Deep purple color. The nose sports mulled cherries and deep currant fruit, with a spicy mix of anise, black pepper, tar, leather and espresso. Full but fresh, this shows solid grip but smooth edges to the tannins and moderate acidity. The fig paste and cranberry relish fruit is delicious, and it’s backed up with tar, anise, cocoa, sweet bell pepper, chewing tobacco and some black olive. Really fun and lively but also pretty, complex and age-worthy. All Cab Franc aged in 100% French oak.
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A profile of the winery and a tasting of the Library Reserve Trio
Lyle Jensen tastes the Library Reserve Trio with Mitch and profiles the winery:
2016 Block Three Cabernet Sauvignon / 94 points / Tasting Panel
From the estate’s 18-acre biodynamic mountain vineyard at 2,00o feet elevation, we are constantly in awe of the dynamism of these wines. Starting with rocky, red volcanic soils and aged for 25 months in French oak, this small production red (95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot) offers up violets and iron on the nose. Chalky, dry cocoa-cherry wood tannins produce a thrilling mouthfeel. Muted dried blue flowers and Italian herbs are saturated by black cherry.
2019 Petite Sirah / Isaac Baker
Deep purple color. The nose shows a nice mix of tangy plums and blueberries, with spicy pepper, anise, some coffee, toffee and mocha. Nice grip on the palate but the tannins have these suave edges and the acidity is really nice, balancing out the deep plum and currant fruit. Notes of black olive, tar, mocha, black pepper and bell pepper add complexity, and I love the deep, earthy, mineral and stony vibes in here. There’s a ton of freshness in here for a Petite Sirah. This puppy will age wonderfully. All PS aged in all French oak.
2017 Block Three Cabernet Sauvignon / 93 points / Wine Enthusiast
Byjuliek
Excellent fruit concentration and generous oak shadings make this full-bodied, layered wine a winner. Black cherries and blackberries blend with subtle cinnamon, cedar and vanilla notes on a mouth-filling, moderately tannic texture.
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon / 93 Points / Wine Enthusiast
Serious and full bodied, this complex wine is made from organic grapes. It wafts aromas of mint, toasted oak and baking spices and delivers layers of black and red fruits, cedar and vanilla on the palate. It has moderate tannins and a mouth-filling texture.
2021 Petit Verdot / 90 Points / James Suckling
A dense and rich nose of blackberry jam, roasted coffee beans, bramble berries and sweet spices. The palate is full-bodied with firm tannins and acidity, displaying notes of roasted blood plums, figs, violets and blueberry compote. Drink or hold.