2001 White Rock Claret
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Tasting notes
Good medium red with a faint amber edge. Some fading red fruits on the nose, along with notes of tobacco, menthol and herbs; I find that the wine's oak element accentuates its green side. In a supple, fairly plush style but the tobacco leaf and herb flavors hold the upper hand over any remaining cherry and raspberry fruit, and I wasn't wild for the wine's hint of leathery rusticity. This pleases with its texture and grain, but appears to be in decline. In fact, this was a rather mellow, round wine when I first tasted it after bottling, so I'm actually pleased that it's still alive. Finishes with light, dusty tannins that turned drier in the glass.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
This complex, Bordeaux-ish style of wine possesses sweet red and black currant fruit intermixed with loamy soil notes, underbrush, and a hint of menthol. Medium to full-bodied and elegant, with some chocolate making an appearance in the mouth, this blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot has hit full maturity, where it should stay for at least a decade. Tel. and Fax (707) 257-7922
Deep ruby. Bordeaux-like aromas of currant, black licorice, graphite and leather, with hints of game and aged steak. Fat and round in the middle palate, with very ripe flavors of currant, chocolate, smoke and mint. Could use a bit more definition and shape. There's a slight dry edge to the wine's tannins.