Press

A nice, spicy layer, with some spearmint to the lemons and stones. A tad simple on the palate with medium body. Creamy and fresh, with moderate length.

Hazelnut, spiced lemon and hints of granola and butterscotch on the nose, following through to a medium-bodied palate with some lemon custard and spearmint. Not very intense, but shows nice fluidity and suppleness. 

Fresh and open in feel, with red currant and black cherry notes mixed with light savory, cedar and mesquite accents. Offers a nice tug of loam at the very end. -James Molesworth

Frankly ripe, with a broad swath of crushed plum, blackberry cobbler and black currant preserves moving through, flanked on both sides by a prominent roasted apple wood note. A licorice snap note adds some energy to the finish. For fans of the headier style. – James Molesworth

Miner’s 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc that spent 21 months in 60% new French oak without being overly impacted by the wood. Scents of crushed stone, pencil shavings, cherries and sage mark the nose of this full-bodied effort, which comes across as tannic and even a bit rugged… -Joe Czerwinsk

Perhaps a victim of expectations—inevitably elevated by seeing the Oakville AVA on the label and knowing the superb siting of the winery along Silverado Trail—Miner’s 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is a pretty, aromatic effort, marked by attractive scents of cherries, mint, cedar and creosote…- Joe Czerwinski

A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot and 2% each Malbec and Petit Verdot, Miner Family’s 2018 The Oracle features charming scents of cedar, cherries, cassis and red-skinned plums, plus attractive herbal nuances of sage and bay leaf… – Joe Czerwinski

Peach, pineapple and mango flavors are generous and expressive, showing an appealing note of apple peel that lingers on the finish, with a floral thread.

Well-spiced and rich, with hints of crème brûlée to the cherry tart and wild berry flavors. The juicy finish features notes of cola and pomegranate, with pastry accents that linger on. Drink now through 2024.

Complex and rich-tasting, showing floral accents to the fruity aroma, with a concentrated and refined mix of ripe dark cherry and berry flavors. Creamy and open-textured finish. – KM

This wine focuses on cabernet sauvignon (81 percent) and Stagecoach Vineyard, with contributions from Rutherford, Chiles Valley and Oakville (varietally, the blend includes some cabernet franc and merlot). Past the wine’s smoky oak, the flavors point toward the flowers and the roots of the vines, centering in on ripe strawberry and rhubarb flavors. Pour it with filet mignon.

Very light in the glass, this begins with tight aromas of apple, pear and jasmine on the clean, expressive nose. The palate is tightly wound, with a stony minerality that wraps around the dried apple flavors.

A fragrant nose of mulberries, plums, dark cherries, dried thyme and dark chocolate. Full-bodied with firm tannins. Framed and layered, with a fleshy texture and a polished finish.

Plenty of currant and blueberry character with chocolate, following through to a medium body with medium chewy tannins and a structured finish.

Blueberries, dark cherries, plums, tobacco, vanilla and oyster shells on the nose. Some orange zest too. Medium-bodied with firm, tight tannins and fresh acidity. Fragrant and vibrant.

A fragrant nose of black fruits, chocolate, mint and bark. Some oyster shell. Full body with firm tannins and fresh acidity. Structured yet juicy leading to a chewy finish.

Polished nose of ripe blackcurrants, cloves, praline and mint chocolate. Full-bodied with firm, sleek tannins and fresh acidity. Compact. Just the right amount of chocolate at the end. Give it some time to open.

Aromas of mulberries, plums, dried herbs, spearmint, cedar and dried spices. Full-bodied with chalky tannins and fresh acidity. Textured with a vivid finish.

Sliced apples, pears, grapefruits and guava peel on the nose. Medium-bodied with medium acidity and a creamy, supple texture.

A pretty nose of rose hips, lavender, blueberries, plums, currants, herbs and vanilla. Medium body with fine-grained tannins. Bright and juicy with vivid acidity. Excellent freshness.

Well-structured, with hints of chamomile to the baked apple and white cherry flavors. Plenty of toasty and creamy notes line the richly textured finish. Drink now through 2025.

There’s rich savoriness to the ripe white fruit flavors that show plenty of meringue and custard accents. Ends with hints of dried mint and sage on the spicy finish. Drink now through 2024.

This has a concentrated nose of apricots, dried lemons, spiced apples, pineapples, cloves and hints of cardamom. Full-bodied, rich and oily yet fresh with vibrant acidity. Excellent texture and energy. Drink now or hold.

Aromas of blackcurrant, chocolate and mint with hints of spices and wet earth. Medium- to full-bodied with bright acidity, chewy tannins and an array of blue fruit on the palate. Medium finish.

Peaches, apricots, pastries, butter and flint on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied with a creamy texture. Fresh and elegant feel with subtle hints of spice and white pepper. Drink now.

This has a pretty nose of blackcurrants, black cherries, lavender, iodine, pecans and graphite. Some chocolate orange. Medium-bodied with firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. Hints of herbs and earth. Excellent structure and freshness.

This has a large-scaled core of currant and blackberry fruit laced liberally with licorice root, bramble and dark tobacco notes. A serious, iron-edged grip courses underneath it all, driving this through a lengthy finish. Bit of a throwback style here. Best from 2023 through 2034. – JM

Lively, with a mix of red and black currant and boysenberry notes liberally laced with floral, sassafras and dried anise notes. Sanguine and cedar hints check in on the finish. Best from 2022 through 2032.

Garys’ Vineyard (yes, there are two men named Gary who own this vineyard, hence the apostrophe after the “s,”), is the source of Pinot Noir for several producers in California including Miner Family Winery in Napa Valley. Pale young garnet color; aromas of red currant, wild strawberry and turmeric. Medium-full with excellent depth of fruit, very good acidity, medium-weight tannins and nicely managed wood notes. There are distinct brown spice (oregano, allspice) sensations in the lengthy finish. Offering excellent complexity and richness, this needs one to two years to round out, with peak drinking in 7-10 years. If you must enjoy it now, pair with duck breast with cherry sauce. – Tom Hyland

Light yellow; rich aromas of lemon peel, almond and apricot. Medium-full with excellent concntration. Rich mid-palate, layered flavors, excellent persistence and complexity. Long finish, rich, beautifully styled Chardonnay. Enjoy over the next 3-5 years, perhaps longer. One of the best vintages of this wine I have tasted in years. – Tom Hyland

This drips with cool cassis, raspberry and plum puree flavors, showing hints of mesquite and sassafras. A touch of underbrush infuses the finish, with notes of dark licorice and gently mulled fruit. Drink now through 2029. 298 cases made. — JM

Miner Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Oakville

Aromas of brandied cherries dipped into melted dark chocolate are informed by the slightest suggestion of spearmint at the edges, which turn to a more savory palate than expected. There is a meaty note to the brambly berries, rosemary, purple plums, pluots, and kumquat pithiness that makes this seem particularly well-suited for the cellar. Open it now with a meaty meal, or hold it for another decade: The future is bright for this under -$100 bottling. – Brian Freedman

Rich and open-textured, with plenty of buttery notes to the ripe white fruit flavors, showing an alluring mintiness midpalate, followed by a finish filled with pastry accents. Drink now through 2024. — KM

Pretty sugared lime and light white peach notes emerge from the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, a medium-bodied, lightly textured, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc that’s about as drinkable as they come. Enjoy bottles over the coming 2-3 years.

There’s wonderful purity to the pineapple, lemon curd and ripe apricot flavors, with touches of peach blossom and candied orange peel on the finish. A fresh thread of acidity and a supple texture leave an elegant, lasting impression. Drink now. – M.W.

Pretty aromas of green apple, honeydew, lime curd and zest. It’s medium-bodied with tangy acidity and a gently waxy texture. Flint on the finish. Drink now.

A full-bodied white with aromas of apricot, mango, cream and lemon shortbread. Generously round on the palate with an oily texture, balanced by crisp acidity. Flint and chopped almonds on the finish. Drink or hold.

Maturing, with sage and sassafras notes permeating the core of steeped plum and loganberry fruit. Mesquite and cedar details check in on the finish for added range. A bit on the chewy side, but shows lots of character. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Best from 2021 through 2028. 1,600 cases made. — JM

Delicate, verging on light, with vibrant red fruit and berry flavors supported by suave tannins and acidity. The finely textured finish is juicy and full of vibrant minerality. Drink now through 2023. 372 cases made. — KM

Very delicate and supple, with an almost rosélike color, and flavors of cherry pastry and dried berry backed by glistening acidity. Lithe and juicy on the finish, with toasty notes. Drink now. 978 cases made. — KM

Well-structured, with rich, savory notes to the dried blackberry and cherry tart flavors. Hints of paprika show midpalate, leading to a tannic finish that reveals roasted coffee bean details. Drink now through 2024. 644 cases made. — KM

From its smoky scents of lees through its preserved-lemon flavors, this is a clean and savory chardonnay. It hints at sweetness in its honeyed texture and almond pastry tones, a richness that will take on salmon rillettes or scallops in puff-pastry shells. —J.G.

Quite light in the glass, particularly for this appellation, this bottling begins with aromas of pomegranate syrup, wet gravel, tea leaves and herbs on the nose. There’s a sour cherry kick to the palate, where dried tarragon and loamy earth qualities lead into a French toast spice finish. – Matt Kettmann

This winery is taking a lighter spin on the appellation, and this bottling works particularly well. A rusty shade in the glass, this wine offers aromas of pomegranate, cherry, wild mint and sage on the nose. The palate follows in line, combining crumpled sagebrush and thyme flavors with macerated cranberry and cherry, finishing on pops of cinnamon and clove. – Matt Kettmann

This has a very ripe feel with fruit that sits in the red-berry zone. Some baked berries, too. The palate has medium body and delivers a very ripe impression with tannins wrapping the finish firm. A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 13% cabernet franc, 3% malbec and 3% petit verdot. Drink now.

A tangy, fruity white with pepper, dried-lemon and cooked-apple character. Medium body, dense center palate and a flavorful finish. Hints of lemon cream and wax. Drink and enjoy.

Mulled currant and blackberry fruit is wrapped in singed cedar and vanilla notes, with flickers of sage and sassafras on the finish. Shows a bit more weight than purity, but will have fans for sure. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Best from 2020 through 2025. 2,292 cases made. – J.M.

This has a relatively fresh feel, with red currant and cherry paste flavors, lifted by light floral and mineral aspects, all running through a bramble-tinged finish. Friendly enough to be approachable now, but there’s no rush. Drink now through 2026. – J.M.

Today, Miner Family Winery stands as a striking success, with an impressive variety of wines, ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay from Napa Valley to Viognier, Sangiovese Rosé and even Roussanne. Wines and Spirits magazine named Miner as a Top 100 Winery of the Year in 2006, and Miner wines have been served at several state dinners at the White House…read more

The flagship 2016 Red Blend The Oracle is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, 17% Merlot, and the balance Malbec and Petit Verdot. It’s slightly deeper colored than the Oakville Cabernet and gives up plenty of red and black fruits, spicy oak, tobacco, and graphite. A big step up on the richness scale, it still has beautiful purity and elegance as well as fine tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming two decades.

Medium gold-colored, the 2016 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard comes from one of the top sites in Carneros, the Hyde Vineyard. It offers an exotic bouquet of tangerine, honeyed citrus, ginger, and candied lemon. It’s medium-bodied, vibrant, and fresh on the palate, with solid texture and length. It’s an outstanding Chardonnay from this estate.

The 2016 The Oracle has a deep garnet-black color and perfumed nose of roses and lilacs with kirsch, tea, earth, cassis and black cherries scents. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and juicy with a firm frame of grainy tannins, finishing long and minerally. – Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2016 Chardonnay Wild Yeast opens with lemon curd, key lime and green apples with hints of baking bread, allspice and nuts. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant, fine and fresh with mineral accents and a long racy finish. – Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2016 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is wonderfully floral with orange blossoms, honeysuckle and jasmine over a core of lemon meringue pie, ripe Bosc pears and candied ginger plus a waft of marzipan. The palate is medium-bodied and beautifully perfumed in the mouth with great freshness and a very long finish. – Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Containing 4% Merlot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard is deep garnet-black in color with pronounced cassis, redcurrants, black cherries, eucalypt, dark chocolate and lavender. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and vibrant with firm, grainy tannins and an herbal lift on the finish. – Lisa Perrotti-Brown

Containing 6% Cabernet Franc, the deep garnet-black colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville is scented of black cherries, warm plums and black and red currants with chocolate mint, tobacco and thyme. The medium-bodied palate is elegant, firm and grainy with tons of freshness and crunchy fruit, finishing long. – Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Emily’s is deep garnet-black in color with tar, earth and herbs on the nose over blackberries, plums, cassis and crushed rocks. The palate is medium-bodied, firm and chewy with good intensity and a lively finish. – Lisa Perrotti-Brown

A very ripe red with dried-berry and raisin character. Full body, round and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. A little overdone, but still outstanding quality in a typical Napa way. Drink now.

This has some real volume and size on the palate with a wealth of dark plums and blackberries on offer and succulent, deep-set tannins that carry the finish reliably deep. Drink now to 2024.

Two excellent producers of Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville’s east side are Miner Family Winery and Dalla Valle. Dave Miner comments that the volcanic loam soils and the dry landscape here “make the eastern hills ideal for growing Bordeaux varietals.” He notes that western Oakville “seems to be distinctly different in climate and soil types, and therefore the wines are uniquely different.” Read more

“Vivid red….spice accented by subtle floral and incense nuances that build with air. Juicy focused and energetic on the palate, where a peppery note adds a spicy bite to sweet raspberry and rose pastille. Finishes silky and long…”

This is a little high octane with black licorice and vanilla bean character, highlighting the fruit. Full-bodied and bright with fruit. Despite some lifted alcohol on the nose, palate is quite fresh in the end. Drink now or hold.

“During her recent visit to Reno, I had the opportunity to sit down with Stacy Vogel, head winemaker for Miner Family Winery in Napa. Over lunch, we tasted through a smattering of Miner’s extensive portfolio as she spoke about her wine-making style, women in the wine business and why you shouldn’t hesitate to visit Napa this year.”
Read more

Top 10 Wineries to Visit on the Silverado Trail

Miner is that increasing rarity in Napa Valley: a producer with a walk-in, no-appointment tasting room. There is a $25 fee, but this is refunded if you spend $75.

David Miner founded the property, which is not an estate winery, as it buys most of its grapes from the huge Stagecoach Vineyard, as well as from other regions of California. This makes Miner a good choice if your palate is beginning to grow weary of rich Cabernets. You’ll find Rhône varieties here, plus Tempranillo and Sangiovese.

However, Miner honours its origins by producing a flagship Bordeaux-style blend called The Oracle that is sourced from Stagecoach.

Sourced primarily from Stagecoach Vineyard on Atlas Peak and blended with a small amount of Oakville Vineyard grapes, this is a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Cabernet Franc, with small percentages of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Big, tannic and overpowering in its youth, it reveals hints of cedar, pencil shavings and sage, with a rich black-cherry core. – Virginie Boone

“Working with 24 different varieties from 30+ vineyard sites over the years, I get to try making both leaner and riper styles of wines, and find the right balance over time for each of the wines we make. Chardonnay is one of the most malleable varieties, and therefore the most fun to make and experiment with.” – Stacy Vogel

Brilliant ruby-red. Powerful spice- and mineral-accented dark fruit and floral pastille scents are lifted by smoky mineral and Moroccan spice flourishes. Sweet and seamless in texture, offering palate-coating blackberry and cherry cola flavors and a hint of mocha. Fleshy and concentrated, revealing no rough edges. The very long, dark-berry-dominated finish is framed by smooth tannins. – Josh Raynolds

Deep red. Powerful black raspberry, cherry pit, exotic spice and floral scents take on a smoky mineral quality in the glass. Smooth, weighty and seamless on the palate, offering vibrant red and dark berry and bitter cherry flavors that put on weight and become sweeter with air. Smoke and white pepper notes come up on the clinging finish, which features smooth tannins and an echo of sappy dark berries. – Josh Raynolds

Vivid red. Smoke- and spice-accented aromas of raspberry and cola are enlivened by a zesty mineral quality. Lively red and dark berry flavors show excellent depth and a surprisingly delicate touch, and notes of mocha and Indian spices emerge with aeration. Finishes sweet, smooth and very long, featuring echoing spiciness, well-knit tannins and resonating florality. – Josh Raynolds

Deep, lurid red. Expansive aromas of black raspberry, mocha, potpourri and Asian spices take on a smoky nuance as the wine opens up. Sappy, concentrated and seamless in texture, offering energetic red and dark berry preserve, licorice pastille and candied rose flavors and a touch of cola. Finishes with impressive length, lingering dark berry character and harmonious tannins that fold smoothly into the lush fruit. – Josh Raynolds

Even lighter colored than the Garys’ Vineyard, the 2015 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard is light ruby and translucent and offers an old-world bouquet of sous bois, tart cherries, rose petals and dried underbrush. Vibrant, juicy and lively on the palate, with bright, almost tart acidity, it, like the Garys’, will appeal to Burgundy lovers. I suspect it will be even better with 2-3 years of bottle age and have 15 years of overall longevity.

Slightly darker in color than the Rosella’s, the still lightly colored 2015 Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard has a beautiful bouquet of ripe raspberries, rose petals, and sweet spice. Downright Burgundian on the palate with its juicy, racy acidity and light texture, it stays balanced and elegant, with a great finish. This isn’t for those craving opulence or decadence, yet it’s vibrant and juicy, and I suspect will age gracefully for a decade or more.

Pale ruby-purple in color, the 2015 Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard is opulently scented of Chinese five spice, black cherries and mulberries with hints of star anise, dried herbs and lavender plus a waft of cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate reveals wonderful freshness and a firm, fine-grained texture, framing the bold, sexy fruit beautifully.

Pale ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard has a pronounced nose of kirsch, black raspberries and pomegranate with hints of rose hip tea, incense, baking spices and violets with a waft of menthol. Medium-bodied, fine and fresh with a wonderful intensity of perfumed red berries, it finishes long and spicy.

The wines are complex, but designed to please with lush fruit flavors, a nice balance of natural acidity and intense concentration that allows the flavors to really shine through and complement just about everything that comes off the grill.

The Miner Family Winery cabernet sauvignon from Stagecoach Vineyard shows off some of the best attributes cabernet has to offer. Dark fruit, bramble and plenty of tannins wrap themselves around your palate.

Light in color, this bottling from a famous vineyard shows red cherry, crushed clove and woody herb notes on a nose that’s both sanguine and sharp with anise spice. The palate is lively and spicy, with energetic white sage and bright red fruit leading into a long-lasting, menthol-laced finish.

This chard, made with wild yeast, has a toasty nose with hints of butterscotch and vanilla. On the palate, it’s creamy and buttery with flavors of baked apple, melons and citrus along with a light minerality. Very good.

Deep color, herb and spice nose; smooth, dense and spicy with plum, blackberry and soft herbs; generous and long, balanced and rich. 90% Cab Sauv, 6% Merlot, 4% Cab Franc

Pale color; bright cherry nose; juicy and crisp with tangy cherry and floral notes; racy, lively and fresh; long and elegant, lively and classic.

Fresh and toasty nose; silky and bright with ripe pear fruit and smooth texture; juicy and supple with finesse and good length.

When David Miner met his wife, Emily, in the early 1990s at his uncle’s Oakville Ranch Winery, he knew he had met his match. The two established their Miner Family Wines in 1996, were married and released their first wine in 1999, and had two beautiful daughters shortly after. Sadly, Emily was stricken with lung cancer and passed away in 2011. Miner Chardonnay ($30) has been a favorite since its debut. In 2016 Miner created “Emily’s” in her honor, a classic Napa Valley Cabernet with rustic elegance, and great taste, much like Emily. ($50, with 10% of sales benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research.)

This is chunky and intense, while still maintaining freshness and mineral-inflected tannins. For the cellar, says W&S. And from TP: Smooth, spicy and juicy with black raspberry and spice; rich, tangy and long.

This wine is luscious, and it made a simple dinner of ham and macaroni and cheese seem like an elegant affair. The grapes are hand-picked from a mountainous vineyard, and the winemaker uses a combination of Old World winemaking techniques with modern technology to produce a Merlot that can stand up to a Cabernet with its mouth-puckering tannins.

This impressive, elegant wine sourced from the rugged mountaintop of Stagecoach Vineyard on the eastern slopes of Napa Valley bursts with black cherry and licorice flavors. Smaller amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc round out the lush tannins of this exceptional big red.

The venerable Napa Valley producer located in the Oakville district uses only indigenous wild yeast cultures found on the grapes and vineyard to ferment this buttery, rich and glorious white ripe with pear, melon, butterscotch and hazelnut notes. Dazzle your foursome and start with hors d’oeuvres and this bottle.

It is best known for its expressive cabernets, but Miner’s Merlot is killer. Patterned after the great Right Bank Merlot of Bordeaux with 11 percent Cabernet Franc in the mix, Miner’s Merlot is packed with juicy fruit with hints of spice and a nice dash of toasty oak. In a word, it’s delicious!

This is a big, round mouthful of wine fit for the finest filet. Rich blue fruit and pie fruit aromas waft up from the glass. Blackberry and blueberry lead, with some higher toned red fruits on the mid-palate. Cabernet Franc tobacco leaf can barely contain the boisterous sweet fruits. Tannins are sweet, the finish long. Highly Recommended. 92 points.

The Oracle is always a unique, never repeated blend of Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec), meticulously constructed by Miner head winemaker Stacy Vogel and her small group of blenders and tasters. It’s this annual air of mystery, among other things, that places Miner Family Winery on Napa Valley ‘must lists.’

The 2013 Miner Emily’s Cuvée Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon begins with a beautiful and aromatic combination of black cherry, herbs and spice. Tasting the wine reveals lots of smooth, delicious dark fruit plus graphite, mocha, spice and more. With great structure and balance the wine is drinking quite well right now but should also be able to age nicely for several more years. It ends dry, grippy and a bit dusty on the long, delicious finish.

This Cabernet Sauvignon, with 5 percent Cabernet Franc, is a dark treasure, rich and expressive. Aromas of blackberry and rose fill the nose, followed by a palate of dark berries, brambles, espresso, tobacco and chocolate. Tannins are well developed but smooth on a long finish, just touched by vanilla. Decant this wine and let it open in the glass.

Stacy Vogel blends this from fruit from five vineyards, including Stagecoach and the Miner estate vineyard in Oakville’s eastern hills. It’s dominated by green cedar scents when first opened, needing two days of air for the fresh black currant flavors to take precedence. This is chunky and intense, while still maintaining freshness and mineral-inflected tannins. For the cellar.

Offered in remembrance of winery co-founder Emily Miner, this wine is softened by 5% Cabernet Franc, the grapes coming from a handful of vineyards, including Stagecoach and Emilio’s Terrace. Dried herb, graphite and sage brush highlight a tight structure that’s grippy and savory, with understated oak. Drink now through 2023. – Virginie Boone

Cherry, mocha and spice on the palate in this refined pinot. A fairly lean, but enjoyable wine. Very good.

Brilliant red. Pungent, smoke-tinged red berry, cherry and candied aromas carry a spicy suggestion of cracked pepper. Sappy and broad on entry, offering bitter cherry and raspberry flavors that are lifted and given spine by juicy acidity. Silky tannins shape a very long, sappy finish that echoes the cherry and floral notes. – Josh Raynolds

Vivid red. High-pitched red berry, floral and mineral scents are complicated by an exotic blood orange quality. Seamless and alluringly sweet, offering fresh raspberry, cherry and rose pastille flavors sharpened by a spicy note of white pepper. Closes silky and sweet, showing no obvious tannins and delivering outstanding, floral-driven persistence. – Josh Raynolds

Limpid red. An intensely perfumed bouquet evokes red berries, potpourri and Indian spices, backed by a hint of musky rhubarb. Pliant and nicely concentrated, offering sappy raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors and a suggestion of spicecake. Shows excellent clarity and lift on the floral, gently tannic finish, which leaves behind notes of cola and sappy red fruit. – Josh Raynolds

Light bright red. Vibrant, smoke-accented red berry scents pick up suggestions of succulent herbs and minerals with air. Juicy, focused and spicy on the palate, offering fresh raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and five-spice powder and smoked meat nuances. Closes long and spicy, displaying resonating red fruit character and smooth tannins. – Josh Raynolds

This blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc is a grand tribute to the late Emily Miner, who co-founded the award-winning winery back in the mid-90s. Winemaker Stacy Vogel applied modern technology to Old World techniques to coax the very best from the exceptional Napa Valley vineyard sites. You’ll marvel at how much good stuff this robust red has going on. There’s an abundance of delicious black fruit enriched with cocoa notes, a touch of espresso and the unmistakable warmth of toasted oak. So meaty it practically sizzles.

95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Big, forthright, muscular, black fruit, bell pepper and nutty oak flavors.

Blackberry, oak and spice on the nose and palate. A bit hot. Rich with fine-grained tannins. Open at least 30 minutes in advance to let it open up. Very good.

Garys’ Vineyard, in the cool and foggy Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County, is as iconic as any Pinot Noir terroir in California. Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni created this vineyard. In addition to making their own wines, Pisoni and ROAR, they sell to such Pinot stars as Miner Family Winery and Siduri Wines. Pinots from Garys’ have a signature, bold deliciousness and also deliver crisp acid and minerality. This is the style and quality that brought California Pinot Noir to the world stage.

This full-throttle Cabernet Sauvignon includes about 5 percent Cabernet Franc to keep the wine interesting. From the Oakville area. it draws from top-drawer vineyards to produce a brooding wine with dark fruit flavors, cassis and mocha.

“Wine of the Week: Miner Family: 2013 Emily’s, California. A sumptuous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. With rich, ripe aromas of mocha and espresso bean, this full-bodied wine coats the palate with a lush mouth feel. Pairs well with prime rib, lamb and strong cheeses. $50″

A tad rough around the edges, but the core is intense, with a butterscotch edge to the core of apple and pear. Tails off a bit on the finish but remains very complete. Drink now. 7,530 cases made.

“Named in remembrance of Emily Miner, whom the family lost to the dreadful disease of cancer, this big red is truly a perfect example of an amazing story, superb grapes and a very talented winemaker. This wine is 95 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 5 percent Cabernet Franc, and aged 21 months in 55 percent new French oak barrels.”

Interesting aromas of herbs and grasses – a Mediterranean-style garrigue introduction to this Californian wine that continues on the palate where fruit takes second place to herbs and tannins. A hot, longish finish showing a little undeveloped tannin as expected. Because, though you can drink this now, it would be better to wait 1-5 years.

“Aromas of black fruit, cherry, cassis and cedar. Medium-bodied, with silky tannins, elegant structure, and notes of black currant, burnt cherry, eucalyptus and mocha. An exceptional wine from choice Napa Valley vineyards. Can serve now, but will hold for some time. Exquisite!”

Miner Family Winery announces the release of Emily’s Cuvee, an eponymous wine made in remembrance of Emily Miner, co-founder of Miner Family Winery who lost her battle with lung cancer in 2011. As a tribute to Emily Miner and to continue the fight against cancer, Miner Family will be donating 10 percent of sales of Emily’s Cuvee to the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

From the mighty Hyde in Carneros, this medium-bodied white blossoms with tropical fruit and briny minerality, a forceful combination that gives this wine both power and elegance. Textured in candied Meyer lemon, it finishes crisply and the right kind of sour. – Virginie Boone

“Crisp apple and ripe melon fruit with subtle citrus flavors.” Interesting by itself, it blossomed with Alaskan Cod with tartar sauce. Full and rich. The 2011 Miner Chardonnay Napa Valley Wild Yeast is also a great find.”

The wine’s taste definitely caught me by surprise.  I was expecting dark and rich flavors, but the taste was much lighter and refined. While there were some red fruits in there, I also picked up black olive, green pepper and a bit of oak. I enjoy being surprised by a wine and this one did that in a good way.

“Since my first visit to Napa Valley when I stopped for a tasting at Oakville’s Miner Family Wines I was hooked. The welcoming atmosphere of their tasting room will make anyone feel right at home. Their stellar staff over the years has ensured this feeling remained. However, you can have a great tasting room without great wine. Happily, owner Dave Miner and his late wife, co-founder and partner, his beloved Emily, has always had their eye on that prize, working with winemaker Gary Brookman from the start. In 1997 the team began producing elegant, varietally spot-on wines from Napa and Sonoma vineyards, like their Bordeaux style Oracle and their Stagecoach Merlot that will turn any non-Merlot drinker into a convert. Sadly, in 2011 after a long battle with lung cancer, Emily passed away. In celebration of her life, and everything she loved about wine, Dave recently released Emily’s ($50). A Napa Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc, aged for 21 months in French oak. Rich and textured, with black fruit, mocha, cigar box and spice. Dave and Emily have two beautiful daughters that will hopefully follow in their footsteps in their future.”

“The 2013 ‘Emily’s Cuvée’ impresses right out of the gate. This blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc is sourced from the Stagecoach, Emilio’s Terrace, Buselli, Miner and Schlein Vineyards. It displays a dark, inky color and instantly bursts open with black cherries and dark currants followed by sweet spices, dusty herbs, anise and hints of lightly toasted oak. This beautifully polished cuvée demonstrates excellent structure and balance leading up to the long, gripping finish, which is marked by a lovely touch of acidity. Overall the 2013 ‘Emily’s Cuvée’ is fantastic showing which should continue to evolve over the next decade. (Best 2016-2026)”

“Miner Family Winery introduced a new varietal joining its portfolio of wines. Emily’s Cuvee is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that is available nationwide with a 14.5 percent alcohol by volume. The new varietal is packaged in 750-ml glass bottles that retail for $50.”

“When the sun goes down on a another glorious Phoenix spring day, grills ignite. And you’ll need a sturdy red to stand up to those steaks you’re about to fire up. Consider pouring a top-shelf California Cabernet Sauvignon-based red blend from Miner Family Winery of Napa Valley. The 2012 Stagecoach Cab packs tons of black cherry and licorice flavors in a firm yet lush tannin package. Winemakers Gary Brookman and Stacy Vogel combine Old World techniques with modern technology to make some of the most elegant and expressive wines in the Oakville district. Drop a couple ribeyes on the table and decant this.”

“Ripe blackberry liqueur and sweet oak notes give this red a lusciousness that could be over-the-top, but the altitude of the vineyards (on Atlas Peak) help moderate that ripeness with equally substantial structure.”

“Few grapes match the romanticism of Pinot Noir. This fine example is on the lean side, but is wonderfully textured with exceptional impressive complexity that carries through a remarkably long finish.”

“Ripe and opulent aromas of jammy currant, blackberry, crème de cassis, bittersweet chocolate and dessert spice, over warm vanilla toast and cedar. Luscious on the palate, offering rich and ripe blackberry, plum and red currant, with notes of black licorice, espresso, clove and smoky oak. Smooth tannins on the long finish. Delicious.”

“Bold and full on the nose, presenting aromas of black cherries, black plum, dried currant and dessert spice, with a background of warm vanilla oak and black pepper. Rich and round on the palate, showing cooked plum, blackberry compote and cassis, over sweet oak, dark spice and a hint of earthiness. Integrated tannins on the silky smooth finish. Great structure.”

“Ripe and round nose of black cherry, raspberry and plum, with cinnamon and sweet vanilla oak. Round and soft on the palate, offering black currant, cassis, dark plum, and chocolate, over an herbal spiciness. Soft tannins on the balanced finish.”

“Enticing aromas of rich red summer berries, pomegranate, baking spice and cedar over light mineral notes. Suave on the palate, with black cherry, raspberry and cassis, opening floral tones and a touch of forest floor. Silky tannins on the balanced finish.”

“Rich stone fruit aromas with pineapple, peach and apricot over touches of sweet vanilla oak, light toast and spice. Luscious on the palate, presenting Golden Delicious apple, Bosc pear, and fresh lemon flavors. Clean citrus finish. Great food wine.”

“Aromas of  pear, Mandarin orange, lemon zest, and honeysuckle blossoms, with a touch of vanilla toast and nuts. Refreshing palate of ripe pear, melon, and lime, over soft vanilla and spicy oak. Balanced with a citrus and mineral finish. Delicious.”

Saignée of Sangiovese. The Miner shows considerable fruit–strawberry, raspberry, and just a hint of banana. On the palate, the fruit persists, and the acidity comes in. This is a solid effort. Very good. – Jeff Kralik

‘Screw cap. Excellent Viognier: full boded and fairly intense in flavor with good balance, a long evolution on the palate, and a smooth, persistent finish tasting of peach, guava, pear and honeysuckle. Great value. Unwooded.

Fleshy and full bodied, this is a fine Rhone style blend. It is floral and fruity in character (peach, lemon pear, apple, honey) with vanilla, toast and spicy oak overtones. Smooth, long finish. Fine value.

A very good wine: full bodied, round and both fruity and toast in flavor, it is balanced, and long, and lightly oaky on the finish.

Offers a generous mix of oak-scented pear, melon, cedar and tobacco leaf flavors. Intense and focused, ending with a touch of rawness in the texture. Drink now. 1,062 cases made.

Bright ruby-red. Intense, mineral-accented aromas of ripe red berries, Asian spices and potpourri, with a hint of smokiness emerging with aeration. Juicy black raspberry and rose pastille flavors put on weight with air, picking up a suave blood orange quality. Finishes smooth, spicy and very long, with fine-grained tannins adding structure and grip.

Drinking window 2019-2024

— Josh Raynolds

Deep red. Powerful cherry pit, black raspberry and licorice aromas emerge slowly, picking up suggestions of dried rose and black tea. Chewy and concentrated on the palate, offering intense dark berry and bitter cherry flavors and a lashing of peppery spices. Aeration brings up a rose pastille note that carries through a long, youthfully tannic, spice-tinged finish. This very young wine benefits quite a bit from aeration.

Drinking window 2018-2023

— Josh Raynolds

Brilliant red. Spicy and minerally on the incisive nose, displaying scents of redcurrant, cherry skin, peppery spices and rose. Zesty and precise on the palate, offering bitter cherry and red berry flavors and a touch of blood orange. Taut, stony and linear on the tenacious, spicy finish.

Drinking window 2018-2023

— Josh Raynolds

Light, bright red. Smoke-accented red berry and cherry scents are complemented suggestions of licorice and cola. Round, ripe raspberry and bitter cherry flavors put on weight with air, with the smoky note echoing. In a pliant, open-knit style, finishing with very good cling, easygoing tannins and lingering sweetness.

Drinking window 2018-2023

— Josh Raynolds

Juicy and outgoing with generous, ripe-apple fruit getting a big boost from sweet oak, this well-crafted wine shows a polished and professional hand in terms of its balance and seamlessly fit pieces. It has plenty of flavor, especially for a 2011, but it is not heavy-footed, and it remains lively right to the end. If criticizable for a certain simplicity right now, it is a deep and very well-filled wine that will gain interest with time.

Intense and fruit-driven, with ripe tropical fruit flavors, showing a trace of oxidation on the finish. Drink now. 7,650 cases made.

Straightforward and structured, with modest notes of black cherry, cedar and herb. Drink now through 2021. 1,180 cases made.

A delightfully complex and layered version that offers rich butterscotch, fig and toasty oak notes, ending with a long finish that gains depth and richness. Drink now. 200 cases made.

“There is a good deal of character to this ample, fairly full-bodied effort not the least of which is a full measure of currant fruit, a bit of briary spice and plenty of creamy, vanilla-bean oak. There is more than a bit of youthful tannin at work too, yet even though a touch rough and ragged at the finish, the wine ends on a positive note as its basic fruit emerges unscathed. It is not long on manners just now, but will find some much needed smoothing with age, and it is best left alone for six to eight years.”

“We expect a certain degree of toughness from ambitious young Cabernets, and this one certainly complies, but do not be put off by its unruly ways for there is a very good measure of deep and defined, ripe-currant fruit at its core and plenty of peppery, toasted-herb accents along with a not-so-small dose of sweet oak. Its structural bones stick out at the finish even as its fruit stays the course, and, if five years of waiting will make a good wine better, ten might do it even more.”

“Miner has, improbably, been using John Simpson’s Viognier parcel in Madera County for more than a decade, and this latest version, fermented in steel, shows the pure, limpid aspects of Viognier: fresh honeysuckle, Meyer lemon and citron peel. It’s taut and heady, exotic without being overwrought, and exuberant enough to please the grape’s partisans.”

“Moderately fruity and nicely complex with ripe cherry notes set against suggestions of slight herbaceousness and glimmers of black olives in its outgoing aromas, this full and solid wine shows a touch of fleshy suppleness at entry before it firms up under its slightly astringent impost. Built along tougher lines than most Merlots, this one can age well for a half decade and more.”

“If built along the somewhat lighter lines that more often than not define Pinots of the 2011 vintage, Miner’s version from the Santa Lucia Highlands musters a persistent complement of clean fruit with deft, herbal accents to its mildly strawberry-like fruit. It is slender without being thin, and its firm balance commends it to service with food.”

“Marked by dill and mocha-scented oak, this version offers a subtle mix of spice and berry, firming on the delicate finish. Drink now through 2019. 175 cases made.”-JL

“Offers a rich, honeyed mix of ripe pear, apple and white peach flavors. Full-bodied, focused and persistent, with a lingering aftertaste. Drink now through 2018. 215 cases made.” -JL

“Richly flavored, with a mix of baked apple, apricot and anise. Full-bodied and expansive on the finish, where the flavors gain depth and nuance. Drink now through 2018. 225 cases made.” -JL

“Weaves together a mix of ripe pear, apple and light cedary oak, focused and gaining on the finish. Drink now through 2017. 5,443 cases made.” – JL

“A big, rich style, with a yeasty, leesy edge to the baked apple and pear flavors. Shows a strong presence of new smoky oak while remaining balanced overall. Drink now through 2019. 1,897 cases made.” –JL

“Robust lime and sour green apple candy flavors offer good acidity and floral details, with a crisp finish. Drink now. 2,500 cases made.” -MW

“The flavors of dusty earth, oak, underbrush and dried flowers join dried berry and mineral notes, lending this a Bordeaux-like flavor profile and structure. Ends with drying tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2019. 1,814 cases made.” -JL

“Intense and raw in texture, this is a bold statement, featuring dense dark berry, spice and black tea notes, with angular tannins. Should benefit from cellar time, but the rustic side may persist. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Best from 2014 through 2026. 1,380 cases made.” -JL

“Dry and savory, with a chewy mix of gravelly earth, dried berry and herb. Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 187 cases made.” – JL

“A crisp, light style, with fresh, snappy strawberry and raspberry, ending with a touch of crushed rock. Drink now. 172 cases made.” -JL

“The most understated of the new Miner Chardonnays, this offers baked apple, spice and cedary oak, ending with an edge of crushed rock. Drink now through 2018. 220 cases made.” -JL

“Well-structured, with a tight, tannic frame and around a core of dense dark berry, showing hints of raspberry and blackberry. Ends with gripping tannins. Best from 2014 through 2023. 1,130 cases made.” – JL

“Very dense, featuring a strong loamy earth presence that imparts a pebbly quality. A good bet to gain with time, but this may always be on the rustic side. Best from 2014 through 2024. 700 cases made.” -JL

“As is often the case, Miner’s Chardonnay fermented with wild yeast is an intense and very complex wine whose plentiful fruit is laced with toasty spice, and it is made more interesting yet in this outing by suggestions of roasted nuts and a bare touch of dried orange peel. The wine is mouth filling and supple with a touch of oily richness in feel, yet it is neither soft nor sluggish despite steering away from overt acid. It is rich, it is balanced and it is very long at the finish, and its minor suggestion of heat will be made moot by service with the flavorful foods that it so clearly requests.”

Part of an interesting study in styles when compared to its mate made using wild yeast, this bottling is keys on the classic varietal themes of ripe apples. While rife with elements of sweet cream and vanilla, it is defined first and last by its very deep fruit, and its distant suggestions of toast and spice are far less prominent. It is not a nuanced wine so much as it is a tasty and generously filled one, and, if perhaps lacking the acidy firmness required for lengthy aging, it will make for splendid drinking with a savory roast chicken in the near term.”

“If never in the least bit lacking for ripeness and substance, this sturdy, well-structured wine is anchored by solid blackcurrant fruit and shows no inclination to softness. It is a Cabernet that demands patient aging, and it has balance and fruity depth to grow past its very ample, presently puckery tannins that will work to ward off drinking for another six to eight years.”

“Even more tannic and backward than its companion from the Stagecoach Vineyard, this brawny young wine still has a strong sense of dark fruit at its core and shows an inkling of layering yet to come. It is, however, quite rugged now and far too coarse for drinking with anything on tonight’s menu, so please put it away in the cellar’s far reaches, and let it rest for eight to ten years.”

“A supple texture conceals a zesty backbone, offering aromas of red currant and cola, with layered flavors of plum, tobacco and cedar. Drink now through 2016. 1,372 cases made.” -TF

“Delivers a tight beam of spicy wild berry, blueberry and black cherry, firm and focused, maintaining its persistence on the long finish, which is enlivened by snappy acidity. Drink now through 2020. 1,250 cases made.” -JL

“Extremely spicy, with pear and apple flavors, showing plenty of focus on the crisp finish. Drink now. 1.946 cases made.” -MW

“An earthy, gritty effort, with grainy tannins and drying fruit. Drink now. 325 cases made.” -JL

“Sweet, lifted cherry, plum, creamy vanilla, toasty oak, buttered toast, leaf and floral perfume. Supple, polished and succulent with underlying tannins, excellent concentration, fresh acidity, balance and super minerality. Has finesse. Drink 2012.”

“Muscular if not trim and tough, this presents a taut, sharp band of cedar, tart berry and dried herb, showing a dash of black licorice on the finish. Rough going with the tannins. Best from 2013 through 2021. 2,280 cases made.” – JL

“A gritty, grainy style with dried-out fruit, loamy earth and tobacco flavors. Drink now through 2018. 844 cases made.” -JL

“Adding to the surprises and disappointments found in wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands, this one is plenty ripe but is also less directly fruity than expected. Its ripe cherry scents and flavors are influenced by suggestions of green grapes, and, by the finish, it turns both hot and slightly acidy.”

“A rich, gusty style, with dense, extracted currant, graphite, espresso sage and cedar flavors. Full-bodied and concentrated, finishing with firm tannins. Needs aeration. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Best from 2012 through 2022. 2,169 cases made.” -JL

“If somewhat smoky and briary in scent, this wine is at first a bit dry and reluctant as far as fruit is concerned. One in the mouth, it surprises with deeper and better endowed flavors than promised, and its combination of ample extract and balanced structural tannins puts it squarely on the varietal track. It has the richness and depth to grow into better, and five to seven years of patience should be rewarded by increased complexity.”

“Balanced and harmonious, refreshing and bring, this offers peach, apple and citrus flavors, with a floral overtone. Drink now. 4,732 cases made.” –MW

“Though light in color, this is nonetheless intense and concentrated, marked by dried cherry, raspberry, mineral and dusty cedar notes. Ends with a tasty aftertaste of cherry and raspberry. Drink now through 2017. 532 cases made.” -JL

“Complex, with rich fig, melon, honeysuckle and spice notes. Full-bodied and focused, ending with an elegant mouthfeel. Drink now through 2014. 6,043 cases made.” –JL

“Balinese Grilled Chicken & 2008 Miner Family Vineyards Simpson Valley Viognier – The aromatic blend of spices in the rub that Evans uses on this grilled chicken demands a fruity, lush white wine, like Viognier.”

“Often among the top-rated Viogniers, this version is equipped with the peachy fruit of the variety but stops short of out-and-out lushness of previous editions in its aromas and is too quickly given over to heat and glycerin on the palate. That it comes as close as it does is a testament to the potential that can be found in selected sites in the Central Valley, but inner softness and heat do take it just off the pace.”

“Cherry and cranberry aromas, with a hint of sassafras and zesty plum, join anise flavors, which finish with briary tannins. Drink now through 2015. 900 cases made.” –TF

“Medium bodied and light in color, with a dash of cedary oak wrapped around modest, cherry, spice and berry notes. Drink now through 2015. 1,090 cases made.” –JL

“Modest and lean, with a slightly dry and earthy quality. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 658 cases made.” – TF

“Rich and intense, marked by a mix of green apple, honeysuckle, fig and melon. Full-bodied, ending with a smoky edge and twinge of bitterness. Drink now through 2015. 1,679 cases made.” -JL

“Very rich and multifaceted aromas of ripe apples, sweet citrus, lightly toasty oak and roasted grains five this wine an inviting leg up, and its combination of rich yet balanced flavors keep it solidly on track. It is fairly full in body without evident turn to heaviness, and its convincingly long, youthfully vital finish raises the notion of some two to four years of cellaring, but only if the early charms of this immensely inviting wine can be avoided. Otherwise, please let it sit for a year or two.”

“Complex, savory Cabernet aromas of dried herb, sage, cedar and tobacco lead off in this full-bodied red, which turns progressively drying and tannic, the latter being its shortcoming. Decant. Best from 2012 through 2020. 591 cases made.” – JL

“This lovely, deeply filled blend of varietals grown in the famed Stagecoach Vineyard is a reminder that great vineyards make for great wines even in what for others may be difficult years. A big and very rich opus, Miner’s Oracle makes no apologies for its ripeness or oak, but the terrific, very well-extracted dark fruit that runs its length is what earns it a place among highly recommended wines. It has the structure and potency to grow for a good many years, and we caution against pulling its cork before at least a half-dozen years have come and gone.”

“It is not all uncommon to find a bit of extra size and extract from wines born of this noteworthy site, and, while we are seeing a little more toughness and a little less juice in a good many contemporary Merlots, this one fills its ample frame with plenty of sweet-well-ripened, cherry-like fruit. It is a big wine to be sure, and its tightens up as tannin and acid take hold, but it should develop well and should be set aside for four to six years.”

“It is not all uncommon to find a bit of extra size and extract from wines born of this noteworthy site, and, while we are seeing a little more toughness and a little less juice in a good many contemporary Merlots, this one fills its ample frame with plenty of sweet-well-ripened, cherry-like fruit. It is a big wine to be sure, and its tightens up as tannin and acid take hold, but it should develop well and should be set aside for four to six years.”

“Attractive, concentrated nose, polished and modern, cassis and mocha. Weighty, dense, flavorful palate, intense fruit backed by integrated velvety tannins. Long and quite delicious. Drink from 2010.”

“This moderately deep, fully ripened and well-defined youngster plays a fair measure of rich oak against ample appley fruit in its very confident aromas, but it delivers deeper fruit flavors than predicted, and what was a good thing gets even better. It is a fairly big-bodied wine, yet it is firmed by an integral streak of citrusy acid, and, if its pieces are not yet seamlessly fit, there is little question that time is its ally. Give it a year and do not be surprised if continues to grow for three or four.”

“Led in the nose by a nicely composed mix of cassis, creamy oak and light notes of briar, this fleshy, firmly built youngster keys on lively, medium-deep fruit in the mouth and shows a nice spark of brightness throughout. It is not overly tannic but requires a bit of age nonetheless and has the look of a wine that will reach its best some four or five years hence.”

“Sourced from Madera County, and one of the very few bottling’s of note from that locale, except for dessert wines, this version of Viognier has always performed very well in our tastings. That it is a couple of points lower this year reflects its fuller and somewhat heavier, thicker stance on the palate. It is still a floral, peachy and rich wine for current drinking.”

“Rich and far-ranging in aroma and quite complex and rewarding in flavor, this concentrated wine delivers smells of Syrah spice, roast beef and energetic blackberry fruit. It is full and fleshy on the palate, and its evident acid does a good job of offsetting an underlying tendency to flabbiness and its tannins give it structure that will keep it in good stead for the next three to five years. It is the kind of Syrah that accompanies a savory leg of lamb better than any other wine.”

“Herbal and earthy, full-bodied and concentrated, with chewy tannins. Tight and closed, slowly revealing loamy currant flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2015. 3,000 cases made.” -JL

“Miner’s “Wild Yeast” bottling has been and remains one our favorite Napa Valley Chardonnays, and in this outing, the wine hits the mark once again. Reminding of ripe apples and citrus, and filled out with lots of very rich, but never overbearing, oak spice, it is a full and wonderfully expressive take on the grape. Long and lively and weighty and full, it exhibits very fine balance and, if a fairly big wine, it still shows a certain sense of polish and grace. We expect that it will improve a bit if set aside for a couple of years.”

“Fresh aromas of green melons with hints of blossoms and sweet limes are followed on the palate by mid-density flavors that are elevated in ripeness and glycerin but a bit ragged towards at the finish. Withal, the wine should be good partner to broiled white fishes like halibut or sea bass.”

“There is a winemaking polish here that makes up in part for the wine’s slight foibles of tightness and heat, and, if bothered a bit by the ripe-but-narrow difficulties that plague many wines of the vintage, it sports slightly deeper and more plentiful fruit than 2006 typically yields. That said, it is not so substantial as to need lengthy cellaring, and we suggest three to four years of age.”

“Both better filled and somewhat tougher in style than its partner from the Stagecoach Vineyard, Miner’s Oakville bottling scores big points for its very evident depth and its decidedly generous fruit. It firms up at the end and runs up against lots of gruff tannins, yet its abundant, oak-enriched fruit never wavers and is easy to spot all the way to the end. At least three to five years need to pass before this one even begins to fulfill its considerable promise.”

“Petite Sirah’s surly side has been tamed by winemaking polish and lots of very rich oak here, and while ample varietal tannins do make themselves known, even they seem somehow refined and a little less crude than is typical. The wine’s careful crafting is only half the story, however, for it is dense, deep and nicely extracted with plenty of ripe, blackberry fruit emerging at every stop. It can be drunk now with hearty, well-seasoned braised meats, but its potential for better is clear and it will improve for at least five to six years.”

“This one is nominally lower in alcohol than its partner above, but it comes with a certain sweet compote note augmented by the richness of caramelly oak. The wine is comfortably full and has a decent sense of balance but is just enough lower than its mate in fruit brightness to allow the finishing astringency to force itself into prominence.”

“Showing its youth in its slightly direct fruit, but rich and deep in the manner of top wines from this location, this interesting wine features lightly toasted notes of toffee, sweet grains and vanilla in its aromas, and despite being noticeably ripe, it is also quite well-balanced and lively. Its early feel on the palate reflects the full acidity of its makeup, and its clear fix on Pinot Noir fruit helps offset the sweetness of its omnipresent oak. For the moment, its tannins are never far from the scene, and current service wants savory meats, but time is clearly going to bring it a softer stance and increased range and openness.”

“Salmon with Andouille Sausage and Green Olives with 2006 Miner Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir.”

“A racy style, with exotic wild berry, spice and floral notes. Full-bodied and marked by drying, earthy tannins. Drink now through 2013. 911 cases made.” -JL

“While we like this wine’s aroma of deep, well-ripened cassis and sweet oak, we would like them more but for their faint scents of mushrooms and muddy earth. In the mouth, the wine exhibits good volume and ripeness but is a little rough and raw at the edges after a surprisingly supple start. Its uneven nature leaves us a bit in the dark as to where it might go with age, but it shows richness enough to wine at least qualified endorsement.”

Our 2007 Viognier ranked 2nd in the March issue out of the 30 plus tasted, including Phelps, DuMol & Pride

“Sweetly spiced peaches merge with touches of honey, anise and kiwi in the deep, impressively filled aromas of this well-focused youngster, and the equally rich flavors that follow show lots of fruity substance and no let-up in depth. Full-bodied and quite well-balanced with Chardonnay-like richness and weight, it is a wine of considerable potential and should grow into better with a year or two of quiet time in your cellar.”

“The Miner bottling, around $20, is luscious and pleasing in the mouth. Its complex intensity results from low-yielding vineyards that create natural acidity and lush, tropical fruit flavors. As a devout Southerner, I detected a slight hint of cantaloupe, but then, I was in Viognier nirvana. This is a remarkably easy-to-pair food wine and an elegant sipper.”

“Mixing the bright scents of Fuji apples with a tangier green apple note, roasted grains accents and a touch of crème brulee richness, this wine follows on the palate with a full body and a rounded, supple texture with soft beginnings and respectably firm ending qualities. Its style directs it to service with the fleshy fish or roasted chickens in flavorful sauces, and if not demanded, a bit of bottle age will not hurt.”

“Good summer berry aromas. Delicious: generous fruit but still fresh. Not the heaviest of styles – quite sleek and refined. Drink from 2009.”

“Has a plush feel, good concentration and good acidity. Floral, with a note of honeysuckle. Balanced.”

“Very much the preferred of the pair of new Miner Cabernets, the Stagecoach Vineyard bottling is a deep, well-defined wine with a fine sense of fruity substance. It is long on currants with adjuncts of vanilla, dried flowers and chocolate, and it shows a bit of palatal polish that belies its relative youth. It is not one for drinking straightaway, however, and its nominal finishing tannins clearly invite five to seven years of continuing growth and improvement.”

“Sweet and fully-ripened appley fruit sits at the heart of this very generous opus, and, like the best of its peers, the wine balances its almost apple-pie-like richness with a fine streak of enlivening acid. Full on the palate, slightly oily in feel and yet fairly firm at the finish with a tangy upturn of sweet lemon, it displays very good continuity and length with real potential for at least two or three years of improvement”

“This Cabernet begins and ends with scents of dark chocolate, while the middle fills with bosky cherry flavor as it opens with air. The tannin has cool, with mineral inflections that balance the sweet fruit.”

“A round, medium rich Viognier that tastes of peach, honeysuckle, roasted nut, cherimoya and toast. Full and well balanced. Excellent value.”

“Medium-dark ruby; attractive intense, spicy raspberry and black cherry fruit aroma with a hint of mint… plummy, sweet black cherry fruit flavors with good depth and overtones of vanilla; medium full tannin; lingering aftertaste.”

“A Bordeaux style blend that delivers ripe fruit over the entire palate with a wonderful mouthfeel. Good balance and structure.”

“Dusty black cherry aromas with hints of coconut and white pepper. Soft cherry fruit entry with drying mineral flavors and charred oak notes. Balanced, well-integrated tannins join ripe fruit and toasted oak in the lengthy close.”

“A beautiful wine from this Napa winery… Deep ruby/purple, with spicy aromatics intertwined with some lush blackberry and cassis fruit, opulent on the palate, with full body, silky tannins, and low acidity, this is a beauty that should drink handsomely for at least a decade. Drink 2007 – 2017.” –Robert Parker

“It’s a distinguished wine, classic in the modern Napa sense of softness and ripeness to the point of decadent drinkability. There’s a sweet olive-tapenade edge to the blackberry, cassis and cherry flavors. The finish, believe it or not, suggests blueberry pie, fresh from the oven.”

“This wine’s cool edges bring a North Coast conifer forest to mind. Ripe cherry flavors and espresso coffee scents give it sweetness, though the wine is balanced and understated. For duck with roasted cherries.”

“Floral strawberry scents meld with musky complexity in this wine.”

“Smooth, rich and creamy with supple plum, blackberry and blueberry fruit that’s well-structured, with ripe but firm tannins that turn rich, earthy and complex. Drink now through 2011.” – JL

“Complex notes of ripe apples, crème brulee, toasted bread and savory spices are combined in the deeply framed, rich aromas of this somewhat full-bodied, mouth filling and well-balanced wine. It follows on the palate with ripe and wide-ranging flavors and has both the range and the depth to be a great mealtime choice to accompany well-seasoned roasted chickens served with fancy reduction sauce or for the fleshy fishes with fusion-influenced sauces. It does not need long=-aging but is certain to reward a few years of patient cellaring.”

“Miner’s Rosato has crushed-berry aromas and goes well with lamb.”

“It may call itself rosé, but this substantial effort has more weight and substance than a good many light reds. Its mix of dried cherries and dusty spice lend it plenty of varietal authenticity, but it lacks the fruit to fully buffer its hard edges and slight tannic bite.”

“Good/very good. Light and airy, perfect for sipping on a warm day.”

“…this wine from the famed Miner Vineyards is a marvel of balance and fragrant sensuality: floral, pear like and vegetal, with apricot and tangerine peel accents. It’s even better on the palate, with a round soft weighty texture and flavors of banana, orange and anise. This reflects Viogniers strong suits: its ability to present a wide range of distinctive flavor essences in one sip…” – Sandy Block, MW

“A heavy bottle holds a wine of surprising delicacy, with dark fruit, cocoa, flowers and fine minerals. Drink now – eight years. Excellent.”

“Fine, rich aromas of ripe berries and a toasty touch of oak on the aroma, leads to a very appealing mouthful. Splendid balance between fruit, tannin, and acidity. I drank this with a pasta full of springtime vegetables – mainly favas… a perfect combo, but any spicy dish or roast chicken would be find.”

“…a wonderfully unique blush wine featuring notes of strawberry and earthiness on the delicate nose. Fresh flavors of red cherry and pomegranate are kept in balance, resulting in a crisp, refreshing finish. Serve well-chilled alongside grilled or chilled shrimp.”

“Bright, glistening color… Red enough to suggest something like a more serious rose. Aromas of a berry bramble and a bit of spice lead to a delicious wine. Just enough tannin to provide a little mouthfeel. Certainly the perfect wine as the weather warms up. Picnics for sure. Baked ham, pizza, or just a chilled glass of Rose. A delicious wine.”

“Medium to full body; forward, herbal, smoky cherry and raspberry fruit flavors with a touch of sweet oak… Shows some complexity and deserving of several more years of bottle aging. Highly recommended.”

“Medium-light brackish ruby; attractive, forward, relatively mature, smoky red berry and cherry fruit aroma with notes of cinnamon, mocha and charred oak; rich toasty, black cherry fruit flavors with good depth and a velvety texture… Developed with airing in the glass and will reward a few more years of bottle gaining. Highly recommended.”

“Big, rich textured, concentrated, ripe cherry fruit flavors with notes of vanilla and leather; firmly structured; full tannin; lingering aftertaste… Highly recommended.”

“Ripe berry and roasted coffee flavors are followed by polished minerals and spice. Outstanding.”

“Full bodied and complex, this is an excellent blend, with rich fruit character, good depth of flavor, evident complexity, and a long finish, tasting of plum, cedar, black licorice, spicy oak and blueberry.” – Ronn Wiegand, MS, MW

“Toasted toffee, hazelnut, almond and cashew flavors run alongside a citrusy bouquet in this wildly expressive wine. Excellent.”

“Big rich intense, thick, concentrated, textured, cherry and dark currant flavors; well balanced and structured for bottle aging… Very highly recommended.”

“A rich mouth-feel and hint of tangerine peel set off the chicken korma.”

“Smooth and spicy with rich, dense plum and lush herbs; long rich and concentrated.”

“This masterful blend of Bordelaise varietals fixes on very deep and fairly classic Cabernet fruit while finding nuances of herbs, briary spice and just the right measure of complementary oak within its layered and involving mix. Its fraction of Merlot is made manifest by way of its plump and polished palatal feel, and its long, characterful finish is firmed by perfectly integrated tannins. Despite it many immediate charms, the wine promises more and better to come with cellaring.”

“Miner’s big, very outgoing Cabernet places its emphasis on ripeness and rich oak, but beneath its immediate sweetness, it shows a solid measure of persistent black currant fruit. If presently roughed up by both tannin and evident heat at the finish, it finds plenty of fruit powering through at the end, and it has all of the depth and essential extract it needs to age comfortably for a half-dozen years.”

“Spicy, oaky nose, good balance of black cherry fruit and oak. Rich, plump, concentrated, sumptuous fruit, chocolaty finish. Drink 2012-2017.”

“Heady, full of aromas of cherry, smoke eucalyptus and cassis waft up from this deep, intense ruby-colored wine. Rich and full-bodied. A mouthful of roasted coffee bean, black cherry, plum, chocolate and pepper flavors evolve on the palate in the long finish.”

“Subtle lemon yellow in color. Aromas of apple blossoms, minerals, citrus and tropical fruit lead to flavors of citrus, butter, apple and especially oak on the long finish.”

“Spicy, oaky nose, good balance of black cherry fruit and oak. Rick, plump, concentrated, sumptuous fruit, chocolaty finish. 5-10 years.”

“Ripe with blast-in-your-mouth cherry pie, blackberry jam, dark chocolate, cassis and sun-soaked raisin flavors that go on forever, not to mention lots of rich, sweet new oak. All this flavor is balanced by fine acidity and an intricate overlay of dusty tannins, resulting in a delicious Merlot. Drink now.”

“We are still very taken with the rich and exceptionally well-made Miner Napa Valley (Syrah) 2002 and urge fans of fine Syrah to make its acquaintance before it disappears from retailer’s shelves…”

“As is typical of wines from this appellation, the wine is fruit-driven. We’re talking a huge mouthful of cherry-rhubarb pie and oak-influenced cocoa-dusted peanut brittle flavors but fortunately the wine is totally dry and maintains a keen, acidic silkiness. Drink this big Pinot with strongly flavored food.”

“Straightforward smells of ripe apples and creamy sweet oak are backed by subtle accents of toast and lees here, and the wine’s very deep, fruit-focused flavors are similarly fit with a fine bit of balanced oak spice. If moderately full in body, the wine is never especially heavy or dense, and its steady, remarkably persistent fruit owes nothing to overblown ripeness. It shows no signs of tiring soon, but it is wholly delicious right now and requires no further age for full enjoyment.”

“Excellent Viognier: distinct character (peach, honeysuckle), full bodied, moderately rich, and long on the finish. Fine value. Unwooded. (Four stars/Excellent)” – Ronn Wiegand MW & MS

“An exceptional wine, well worth the effort to find. Although many Syrah’s go for the gusto, this carefully balanced and nicely proportioned wine achieves a bit of refinement while showing a good sense of fruity definition and richness.”

“Made in a seductive, up-front style, the elegant, medium-bodied 2004 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard displays gamy, spicy, sweet cherry and pomegranate aromas and flavors. Drink this delicious, seductive Pinot over the next 3 – 4 years.”

“The 2004 Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard possesses a slightly darker color as well as more plum, cherry and Allspice characteristics as well as a hint of wood. It is bigger-framed yet lush, heady wine that should drink nicely for 5-6 years.”

“An exciting wine with rich aromas of cocoa powder, smoke and a subtle gamey quality. This is a powerful, ripe, multifaceted wine that is, thankfully not jammy and over-extracted. It has dark berry flavors, with smoky, spicy notes of leather wafting in the background. Two thumbs way up.”

“Flowers, violets, red fruits, spice; red cherry, spice, cedar, floral notes; lovely entry, full-bodied, fine tannins; medium length of dark fruit and spice, extremely well-integrated, great now.”

“A fleshy, moderately intense blend that is full-bodied, smoothly textured, and long on the finish, tasting of plum jam, spicy oak, cooked meat and baked cherry.” – Ronn Wiegand MW

“Toasty oak, lemon cake, vanilla; texture with bright acid; long fruit, nuts, yellow flowers; integrated, balanced acid.”

“Herb, eucalyptus, red/black cherry; sweet red fruit, baking spice, cedar; weighty, good density yet bright; long persistent with sweet red fruit, great density and harmony, cellar it.”

“An admirable wine – tasty, focused, attractive. An altogether deeper, richer and more substantial offering than is the norm among its peers, this ripe and fairly well-extracted Sangiovese brings together elements of cherries, milk chocolate, sympathetic oak and touches of dusty earth. It is full and supple on the palate with nicely integrated tannins affording a welcome grip.”

“This has brown spice scents and delicate flavors that bring to mind roots and coastal earth. It’s lilting and light but persistent, a mouthwatering match for roast squab with chestnut stuffing or chanterelle sauce.”

“An exceptional wine, well worth the effort to find.”

“This shows refinement and care in its making, particularly in the rich scents of expressive oak. The fruit is super ripe, with flavors of blackberries and baked cherries, a peppercorn edge to the tannins placing it with a steak.”

“…Its fine themes of lightly spiced berries are enriched with a complement of sweet oak, and it is both supple and smooth in feel. It makes a good case for the argument that the grape can make wines of polish and style, and it will comfortably accompany entrees that want a Syrah of genuine finesse.”

“This Oakville-based winery is relatively new (1998) but quickly hit the fast lane with a string of excellent varietals sourced from Napa and beyond. This spicy, peppery mountain-grown Syrah contains smidgens of Grenache and Mourvedre.” – Anthony Dias Blue

“The overall impression is clean, lip-smackin’ good. The color is deep ruby rose. The fruit is ripe and tart. The aroma is dry red cherry, focused without a hint of sugar tones and the finish is dry. Well chilled, it’s the best all-around summer wine I’ve tasted in a while.” –Mark Tarbell

“A medium-bodied rose made from Sangiovese grapes. Pairing suggestions include prosciutto wrapped melon and barbequed shrimp. – Santa Rosa Press Democrat Wine Recommendation

“Lovely, crème brulee oakiness is everywhere apparent in the wonderfully rich and expansive, fruit-laden Merlot, and the wine displays a fine sense of varietal precision from its inviting aromas all the way through to its very long finish… it has the balance and commendable concentration to hold up for a good many years.”

“Decadently rich with textbook varietal character of peach, apricot and honeysuckle, this bottling has enough natural acidity to balance the ripe fruit.” – 2 stars, Win Editor Linda

“Extremely floral, this slowly turns toward white peach flavor. A round, classically New World Viognier… chill it for braised rabbit in a light tomato sauce.”

Master Sommelier and renowned wine personality Andrea Immer Robinson elects Miner Sangiovese as the perfect foil to her balsamic strawberry and mozzarella flatbread and her flavorful herbed steak.

“Plush, herbal, cedary, ripe cherry fruit flavors with notes of clove and rhubarb; well balanced and structured… Shows distinctive varietal character. Very enjoyable now and shows good aging potential. Very highly recommended.”

“Attractive, complex, relatively mature, cedary, spicy, cherry fruit aroma with hints of cola and vanilla; full body; rich, textured, cherry fruit flavors with overtones of creamy oak; medium-full to full tannin; lingering after taste. Very highly recommended.”

“Medium-light to medium golden yellow; attractive, stylish, very forward, complex, spicy, ripe pear aroma with notes of butterscotch, ginger, roasted hazelnut, and vanilla; full body… buttery tropical fruit flavors with a note of caramel. Very highly recommended.”

“Medium-full body; forward, fleshy, supple, buttery, ripe white peach and stone fruit flavors; well-balanced and shows some delicacy… Highly recommended.”

“Attractive, forward, toasty, rustic, red cherry fruit aroma with a hint of chocolate… well-balanced; medium full tannin; slightly tart on the finish; lingering aftertaste. Highly recommended.”

Over 4,000 wines from 18 countries were tasted and judged by a panel of top sommeliers and renowned wine experts.

“Well-balanced, rich textured, cedary, black cherry fruit flavors with a full velvety mouth feel… Very highly recommended.”

“This is the second release of The Oracle made by Gary Brookman. All of the fruit comes from the Krupp Stagecoach Vineyard near Atlas Peak. Oracle is very dark; a deep purple-black. The nose is exceedingly rich with aromas of exotic sandalwood, grilled savory herbs, macerated black plum and currant. The palate is rounded and soft with black currant and chocolate merging into smooth cherry on the finish. Drink: 2006-2012.”

“This winery’s flagship wine is The Oracle, made with fruite contracted from Stagecoach Vineyards, in the hills just above Oakville Ranch. The 2002 was the winery’s top-scoring red this year. It has sleek, generous texture and just enough granitic minerality to distinguish it from valley-floor Oakville wines. It tastes like it was grown in the hills.”

“Nicely balanced, with rich, complex, smooth tannins and very nice acids.”

“Focusing first on smells of ripe currants and adding in suggestions of rich loam and hints of woodsy spice, this attractive wine… Its supple, mouth filling impressions make for a wine that some will enjoy in the here and now, yet it has what it takes to grow over time, and our recommendation is to let it alone until 2010 or later.”

“Among the very deepest and most generously filled Merlots in this survey, this latest bottling from Miner is bursting with ripe cherries, decked out with extravagant, crème brulee oak and wonderfully well-balanced… Supple, fleshy and mouth filling, it is long and quite compelling on the palate, and there is every reason to believe that it will get better and better with a bit of time in the bottle.”

“Attractive, forward, spicy, herbal, cedary, complex, black cherry and blueberry aroma with notes of green olive, mocha, and tobacco… rich, plush, highly extracted, very ripe, black cherry fruit flavors with an appealing, velvety mouth feel; well-balanced and structured. Approachable now through deserving of another five years of bottle aging. Shows distinctive varietal character. Very highly recommended.”

“Since 1997 Miner Family has been making splendid Viognier from the low-yielding Simpson Vineyard in Madera. For this 2004, the fruit was not aged in oak nor did it undergo malolactic fermentation. The result is a vibrant white offering lovely scents of white peach, tropical fruit flavors and finishes on a racy edge. Arguably one of Miner’s finest Viogniers, this 2004 will provide enjoyment over the next 2-3 years.” – Norm Roby

“Ripely flavored and complex, this is a medium rich, lightly oaky Sangiovese, with excellent depth and length. It tastes of blackberry, toast, cedar, cherry… An excellent version of the varietal.” – Ronn Wiegand, MW & MS

“A brawny, powerful style with deep plum, warm boysenberry pie, spice and licorice flavors and a touch of saddle leather.”

“This wine’s combination of grapes and generously laid on oak gives it a rich, juicy style that is somewhat “sweeter” in cast than the archetypical Napa Cabernet, and there is plenty to like in its mix of ripe, near succulent fruit and creamy, caramelly notes.”

“Harmonious and balanced from the moment it’s first poured… impressive for its length of fresh cherry and violet aromas. They’re supported by oak and a long arc of flavor, broadening and gaining intensity and spice over the course of several days. The fruit deepens from cherry to blackberry, the texture sleek and refined. Catch the fresh flavors this winter with roast leg of lamb and rosemary, or let it mature int eh cellar through 2012.”

“Sweet black fruit, spice, vanilla… a long finish of raisins, oak and vanilla with a lively dose of tannins.”

“Best wines $20 and under: 2004 Miner Family Simpson Vineyard Viognier – Naysayers would never have believed that California’s hot Central Valley could produce a racy, vibrant white wine like this, but the Miners have proof in the bottle. Gary Brookman ferments Simpson Vineyard grapes exclusively in stainless steel to capture all their lively acidity and delicious peach-and-honeysuckle flavor.”

“Aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cherry cola, chocolate and black pepper with hints of violet and spice…”

“Nothing is held back in this dramatic offering, and from its rich, toasty, caramelly coverlet to its ripe, succulent, appley fruit scents this wine starts off with a nose of enormous depth and follows on with a fleshy, open entry impression supported by a nicely firm texture across the palate. Its flavors are concentrated and full of ripe, juicy fruit yet the wine is never overdone even as it runs to a layer of caramelly richness. There is a lot to like today, and this is a wine that will keep for years.”

“This outgoing wine is so expressive right now that it practically demands immediate drinking, and when you get right down to it, what is wrong with a fruity, peachy, slightly figgy wine whose outgoing aromas are matched in intensity by its inviting flavors. Somewhat fleshy but not heavy, and open and rich yet balanced at the finish, this Viognier is one to match up with rich, savory chicken dishes.”

“Full bodied with concentrated berry fruit with ripe black and red fruits and a hint of spice.”

“Rich and wide open with appley fruit and sweet oak in the most generous of proportions, this delectable, deeply filled, fairly full-bodied effort is enlivened by a perfect measure of brightening acidity that keeps it in trim from front to back. It is a most vital and immensely flavorful wine with little about it that is hidden and subtle, and it deserves to be served with your richest lobster or line-caught salmon preparations. It is immensely enjoyable now yet will hold well for awhile.”

“Concentrated fruit is the force that guides this optimally ripened young wine, yet, while eminently fruity in character, it is laced with lovely oak spice and shows a genuine sense of complexity. Slightly fleshy and then slightly firm on the palate, it has a bit of Pinot’s classic velvety feel but does show its youthful acidity at the end. Its late-arriving tannins and minor touches of finishing heat are matched step for step by unflagging fruit, and a few years of time in the cellar seem certain to make this very good thing even better.”

“The classic cool-climate Pinot Noir shows the crisp acids, silky texture and lush, intricate flavors… cherries with nuances of cola, rhubarb, oaky vanilla and peppery spice. Not only a fun wine, but a complex one that distinguishes the appellation.” -SH

“From a famed vineyard, a strong and pedigreed wine. The structure immediately alerts you that it’s an important, with its firm, sweet tannins, ripe fruit and crisp acids, not to mention the fine oak…” – SH

“This oozes sunshine and digs deep into the earth for great mineral flavors.”

“Excellent Chardonnay, in a full, crisp, lightly oaked style. It is moderately intense in flavor (peach, lemon peel, orange blossom), and medium long on the finish.”

“A motherlode of cassis, coffee and spice flavors.”

“A great success that showcases its origins in the rich, sweet tannins that support the well-ripened fruit. Blackcurrants, cassis, white chocolate and oaky vanilla falvors drink extraordinarily deep and long, in this soft wine. It’s almost a dessert, except it’s dry.” – S.H.

“Rich, plummy, cassis, and very ripe, sweet red berry fruit flavors with overtones of creamy oak. Well structured, full tannin, lingering aftertaste. Shows very accessible fruit. Very highly recommended.”

“Dave and Emily Miner stole the main show in our tasting, with this rich and structured Cabernet. Lean, briary red fruit and coffee aromas are balanced with tannins and oak for a great model of a Napa Cab. Their hillside winery on the east side of the valley also gets our vote for an excellent place to visit.”

Exceptional Value – “This wine proved to be a conundrum for tasters. They felt it was so very good now, but could see an even brighter future for this deep, ruby red stunner… Robust fruits and tannins flooded their palates and left a lingering finish of bright, ripe fruit and solid but not overpowering tannins…”

“This Rosella’s is supple and medium rich; a wine with velvety texture, toast, plum, cherry, nutmeg aromas/flavors, and medium length… The Garys’ is riper, somewhat richer wine; full bodied, berry-like in flavor (with toasty, oaky overtones), and a long, lightly tannic finish.” – Ronn Wiegand, MW & MS

“The Rosella’s is supple and medium rich; a wine with velvety texture, toast, plum, cherry, nutmeg aromas/flavors, and medium length… The Garys’ is riper, somewhat richer wine; full bodied, berry-like in flavor (with toasty, oaky overtones), and a long, lightly tannic finish”. – Ronn Weigand, MW & MS

“Heady in its dark chocolate richness, this supple Merlot is a dense mesh of fruit, tannin and oak. The firmness of the structure keeps it from feeling thick, and allows the subtle, cedary complexity to last. Built for a steak house.”

“From its deep, blackcurrant fruit to its suggestions of olives and fresh loamy earth, this very impressive effort is nothing short of classic Cabernet in all its respects. It is nicely extracted with no hint of excess, and its wonderfully rich oak is always subservient to its unstinting fruit. Its finely spun tannins provide the right bit of structural spine, and, behind its immediate flush of richness and fruit, it shows itself to be a most serious wine that is sure to get better and better with time…”

“Pure berry fruit and racy acidity; long, graceful and stylish.”

“Ample body, a smooth and slightly fleshy feel and equal parts of juicy apples and sweet, mildly caramelly oak makes for a most successful recipe here. Although it is fairly ripe in tone, the wine keeps its alcohols well hidden, and its sustained, very flavorful finish is free of the coarseness that sometimes comes in wines of such ripeness and ambition. Full and balanced dry white. Try with rich seafood and fowl dishes.”

“Pure, sweet black currant and black cherry fruit, with a spicy peppery finish and generous oak.”

“Vanilla, roasted coffee and mint. Vanilla and coffee beans, some chocolate. Quite soft tannins with roundness and soft body. Good length. Drink up to 2015.”

“Ripe, sweetly fruity and fairly oaky with notes of raspberry in the background of its expected blackberry and spice scents, this one has the aromas of a riper St. Joseph from the northern Rhone. It is reasonably dense but never heavy on the palate, and its load of slightly coarse tannins are those of youth and will settle out with a bit of bottle aging.”

“Fragrant and lively, a racy style with generous depth to the tangy grapefruit, passion fruit, grass and melon flavors. Drink now.”

“…richly intricate, a tapestry of red cherry, cola, rosehip tea, cinnamon, mocha, vanilla and smoky oak. Simply delicious, and so smooth, so fine in the mouth.” – SH

“This deep and riveting mix of Bordelais varietals is at once both wonderfully rich and very well polished, and it goes places that can not be explained by Merlot alone. Its generous themes of cassis and black cherries are laced with highlights of cocoa and rich loamy earth, and its considerable oak is placed in just such a way as to add richness and range yet not challenge the wine’s preeminent fruit. It has so much going on that it will tempt early drinking, but five or six years needs to pass before it grows into all it could be.”

“Very keenly focused aromas of ripe apples, crème brulee, butter and caramel start this handsome wine off with richness and an inviting sense of depth…”

“Terrific freshness, tanginess and fruitiness make this great for summertime drinking. Tasty citrus and floral aromas and flavors. Deep coral color.”

“This is a complex, elegant wine with buttery pear, fig, apricot and melon flavors that are focused and persistent.”

“Positively plush in character and simply brimming with the very ripe fruit qualities that are quintessentially Californian, Miner’s version of Garys’ Vineyard Pinot will win smiles aplenty for its opulence and sheer generosity….”

“If leaning a little more on its rich, spicy, creamy oak than on its ripe blackberry and slightly cassis fruit, this lovely bottling is always well-endowed with that latter necessity, and its outgoing aromas matched in intensity, range and richness by its very inviting flavors. Balanced and polished through it drinks well now but will hold up well in bottle.”

“A luscious, full bodied, somewhat toasty wine, with good depth of flavor and very long finish….”

“Massive, cherry/berry, lilac, roasted nose that you can smell across the room. Absolutely chewy/rich nose, bursting with fruit. Classy and tight, with bing cherries and blackberries. Serious wine, clearly expensive. Layered with tobacco and cedar, vanilla and spices. It’s like a meal, with a long finish. Truly classy, with a touch of cream. “I could wear this behind my ears,” Dottie says. A rich, mouth-coating splendor.”

“A highly seductive wine.”

“A fleshy wine, with smooth cherry, plum and blackberry fruit that’s supple and engaging, turning elegant and graceful. Drink now through 2008. 2,000 cases made.” –JL

“A complex, full bodied, finely flavored Chardonnay, with subtle aromas/flavors (apple, lemon peel, vanilla, roasted nut) and a very long finish.”

“All about richness, this emphasizes the broad toasty flavors of wood, from coffee to caramel, while the dry grapefruit aspects add an edge. Enjoy this now for its round, supple texture, or cellar to let the complexity evolve.”

“The Miner Merlot is a more major wine, so to speak – bigger, darker and more complex, “proof positive,” says Miner’s Web site, “that we will never hang our hats on a wimpy, diluted and flavorless Merlot.” They don’t have to worry about that. The wine has sweet, chalky aromas and is full of ripe fruit tastes, including cherry, currant and blackberry with notes of chocolate. The tannins are balanced by the beautiful fruit and there is nice complexity. This is a big, rich Merlot made for cold-weather foods (fill in your favorite roast here).”

“Great Merlot, one that rises above the ordinary to achieve real distinction… So rich. It’s almost its own food group.” – Editors Choice

“Appealing for its delicacy and finesse, with ripe, vibrant black cherry, plum and wild berry fruit that’s smooth-textured, with pretty oak shadings and a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2006.”

“Medium-light to medium brackish ruby; attractive, intense, smoky, toasty, slightly herbaceous, ripe cherry fruit aroma with hints of clove, bacon fat and vanilla; medium-full body; forward, rich, plush, supple, rounded, ripe black cherry fruit flavors; well-balanced and structured. Shows distinctive varietal character and very enjoyable to drink now…”

“Well-crafted, with a core of mocha, currant, herb and mineral flavors, finishing with a touch of espresso. Turns firmly tannic on the finish. Short-term cellaring is advised. Best from 2004 through 2010.”

“Magnificent… A bouquet of black cherry and black currant is punctuated by scents of cumin, sweet white oak, licorice and a curious but pleasing Port-like nuances. Soft, velvety-smooth texture supports magnificent flavors of black cherry and black currant with threads of licorice and mint laced through the core.”

“Plenty to admire in this ripe, supple, harmonious wine. A core of ripe plum, black cherry, blackberry and spicy, cedary nuances combine to give complexity and charm. Fine-grained yet chalky tannins on the finish make it approachable now. Best from 2004 through 2012. 1,008 cases made.” –JL

“Beautifully defined fruit flavors, with layers of rip, rich currant, black cherry, plum and wild berry. Shows a remarkable measure of finesse and harmony for its size, with pretty floral and minty aromas. Best from 2003 through 2012.”