TN: 1999 Renaissance Claret Prestige

[Jorgen_Lindstrom_Carlvik]

@John Morris

Robert was kind enough to send me a bottle of the '96 Claret Prestige, which served to my brown-bag group on Thursday. The cork was in very good shape. I decanted it an hour or so ahead.

I really l liked the wine, as did the rest of the group. But no one guessed cabernet. The best guess was a moderately mature Rioja, because of the acid level and fruit profile (there was no conspicuous oak).

My notes: Something faintly feral at first on the nose, but that blew off. Bright red/cherry fruit, with a bit of celery seed. In the mouth, there was some spice (cinnamon, cloves). It had a vague sweetness of a very pleasing sort, coupled with very good acid. Cherries and orange peel flavors. Taught and fresh – seemed younger than 21 years. It got better and better in the glass, and I bumped it up from an initial 90 to 91+. Marked at 13%.

Robert tells me the '96 was predominantly cab and merlot, unlike some later vintages, which included syrah and, I think, tempranillo. This sure tasted like it could have tempranillo. Definitely not your typical Cal cab, or a Bordeaux blend, even. But excellent on its own terms.

Thank you, Robert!

Sincere thanks; I just ordered 24 bottles of each;
97 Cabernet Sauvignon “Villlage”
96 Élégance (Bordeaux Blend)
95 Cabernet Sauvignon “Soleil”

[Robert.A.Jr]

@Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Sincere thanks; I just ordered 24 bottles of each;
97 Cabernet Sauvignon “Villlage”
96 Élégance (Bordeaux Blend)
95 Cabernet Sauvignon “Soleil”

Are we talking about the same winery? I am not familiar with these cuvee names.

Renaissance Vineyard and Winery

[G_Bienstock]

@Robert Alfert

Why waiting until March? I have ADHD and will have lost interest in this thread by then.

Anniversary

[G_Bienstock]

@John Morris

@G. Bienstock

Gideon and I are not related. He makes really good ageworthy wines and is a talented blender.

I haven’t been so thrilled by the Clos Sarons I’ve tried. This is, I think, the third Renaissance I’ve had and they’ve all be interesting.

2002 Clos Saron PN is the best Cali PN I have experienced. Tasted last fall or this spring at the winery George Chadwick and I were very impressed.

[Gideon]

@Robert Alfert

@Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Sincere thanks; I just ordered 24 bottles of each;
97 Cabernet Sauvignon “Villlage”
96 Élégance (Bordeaux Blend)
95 Cabernet Sauvignon “Soleil”

Are we talking about the same winery? I am not familiar with these cuvee names.

Renaissance Vineyard and Winery

These three wines were re-released by Clos Saron under the “Taken From Granite” label.