I am new to their mailing list and just received my offering for the '99 release and am looking for notes on this or past vintages.
The offering is for your choice of three or six 750s plus one magnum.
Any info would be appreciated!
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No TNs, but I loved their 98. Highly rated too!
CWG: Did you? I get this Wine & never tried it, yet. I do want to pull the '98 so as to decide if $90.00 is worth to get a vertical going. What are your thoughts. Worth the high price???
Robert Parker gave the 1999 the following rating:
Ratine 93 and stated - The 1999 (Gemstone's third vintage, but the first I've tasted) is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. There are 350 cases of this beautifully textured, elegant, concentrated effort offering notes of creme de cassis, graphite, and vanilla. It possesses a saturated ruby/purple color, medium to full body, and power allied with elegance. This is an impressive, pure, surprisingly stylish offering that merits significant attention. I will be anxious to see what this winery accomplishes in 2000 and 2001.
This is a new vineyard located on the Silverado Trail between Oakville and Yountville, near such Napa titans as Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.
I have been on the mailing list for the past three years and have tasted one bottle of the 1997 and 1998 and believe this is one of the best California Cab's for the money. I purchased three bottles and a magnum of the 1999 and if I could have afforded the six pack and mag I would have!![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Ratine 93 and stated - The 1999 (Gemstone's third vintage, but the first I've tasted) is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. There are 350 cases of this beautifully textured, elegant, concentrated effort offering notes of creme de cassis, graphite, and vanilla. It possesses a saturated ruby/purple color, medium to full body, and power allied with elegance. This is an impressive, pure, surprisingly stylish offering that merits significant attention. I will be anxious to see what this winery accomplishes in 2000 and 2001.
This is a new vineyard located on the Silverado Trail between Oakville and Yountville, near such Napa titans as Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.
I have been on the mailing list for the past three years and have tasted one bottle of the 1997 and 1998 and believe this is one of the best California Cab's for the money. I purchased three bottles and a magnum of the 1999 and if I could have afforded the six pack and mag I would have!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Helps a lot in my decision making.
LCC-
I've gone through 2 of my 3 98's and thought they were about the best I've had from that vintage. I will buy the 99's, as much as I can afford.
I've gone through 2 of my 3 98's and thought they were about the best I've had from that vintage. I will buy the 99's, as much as I can afford.
Okay - I got my mailer for this today. (I hate it when the wineries force you into buying multiple bottles - especially when they're priced at $85 each!).
What's the real deal with this winery? Why should this stuff be purchased at this price point when so many other CA wineries are hovering around $80/bottle nowadays???
(...and who the heck is 'Andy Smith'?)
What's the real deal with this winery? Why should this stuff be purchased at this price point when so many other CA wineries are hovering around $80/bottle nowadays???
(...and who the heck is 'Andy Smith'?)
Short: I never had it. Although, I am tempted to open 1 soon. I doubt you are going to find too many people that:
a. Buy it. New Vineyard.
b. Actually opened it.
The 1 person that may know something about it, no longer posts (until today---1 time deal---for now). But, I will ask him.
But, Chicago Wine Geek seems to like it.
Reviews are good. Potential is there. I am buying it.
a. Buy it. New Vineyard.
b. Actually opened it.
The 1 person that may know something about it, no longer posts (until today---1 time deal---for now). But, I will ask him.
But, Chicago Wine Geek seems to like it.
Reviews are good. Potential is there. I am buying it.
Thanks for the feedback!
I decided to purchase the wine after reading everyones comments and after speaking with others who have tried it and highly recommend it.
One comment that really drove the point home, was a comparison to bad QPR wines like Opus One, Silver Oak, Mondavi reserve, Far Niente, Groth reserve, etc, etc, etc.(No offense as I do not like these wines, just personal preference)
Another comment was that the owners are really commited to producing a quality product in limited quantity and with Pam Starr as consulting winemaker they felt it was a credible product not another cult wannabe.
Bottom line.....Only time will tell!
I decided to purchase the wine after reading everyones comments and after speaking with others who have tried it and highly recommend it.
One comment that really drove the point home, was a comparison to bad QPR wines like Opus One, Silver Oak, Mondavi reserve, Far Niente, Groth reserve, etc, etc, etc.(No offense as I do not like these wines, just personal preference)
Another comment was that the owners are really commited to producing a quality product in limited quantity and with Pam Starr as consulting winemaker they felt it was a credible product not another cult wannabe.
Bottom line.....Only time will tell!
For those that are interested. Comments from one of the members of the BAWE Wine Tasting Club in CA:
"Lots of buzz about it being a potential cult wine. Parker gave it a great review in the June issue.
A 3 ltr. bottle of the '99 sold for $9000 at the Napa wine auction, setting a single bottle record."
"Lots of buzz about it being a potential cult wine. Parker gave it a great review in the June issue.
A 3 ltr. bottle of the '99 sold for $9000 at the Napa wine auction, setting a single bottle record."