Havens Logo 23 White Small

Storypoint Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Storypoint Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 2% that’s listed as “other varieties,” the 2017 Storypoint is an excellent value for lovers of California Cabernet. The nose offers up an expressive bouquet of macerated blackberry, plum, vanilla, and a lifted note of tar and dried mint. It’s full-bodied with […]

Cattleya Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Cattleya Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Staw-hued, Cattelya’s 2018 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc is imbued with nuanced aromas of lemongrass, lemon drop, white grapefruit, and unripe pineapple. Sourced from fruit primarily grown in the Russian River Valley, and aged in 100% French oak, it’s medium-bodied with a vivid burst of nectarine upfront that dissolves into a steely vein […]

Cave Dog Albariño 2018

Cave Dog Albariño 2018

From a plot winemaker Michael Havens established in 1997, the 2018 Cave Dog Albariño opens softly, almost humbly, with lilting notes of cherimoya, lemon tart, and apple blossom. With time in the glass, it blossoms, the expression on the palate is especially delectable. Round and lush, a quartzite vein runs through the center—where it peaks […]

Shared Notes Les Pierres Qui Décident 2017

Shared Notes Les Pierres Qui Décident 2017

Savory aromas of freshly cut grass, crushed herbs, alpine air, and pine needle anoint the nose of Shared Notes 2017 Les Pierres Qui Dècident. Crafted from 100% Sauvignon Blanc clone Musqué and fermented and aged in 100% new French oak, its linear cut and surging intensity is impressive. A beam of acidity arcs across the […]

Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016

Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The bottle, a Napa Valley Cabernet from Louis M. Martini tumbled headlong off the rack before I could grasp it—most of it instantly lost save for a glass which I ran through a filter. It’s a classic Napa Cab, totally opaque with a violet rim and glass-staining legs followed by heady aromas and flavors of […]

Cattleya Alma de Cattleya Rosé of Pinot Noir 2018

Cattleya Alma de Cattleya Rosé of Pinot Noir 2018

Rose gold in the glass with copper inflections, the 2018 Alma de Cattleya Rosé of Pinot Noir possesses a kind of kinetic energy that’s hard to resist. The nose is a riot of white peaches, wild salmonberries, blood orange, and melon—like so much brightly-hued damask silk fluttering in the wind. In the mouth, racy acidity […]

Au Contraire Chardonnay 2016

Au Contraire Chardonnay 2016

The 2016 Au Contraire Chardonnay is a full-bodied effort, offering up classic aromas of orchard fruit—bruised pear and yellow apple followed by freshly buttered wheat toast and preserved lemon. Lots of juicy yellow fruit and creaminess at the core; the interplay of acid and toast is nicely done. Aged eight months in stainless steel and […]

Orin Swift Blank Stare Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Orin Swift Blank Stare Sauvignon Blanc 2017

An energetic whorl of pear and juicy musk melon, Opal apple, stargazer lily, and lime zest comprises the nose of Orin Swift’s 2017 Blank Stare. A blend of 97% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscat, 20% barrel fermentation and aging in French oak is evident on the nose and palate, lending a just the right amount […]

Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Another wine wholeheartedly enjoyed in the company of team #mywinesociety—the 2013 Silver Oak Alexander Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec, all from the same sub-appellation. It’s plummy, but quickly opens to reveal subtler notes of cassis, kirsch, sandalwood and vanilla bean paste. On entry, juicy black fruit is […]

Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

A decade on the 2008 Alexander Valley Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon has developed nicely—it’s spent 24 months in barrel with another 15 months of bottle conditioning prior to release. Red currant, sweet red cherries, cassis, loamy soil, cinnamon bark, and vanilla bean anoint the nose. For a Sonoma Cabernet, it’s lighter in style, and medium-bodied. […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com