Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Fantastic Recognition by Jancis Robinson!


We are pleased to share recent comments from Jancis Robinson, a British wine critic, weekly wine writer for The Financial Times, and editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, who recently reviewed Napa Cabernets. Needless to say, we were excited about her take on our Brandlin Estate Cabernet, in comparison to these other much higher priced producers.


Jancis Robinson – April 2015 
Napa Cab lightens up

At February’s 2015 Premiere Napa Valley Auction, Jancis Robinson tasted verticals from 12 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon producers organized by the Napa Valley Vintners. The wines were from the 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages.

She was struck that exaggerated fruit bombs are becoming the exception rather than the rule and there really does seem to be a move towards more finesse and geographical expression. “Most of these wines were, admirably, single-vineyard Cabernets.”

Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($60) was one of only 12 Napa Cabernet producers selected by the NVV for this prestigious tasting. Others included Paul Hobbs ($175), J Davies ($90), Shafer Hillside Select ($250), Realm ($165) and Spottswoode ($175) among others.

Following are her notes from that tasting that used a 20 point scoring scale:
Brandlin, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Mount Veeder
Well balanced and complete on the nose. Sweet start and spicy with lovely high-quality oak in evidence. Very pure and confident. But definitely new Napa.
17.5 pts (highest score for the vintage) 


Brandlin, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Mount Veeder
Bright crimson. Red cherry fruit. Sappy and sinewy. Much less sweet than most Napa Cabs. A little dry on the end but a sincere honest wine that is not fighting the vintage. 16.5 pts (highest score for the vintage)

Brandlin, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Mount Veeder
Bright ruby. Minty-sweet Napa but not overripe. Nicely balanced and fresh. Maybe a hint of green on the end? But attractive and appetizing. 17 pts (2nd highest score for the vintage)
Needless to say we were excited about her take on our Brandlin Estate
Cabernet in comparison to these other much higher priced producers.  


Monday, April 6, 2015

"We’re Toasting: The American Dream on 'The Broadcast'"






We’re Toasting: The American Dream on “The Broadcast”
Dallas Uncorked  |  March 6, 2015

"For those of us living in Texas who may not be from here but still love everything about our adopted Texas roots, we have a saying, “we’re not from here, but we got here as quick as we could.”

Many wines with worldly heritage can say the same thing about their beloved American wineries. From California to Oregon to Washington, Texas, New York and every state in between great wines are being made by producers from all over the world, each finding the perfect place in America to produce exceptional wines.

Each and every wine produced has a great story. I shared a few of these stories with the ladies of “The Broadcast.  A little bit more about each winery we discussed is below. Keep these stories in mind when you open your favorite wine tonight and celebrate the heritage behind the bottle.


Brandlin Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon  $60, Switzerland – “Small Fire” in the swiss language, the Brandlin family settled in California in the 1870’s, coming over to America during the gold rush and settling on their Mount Veeder estate, planting vineyards in the extremely rugged terrine in the early 1920’s. Now almost 100 years later the quality of the hand farmed vineyards is exceptional. The Brandlin family sold their 170 acre ranch, of which only 38 are able to be planted, to Swiss family owned Cuvaison in 1998 knowing they would maintain their land, caring for it by hand and being good stewards as the Brandlin family had been. Farmed sustainably and planted with Bordeaux varieties and a touch of old vine Zin, the wine from the estate is highly concentrated and robust with layers of blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, espresso and spice."

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Two Fabulous eRobertParker.com Reviews to Share!






2012 Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Mount Veeder, Napa Valley

"The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Brandlin Estate exhibits a dense purple color, sweet blackberry and cassis fruit, an attractive floral component, impressive purity, and the vintage’s hallmark characteristics of ripe tannin, luxurious texture and medium to full body. Drink it over the next decade."
- Robert M. Parker (10/2014)

90 Points

Retail: 60.00 / Bottle


Learn more and purchase this wine here


2012 Brandlin Henry's Keep Proprietary Red Wine
Mount Veeder, Napa Valley

"The sexy 2012 Proprietary Red Blend Henry’s Keep, a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, is a beauty. Its dense ruby/purple color is accompanied by notes of Asian plum sauce, blueberries, cassis and a chocolaty component that emerges with coaxing. Full-bodied, rich, savory, complex and delicious, it should continue to age nicely for 7-10 years."
- Robert M. Parker (10/2014) 

91 Points 

Retail: 98.00 / Bottle

Learn more and purchase this wine here.