A recent day trip took me to Napa, where I took the opportunity to visit two of the region’s premier winemakers and see how they’re latest releases were coming along. Darioush and BV were both incredibly welcoming to the Drinkhacker crew. Thoughts on the current releases being poured follow.

2011 Darioush Signature Chardonay / $43 / B / a behemoth; big butter and nut notes

2010 Darioush Signature Merlot / $50 / B+ / peppery, with licorice character; good tannins

2009 Darioush Signature Malbec / $60 / B+ / very distinct blackberry, tar, leather, and licorice notes

2009 Darioush Duel / $55 / B+ / a blend of Cabernet and Shiraz; very fruity raspberry, silky sweet, not totally refined

2009 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon / $95 / A- / 78% Cab; a dense wine that’s drinking young; cherry is strong, but also a bit herbal

2010 Beaulieu Vineyard Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir / $45 / A- / fresh, big cherry character, but easy; slight cocoa notes

2009 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve / $60 / A / much more chocolate here; some earth and blueberry character; great balance

2009 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon / $125 / A- / drinking very young, deep chocolate notes, some cola

2007 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon / $125 / A / more cola, and much more fruit; strawberry and blueberry, with a milk chocolate finish; perfect now

Related Stories:

Review: 2013 Beaulieu Vineyard Rarity and 2013 Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon (and More) with Winemaker Jeffrey Stambor Review: 2006 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon Trip Report: Napa and Sonoma Valley, July 2008 Tasting Report: Wines of Howell Mountain 2013