It is obvious that Russell Bevan borders on genius level in his wine making. His reputation in the valley is unsurpassed and his attention to detail is legendary as are his party habits. To me he has the energy level of the Tasmanian Devil. It is hard to keep up with him. But he makes great wine and continues to produce huge amounts of 100 point wines. I believe many feel he is the greatest wine maker in Napa Valley today. I have been buying a few of his wines since my visit and I particularly love his "mountain" wines best but I also am somewhat prejudice towards "mountain" wines in general. My belief is the cool mountain early morning tempertures allow those wines to be a little softer than the valley wines. When you consider the prices for Screaming Eagle, Scarecrow and others Bevan prices are a complete bargain and his prices are more than reasonable for a large portfolio of 100 point wines.
2016 Ontogeny Bevan Cabernet
Russell says this is an introduction to his Bordeaux Blend style wines. It has 8% Petit Verdot. There are 4 grape varieties in the wine. It has an interesting nose which along with the taste is a complex blend of smoky cedar, cigar and tobacco. It has a nice velvet mouth feel. Tannins are young and tight and will age well.
2016 Sugarloaf Mountain Bevan Cabernet
Starts with a fruity nose and the taste is a rich dark chocolate. It has a nice finish. Again young with young tannins but not as pronounced. One thing I like about mountain grapes is the higher elevation allows for less harsh tannins and a softer body.
2016 Wild Foote Cabernet Stags Leap District Cabernet
This wine had an interesting floral jasmine nose. The alcohol was a little higher but well balanced. Again lots of dark chocolate as well as a hint of berries particularly blackberries.
2012 Tench EE Cabernet Franc 50%/Cabernet Sauvingnon 50%
A vineyard adjacent to Screaming Eagle and Russell has a long term lease on the vineyard. Again an interesting floral nose and the taste has a nice flavor of chocolate and cedar. Russell says he does not punch down his wines and uses a technique he perfected where the wine is circulated using air from bottom to top. This prevents the seeds in the grapes from being bruised hence a softer and less harsh taste from the Cab Franc.
2016 Tench EE Cabernet Franc
Obviously a younger version of the 2012 and the Cab France/Cab ratio is a little different.(60/35/5 Merlot) A dark black color leads to a tobacco, cigar nose with lots of smoke. The taste is again chocolate and cigar flavors with blackberry showing through. Will age well.
2016 Howell Mountain Sentinel Ridge Cabenet/Cab Franc
Another deep dark wine with a chocolate noses. Very nice velvet mouth feel. A much more complex taste profile with tobacco and licorice in this one. Will age well.
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