Store Tasting

Roseville, MN
Tasted Thursday, February 27, 2014 by GoBlue2002 with 302 views

Introduction

Wine Education Series: Winery Focus Ehlers Estate and Tuck Beckstoffer's '75 Wine Company @ The Cellars Wine and Spirits in Roseville, MN.
All reds opened 4 hours prior to tasting. Wine tasted in the order indicated.

Flight 1 (8 Notes)

  • 2012 Ehlers Estate Sauvignon Blanc 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This is a very mild sauv blanc which I think would be an excellent food wine.
    Light in color, with minimal aromas -- especially much less grapefruit/grass than most Cali sauv blancs. Very smooth, with a moderate length finish. My wife enjoyed this more than I.

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  • 2012 Tuck Beckstoffer Sauvignon Blanc Est. 75 88 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Lake County

    Very light in color, intensely aromatic and flavorful at this price point -- ridiculous QPR. That said, this is a very simple wine with a short finish.
    This should pair very well with goat cheese.

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  • 2012 Ehlers Estate Sylviane Rosé 88 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    This was a unique dry rose, with a very different profile compared to most other Cali rose. This was my first rose from cabernet franc so that may have been the reason. Aromas of apple juice, red berry, and green herbs lead to a long finish.
    I'd have to spend more time with this wine to really evaluate it, but for those looking for something different, here it is!

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  • 2011 The Seventy Five Wine Company The Sum 87 Points

    USA, California

    75% cabernet sauvignon, 15% petit syrah, 10% syrah.
    This seemed very tight and somewhat odd - no other notes taken. I'll consider laying this down for a few years to see if it integrates.
    Definitely the weakest wine of the tasted lineup.

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  • 2010 Ehlers Estate Merlot St. Helena 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    97% merlot with 3% cab franc.
    This merlot sports an enveloping, St. Emilion-type nose of pencil lead and spice, but on the palate it is distinctly Napa, showcasing a level of silky glycerin almost making it seem sweet. The finish is of medium length.
    This is definitely not a merlot for everyone, and it's just starting to hit its drink window 2014-2020.

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  • 2010 Ehlers Estate One Twenty Over Eighty St. Helena 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    88% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 4% cabernet franc.
    Dark red in color, showcasing lovely dark fruit/blackberry aromatics. This is smooth and already well integrated, although it should improve a bit in the short term.
    We enjoyed this much more than the 2007 vintage we tasted blind a few years earlier, finding that wine thin (when compared with other Napa cabs at the price point). I am unsure if this vintage is really that much better, or if we just really wanted some cabernet, as it's been a couple months since we last had some.

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  • 2011 The Seventy Five Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Points

    USA, California

    Lighter red in color for a cab, with fruit sourced mainly from Lake County. Aromas and flavors of red fruit and iron, this is a soft cab with a moderate length, simple finish.
    Excellent QPR for a Cali cab.
    This should pair well with steak.

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  • 2009 Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon "1886" 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    Far more impressive than the 120 over 80, this cabernet was much darker, more concentrated, and powerful than its cheaper sibling.
    84% cabernet sauvignon, 11% cab franc, 4% merlot, 1% petit verdot.
    Aromas of dark fruit, blackberry, and smoke -- this is a heavy duty cab with a long, complex finish with velvety tannins. My wife preferred this more than I did, and this style of cab will not appeal to everyone. Able to drink now, but I'd still recommend holding for a few years.

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Closing

Overall an impressive lineup, and the QPR for the '75 wine company sauvignon blanc is through the roof!

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