Pride Mountain Vineyards Reserve Claret 2015
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Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb
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The 2015 Reserve Claret exhibits a push-and-pull between its playful, fruit-forward personality and its equally stimulating dark, brooding side. Flavors of chocolate-covered cherries, ripe plum, mocha and perfectly-ripe blueberries are enhanced by a concentrated palate bursting with flavor and tannins.
The concept for the Reserve Claret is to make the most complex, symphonic wine possible from the estate, driven mostly by the intense mountain merlot but with a hefty dose of cab to add complexity and ageability. The Merlot portion (60%) of this blend was harvested on October 1st and was fermented on its skins for 19 days. The Cabernet portion (39%) was harvested on October 24th and was given an extended maceration, finally being pressed on December 30! A final 1% of Petit Verdot was added to bring floral notes, spice and a touch of acidity.
Blend: 60% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Composed of 60% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot coming 38% from Napa Valley and 62% from Sonoma County, the 2015 Claret Reserve reveals a deep garnet color and offers up seductively spicy notions of Christmas cake, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon stick over a core of baked plums, blueberry pie and potpourri plus wafts of fried herbs and charcuterie. Medium to full-bodied, the plush textured palate delivers mouth-filling black fruit preserves and savory layers with a lively backbone and a long spicy finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2015 Reserve Claret comes mostly from the Sonoma side of the county line yet has 38% from Napa. A blend of 60% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot, it has a deeper ruby/plum color as well as a beautiful, complex style in its currants, toasted spice, dried herbs, and tobacco leaf aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and elegant, it builds nicely with time in the glass, has fine tannins, and a charming, layered, balanced style that’s going to drink nicely for 10-15 years.
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One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Reaching up California's coastline and into its valleys north of San Francisco, the North Coast AVA includes six counties: Marin, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake. While Napa and Sonoma enjoy most of the glory, the rest produce no shortage of quality wines in an intriguing and diverse range of styles.
Climbing up the state's rugged coastline, the chilly Marin County, just above the City and most of Sonoma County, as well as Mendocino County on the far north end of the North Coast successfully grow cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and in some spots, Riesling. Inland Lake County, on the other hand, is considerably warmer, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc produce some impressive wines with affordable price tags.