| 2016 |
Le Cadeau |
Rocheaux Pinot Noir Willamette Valley |
Graceful and polished, with expressive raspberry, violet and delicate licorice accents that take on richness and depth toward the lingering finish. Drink now through 2025. |
Wine Spectator |
93 |
 |
2018-07-31 |
| 2010 |
Behrens Family Winery |
Cabernet Sauvignon Crowley Vineyard |
An open, sweet, floral-infused bouquet leads to rich dark fruit in the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Crowley Vineyard. Within this lineup of decidedly flashy, opulent wines, the Crowley Vineyard comes across as one of the more tightly-wound offerings. A firm sense of structure supports hints of mint, violets and sweet spices, all of which add lift on the finish. The Crowley Vineyard is all about understated intensity and cool minerality. |
Vinous |
94 |
 |
2018-07-30 |
| 2013 |
Behrens Family Winery |
Cabernet Sauvignon Moulds Vineyard |
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Moulds Vineyard is deep, savory and expressive. Crème de cassis, lavender, spice, mint and blackberry jam infuse this striking, unctuous yet mid-weight Cabernet Sauvignon. I would give the 2013 a year or two to soften, as it is a bit clenched today. The combination of ripe, sweet fruit in this relatively cool site yields a Cabernet Sauvignon of distinction. |
Vinous |
92 |
 |
2018-07-30 |
| 2011 |
Behrens Family Winery |
Labor of Love |
Dark red cherries, plums, mint, sweet spices, herbs and juniper berries meld together in the 2011 Red Blend Labor of Love. Espresso, menthol tar and licorice notes add complexity on the layered, expressive finish. The 2011 is 75% Cabernet Franc, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Petit Verdot, all from Martinez Vineyard on Pritchard Hill. |
Vinous |
93 |
 |
2018-07-30 |
| 2013 |
Behrens Family Winery |
Labor of Love |
The Cabernet Franc-based 2013 Labor of Love is a knock-out. Firm, vibrant and aromatically expressive, the 2013 is compelling, but it also needs time to fully come together. Mocha, espresso, menthol and inky blue/purplish fruit flesh out effortlessly. The 2013 needs time in bottle, but it is super-impressive. Labor of Love emerges from a top vineyard site on Pritchard Hill. |
Vinous |
95 |
 |
2018-07-30 |
| 2013 |
Behrens Family Winery |
Labor of Love |
The 2013 Proprietary Red Blend Labor of Love is a blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and the rest equal parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is clearly their most Cabernet Franc-dominated effort. Beautiful blueberry and blackberry fruit and spring flowers soar from the glass of this dense ruby/purple colored wine. This is high-class Cabernet Franc-dominated wine that is complex, ethereal and has super-intensity without the weight. This is a great effort from Les Behrens and Lisa Drinkward. It should continue to drink well for another 20 years. |
Wine Advocate |
95 |
 |
2018-07-30 |
| 2012 |
Behrens Family Winery |
The Explorer |
The 2012 Explorer is built on a core of Petite Sirah from Kick Ranch in Sonoma. Bold and racy throughout, the 2012 offers superb intensity in a racy, voluptuous style that holds tons of near-term appeal. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cherry, pine, spice and mint meld into the juicy, expressive finish. This is another gorgeous wine from Behrens that should be reasonably priced as well. |
Vinous |
91 |
 |
2018-07-30 |
| 2013 |
Behrens Family Winery |
The Collector |
The 2013 The Collector is a delicious, mid-tier offering from Behrens. Sweet tobacco, dried herbs, red cherry jam, plum and licorice give the 2013 much of its distinct savory personality. Even with all of its unctuous, enveloping fruit, the 2013 could use another year or two in bottle, as the tannins are somewhat forbidding at this stage. Dollops of Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot complete the blend. |
Vinous |
90 |
 |
2018-07-30 |
| 2016 |
Punset |
Barbera D'Alba DOC |
Rich and full of plum, black cherry jam and earth flavors, with vibrant acidity keeping this focused and fresh. Balanced, finishing long and mouthwatering. Drink now through 2023. 1,500 cases made. |
Wine Spectator |
90 |
 |
2018-07-25 |
| NV |
Chateau du Tariquet |
12 Yr. 100% Folle Blanche Bas Armagnac |
The 12-year-old in Tariquet’s noteworthy series of 100% Folle Blanche bottlings is intense, like the first days of spring. Light in color, with a nose full of white flowers and green herbs, the spices swirl in the mouth, particularly nutmeg and cinnamon. It’s all balanced by a beautiful dried apricot note that develops from the midpalate into a long spiced-fruit finish. |
Vinous |
94 |
 |
2018-07-20 |