Score: |
96 RP. "The prodigious 2013 Claret (a 690-case blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot) comes from various AVAs, including Mt. Veeder, Howell Mountain, and of course, Calistoga. Also aged 18 months in French oak, this wine displays compelling crème de cassis notes intermixed with cedar wood, baking spices, blackberry, and hints of mulberries and flowers. The wine has great intensity, a full-bodied, super-duper mouthfeel, and a very long finish of close to 45+ seconds. This is a beauty, with sweet tannin as well as profound depth . . . . Robert Foley, of course, became well-known during his 15-year stint as the winemaker at Pride Mountain Vineyards, high above Spring Mountain. However, he has also made wine at other well-known sites known for quality, including Hourglass, Switchback and Paloma. He only has three wines under his name, and they are all noteworthy efforts." Wine Advocate #222, Dec 2015 |