1999 Newton Claret, Napa Valley

Picked this up at my local supermarket. It was on sale for about $17. This is the first time I have had any wine from this producer so I didn’t have any preconceived notions going in. There is no listing on the bottle as to the make up of the blend so I can’t report that to you. Alcohol 14.2%.

Nose: The name Claret is appropriate for this wine. It smells just like young Bordeaux. I get some blackberries and some smoke on the nose, a little cedar like a cigar box, but I swear it smells like it came from France.

Color: Garnet in color. Bright. Tending to the translucent.

Taste: Cassis, mint, leather and tobacco. Blackberries and more cedar. Remarkably complex. Some tannins but they are not sharp and do not detract from the wine at all. This one has nice fruit but it’s not over ripe or over extracted.

Finish: Sweet with a hint of cedar. The tannins come on fairly strong. The length is about 30 seconds and does dry up a bit on the end. No doubt this is due to its youth.

I liked this wine fairly well. It is a pleasant drinker that has quite a bit of charm. It lacks the punch to be truly great but is a good QPR wine nonetheless. I give it a hearty recommendation if you can find it for fewer than twenty dollars. It may last a few years but I would not let it go more than four or five.

I give it an A- for QPR.
GA points: 91

GA,

The Newton Claret is made primarily from merlot with a fair amount of cabernet sauvignon and a touch of cab franc.

If you ever get a chance try the 1999 Newton "Epic" Merlot. It is not cheap, but a very good to excellent bottle of wine.

IW

Thanks for the info IW.

Bump...

This is on sale at Vons right now for 17.99, with a half case discount It's only $16.25.

Get some and try it. You will be pleasantly surprised by this QPR from California.

The website list the Winemaker, She is Dr. Su Hua Newton, a chinese emigrant. Congrats Dr. Nice wine regardless of the price.

nice notes. nice price. and from your local supermarket? if i see it, i will probably grab one.

bird,

You may have to try a Von's in a more upscale neighborhood. Some Von's stores actually have a wine guy that works primarily in that department. If you don't see it on the shelf, ask for it. They may be able to order it for you. I'm not sure but I think Von's also owns a chain of stores called Pavillions. You may find it there. Gary, the wine steward at the La Costa Von's got at least two cases, so it's in the system.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you taste it. Happy hunting.

The wine is supplied by the folks at Clicquot...this is from their website:

Newton Claret 1999

SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS
It has juicy layers of raspberries, cherries and chocolate strawberries. It is a sexy wine that invites one to taste it again and again.

VINIFICATION
Newton Claret is mainly from the young vines on the estate. Because of their youth, they produce grapes with soft tannins, hence they are mixed with pressed wines of older vines to have structure. They are aged in French oak barrels in the cool caves for two years.

VINTAGE CHARACTERISTICS
1999 was a difficult year in the beginning, but ended up textbook perfect—cool and windy in the spring up in the mountain, but warmer on the valley floor. Towards the end of summer, it was really rather lovely everywhere and the grapes, particularly from the young vines, ripened early and quickly. Thus, the tannin is soft and the wine is inviting.

Wine of the Day for Oct. 26, 2002
NEWTON
1999 Claret Napa Valley $22
90 points,
A supple, elegant style, with a
range of herb, currant and green
olive that offers complexity,
picking up anise, earth and
mineral flavors. Pleasantly
balanced on the finish. A wine of
grace and delicacy. Drink now
through 2009. 9,800 cases made.
Smart Buys.
Wine Spectator --James Laube
Wine Spectator Oct. 31, 2002
------------------
ENJOY !

GA,

Dr Newton is one of the most interesting and captivating woman I have ever met. She has a degree in microbiology and a PHD in psychology. Here formal education came from Cambridge University in England. Her husband is the founder of Sterling winery. I have been fortunate enough to see Newton Winery and their caves, and it is without a doubt one of the most beautiful spots in all of Napa Valley. Unfortunately Newton Winery is closed to the general public. Dr. Newton and her husband built the winery after the sale of Sterling to Coca-Cola. Maybe someday you will be fortunate enough to meet Dr. Newton as I have.

IW

IW... I have had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Su Hua Newton and she is everything that you describe. We handle her wines and the Claret was just added to the TOP 100 LIST at # 70! Drink up.. Easy to find and very available...

Mike Goldman,

What company do you work for? It wouldn't be Eber Brothers would it? If it is, my dad and Lester are good friends.

IW

Life without wine?...... Yeah Right.<br /><br />I believe we have 2 lives; the life we learn with and the life we live with after that.

Finally tried the '99 at a restaurant here in Atlanta - would concur with most of the notes above, however, I found the '99 just a tad lighter in style than the '97. Remarkable fruit and aromas, medium body, and a nice length finish of spicy cedar and blackberry. 90 pts. from me, too.

...hey, chief - you gonna finish that bottle?

Eber Bros. is in upstate New York. I work in the great state of New Jersey.

BTW the Claret is going FAST since the press came out..... We are just about out. No new aticipated shipments.