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Bryan Kane is a winemaker that really deserves more attention than he’s getting. His commitment to sustainable farming practices, natural winemaking, and a focus on “making wine in the field” has resulted in some very fine offerings. Bryan divides his time among a few different projects, but each label he has attached himself to sees the quality of its wine flourish.
Here’s what our tasting panel thought about the red wines produced by the wineries Bryan works with. (Check out what we thought of his white wines in Part Two of our series.)
Vie 2009 Las Madres Vineyard Syrah
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Sonoma County
Price: 35-40
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and black cherries are accented by notes of spice and olive on the nose. The palate delivers flavors of blackberry and blueberry along with highlights of pepper, earth, and all-spice. A rich, bold Syrah, with balanced tannins, it’s an excellent varietal made from an under-appreciated grape variety. Only 150 cases were made.
Rating: 93
Vie 2009 Alder Springs Syrah
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Mendocino County
Price: 45-50
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of bramble fruit, game, and spice rise up from a glass. Blackberry, cherry, and boysenberry flavors are accented by suggestions of smoked meat, vanilla, and pepper on the palate. A rich, layered Syrah, with a lovely balance of fruit and spice, it’s an excellent expression of the variety. 100 cases produced.
Rating: 93
Vie 2009 Thompson Vineyard Syrah
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Santa Barbara County
Price: 40-45
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of blackberries, plums, spice, and vanilla greets the senses. A sip reveals flavors of bramble fruit and plum along with lively notes of pepper and smokey oak. A rich, robust wine that’s supple, dark and spicy, fans of Syrah will enjoy this bottle very much.
Rating: 92
Vie 2009 “L’ Imaginare” Grenache
Grape(s): 91% Grenache, 7% Syrah, 2% Mourvedre
Region: North Coast
Price: 35-40
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of cherries and strawberries mingle with suggestions of white pepper and anise on the nose. Flavors of strawberry, cherry, and blackberry come together with notes of spice on the palate. An approachable, lighter red, fans of Cali-Rhones will enjoy this bottle. 120 cases were made.
Rating: 91
Vie 2009 Melange Maison I (Red Blend)
Grape(s): Grenache, Syrah, & Mourvedre
Region: North Coast
Price: 25-30
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of blackberries, cherries, earth, and pepper rises up from a glass. A sip delivers flavors of bramble fruit and black cherry that unfold into hints of vanilla, spice, and game. A darker, heartier blend with supple tannins that will improve with aging, fans of rich GSM blends should try this bottle. 250 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Winery SF 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvingon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet
Region: Napa Valley
Price: 40-45
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of blackberries, cassis, and black cherries unfurl into nuances of licorice, oak and all-spice on the nose. A sip reveals flavors of blackberry, currants, and cherry that flow into suggestions of sweet spice, herbs, and oak. Cabernet fans will enjoy this bottle. 250 cases produced.
Rating: 91
Winery SF 2011 Pinot Noir
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: North Coast
Price: 25-30
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of raspberries, cherries, and blackberries mingle with hints of cinnamon and thyme on the nose. Flavors of cherry and boysenberry come together with suggestions of minerals, orange spice, and black licorice on the palate. A lighter yet lively Pinot, it’s elegant enough to sip on its own but has the acidity to hold up to a variety of white meat dishes.
Rating: 89
Winery SF 2010 Zinfandel
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: North Coast
Price: 20-25
Tasting Notes:
The nose offers aromas of blackberries, plums, and black cherries along with notes of sweet spice and peppercorns. Blackberry and cherry flavors come together with suggestions of clove, pepper, and sassafras root. A rich wine, with a supple mouthfeel and ample depth, it’s a Zin so good Cabernet fans will enjoy the wine. 500 cases were made.
Rating: 91
Sol Rouge 2010 Gypsy Rouge
Grape(s): 76% Grenache, 16% Mourvedre, 3% Syrah, 2% Counnoise, 2% Cinsault & 1% Petite Sirah
Region: Lake County
Price: 25-30
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of red berries mingle with floral notes and herbs on the nose. The palate reveals flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and cherry accented by suggestions of red licorice and white pepper. A light, approachable wine with ample fruit, fans of smooth, sophisticated reds will enjoy it.
Rating: 89
Sol Rouge 2010 Petite Sirah
Grape(s): 100 % Petite Sirah
Region: Lake County
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of blackberries, cherries, dark chocolate, and clove rises up from a glass. Flavors of blueberry, blackberry, and cherry meld with hints of sweet spice and coffee on the palate. A lush, rich wine that very nice structure, fans of smooth, supple reds will enjoy this bottle very much. Just 75 cases produced.
Rating: 92
Sol Rouge 2010 Syrah
Grape(s): 100% Syrah
Region: Lake County
Price: 30-35
Tasting Notes:
Aromatics of plums and blackberries meld with suggestions of sweet spice, mocha, and oak on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of blackberry, plum, and black cherry that unfold into notes of all-spice, cocoa, and cedar. A rich, velvety red with concentrated dark fruit that supple tannins, it has the goods to stand of to lamb or steak now, but will also improve with time in the cellar. 150 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Sol Rouge 2010 Mourvedre
Grape(s): 100% Mourvedre
Region: Lake County
Price: 25-30
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of black cherries, boysenberries, and raspberries mingle with suggestions of leather and spice on the nose. Flavors of cherry, blueberry, raspberry emerge on the palate with accents of white pepper and dusty earth. A smooth, lighter-bodied red, it offers ample fruit with nice highlights of spice that lovers of Rhone varieties will enjoy. Just 50 cases produced.
Rating: 89
Sol Rouge 2009 Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lake County & Napa County
Price: 95-100
Tasting Notes:
Blackberry, cherry, and currant aromas come together with hints of sweet spice and cedar. The palate reveals flavors of cassis, blackberries, and black cherries that unfold into notes of toasty oak and all-spice. A rich, more robust Cab with supple tannins, fans of dark fruit and solid structure will enjoy this bottle.
Rating: 90
Howell Mountain Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape(s): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Howell Mt. – Napa Valley
Price: 70-75
Tasting Notes:
A bouquet of blackberries, plums, cherries, and walnuts greets the senses. The palate unfurls flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, and bing cherry with accents of chocolate, cola, and nutmeg. Balanced tannins and rich flavors make this a very inviting wine. Enjoy now with lamb or give it some time in the cellar. 392 cases produced.
Rating: 90
Howell Mountain Vineyards 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel
Grape(s): 100% Zinfandel
Region: Howell Mt. – Napa Valley
Price: 40-45
Tasting Notes:
Aromas of boysenberries, cherries, blackberries mingle with suggestions of anise and clove on the nose. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, and black cherry come together with notes of walnut and sweet spice on the palate. A rich, supple wine that will pair nicely with food now or age well in the cellar, it’s a Cab drinkers Zin. 212 cases produced.
Rating: 90
