Really enjoyable bottle from Benoit and Beckstoffer fruit! Wasn't expecting much b/c it was a 2011; however, the artistry of the winemaker really showed through in an incredibly tough year. Lots of moderate blue and black fruit on the nose and pallate. Some tobacco and red dust but very light. but not too much heat or overpowering. Subtle and sublime texture (lots of silk) and a long enjoyable finish.
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Wow. I don't really know how to rate this, because I've never tasted anything quite like it. Chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate was what I got from this particular bottle, as if it were a slightly thinned-down Hershey's syrup with some alcohol in it. Milky, velvety mouthfeel, rich, opulent nose. Delicious upon opening, but I didn't like the way it paired with my dinner of lamb chops. Better as a stand-alone drink, or with just a bit of cheese. I would drink this outside on a cool night by a fire, but not so much with a nice dinner.
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WX+ 'X9 Blind Cabernet Sauvignon Meetup (My House - Hanover Park, IL): This was the last wine of the evening and everyone was pretty beat but I wanted one more big boy to break out. Popped and threw into a decanter but this was showing well right out of the gate. Classic cults Napa creme de cassis, dark plum, milk chocolate, some smoke and leather with tobacco. The palate was very well endowed and again, for a 2011 this showed zero sign of dilution or whatever. It was gorgeous. Long finish with more dark purple and blue fruit and loads of milk chocolate. Yes, there was some nice oak but it wasn't overbearing and supported the fruit really well. Recommend again shooting for some of those 2011 that may be priced way below 2012, 13 etc. etc....
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Pop and pour and followed for a few hours. Blackberry, cassis, cherry, plum, tobacco, a little graphite, menthol, and earth on the nose. Blackberry, blueberry, cassis, tart cherry, herbs, tobacco, and earth on the palate. Refreshing acidity, smooth fine tannins, long finish. Very velvety and plush. Delicious. Overall, this was a very impressive wine, and I have to say one of the few expensive wines I've had this year that I would consider worth the price.
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This lovely and rich 2011 is among the best I have tasted from this vintage. Although it is not as deep as the 2012, it is an impressive and enjoyable wine. As described below, the mouthfeel - i.e., round, plush - is a tell for a Benoit Touquette wine, in a way that I find quite compelling.
Dark garnet in color, medium in body, nose of blueberry, green pepper, and eucalyptus. Tastes of boysenberry, leather, herbs, and cedar, with a round and lingering finish. 14.1% alcohol. Blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Petite Sirah. This is more savory - and less complex - than the 2012, but it walks the wine beautifully, especially for those appreciating a more Old World profile.
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Nice wine but not as great as the hype. Could be because it's too young (only 5 years in bottle at this point). Bordeaux style but the fruit was still young, tight, and ripe. Notes of dust and dark fruit but was confused by the tartness. Could be something in another 3-5 years.
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During PNV week, tasting in the vineyard mid afternoon. Great setting and tasting with the vintners and winemakers. First experience with these wines, given the source its not surprising how good they are.
Cab 83%, Petitie Syrah 17%, accounts for the earth and darker notes...Old vines. Dark red/purple color. Dark fruits, plums, currant, cedar. Has a sweetness mid palate that really comes through on mid palate.
Long finish with layered dark fruits and floral violet notes. This is the classic Calif/Bordeaux intersection. For an "off" vintage, this is stunning wine...Needs some age, tannins will soften a bit.
Expensive for an inaugural vintage, you are paying for the fruit source. Quality is there, needs time
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We first tried this the day after our first shipment arrived. Then again for Thanksgiving. Even more impressive this time. Glad to have plenty left in the cellar.
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From bottle with David Beckstoffer in his office. 83% Cabernet, 17% Petite Sirah (that was planted in the 60s). Darker berry notes with dark red/black plum too. Touch of cedar and cigar too. Densely packed palate with a deep core of sweet fruit. Very elegant and Bordeaux like with it's great acidity and very fine minerality. Great floral lift and acidity on the finish. Wonderful wine!
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Bouquet that will impress, lots of dark fruit and many nuances will keep you comming back for another whif. Explosive flavor, rich opulent dark fruit, amazing smooth and chewy mouth feel, and tannins perfectly integrated. I agree that this is a must try.
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Initial light violets and dark fruit on the nose - very light. Tannins need to soften a bit. It may be overpriced for $175 per bottle direct from the winery. Would certainly benefit from some time laying down.
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Way to go David and Benoit! This is some amazing Juice, especially for an inaugural release in a very tough vintage. A few hours decanting is a must, but it is delicious right away. This is possibly one to the top labels of 2011 from the valley. It will greatly improve with time. I highly recommend giving it a go.
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7/10/2021 - napasoutherner Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really enjoyable bottle from Benoit and Beckstoffer fruit! Wasn't expecting much b/c it was a 2011; however, the artistry of the winemaker really showed through in an incredibly tough year. Lots of moderate blue and black fruit on the nose and pallate. Some tobacco and red dust but very light. but not too much heat or overpowering. Subtle and sublime texture (lots of silk) and a long enjoyable finish.
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2/27/2021 - Rbtrage wrote: 93 Points
Excellent at Allora with steaks and veal chops.
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11/14/2019 - GJVines Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wow. I don't really know how to rate this, because I've never tasted anything quite like it. Chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate was what I got from this particular bottle, as if it were a slightly thinned-down Hershey's syrup with some alcohol in it. Milky, velvety mouthfeel, rich, opulent nose. Delicious upon opening, but I didn't like the way it paired with my dinner of lamb chops. Better as a stand-alone drink, or with just a bit of cheese. I would drink this outside on a cool night by a fire, but not so much with a nice dinner.
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1/27/2019 - beezer6 wrote: 94 Points
WX+ 'X9 Blind Cabernet Sauvignon Meetup (My House - Hanover Park, IL): This was the last wine of the evening and everyone was pretty beat but I wanted one more big boy to break out. Popped and threw into a decanter but this was showing well right out of the gate. Classic cults Napa creme de cassis, dark plum, milk chocolate, some smoke and leather with tobacco. The palate was very well endowed and again, for a 2011 this showed zero sign of dilution or whatever. It was gorgeous. Long finish with more dark purple and blue fruit and loads of milk chocolate. Yes, there was some nice oak but it wasn't overbearing and supported the fruit really well. Recommend again shooting for some of those 2011 that may be priced way below 2012, 13 etc. etc....
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9/4/2018 - rmh66 wrote: 93 Points
Pop and pour and followed for a few hours. Blackberry, cassis, cherry, plum, tobacco, a little graphite, menthol, and earth on the nose. Blackberry, blueberry, cassis, tart cherry, herbs, tobacco, and earth on the palate. Refreshing acidity, smooth fine tannins, long finish. Very velvety and plush. Delicious. Overall, this was a very impressive wine, and I have to say one of the few expensive wines I've had this year that I would consider worth the price.
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7/6/2017 - msuwine wrote: 94 Points
This lovely and rich 2011 is among the best I have tasted from this vintage. Although it is not as deep as the 2012, it is an impressive and enjoyable wine. As described below, the mouthfeel - i.e., round, plush - is a tell for a Benoit Touquette wine, in a way that I find quite compelling.
Dark garnet in color, medium in body, nose of blueberry, green pepper, and eucalyptus. Tastes of boysenberry, leather, herbs, and cedar, with a round and lingering finish. 14.1% alcohol. Blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Petite Sirah. This is more savory - and less complex - than the 2012, but it walks the wine beautifully, especially for those appreciating a more Old World profile.
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10/29/2016 - napasoutherner Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice wine but not as great as the hype. Could be because it's too young (only 5 years in bottle at this point). Bordeaux style but the fruit was still young, tight, and ripe. Notes of dust and dark fruit but was confused by the tartness. Could be something in another 3-5 years.
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2/18/2015 - walkerjfw wrote: 94 Points
During PNV week, tasting in the vineyard mid afternoon. Great setting and tasting with the vintners and winemakers. First experience with these wines, given the source its not surprising how good they are.
Cab 83%, Petitie Syrah 17%, accounts for the earth and darker notes...Old vines. Dark red/purple color. Dark fruits, plums, currant, cedar. Has a sweetness mid palate that really comes through on mid palate.
Long finish with layered dark fruits and floral violet notes. This is the classic Calif/Bordeaux intersection. For an "off" vintage, this is stunning wine...Needs some age, tannins will soften a bit.
Expensive for an inaugural vintage, you are paying for the fruit source. Quality is there, needs time
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11/27/2014 - JHumps Likes this wine: 94 Points
We first tried this the day after our first shipment arrived. Then again for Thanksgiving. Even more impressive this time. Glad to have plenty left in the cellar.
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8/28/2014 - MatthewF wrote:
From bottle with David Beckstoffer in his office. 83% Cabernet, 17% Petite Sirah (that was planted in the 60s). Darker berry notes with dark red/black plum too. Touch of cedar and cigar too. Densely packed palate with a deep core of sweet fruit. Very elegant and Bordeaux like with it's great acidity and very fine minerality. Great floral lift and acidity on the finish. Wonderful wine!
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6/1/2014 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 98 Points
Bouquet that will impress, lots of dark fruit and many nuances will keep you comming back for another whif. Explosive flavor, rich opulent dark fruit, amazing smooth and chewy mouth feel, and tannins perfectly integrated. I agree that this is a must try.
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3/21/2014 - rylanreynolds wrote: 90 Points
Initial light violets and dark fruit on the nose - very light. Tannins need to soften a bit. It may be overpriced for $175 per bottle direct from the winery. Would certainly benefit from some time laying down.
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3/10/2014 - JHumps Likes this wine: 93 Points
Way to go David and Benoit! This is some amazing Juice, especially for an inaugural release in a very tough vintage. A few hours decanting is a must, but it is delicious right away. This is possibly one to the top labels of 2011 from the valley. It will greatly improve with time. I highly recommend giving it a go.
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