2010 Pride Mountain Claret Napa/Sonoma Reserve

The 2010 Claret Reserve, 56% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 40% new French oak, boasts a stunning perfume of lead pencil shavings, charcoal, incense, blackberries, cassis and forest floor aromas. This full-bodied, concentrated, multidimensional red fills the mouth and coats the palate, but never comes across as heavy or unruly. The tannins are velvety and well-integrated in this spectacular, classic Napa red. Drink it over the next 12-15 years. As always, this winery situated at the crest of Spring Mountain on both sides of the Napa/Sonoma counties boundary, has turned out a portfolio of interesting as well as satisfying wines. Amazingly, Pride Mountain Vineyards now owns over 85 acres at high elevation sites spread over the top of Spring Mountain. Pride Mountain’s two flagship offerings are much more limited in availability, with only 569 cases of the 2010 Claret Reserve and 1,365 cases of the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. Tel. (707) 963-4949

The 2010 Claret Reserve (Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon) is round, supple and very, very pretty. Dark red berries, flowers, mint, sweet tobacco and anise meld together in the glass. The 2010 stands out for its juicy personality and near-term appeal. Fine, silky tannins support a finish laced with spice and floral notes.

(56% merlot 43% cabernet sauvignon and 1% petit verdot): Bright ruby-red. Very complex aromas of briary dark berries, minerals and resiny herbs; less obviously ripe than the 2009, which I retasted next to this bottle. Spicy and light on its feet; not a fleshy style but boasts a fine-grained texture with lovely lift to the dark berry, clove and nutmeg flavors. The gripping finish features firm-edged tannins that will require extended aging. In a shell today. (I scored the 2009 Reserve Claret 93, as I did back in Issue 162.)