Review: Wines of Geyser Peak, 2018 Releases
Geyser Peak’s spring releases of its boldest wines — all based around cabernet sauvignon — have arrived. Today we look at three releases from this essential California winery.
2014 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley – Though now four years old, this still drinks with ample youth, boldly forward with blackberry notes and lots of vanilla, giving it a bit of a sweet side — one that could potentially be confused with zinfandel, particularly given the chocolate notes that bring up the rear. As with most cabs, this one’s better with food, which helps some of the tannin come through more clearly, giving the wine needed depth. B / $46 (available in Geyser Peak’s tasting room only)
2014 Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Walking Tree – 8% syrah in this. A reserve bottling of sorts, from Geyser Peaks “Appellation Series,” this is the same vintage of cab as the above bottling, but the wine takes a different tactic, dampening the sweet blackberries with notes of tannic bramble and more of a dark chocolate character. With a silkier, more seductive body, it’s more of a “statement wine,” with a lightly peppery finish. A- / $30
2013 Geyser Peak Meritage Reserve Alexandre – 79% cabernet sauvignon, 15% petit verdot, 2% malbec, and 1% cabernet franc, all from Alexander Valley. Very floral on the nose, with notes of fresh lilac, black pepper, and currants all in one bold package. Currants and blueberries provide a backbone that nods at bacon, pencil lead, and a dusky charred wood character. The whole is better (and bigger) than the sum of the parts, taking a classic cabernet structure and spinning it into a couple of different directions, both exotic and a bit dusky. A / $50
2013 Geyser Peak Meritage Reserve Alexandre
$50
