I was introduced to Chateau Julien’s Black Nova last November at Monterey’s Great Wine Escape Weekend. It was an imaginative blend of Syrah and Zinfandel, which I remember just as fondly as my waterfront breakfast. On the return trip this year, I was anxious to see what Chateau Julien’s winemaker, Bill Anderson, had come up with this year. Black Nova II was waiting for me. I should be honest here and admit, when I sampled the wine at the Grand Tasting that weekend, I thought its predecessor was superior. However, when sitting down to a formal tasting, I had to reconsider. I did not reveal anything about the wine to my fellow panel members, but they all loved it. And, the second time around, I enjoyed it much more as well.
Chateau Julien 2006 Black Nova II / San Antonio Valley
Winemaker Bill Anderson gives us the sequel to his imaginative Zinfandel and Syrah blend from last year. It’s a luxurious wine, with an intoxicating nose that’s rich with creamy vanilla, ripe blackberry, black currants, smooth raspberry jam, and just a hint of cedar. The palate is beautifully soft, bringing layered flavors of raspberry and blackberry, which move into notes of vanilla, earth, and a small kick of pepper. It’s elegant, yet complex, making it worthy of a beef-tenderloin Christmas dinner.
FBWorld Panel Score: 93