DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON
NEW WORLD WINES

2022 Chacra Pinot Noir “Cincuenta Y Cinco”

A stellar 96-point rated Pinot Noir—mostly own-rooted vines, planted in 1955—in the very remote, pure, dry Patagonian environment (Argentina) with intense sun, high elevation, and mineral-rich riverbed soils (sand, clay, limestone) by Piero Incisa della Rocchetta of Sassicaia fame.

2017 Sucette Grenache “Old, Own Rooted Vines”

Over the years, we haven’t run across too many pure Grenache red wines, which have completely rang our bell with a knockout delivery. Here is one, which not only delivers, but with additional bottle age just keeps impressing with how the minerality is coming out without taking anything away from its alluring, mesmerizing, seamless texture, seductive charm and perfume. Rated 95 points, the vines for this bottling were planted (in mostly pure sand) back sometime between the 1850’s and mid 1870’s and are still own-rooted.

2017 Scherrer Cabernet Sauvignon “Scherrer Vineyard”

What a “find”…..8-9 years old and in all it’s glory!!!!!! It has a very provocative, bordering exotic personality with a very savory, earthy, sometimes brooding core. Fred’s father first planted Cabernet Sauvignon in the late 1980’s. Their vineyard is located on a bench with a unique clay, loam mix. I always think of the Scherrer Cabernet Sauvignon as being a hill grown Cabernet crafted by a Pinot Noir master, which will at least partially explain its mesmerizing texture and balance. What a real treat to taste the 2017!

2022 Melville Syrah “Donna’s Block”

We have been waiting a LONG time for more and more notable Syrah based red wines to be uncovered in California. Yes, today, there are a few. A revelatory Syrah headliner is from Melville and their Donna’s Block. This a very sandy parcel planted in 1998 with the Estrella and clone 1 vines. Chad Melville uses 100% whole clusters in his fermentations and ages the wine in old (up to 15 year old) barrels. This 98 point star is intriguingly aromatic—meaty, earthy, floral & peppery; upbeat, buoyant, savory and so intensely concentrated without any sense of heaviness whatsoever. What a discovery!!!!