Cosentino Winery Visit

Here is a winery that I would not have ordinarily visited on a trip to Napa. However, a friend is the personal chef for the owners so he called ahead to the winery and set up a private tasting. This winery is open to the public without an appointment and is located on Highway 29. When we arrived one of the more experienced staff members was waiting for us and took us into the new private tasting room where we could sit at a table. He poured quite a few wines for us including many which might not ordinarily be available for tasting. I'm not sure if there was a a tasting fee because we were not charged. In addition, they gave is a 33% discount on any wines purchased. We had a very fun and relaxed tasting at this winery. Here are my notes:

• 2005 Cosentino Winery Pinot Grigio Lodi Kirshenmann Vineyard 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  This was a very pleasant and easy dinking wine. Great on the patio in Summer. Loaded with tropical fruit notes with some spice on the finish. Light to medium bodied. 85 points.

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• 2005 Cosentino Winery Chardonnay Legends 82 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  A line devoted to cashing in on Larry Byrds celebrity. I found this to be an indescript Chard. Aged in stainless steel with some pineapple notes. Acidic finish. 82 points.

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• 2005 Cosentino Winery Chardonnay 84 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  A lighter styled Chardonnay. I was surprised to hear that it got 9 months aging in French oak. High in acid and bright tasting. Notes of green apple. 84 points.

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• 2006 Cosentino Winery Pinot Noir 84 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Light bodied with a clear red color. Notes of burnt cherry. This wien had a gritty or dirty side to it. 84 points.

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• 2005 Cosentino Winery Sangiovese Il Chiaretto 83 Points

  USA, California

  A blend of 92% Sangiovese, and 2% each of Alicante, Petite Sirah, Early Burgundy and Merlot. I liked the Sangiovese from Pride better. This tasted like a good but introductory level Chianti. Light bodied with notes of cola and cherries. Easy finish. 83 points.

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• 2005 Cosentino Winery Zinfandel CigarZin 86 Points

  USA, California

  14.6% alcohol. A clear lighter red color than I expected. A very fruity nose. This was a forward wine with notes of fennel, blackberry and tobacco. Medium bodied. 86 points.

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• 2005 Cosentino Winery Zinfandel The Zin 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi

  14.6% alcohol. Bigger than the CigarZin. More tannic and medium to full bodied. Brambly fruit notes with blueberry and currant. A little green on the finish. 86 points.

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• 2004 Cosentino Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 87 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  75% Cabernet Sauvignon. Forgot what the rest was. A dark purple and clear appearance. Some green pepper on the nose. Firm tannins. A dry wine with notes of berry and plum. 87 points.

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• 2004 Cosentino Winery The Poet 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  55% Cab Sauv, 24% Cab Franc, 14% Merlot and 7% Petite Verdot. 2nd time I have had this with consistent notes. Silky texture with notes of currant amd moderate tannins. 89-90 points.

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• 2004 Cosentino Winery Cabernet Franc Reserve 91 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

  This is made from 100% Cabernet Franc fruit from St. Helena. Only 300 cases are made. Cosentino has made this wine since 1985 I believe. This was a full bodied wine with an interesting herbaceous quality to it. Notes of sage and cedar. Lip smackingly dry finish. 90-91 points.

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• 2003 Cosentino Winery CE2V Meritage 90 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  This is a bledn of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon with the rest being Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Thick texture and dry. An integrated wine with currant notes and some cinnamon on the finish. Very nice. 90 points.

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• 2003 Cosentino Winery Sémillon Edie - Botrytised Sémillon 86 Points

  USA, California

  Rather sauterneslike but without the depth. Some cloying to the wine. Nice tropical fruit notes. 86-87 points.

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VM