Before opening Bent Creek Winery, Pat Heineman and her good friend Carol Howell, both worked as principals in the Livermore school district. For them, a way of unwinding was to meet for a nice glass of wine every Thursday evening. That weekly ritual turned into a tradition (one which they still follow to this day) and, once they got their husbands Tom and Rich involved, it helped start them down the path towards starting their own winery. Today, Bent Creek is doing quite well, consistently producing some of the best wines in the Livermore Valley. Here’s what our panel thought about a selection of their current releases:

Winery: Bent Creek

Grape(s): Cabernet Franc (85%) & Cabernet Sauvignon (15%)

Region: Livermore Valley

Year: 2008

Price: 25-30

Review:

A bouquet of plums, cherries, and raspberries rise from a glass. Flavors of cherry, plum, a bit of strawberry meld with a few notes of spice and oak. A fairly light, bright wine that’s very approachable, it’s for fans of easy going reds.

Rating: 90

 

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Winery: Bent Creek

Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon (95%) & Cabernet Franc (5%)

Region: Livermore Valley

Year: 2008

Price: 25-30

Review:

Aromatics of blackberries and cherries meld with notes of oak, dark chocolate, and pine of the nose. On the palate, blackberry, plum, and cherry flavors mingle with hints of oak, spice, and anise. A lively, rich Cab with expressive tannins, enjoy a bottle now if you like a bit bolder wine; give it some time to age if you prefer something more elegant.

Rating: 89

 

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Winery: Bent Creek

Grape(s): Syrah (67%) & Cabernet Sauvignon (33%)

Special Designation: Red on Red

Region: Livermore Valley

Year: 2008

Price: 20-25

Review:

Blackberry and cherry aromas are accented by suggestions of leather and spice. Flavors of cherries, plums, and blackberries meld with notes of pepper and a hint of cocoa. A ripe, rich, hearty red, it has a nice balance of fruit and spice along with moderate tannins making it a food friendly wine. 

Rating: 89  

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Winery: Bent Creek

Grape(s): Petite Sirah (100%)

Region: Livermore Valley

Year: 2008

Price: 25-30

Review:

On the nose, aromas of dark berries meld with hints of pepper and dusty oak. A sip reveals flavors of blackberry and blueberry with accents of oak, sweet spice, and vanilla. A fairly smooth wine with rich fruit and mellow spice, it’s for fans of lush reds that still have a bit of structure.

Rating: 90