This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous
Dominus Estate
Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011
The 2011 Dominus is a bold, powerful wine. It opens with a huge bouquet redolent of dried herbs, licorice, spice, tobacco and espresso. Relative to most vintages of Dominus, the 2011 is a bit light, but compared to most wines of the year, it is pretty big! The cool, savory notes that are typical of the year are present, but not dominant, while the 2011 is marked by a distinctly red fruit profile. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
— 2 years ago
Aubert
Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay 2011
The 2011 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard is laced with hints of dried pear, orange peel, mint, spice, ginger and caramel. The Ritchie appears to be a bit more forward than the other 2011 Chardonnays in this tasting, but has tremendous richness and the viscosity that is such an Aubert signature. Tasted from magnum. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
— 2 years ago
Mayacamas Vineyards
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the truly exceptional wines of the vintage. As I worked through this series of retrospective tastings, I had hoped to find at least one wine like this. A truly epic 2011. When I tasted the Mayacamas Cabernet, I knew I had found it. Deep, potent and massively constituted, the 2011 possesses tremendous richness and pure power, all within the classical framework that is such a Mayacamas signature. Dark fruit, lavender crushed rocks, menthol and sage build as this explosive Cabernet shows off its pedigree. The 2011 is the last vintage Bob Travers made at Mayacamas (although it was blended and bottled by the current team). It is very clearly one of the wines of this challenging and misunderstood vintage, as well as a fitting testament to his legacy. Harvest stretched into late October and early November. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
— 2 years ago
Belle Glos
Taylor Lane Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2011
The 2011 Pinot Noir Taylor Lane is a small Belle Glos bottling offered only in magnum. Dark and supple, the Taylor Lane offers up a whole range of tobacco, cedar, dark cherry, plum and chocolate flavors. The extended élevage of 22 months in barrel is felt in some torrefaction notes. The 2011 is fully mature and a good choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. This is nicely done. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
— 2 years ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011
The 2011 Insignia is superb. Deep, layered and so expressive, Insignia is without question one of the wines of the year. Had I tasted it blind, I would have never guessed it is a wine from a challenging year. Still fresh and vibrant, the 2011 is such a pleasure to taste today. Hints of sage, tobacco, spice, menthol and pine add lovely aromatic top notes to a core of inky blue/purplish fruit. The 2011 has turned out even better than I had originally expected. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
— 2 years ago
Dana Estates
Helms Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is bright, aromatic and savory. Lovely energy drives the red berry, pine, cinnamon, spicecake orange peel, mint and rose petal flavors. At times, the aromatics recall Nebbiolo. This mid-weight, lithe Cabernet has aged impeccably. I would prefer to drink it over the next handful of years. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
— 2 years ago
Araujo Estate
Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is the last wine Bart and Daphne Araujo made from start to finish before selling their winery and vineyard to the Artemis Group. All the Eisele signatures are there, but the volume is just turned down. Dark berry fruit, gravel, spice, earthiness and leather lend striking aromatic nuance throughout. This mid-weight, supremely elegant Cabernet Sauvignon is sublime. Drink it over the next 10-15 years. Superb. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
— 2 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2011 Ovid has aged exceptionally well. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berry fruit, cedar, mint and sweet pipe tobacco are all very nicely lifted. Silky and medium in body, the 2011 is super-expressive today. It also appears to have reached an early plateau of maturity, so I would not wait too long on it. Sweet tobacco, dried herbs, mint, licorice and pine linger on the refined finish. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2022)
— 2 years ago