I skipped a couple vintages so I’ve lost access to some of the lower production wines and think I’ve been relegated to a later wave. No big deal. Anyone taste the latest wines? I skipped the last couple years because I found the inaugural vintage a bit too AFWE for my liking. Are the wines still made in a '‘restrained’ style?
I’m deep in Greer (which I love!) so skipping the Arsenal, but curious on others thoughts on her Majesty’s, La Carte, Kaliholmanook, and Le Neuvaux Western. All sound interesting, I’m shut out of the rest because I haven’t bought in a while.
I guess I’m mostly curious if the style is still sort of restrained and old school? I’ve got nothing against that style, but I just can’t appreciate it at >100 bucks.
I’m not sure I’d categorize the Pott wines as AFWE. Some of my closest wine friends, who hate AFWE-styled cabs, absolutely love these wines and buy BIG. Then other friends, who hate the big extracted Napa cult cabs, also love these wines. I think they can please both palates.
If you are offered any Arsenal, take it. It’s fantastic and a totally different clone of cab than the Greer.
I’ve not had any of the others that you mentioned, so can’t comment there, but I’ve been told by others in Napa, that it addition to Aaron’s brilliant hand at winemaking, one of his other uniques skills is locating and accessing great vineyards sites to work with. Someone referred to it as “stupid lucky”. In that sense, I think you can feel comfortable trying any of the wines you mentioned above.
Agree with Justin. Can please both types of palates. I am not an old world guy, but love Aaron’s wines. I just know that they are made to age a bit if one can restrain themselves. I buy more wine from Aaron than any other producer each year. I skipped Kaliholmanook as I was not impressed with a prior vintage (2008). I also passed on Majesty as it is usually too earthy for my taste. Bought big on Arsenal (literally as I got a 3L plus some 750s), La Carte, Actaeon. Picked up some of the new western and Turf War. I also bought the viogner as the prior vintage was outstanding.
Thanks for your thoughts guys. I suppose you are right, these are more middle of the road style wise. I enjoyed the Arsenal the first couple of vintages, but then found I liked the Greer more. Given the vintage, it may be worth picking up a couple for a side by side. I’m in for a few of the bottlings, but will likely pass on the Spring Mtn. While I really enjoy cool climate Syrah, in Cab, it’s not my cuppa.
Definitely not AFWE but also not a blueberry milkshake. This 2011 HMSS is much more open than the last time I tasted it at the release party earlier this year.