Feb

4

Black Coyote Reserve

Filed Under Reds 

Today Dr. Bates, the founder and owner of Black Coyote Chateau came to the office and poured his 2005 Black Coyote Reserve Cabernet.


The 2005 Black Coyote Reserve was made entirely from Atlas Peak fruit, grown in red-volcanic soils in a mountain-top environment that consistently remains around ten degrees cooler than the Napa Valley floor. The Atlas Peak region is known for producing intense, low yield fruit. And in the hands of winemaker Marco DiGiulio (Pine Ridge Winery, Atlas Peak Vineyards, Pezzi King, Pepi, Lakoya) the 2005 crop was transformed into an exceptionally fine example of mountain-top Napa Cabernet.

Although this is not the first time I have tasted this wine, it certainly seems to impress me more each time I do.

The first thing I noticed about this wine this time around was the beautiful, luxurious nose, albeit with some restraint. Expressing rich dark fruits that almost seemed to want to cut through the initially tight nose, but it definitely unfolded nicely over the two or so hours it spent breathing in my glass. On the palate, it was soft and elegant. Almost like silk in the glass. I specifically caught a hint of ripe summer blackberry on the finish.

This is a fine example of collectible Cabernet from the Atlas Peak region in Napa. At a mere 800 case production in 2008 and an even smaller 670 case production in 2006 (not yet released) I expect this wine to continue to receive praise in the trade press and likely more price increases in the marketplace. If you like well balanced, complex and elegant top-shelf Napa Cabernets that will age well, you should definitely put away a box (or few) of the 2005 Black Coyote Reserve.

Contact Jonathan Keller to acquire Black Coyote Reserve.


"Jonathan.. the wines were FANTASTIC!"

~ Diane T. Dallas, TX



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