Reserve - CANAAN WINERY

Chapter and Verse Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

ftdadmin — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 01:07:27 +0000

TASTING NOTES

95/100 [Vintage 2018] by Edward Ragg, MW from Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Chapter & Verse’s 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has a very deep garnet appearance with just a touch of orange to the rim. On the nose, there are predominantly youthful aromas of varietally true cassis, bramble, black cherry and mulberry fruit with sweet and savory scented pyrazine (mint, fresh peas, green bell pepper, tomato vine) complemented by new oak notes of toast, clove, smoke and some vanilla. There is just a touch of tertiary development with a hint of leather appearing. On the palate, it is very full-bodied with abundant, ripe, coating and fine-grained tannins, lifting acidity and well-integrated 15.5% alcohol. This robust structure is interknit with concentrated dark fruit complemented by those complex pyrazine and new oak notes. Still considerably youthful on the palate and with long length, this is an especially strong vintage of the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Chapter & Verse, which is all the more commendable, given the challenging conditions in Huailai in 2018 (with heavy summer rains during a very warm vintage and where fungal disease pressure was accordingly high). This wine has a great life ahead of it, although it is approachable now.
94/100 [Vintage 2018] by James Suckling
Graphite, currants, pencil lead and berries. Medium-bodied, linear and nuanced for cabernet, with chalky tannins and a long, elegant finish. Lovely fluidity here. Already drinkable, but can hold.
94/100 [Vintage 2017] by Edward Ragg, MW from Robert Parker Wine Advocate
With its very deep purple appearance, the 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has lifted cassis, black cherry and bramble fruit complemented by distinct new oak notes of vanilla, clove, toast and smoke that integrate well with the bright, ripe fruit. Full-bodied, with especially ripe coating and chewy tannins, marked acidity and well-integrated high alcohol, there is a lovely, fleshy core of fruit in evidence here. Although young, this is harmonious enough and with overt enough fruit to be approached already. But the 2017 Reserve Cabernet has the overall long length, harmony and finesse of a wine that will age very well—through at least 2027. A very impressive Huailai Cabernet.

The post Chapter and Verse Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon first appeared on CANAAN WINERY.

Chapter and Verse Reserve Merlot

ftdadmin — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 01:07:58 +0000

TASTING NOTES

94/100 [Vintage 2018] by Edward Ragg, MW from Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Chapter & Verse’s 2018 Reserve Merlot has a deep garnet appearance with only a slight orange rim. Expect intense, evolving Merlot fruit showing strong black plum and black cherry, with even some red plum and red cherry already emerging, wrapped up in new oak notes of vanilla, toast, smoke and clove together with some slightly tertiary leather and cigar box appearing. On the palate, the 2018 Reserve Merlot is full-bodied, with ripe, rounded, chewy tannins, supporting acidity and well-integrated 15% alcohol providing the frame for some well-defined Merlot fruit of marked concentration, complemented by those new oak notes. More youthful on the palate than the nose and with its long length, the 2018 Reserve Merlot is developing well in bottle and will easily continue to improve over the next 5-7 years, at least. This is comparable with the strong 2014 vintage of this wine.
96/100 [Vintage 2017] by James Sucklin
A glossy, deep merlot that is almost a little “bloody” on the nose with impressive density. Lots of dark plums, blackberries, cocoa powder, sanguine orange, iron and tapenade. Full-bodied palate with structured, mealy tannins that disappear into the fruit. Very resolved, silky and long. Sophisticated and complex merlot with a slightly saline finish, where there is a hint of salted dark chocolate at the end. A warmer vintage that delivered more character and structure. Lots of oak, but beautifully knit and adequate. Tasted twice. Drink or hold.
94/100 [Vintage 2014] by Edward Ragg, MW from Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2014 Reserve Merlot has a deep ruby appearance with ripe black and red plum, mulberry and black cherry-this is super Chinese Merlot!-with distinct clove, vanilla and toasted secondary notes(arounds 60% to 70% new oak here). Full-bodied, rich and still very much youthful, the wine shows robust, ripe, coating tannins, vibrant but well-integrated high alcohol and some lifting acidity. What's heartening is that this wine maintains a degree freshness in what is a thoroughly vinous but not flabby Merlot of long length and considerable finesse. This has real potential and would benefit from further time in bottle.

The post Chapter and Verse Reserve Merlot first appeared on CANAAN WINERY.

Chapter and Verse Reserve Syrah

ftdadmin — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 01:08:11 +0000

TASTING NOTES

95/100 [Vintage 2019] by James Suckling
A very polished red that shows layers and restraint, with lots of racy berries, currants and hints of tobacco and musk. Expressive and juicy, with a medium to full body and a very long, nuanced finish. Elegant and refined. Made from 52% merlot, 47% cabernet sauvignon and 1% petit verdot. Drink or hold.
94/100 [Vintage 2018] by Edward Ragg, MW from Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Chapter & Verse’s 2018 Reserve Syrah has a deep ruby appearance and sports an appealing nose of ripe, developing Syrah fruit showing black cherry, black plum and blueberry, with a violet note and notable new oak aromas of toast, vanilla and smoke, some tertiary leather and mushroom just appearing. On the palate, it is full-bodied with ripe, coating and chewy, abundant tannins, lifting acidity and well-integrated 15% alcohol. There’s an impressive core of well-defined Syrah fruit here that can carry the significant new oak well. More youthful on the palate than the nose, the 2018 Reserve Syrah is developing well and is on par for quality with the 2018 Reserve Merlot, also from Chapter & Verse.
94/100 [Vintage 2018] by James Suckling
A really refined and drinkable syrah this year, showing some spice, hibiscus and berries. Really juicy and linear on the palate with medium body and chalky tannins. Long and elegant. Already delicious. Drink or hold.
95/100 [Vintage 2017] by James Suckling
Peppery, meaty and youthful nose with lots of reserve. Graphite, glossy blackberries and red plums. A hint of pine cone, too. Tangy on the palate, with resolved tannins that extend to the long yet delicate and linear finish. An amazing syrah from China that will age gracefully over the next 8-10 years. Drink or hold.

The post Chapter and Verse Reserve Syrah first appeared on CANAAN WINERY.

Chapter and Verse Reserve Chardonnay

ftdadmin — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 01:08:23 +0000

TASTING NOTES

92/100 [Vintage 2017] by Edward Ragg, MW from Robert Parker Wine Advocate
deep lemon, almost gold, appearance. On the nose, this has developed well: there is still a core of rich Chardonnay fruit (lemon zest, red apple, peach) combined with toasted oak and some tertiary honey and hazelnut, all of which are well integrated with each other. The 2017 Reserve Chardonnay is full-bodied on the palate with that rich core of fruit, buoyed by some lively acidity and with fairly well-integrated high alcohol. There is also considerable creaminess from the lees on the palate. The touch of diacetyl (butterscotch) does not overwhelm the rest of the flavors here. However, this wine is undeniably fully mature and should be drunk up. I’d like to see the younger vintages of these wines (having tasted 2018 last year). Let’s see what more recent vintages hold.

The post Chapter and Verse Reserve Chardonnay first appeared on CANAAN WINERY.