Young vs. Mature: Cellar

by: Jorge Ferraez

As I write this, I’m devastated to learn about the destruction and damage that the Fires in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys are leaving behind. What a horrendous times for our good winemaker friends, but also what a big hit for our domestic wine industry. Let’s buy California wine, at least for some time until they can start recovering, because they will. They are a strong and resilient community that don’t break easily. Will keep monitoring, specially to our Latino winegrower friends and their wineries. Hopefully we won’t be reporting any additional loss.

I have recently been debating with friends about the taste for mature versus young wines. I have seen two types of wine drinkers; the ones who are obsessed with old and mature wines, those 10, 15 or even 20 plus year olds which are now showing some of their best; ripe fruit, silky textures and ample and complex characters. And, on the other hand, I have seen those who enjoy the young, fresh, fruity, bright and succulent notes of infant wines, those within the first 5 years of their vintage date. I confess that some time ago I was more inclined toward the latter group, but nowadays, I’m kind of in the middle. I have been fortunate enough to have tasted over the years fantastic and delicious aged wines. Those Bordeaux, Barolos or Mature Riojas are simply awesome! I have even started to enjoy and look mature California Cabernet Sauvignon.

What’s your preference?

01

PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS MERLOT 1998

  • Region: Napa & Sonoma Counties

  • Varietal: Merlot

  • Price: $62

  • Aromas: Vanilla, Rosemary, Plum

  • Flavors: Toasted Coffee, Dark chocolate, black cherries

  • Impression: Right at its best moment!

  • Structure: Full body, still muscular

  • Drink with: Steak

  • Why I loved this wine? Perfumed, bright and silky

My Rating: 97 pts.

02

E. GUIGAL SAINT-JOSEPH “LIEU-DIT” 2013

  • Region: Rohne, France

  • Varietal: Marsanne based blend

  • Price: $78

  • Aromas: White flowers, baked apple pie, peach compote

  • Flavors: Green apples, pear, nectarine extract

  • Impression: Creamy, flowery

  • Structure: Ample, rich

  • Drink with: Roasted Turkey, White fish

  • Why I loved this wine? Spiced and refined

My Rating: 96 pts.

03

DUMOL WESTER REACH PINOT NOIR 2016

  • Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma Co.

  • Varietal: Pinot Noir

  • Price: $76

  • Aromas: Spice, rose petals, currant

  • Impression: Complex, balanced and round

  • Structure: Medium body, very ample

  • Drink with: Cornish Hens, Roasted Duck, Pork Chop

  • Why I loved this wine? Well positioned fruit notes, succulent

My Rating: 98 pts.

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