Reflections on Our Wines

As many of you know, I love young wines and when I say sharpness, harshness or intensity that is what I like for my wines to be at a young stage. As a matter of fact, I'm not really a fan of older wines. I admit that there are times when I am impressed with older wines, but for the most part, I prefer my wines within 5 years of age. So take these ratings with a grain of salt. I may rate a wine high just because it is young. 

What you will see here will be extracted from my Winemakers' Diary, where I may also be talking about wines from other producers. You might very much want to check out the diary page to put things in context since these extracted comments may not give the full "flavor" of my opinions! The dates listed link back to the diary page, and generally the numbers in parenthesis are my rating of the wine on a hundred point scale. If you would like to add your own comments, check out our Public Forum.

Remember that these notes are mostly a digest of what I've said in my diary and I encourage to follow the links where you might find additional information. Also the diary will have information about the "broad strokes" of a vintage that don't fit into the invidual wines as listed here.

David Coffaro
 

Tried an 1997 Oakville Ranch Cabernet and a 1997 Behrens & Hichcock Napa. The tannin in the Oakville and the finnish in the B&H made those wines much more intense than my 1997 Aca Modot. I am wondering if I should be adding more oak to only my Aca Modot to bring out more comlexity and maybe intensity. Gave the Aca Modot 90 points. February 9, 2000.

The 1998 Aca Modot was very intense, but young and disjointed. I gave it 93 points. February 10, 2000

The 1998 Aca Modot seems to be shutting down. It had virtually no bouquet but had great tannin and intensity. I feel I'm going to wait at least a month before I taste another bottle. March 2, 2000.

The 1998 Aca Modot, very young, seemed to be flat the first day compared to the other three [wines from other producers], improved dramatically the second day (90). March 28, 2000.

I tasted our 1998 Petite Sirah and 1998 Aca Modot tonight. At first I preferred the P.S., but after an hour or so the Aca was much more intense. If you are going to try one of our 1999 wines over the holidays, I suggest our 1999 Zin. It will please with all this holiday food. December 14, 2000.

The 1999 Aca Modot is showing great fruit, but is so tart I can't even enjoy it. I thought the 1998 Aca would out live me--I think maybe the 1999 will out live some of our children/ July 26, 2000

I know some of you may be wondering how our 1999 wines are coming along. You may check out what Tom Hill says under the public forum. In any case I will give you my two cents worth. I feel the 1999 Block 4 is still the most round and drinkable right now. I tried our 1999 Zin last night compared with a 1999 Ridge Dusi and I was very happy with our concentration. I still feel to my tastes, it is the best zin I have produced. I am also happy to say that the 1999 Estate Cuvee is starting to round out, although it will improve dramatically over the next year or two. The 1999 Cab Franc could still be the best wine we produced last year. I feel the 1999 Aca Modot and 1999 Carignan could still use some time before trying. January 29, 2001.

I opened my 1999 Petite Sirah, 1999 Aca Modot and 1999 Estate Cuvee. After hearing that someone thought as I do that petite sirah can taste like cabernet, I was interested to see how the Aca Modot (mostly cab) would compare to my P.S. I was happy to be fooled on my first blind taste. I was surprised that the Aca had finally filled out to stand up to the petite sirah. The 1999 Aca Modot is very young and on previous tastings had not shown well. You see my judge of a long lived wine is that it will taste somewhat backward in bouquet at first, but still have a long finish. That is why I was happy that the Aca to my tastes was possibly a better wine last night. I still think the Estate cuvee needs time. All these wines were about 13.7 alc. , but the Estate Cuvee was much spicier at this time. June 15, 2001.

The 1999 Block 4 has a spiciness and balance that is unique. It doesn't show it's 15% alc and I really haven't made up my mind yet. Everyone that has tried it has been amazed. July 26, 2000

I'm tasting tonight our 1999 Estate Cuvee and 1999 Block 4. The Estate cuvee is much more tart or as Pat says spicey. It is a great food wine. The Block 4 is to my taste (not Pat---she felt it was young and less smooth) is more round and concentrated. August 8, 2000

To my taste (not Pat---she felt it was young and less smooth) the 1999 Block 4 is more round and concentrated. I am sure the 15.3 Alc has some influence on my head. August 8, 2000.

The 1999 Block 4 is  round spicy with great balance and a very long finish. August 25, 2000.

I know some of you may be wondering how our 1999 wines are coming along. You may check out what Tom Hill says under the public forum. In any case I will give you my two cents worth. I feel the 1999 Block 4 is still the most round and drinkable right now. I tried our 1999 Zin last night compared with a 1999 Ridge Dusi and I was very happy with our concentration. I still feel to my tastes, it is the best zin I have produced. I am also happy to say that the 1999 Estate Cuvee is starting to round out, although it will improve dramatically over the next year or two. The 1999 Cab Franc could still be the best wine we produced last year. I feel the 1999 Aca Modot and 1999 Carignan could still use some time before trying. January 29, 2001.

For the first time in a a long time I tasted our 1995 Cabernet  (91). I am really amazed that the wine has gained a great deal of complexity and body over the years. The wine seem young and may improve with more aging. May 3, 2000.

Our 1996 Cabernet is still tasting young. It is filling out, but lacks the oak of the others. I still rated it 94 because of its intensity. It is showing much better than the 97 and 98 Aca Modot now. February 12, 2000

Dinner is over and I had a taste or two of our 1999 Cab Franc and 1999 Petite Sirah. I still prefer the Cab franc,  but the P.S. is coming around. It is pretty tannic.  October 10, 2000.

I know some of you may be wondering how our 1999 wines are coming along. You may check out what Tom Hill says under the public forum. In any case I will give you my two cents worth. I feel the 1999 Block 4 is still the most round and drinkable right now. I tried our 1999 Zin last night compared with a 1999 Ridge Dusi and I was very happy with our concentration. I still feel to my tastes, it is the best zin I have produced. I am also happy to say that the 1999 Estate Cuvee is starting to round out, although it will improve dramatically over the next year or two. The 1999 Cab Franc could still be the best wine we produced last year. I feel the 1999 Aca Modot and 1999 Carignan could still use some time before trying. January 29, 2001.

Tried our 1996, 1997 and 1998 Carignan wines. I thought the 1996 was my least favorite and the 1998 my most. Again the 1997 had almost too much fruit for me. Also I tried my 1996, 1997 and 1998 Petite Sirahs. This time I probably preferred the 1996 over the other two. Actually I would have trouble picking out my favorite considering that the 1996 was more developed. All three wines surprised me since I thought I would prefer the 1998 by far. It just seemed that the 1996 and 1997 with bottle age  were the equal. June 6, 2000.

The 1996 Zinfandel, 1996 Carignan and 1996 Petite Sirah. At first I was struck by how much fruit was showing in the Carignan. I don't remember that much concentration before. Complexity was much more present in the other two wines. I think the Zin is the most complex, but the Petite Sirah was the most spicy. None of the three wines seemed to be fading. February 11, 2001.

Opened a 1997 Carignan and a 1997 Petite Sirah. My first impression was that the Carignan was much rounder and fuller but that the Petite Sirah might be more complex and needed more time. However, tasted blind I felt the Petite Sirah seemed to be less complex and definitely needed much more time,  and I preferred the Carignan. I would rate them both equally - the Petite Sirah because of its potential and the Carignan because of what it is showing now - at 90 points each. March 2, 2000.

Tried our 1996, 1997 and 1998 Carignan wines. I thought the 1996 was my least favorite and the 1998 my most. Again the 1997 had almost too much fruit for me. Also I tried my 1996, 1997 and 1998 Petite Sirahs. This time I probably preferred the 1996 over the other two. Actually I would have trouble picking out my favorite considering that the 1996 was more developed. All three wines surprised me since I thought I would prefer the 1998 by far. It just seemed that the 1996 and 1997 with bottle age  were the equal. June 6, 2000.

Tasted the 1998 Carignan and 1998 Estate Cuvee both last night and today. The Carignan for my taste beat out the Estate Cuvee last night. It seemed to be spicier with more intensity. This evening after 24 hours, the Estate Cuvee's bouquet improved dramatically and nosed out the Carignan. I rated them both 90. February 22, 2000.

Tried our 1996, 1997 and 1998 Carignan wines. I thought the 1996 was my least favorite and the 1998 my most. Again the 1997 had almost too much fruit for me. Also I tried my 1996, 1997 and 1998 Petite Sirahs. This time I probably preferred the 1996 over the other two. Actually I would have trouble picking out my favorite considering that the 1996 was more developed. All three wines surprised me since I thought I would prefer the 1998 by far. It just seemed that the 1996 and 1997 with bottle age  were the equal. June 6, 2000.

I found the 1999 Carignan to be good, but unexciting (13.3 alc). It is less extracted than the others and has a chalky tart finish. I am in the minority since we sold more of this wine on the 15th than any other. Don't get me wrong--it is drinkable and enjoyable, but I don't think it will age for more than 5 years. July 26, 2000

I know some of you may be wondering how our 1999 wines are coming along. You may check out what Tom Hill says under the public forum. In any case I will give you my two cents worth. I feel the 1999 Block 4 is still the most round and drinkable right now. I tried our 1999 Zin last night compared with a 1999 Ridge Dusi and I was very happy with our concentration. I still feel to my tastes, it is the best zin I have produced. I am also happy to say that the 1999 Estate Cuvee is starting to round out, although it will improve dramatically over the next year or two. The 1999 Cab Franc could still be the best wine we produced last year. I feel the 1999 Aca Modot and 1999 Carignan could still use some time before trying. January 29, 2001.

As I suspected the 1995 and 1996 Estate Cuvee were the most alike. Unlike last year this time the 1996 (90pts) was less intense. If you have any left, hold on to it for a year. I'll let you know when it comes on again. The 1997 Estate Cuvee (89) is still showing the most fresh bright fruit. I am looking for it to tone down a little, but most of you will probably enjoy it now. The 1998 (89) is more like the 1994 and shows alot of potential. It just pales in comparison [to the other wines tasted this evening] from lack of complexity. I preferred the 1995 Estate Cuvee (94) at first for its intensity, but as the evening went on the 1994 Estate Cuvee (95) surpassed it as it gained weight and balance. In all--a great thrill for me.   April 18, 2000.

As I suspected the 1995 and 1996 Estate Cuvee were the most alike. Unlike last year this time the 1996 (90pts) was less intense. If you have any left, hold on to it for a year. I'll let you know when it comes on again. The 1997 Estate Cuvee (89) is still showing the most fresh bright fruit. I am looking for it to tone down a little, but most of you will probably enjoy it now. The 1998 (89) is more like the 1994 and shows alot of potential. It just pales in comparison [to the other wines tasted this evening] from lack of complexity. I preferred the 1995 Estate Cuvee (94) at first for its intensity, but as the evening went on the 1994 (95) surpassed it as it gained weight and balance. In all--a great thrill for me.   April 18, 2000.

As I suspected the 1995 and 1996 Estate Cuvee were the most alike. Unlike last year this time the 1996 (90pts) was less intense. If you have any left, hold on to it for a year. I'll let you know when it comes on again. The 1997 Estate Cuvee (89) is still showing the most fresh bright fruit. I am looking for it to tone down a little, but most of you will probably enjoy it now. The 1998 (89) is more like the 1994 and shows alot of potential. It just pales in comparison [to the other wines tasted this evening] from lack of complexity. I preferred the 1995 Estate Cuvee (94) at first for its intensity, but as the evening went on the 1994 (95) surpassed it as it gained weight and balance. In all--a great thrill for me. April 18, 2000.

As I suspected the 1995 and 1996 Estate Cuvee were the most alike. Unlike last year this time the 1996 (90pts) was less intense. If you have any left, hold on to it for a year. I'll let you know when it comes on again. The 1997 Estate Cuvee (89) is still showing the most fresh bright fruit. I am looking for it to tone down a little, but most of you will probably enjoy it now. The 1998 (89) is more like the 1994 and shows alot of potential. It just pales in comparison [to the other wines tasted this evening] from lack of complexity. I preferred the 1995 Estate Cuvee (94) at first for its intensity, but as the evening went on the 1994 (95) surpassed it as it gained weight and balance. In all--a great thrill for me. April 18, 2000.

Tasted the 1998 Carignan and 1998 Estate Cuvee both last night and today. The Carignan for my taste beat out the Estate Cuvee last night. It seemed to be spicier with more intensity. This evening after 24 hours, the Estate Cuvee's bouquet improved dramatically and nosed out the Carignan. I rated them both 90. February 22, 2000.

Opened a new bottle and I thought the 1998 Estate Cuvee seemed very smooth and less intense than when it was first bottled. I would not taste any for another two months (89 pts).. March 1, 2000.

As I suspected the 1995 and 1996 Estate Cuvee were the most alike. Unlike last year this time the 1996 (90pts) was less intense. If you have any left, hold on to it for a year. I'll let you know when it comes on again. The 1997 Estate Cuvee (89) is still showing the most fresh bright fruit. I am looking for it to tone down a little, but most of you will probably enjoy it now. The 1998 Estate Cuvee (89) is more like the 1994 and shows alot of potential. It just pales in comparison [to the other wines tasted this evening] from lack of complexity. I preferred the 1995 Estate Cuvee (94) at first for its intensity, but as the evening went on the 1994 (95) surpassed it as it gained weight and balance. In all--a great thrill for me.  April 18, 2000.

The 1999 Estate Cuvee has cherry, spice and at 13.6 Alc all the match of the Block 4. July 26, 2000

I'm tasting tonight our 1999 Estate Cuvee and 1999 Block 4. The Estate cuvee is much more tart or as Pat says spicey. It is a great food wine. The Block 4 is to my taste (not Pat---she felt it was young and less smooth) is more round and concentrated. August 8, 2000

The 1999 Estate Cuvee is much more tart or as Pat says spicey (than the 1999 Block 4). It is a great food wine.  August 8, 2000..

Tried our 1999 Petite Sirah and 1999 Estate Cuvee. At first I thought the Petite Sirah was much smoother if less fruity, but after tasting blind, I was amazed that I thought the Estate Cuvee was smoother and more advanced. To me I still think these are very good food wines but still need time. November 30, 2000.

I know some of you may be wondering how our 1999 wines are coming along. You may check out what Tom Hill says under the public forum. In any case I will give you my two cents worth. I feel the 1999 Block 4 is still the most round and drinkable right now. I tried our 1999 Zin last night compared with a 1999 Ridge Dusi and I was very happy with our concentration. I still feel to my tastes, it is the best zin I have produced. I am also happy to say that the 1999 Estate Cuvee is starting to round out, although it will improve dramatically over the next year or two. The 1999 Cab Franc could still be the best wine we produced last year. I feel the 1999 Aca Modot and 1999 Carignan could still use some time before trying. January 29, 2001.

I opened my 1999 Petite Sirah, 1999 Aca Modot and 1999 Estate Cuvee. After hearing that someone thought as I do that petite sirah can taste like cabernet, I was interested to see how the Aca Modot (mostly cab) would compare to my P.S. I was happy to be fooled on my first blind taste. I was surprised that the Aca had finally filled out to stand up to the petite sirah. The 1999 Aca Modot is very young and on previous tastings had not shown well. You see my judge of a long lived wine is that it will taste somewhat backward in bouquet at first, but still have a long finish. That is why I was happy that the Aca to my tastes was possibly a better wine last night. I still think the Estate cuvee needs time. All these wines were about 13.7 alc. , but the Estate Cuvee was much spicier at this time. June 15, 2001.

Opened a 1998 Neighbors' Cuvee. It seemed much more lively and complex [than the 1998 Estate Cuvee opened tonight]; more disjointed, but much more interesting at this stage (90 pts). I know I have been critical of this wine in the past so I am happy I was wrong. I know some of you feel it is one of my best wines of 1998.  March 1, 2000.

The 1994 Zinfandel was showing very well. It sure has not faded and showed a great deal of fruit. February 12, 2000

The 1994 Zinfandel  was possibly the most balanced [of the wines tasted tonight] and had lost none of its body, but maybe some spiciness. It was always a jammy wine and that quality has not demented. February 11, 2001.

The 1996 Zinfandel, 1996 Carignan and 1996 Petite Sirah. At first I was struck by how much fruit was showing in the Carignan. I don't remember that much concentration before. Complexity was much more present in the other two wines. I think the Zin is the most complex, but the Petite Sirah was the most spicy. None of the three wines seemed to be fading. February 11, 2001.

The wines we opened tonight were zins. My 1998 Neighbors' Zin, 1998 Estate Zin, and 1999 Zin. Pat liked the Neighbors over the estate 98. I preferred the estate for it's liveliness. We both agreed that even being young the 1999 was much better. November 30, 2000.

I know some of you may be wondering how our 1999 wines are coming along. You may check out what Tom Hill says under the public forum. In any case I will give you my two cents worth. I feel the 1999 Block 4 is still the most round and drinkable right now. I tried our 1999 Zin last night compared with a 1999 Ridge Dusi and I was very happy with our concentration. I still feel to my tastes, it is the best zin I have produced. I am also happy to say that the 1999 Estate Cuvee is starting to round out, although it will improve dramatically over the next year or two. The 1999 Cab Franc could still be the best wine we produced last year. I feel the 1999 Aca Modot and 1999 Carignan could still use some time before trying. January 29, 2001.

For the first time in a a long time I tasted our 1996 Zinfandel  (92). I am really amazed that the wine has gained a great deal of complexity and body over the years. The wine seems young and may improve with more aging. May 3, 2000.

The 1998 Estate Zinfandel was opened on Sunday and I have been tasting that wine for the last two days. It has become  almost elegant after two days, with great balance and maybe I'm just tasting the oak. It is definitely not a big wine but is pleasurable and I rated it 88. February 22, 2000.

The 1998 Estate Zinfandel is still not showing a great deal of intensity at this time. It still seems to be fairly balanced but had a certain harshness in the blind tasting. I rated it 86....I've been disappointed in my 1998 Zinfandels right from the press. Go back and take a look at our diary postings during harvest in 1998 for confirmation of this. Nevertheless, the wines have surprised me and I'm happy with the quality, but I still think they will never compare with the '97's, 99's or even the 96's.  February 29, 2000. One day later, the still open bottle became more elegant. March 1, 2000.

The wines we opened tonight were zins. My 1998 Neighbors' Zin, 1998 Estate Zin, and 1999 Zin. Pat liked the Neighbors over the estate 98. I preferred the estate for it's liveliness. We both agreed that even being young the 1999 was much better. November 30, 2000.

I can't keep my hands off the 1999 Estate Zinfandel. Even Pat likes it!!! I thought it was a great wine at harvest, but I thought it suffered in comparison to the Petite Sirah and Cab Franc before bottling. NOT so now. It is clearly the most interesting wine. July 26, 2000

The 1998 Neighbors' Zinfandel is in my opinion definitely showing better than the estate with a great deal of spiciness, but compared to some of the better '97's doesn't stand up (88). February 29, 2000. One day later the still open Neighbors' zin held strong and balanced. March 1, 2000.

The 1998 Neighbors' Zinfandel had good balance (88). March 28, 2000.

The wines we opened tonight were zins. My 1998 Neighbors' Zin, 1998 Estate Zin, and 1999 Zin. Pat liked the Neighbors over the estate 98. I preferred the estate for it's liveliness. We both agreed that even being young the 1999 was much better. November 30, 2000.

The 1996 Zinfandel, 1996 Carignan and 1996 Petite Sirah. At first I was struck by how much fruit was showing in the Carignan. I don't remember that much concentration before. Complexity was much more present in the other two wines. I think the Zin is the most complex, but the Petite Sirah was the most spicy. None of the three wines seemed to be fading. February 11, 2001.

Opened a 1997 Carignan and a 1997 Petite Sirah. My first impression was that the Carignan was much rounder and fuller but that the Petite Sirah might be more complex and needed more time. However, tasted blind I felt the Petite Sirah seemed to be less complex and definitely needed much more time,  and I preferred the Carignan. I would rate them both equally - the Petite Sirah because of its potential and the Carignan because of what it is showing now - at 90 points each. March 2, 2000.

The 1998 Petite Sirah was definitely the stand out for me. Much more intensity, or I even like to call it sharpness or harshness, but a great food wine and I rated it 92. February 22, 2000.

I tasted our 1998 Petite Sirah and 1998 Aca Modot tonight. At first I preferred the P.S., but after an hour or so the Aca was much more intense. If you are going to try one of our 1999 wines over the holidays, I suggest our 1999 Zin. It will please with all this holiday food. December 14, 2000.

I was very impressed with the 1999 Petite Sirah before bottling. I have only tried it a couple of times in comparison to the Zin and thought it lacked the character.July 26, 2000

Dinner is over and I had a taste or two of our 1999 Cab Franc and 1999 Petite Sirah. I still prefer the Cab franc,  but the P.S. is coming around. It is pretty tannic.  October 10, 2000.

Tried our 1999 Petite Sirah and 1999 Estate Cuvee. At first I thought the Petite Sirah was much smoother if less fruity, but after tasting blind, I was amazed that I thought the Estate Cuvee was smoother and more advanced. To me I still think these are very good food wines but still need time. November 30, 2000.

I opened my 1999 Petite Sirah, 1999 Aca Modot and 1999 Estate Cuvee. After hearing that someone thought as I do that petite sirah can taste like cabernet, I was interested to see how the Aca Modot (mostly cab) would compare to my P.S. I was happy to be fooled on my first blind taste. I was surprised that the Aca had finally filled out to stand up to the petite sirah. The 1999 Aca Modot is very young and on previous tastings had not shown well. You see my judge of a long lived wine is that it will taste somewhat backward in bouquet at first, but still have a long finish. That is why I was happy that the Aca to my tastes was possibly a better wine last night. I still think the Estate cuvee needs time. All these wines were about 13.7 alc. , but the Estate Cuvee was much spicier at this time. June 15, 2001.

The 1999 Pinot is extracted and with high acid will age for a very long time. I like it, but remember I am not a Pinot fan.  July 26, 2000
 

The 1999 Sauvignon Blanc on the high acid side. The local restaurants are selling a good amount of this wine so I assume it is a good food wine. . Juy 26, 2000

Tasted the 1998 ZP2C compared to the '98 Petite Sirah. I was very happy that it had definitely improved from the last time I had tasted it in December and I rated it 88. February 29, 2000.

Tried the 1998 and 1999 ZP2C. I was very surprised with the balance and finish of the 1999 ZP2C compared to the 1998. The1998 still has not shown that great lingering finish that I like. I also thought the 1999 held up well to our zin.  It is a wine that will age for a very long time, but will be enjoyable right away. August 25, 2000.