An explosion of black cherries, black raspberries, spice and vanilla inundates the senses. Texturally, it is polished with crisp acidity and a lingering, earthy/spicy finish.
This is a worthy successor to the superb 2010 and a minor success considering the vintage. Plum, anise, red flowers, root beer, spice and cocoa are built on a medium-bodied frame. The finish carries, and there is just a minute green/bitter edge which necessitates some form of roast/braised meat to take the edge off. It will age well over the next 4 to 5 years.
Even though 2011 was not an easy year for red wine production, Rosewood has done an excellent job capturing the elegance of the vintage. A combination of black cherry, plum, earth, cola, cinnamon and smoke flatters the senses. Tannins are suave, and there is terrific length. Drink over the next 3 years.
A complex blast on the nose, featuring all kinds of dried scents: tobacco, tea, rose, dark chocolate, chipotle. Cassis, chocolate and roast coffee beans permeate the rich palate and smooth finish. Well-balanced ripe tannins soften the edges that cellaring will accomplish later. Or tame now with a meat stew (or vice-versa!).
The 2Bench is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. The nose shows blackberry, cassis, tobacco leaf, oak spice, kirsch and earth. It’s a big wine on the palate and loaded with tannins to go with bold dark fruits, spice and the stuffing to lay down for a few years while everything comes together.
A generous nose of cherry and strawberry fruit with touches of vanilla oak, earth and spice. It’s tasty on the palate with red fruits, smooth tannins and a balanced approach to the cloves, earth and spices.
This little brother to La Brunate is no slouch in the quality department. Dark cherries, raspberries, figs, plums, smoke, vanilla, toast, violets, dark cocoa and a savoury blend of oregano and mint are all present in this medium-bodied offering. The finale is long, and the tannins will allow 8 to 10 years of cellaring.