvee de La Luna", Reserve Red Wine, Sonoma County has a bright, forward bouquet of blackberry, cassis, dry citrus zest, cedar and black pepper with hints of asian spice. The flavors of concentrated berries, cassis, spice and vanilla are round and balanced, followed by a fruity, spicy finish. (87)
Fred Scherrer, ex winemaker at Dehlinger, now runs Scherrer. The vineyard was originally planted by his grandfather in 1911. Call to get on Fred's mailing list.
The 1997 Zinfandel, Old and Mature Vines, Alexander Valley has aromas of raspberry, blackberry, pepper, cassis, rose petal, red licorice and cedar. The flavors of raspberry, cocoa, licorice and black pepper with lush spicy notes are complex with exceptional depth and balance are followed by a bright fruity, peppery finish. Delicious. (93)
The 1997 Zinfandel, "The Shale Terrace", Scherrer Vineyard, Alexander Valley has an exotic perfumed nose of raspberry, fresh plums, roses, root beer, cassis, cinnamon and black pepper. The flavors of rich briary berries, strawberry, cassis, underbrush spice and minty peppery notes are balanced with exceptional depth are followed by a long lingering, complex, fruity finish. Delicious. (92)
The 1997 Zinfandel, Special Cuvee, Alexander Valley (produced from a vineyard planted in 1912) has a perfumed nose of raspberry, ripe strawberry, boysenberry, roses and sandalwood with hints of rose petal. The flavors of layered berries, spice and pepper with hints of citrus zest are balanced with good texture, followed by a fruity, spicy finish. (88)
The 1997 Chardonnay, Scherrer Vineyard - Alexander Valley has a lovely perfumed nose of pineapple, mango, coconut, apples, pear and minerals. The flavors of tropical fruits, apples, citrus, spice and vanilla are rich, round and complex, followed by a very fruity, spicy, crisp finish. (90)
Handley has a very tongue in cheek glossary of "cork dork" wine terms. The definition of fermentation is "The act of yeast eating sugar and converting it to alcohol. If the yeasts stuff themselves silly, the poor little guys actually die of alcohol poisoning. But what a way to go! Don't worry, we remove the dead ones."
The 1997 Pinot Meunier, "Pinot Mystere", Anderson Valley has a perfumed bouquet of cherries, raspberry, cassis, mint, cinnamon and dry orange zest. The flavors of layered berries, spice and mint with a hint of black pepper are round and balanced, followed by a lush, fruit, spicy finish. (87)
The 1996 Pinot Noir, Estate "Reserve", Anderson Valley has a perfumed nose of cherries, berries, cedar, tea, smoke and spice. The flavors of ripe strawberry, cherries and spice are balanced, followed by a fruity, spicy finish. (84)
The 1997 Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley (sugar at harvest 35.4, residual sugar 15%), has a lovely bouquet of apricot, tropical fruits, citrus, coconut, peach and pear. The concentrated flavors of pineapple, apricot, nectarine and orange with hint of minerals are followed by a rich, complex, expansive, creamy, sweet finish with crisp acidity. (91)
The 1997 Chardonnay, Dry Creek Valley has a perfumed nose of tropical fruits, lemon custard, ripe apple and vanilla with hints of cinnamon and carnation. The flavors of apple, pineapple, mango, citrus and toast are balanced with good texture, followed by a fruity finish. (88)
The 1997 Chardonnay, Napa Valley (not filtered) has an exotic nose of tropical fruits, citrus, apple, carnation, hazelnut, coconut and vanilla. The flavors of pineapple, mango, butterscotch, lemon custard and vanilla are lush, elegant and exquisitely balanced are followed by a long lingering, fruity, roasted nut etched finish. Fabulous again. (93)
The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon "Stanleys Selection", Napa Valley has a lush bouquet of black cherry, cassis, raspberry, white truffle, cigar box, violets and lead pencil. The flavors of red pit fruits, rich berries, licorice, toast and clove are concentrated and complex with good depth, followed by a fabulously long, fruity, expansive finish. (93)
The 1997 Chardonnay, Napa Valley has a bright perfumed nose of pineapple, apples, mango, guava, coconut and vanilla. The flavors of tropical fruits, ripe apples, citrus and vanilla are round and balanced, followed by a creamy, fruity finish. (90)