http://www.bennettlane.comRSS feeds for BennettLaneWinery60http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/114/Wine-Spectator-Insider.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=114http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=114&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/114/Wine-Spectator-Insider.aspxBennett Lane Maximus Red Napa Valley 2007 92 Points - $35 - 1543 cases made Enticingly complex, rich and layered, with firm, fresh, vibrant clackberry, wild berry, cedar and spice notes, with a texture that's both supple and firm.  Full-bodied, with a long, lingering finish.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.  Drink now through 2020. - J.L. Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve 2007 91 Points - $95 - 230 cases made Intense and full-bodied, with loamy earth, dried berry, sage and roasted herb flavors, this is marked by firm, mouthcoating tannins that cloak the cherry and berry flavors.  A rich, extracted style.  Best from 2012 through 2022. - J.L.    blaneWed, 01 Jun 2011 03:16:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:114http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/113/Wine-Enthusiast-June-Buying-Guide.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=113http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=113&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/113/Wine-Enthusiast-June-Buying-Guide.aspx94 Points - Bennett Lane 2008 Lynch Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Calistoga); $125 - A very rich, dry Cabernet, marked by dusty tannins, and with flavors of blackberries, dark chocolate, sweet herbs and green olives.  Very fine in the mouth, clearly a wine with pedigree, but it needs time.  Hold until 2014.  Cellar Selection - SHblaneThu, 21 Apr 2011 02:20:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:113http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/112/Wine-Enthusiast.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=112http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=112&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/112/Wine-Enthusiast.aspx2007 Bennett Lane Los Carneros Reserve Chardonnay 91 Points  - "A beautiful Chardonnay, creamy, dry and elegant.  There's a tangy minerality underlying the rich tropical fruit, apple, pear and buttered toast flavors.  This is an elegant wine from the Carneros region." - S.HblaneFri, 01 Apr 2011 00:16:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:112http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/111/Wine-Enthusiast-May-Buying-Guide.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=111http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=111&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/111/Wine-Enthusiast-May-Buying-Guide.aspx94 Points - Bennett Lane 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley); $55.  Very ripe, dense and concentrated.  Although it's totally dry, the wine shows massive, sweet flavors of blackberry and cherry fruit.  Impresses for sheer power, as well as the length of finish.  Cellar this youthful beauty for 6-7 years and see what it does.  Cellar Selection. - S.H. 94 Points - Bennett Lane 2007 Maximus Red Feasting Wine (Napa Valley); $35.  Tastes dramatic and youthfully vital, with fat, fleshy flavors of blackberries, cassis, mocha and sweet cedar, as well as a mineral tang that grounds them.  Very upscale and refined, a pure product of superior terroir and winemaking. - S.H.blaneWed, 23 Mar 2011 02:38:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:111http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/109/San-Francisco-Chronicle.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=109http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=109&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/109/San-Francisco-Chronicle.aspxCalifornia Cab for $20 and under: The Chronicle Recommends By: Lynne Char Bennett California produces its fair share of inexpensive Cabernet Sauvignon.  You can almost throw a rock and hit drinkable California-labeled bottlings priced at $12 or less, though it takes some looking to find ones with more definitive Cabernet character. We upped our price point several bucks and handily found ones to recommend among 36 we tasted, including one from Napa Valley. ....... 2008 Turn 4 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($20): Produced by Bennett Lane Winery, this acknowledges the four Napa Valley subappellations that sourced its fruit.  Turn 4 also refers to the last - and important - turn on NASCAR tracks.  Sweet black cherry, cassis, dark chocolate and vanilla- demerara sugar aromas; moderately rich, structured and a style that many people will enjoy.  blaneSun, 13 Mar 2011 02:56:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:109http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/110/San-Jose-Mercury-News.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=110http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=110&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/110/San-Jose-Mercury-News.aspxOn Wine: Napa Cabernets By: Laurie Daniel The 2007 vintage for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was considered by many to be among the best ever.  It garnered a 99 on the Wine Spectator's 100 point scale.  When a vintage gets that kind of glowing press, the vintages on either side of it tend to fall a bit by the wayside: 2006 and 2008 are considered good, but mixed bags. The recent Premiere Napa Valley trade tasting and auction provided opportunities to taste all three vintages.  In addition to a blind tasting of the three vintages from a dozen wineries, held by the Napa Valley Vintners, smaller Napa appellations held numerous open houses and tastings during the two days before the auction. After scores of wines, I'm not climbing on the 2007 vintage bandwagon.  If you love bog, ripe, bold Napa Valley cab, its probably the vintage for you.  I prefer wines that are a little lighter on their feet. Which brings me to the 2008 vintage.  Spring frost greatly reduced the size of the crop, but the weather was very good during harvest, and that small cop got quite ripe.  I was surprised to find that several tasty 2008s at the Napa Valley Vintners' tasting weighed in at 15 percent alcohol or more.  But the wines have good acidity, and you can get away with alot of ripeness if there's sufficient acidity to give the wine liveliness and keep it from tasting heavy......... Tasting Notes .......The 2008 Bennett Lane Cabernet Sauvignon ($55) is plenty ripe, but also displays an intriguing aroma of violets. (Bennett Lane also produces the 2008 Turn 4 Cabernet Sauvignon, $20, a well-priced cab with bright black cherry, a hint of dill and firm tannins.).....blaneThu, 10 Mar 2011 03:09:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:110http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/108/Napamancom.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=108http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=108&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/108/Napamancom.aspx 2011 Napa Valley Premiere Auction - Highest proceeds ever, $2,366,000! .....The day before the auction, Napa Valley Vintners and the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies at the CIA, typically host a wine-tasting event, allowing auction guests to sample Napa VAlley wines from recent vintages.  This gives participants a way to benchmark different vintages - and learn how the wines are aging. ...How surprised was I to learn that the 2006 wine, which I rated 95 Points, the 2007 wine, which I rated 96 Points, and the phenomenal 2008 wine, which I rated 97 Points, were all Bennett Lane Cabernets, crafted by winemaker Grant Hermann. Way to go, Grant!  These were my favorite wines of the weekend, and the good news for readers is that they don't cost like top-tier wines; you don't have to have deep pockets like Mr. Nakagawa to enjoy them.blaneSun, 27 Feb 2011 00:37:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:108http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/107/2011-San-Francisco-Chronicle-Wine-Competition.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=107http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=107&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/107/2011-San-Francisco-Chronicle-Wine-Competition.aspxBennett Lane Winery Scores from 2011 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - $95 - GOLD MEDAL 2007 Maximus Red Feasting Wine - $35 - yet to be released - GOLD MEDAL 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon - $55 - SILVER MEDAL 2008 Turn 4 Cabernet Sauvignon - $19.99 - SOLD OUT - SILVER MEDAL Timeless - $28 - BRONZE MEDAL blaneMon, 10 Jan 2011 02:53:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:107http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/106/The-Wine-Advocate-Robert-Parker.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=106http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=106&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/106/The-Wine-Advocate-Robert-Parker.aspx 2007 Bennett Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - 92 Points Robert Parker The estate's top wine, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, offers pure black currant and fruit intermixed with cedar, licorice and earth notes.  Full bodied and juicy with a succulent texture, ripe tannin and a long finish, this impressively endowed beauty should drink well for 10-15 years. 2008 Bennett Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Turn 4 - 89 Points Robert Parker Wow!  Look what I found!  Bennett Lane's 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Turn 4 is a sensational bargain in Napa Valley Cabernet, the type of wine that consumers should be buying by the case.  It possesses a dense dark ruby/purple color along with fleshy black currant flavors, surprising complexity and richness, no hard edges and a lush mouthfeel.  This beauty should offer delicious drinking for 4-5 years, possibly longer. 2007 Bennett Lane Maximus Red Feasting Wine - 90 Points Robert Parker The 2007 Maximus Red Feasting Wine exhibits a dark ruby/purple color along with notions of cedar, licorice, black currants, chocolate and coffee.  This medium to full-bodied 2007 should drink nicely for a decade or more.  blaneSat, 25 Dec 2010 00:18:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:106http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/102/Chicago-Tribune.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=102http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=102&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/102/Chicago-Tribune.aspxFreedom To Blend - Winemakers Aim for a Sense of Place in Nonvarietal Wines by Bill Daley There is a kindred spirit to these wines that goes beyond their Napa Valley address.  Cabernet Sauvignon is dominant in most, with varying percentages of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.  All evolve markedly in the glass with time, offering a changing roster of flavors and aromas.  Where they differed was on price, ranging from $25 to $140. 2006 Bennett Lane Maximus This "red feasting wine" is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah and 5% Malbec.  Colored a dark brick red, with a spicy nose of cinnamon and black pepper, this wine is plush with rich blackberry flavors.  Three Stars.  $35 View ArticleblaneWed, 21 Apr 2010 02:35:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:102http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/97/marthastewartcom.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=97http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=97&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/97/marthastewartcom.aspxSandy & Monty Make Wine Move over Lucy and Ethel!  Yesterday, “Everyday Food” co-host Sandy Gluck and I took a shot at blending our own wine at Calistoga’s Bennett Lane Winery.   Under the guidance of  Stefanie Longton, retail sales and wine club manager, we were able to create, bottle and cork our own special blends of wine.  Check out the album below to see our adventures in wine blending and Bennett Lane’s beautiful vineyard. View Complete Entry and Photos Listen to the show and live interviews by clicking the play buttons below.           March 11th, 2010               March 12th, 2010    blaneMon, 15 Mar 2010 21:41:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:97http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/104/The-Public-Eye.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=104http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=104&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/104/The-Public-Eye.aspx90.5 WICN New England - Al Vuona interviews Bennett Lane Winery owner Randy Lynch, discussing the beginnings of the winery. Randy and Lisa Lynch came to wine through their travels in Italy, where the fruit of the vine is typically a complement to a meal-not the centerpiece.  When their growing passion for fine food and wine led them to plant acreage in Napa Valley, Randy and Lisa decided to create a red wine that would easily find a place at the dinner table.  Maximus, named after the wine-loving, 2nd century Roman Emperor Magnus Maximus, became their initial bottling.  That was the beginning of Bennett Lane Winery. Listen HereblaneThu, 18 Feb 2010 04:07:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:104http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/100/Washington-Examiner.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=100http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=100&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/100/Washington-Examiner.aspx  The Vine Guy: Wines to warm up with By: Scott Greenberg Baby, it's cold outside. Winter has come to Washington with a vengeance. Even the snowmen my kids made last week want to come inside and warm up. I usually look forward to the cold weather each year so I can break out big red wines, but this winter, I think I'll have to dig just a little deeper and find some really big red wines -- the thermal underwear equivalent -- to keep me company through this frigid frosting. What is it about cold nights that beg for the company of big red wines? They just seem to go together. Like Simon and Garfunkel (am I dating myself?), they tend to make each other a little better for pairing. Personally, cold nights give me an excuse to hunker down and enjoy leisurely dinners with friends featuring hearty fare (my wife's cassoulet is my favorite), warm crusty bread and long, stimulating conversations energized by bottles of red wine. I am convinced most of the world's problems could be solved if people took time to sit down and share a glass -- or two -- of red wine and a plate of beef bourguignon. However, finding the right big red takes a little bit of thought. After all -- and no offense to the beauty and grace of pinot noir -- most warm-your-toes reds need to have a little "chewiness" to them. Some of the essential qualities that I look for in winter reds include depth, structure and power. Big, full-bodied black fruit -- such as blackberry, dark plum and cassis -- usually supplies the power. Tannins provide structure while acidity keeps the wine balanced. Most "winter reds" will benefit from an hour or two in a decanter in order to soften the tannins and bring out the fruit. One other trick, if you don't have the time or patience to wait for the wine to soften, is to pair it with soft cheeses -- such as brie or camembert -- and bread. The milk fat in the cheese will soften the tannins and give provide a rounder mouthfeel to the wine. Here are several big red wines that will warm your palate without melting your wallet. Retail prices are approximate. 2006 Bennett Lane "Maximus" Napa Valley, CA ($35) Each year, the winemaker at Bennett Lane creates a special blend from red varietals selected from vineyards located throughout Napa Valley.  This full-bodied blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah is an electric blanket for the palate.  Aromas of dark plum, black cherry and hints of vanilla lead to weighty flavors of blackberry, cherry and cocoa on the palate.  Warm waves of earthy cedar and pumpkin spices filter in on lengthy finish.  blaneThu, 14 Jan 2010 04:41:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:100http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/103/The-Tasting-Panel.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=103http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=103&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/103/The-Tasting-Panel.aspxBlue Reviews - by Anthony Dias Blue In each issue, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue selects a wide range of the best wines and spirits from among the more than 500 he samples over the course of a month.  The reviews are subjective editorial evaluations, made without regard to advertising, and products are scored on a 100-point scale. 90 Points - Bennett Lane 2007 Turn 4 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($20) Smooth and lush with plum and sweet oak; rich texture, density, depth and spice with a long finish. View ArticleblaneFri, 01 Jan 2010 04:00:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:103http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/99/Chicago-Tribune.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=99http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=99&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/99/Chicago-Tribune.aspxIt's time for a little vino indulgence Bill Daley   Given the sour economy, one could be forgiven for buying only bargain wine, boxed wines even, for holiday meals and celebrations. But let's say there's a last-minute miracle: Your Scrooge of a boss turns wildly generous; Auntie Mame turns up in the guise of your free-spending Uncle Joe; you win the lottery. Look, it can happen. So with a pocket full of cash ready to burn, head to your nearest wine store and treat yourself to a splurge. The downturn in the economy and a sagging market for superpricey wines may mean you'll get a bargain as well. Consider these six premium California reds recommended by our tasting panel. Whether the bottle is meant for Christmas present or Christmas future, these Napa Valley wines combine a fruit-forward friendliness with the tannic structure needed for aging. All are cabernet sauvignon or Bordeaux-style blends. Go big and bold!   2006 Bennett Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve: This cab has a bright, perfumy nose, a velvety texture and a big, deep flavor of berries with notes of chocolate, black pepper and spice. Serve with beef Burgundy, flank steak roulade, roast goose. ✭✭✭ $95      blaneTue, 22 Dec 2009 04:33:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:99http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/98/winereviewonlinecom.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=98http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=98&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/98/winereviewonlinecom.aspxBennett Lane, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 ($55): The Bennett Lane Cabs have always impressed, and that success has pushed the prices upward in recent vintages. That said, the basic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at $55 is anything but wishful thinking. This powerful Cab delivers intense aromas of cassis and blackberry, is richly layered, and supported by fine tannins. The oak is well judged, and this wine finishes with great persistence. It's the complete package, well worth the price if you are up for an indulgence.   94 Points Robert WhitleyblaneTue, 08 Dec 2009 04:27:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:98http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/96/Wine-Spectator.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=96http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=96&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/96/Wine-Spectator.aspx19 Exceptional California Syrahs A sampling of wines that displays the grpaes versatility in the Golden State James Laube Posted Spetmeber 14, 2009 Move over Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.  Syrah is making a case for itself as the most versatile grape in California. It can star just about anywhere it's grown.  Witness this week's sampling, a selection of notworthy wines from 2006 and 2007 vintages, extending north from Rockpile in Sonoma and south to Sta. Rita Hills. No surprise that Lewis, Bennett Lane, Laiger Meredith and Failla Syrahs, from Napa Valley, are exceptional.  But within that sampling from Napa are wines from Mount Veeder (Laiger Meredith), Carernos (Lewis Hudson Vineyard) and Yountville (Rocca).......... BENNETT LANE Syrah Napa Valley 2006 Score 92 - $45 A rich, powerful, tight and focused expression of Syrah, with full-bodied berry, dried currant, pepper, spice, herb and sage, all woven together in a tight thread, ending with a complex aftertaste.  Best from 2010 through 2016.  250 cases made. - J.L. View ArticleblaneMon, 14 Sep 2009 05:06:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:96http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/94/Gourmet-Magazine.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=94http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=94&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/94/Gourmet-Magazine.aspxWine Advice Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah come together ....in Bennett Lane's Napa Valley Maximus '05.  A smoothly powerful wine with gorgeous color and flavor and a long finish. - Gerald Asher View ArticleblaneThu, 27 Aug 2009 23:49:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:94http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/92/Wine-Spectator.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=92http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=92&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/92/Wine-Spectator.aspxBennett Lane Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa Valley Reserve 92 Points Tight, focussed and well-structured, with a firm band of cedar-and-mineral-laced currant, graphite, herbs and cherry.  Gains complexity and depth before ending with ripe, chewy tannins.  Best from 2010 - 2017. - JL View ArticleblaneThu, 20 Aug 2009 06:10:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:92http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/90/Flint-Journal.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=90http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=90&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/90/Flint-Journal.aspx Guys: Have you tried a great wine   by Ron Krueger   I remember the commercial. It was aired during the 2007 Super Bowl. Couples are at a wine and cheese party when all the guys sneak into the kitchen. There, they gather around a giant fake cheese wheel. One of them lifts the top to reveal longnecks on ice.   High fives all around.   I didn't give it much thought at the time. But it came back to me recently when I was invited to have lunch at the home of a friend. Eventually there were eight of us, all guys. I had brought a bottle of dry rose (say rose-EH). I opened it, poured myself a glass and joined the initial cluster of three. As the other fellows arrived, the host pointed them to the kitchen table with my bottle of wine plus a liter of red he had set out. "And there's beer in the fridge. Help yourself."   One by one, each guy grabbed an MGD. I never before had felt self-conscious about the contents of my glass.   A 2008 Gallup Poll reported that, among women who drink, 43 percent said their favorite adult beverage is wine while 28 percent said they prefer beer. Among men, 58 percent said they go first for beer. Only 17 percent said wine is their first choice.   That leaves 25 percent preferring another libation. I'm guessing this segment goes for spirits - scotch, whisky, vodka, gin and the like.   I had never thought drinking wine was less than manly. If you already don't have hair on your chest, it will take root if you regularly drink a California cabernet sauvignon with 15.5 percent alcohol by volume and enough tannin to blister the paint on your Harley.   A recent Associated Press article pointed out that some wine marketers feel the need to pitch their products to men.   One is Bennett Lake Winery in Calistoga, Calif. Owner Randy Lynch sponsors a car on NASCAR's western circuit and is a former race driver himself. Gentlemen, get your corkscrews.   Randall Grahm, founder of Bonny Doon Vineyard in Santa Cruz, Calif., has spent his whole life over the top. One small example was his Big House Red and White, with the name referring to Soledad prison near the winery. The label bears a caricature of the prison, barbed wire and all. The wine sold so well that Grahm launched a separate Big House line with such names as The Slammer, The Lineup and The Birdman.   Modesto, Calif., winemaker Cal Dennison tries to finesse us guys. The outdoorsman and horseman stamps the corks of his Redwood Creek wines with GPS coordinates for various hiking spots. Sure, I want to see more men drinking wine. If seeing the name of a winery on a car that goes 200 miles an hour helps, great.   But the self-assured man won't be swayed one way or another by labels and aggressive branding. He will do some research and look for a wine that represents its category, even if the label bears flowers.   Excuse me while I go pour myself a goblet of Marilyn Merlot.          blaneFri, 07 Aug 2009 04:16:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:90http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/83/Now-and-Zin.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=83http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=83&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/83/Now-and-Zin.aspxTasting Room Notes: Bennett Lane Winery Posted by Randy Fuller On the way from Napa Valley to Geyserville via Highway 128, there's a driveway I'm glad I drove. That was the one which led to Calistoga's Bennett Lane Winery. A pretty arbor in front of a smallish building provides a fitting entry into the tasting room. Small inside, too, there isn't a lot of room available at the tasting bar. Find a way to elbow in, though. Some very good wine awaits you. White Maximus 2007 - A floral nose - honeysuckle - is enhanced with citrus aromas. The palate is clean and crisp. Good minerals, good acidity. Reserve Chardonnay 2007 - This was billed as a new release, but I think the tasting sheet was printed late last year. The blurb promises Fuji apple, baked pear and toasted hazelnut, but it was all tropical to my nose. A little unexpected, but quite pleasant. This is a full-figure Chardonnay, heavily oaked with the buttery, creamy notes you would expect. Maximus 2005 - Plenty of oak in this big red. I get lots of cedar, vanilla and spices both in the nose and on the tongue. 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 11% Syrah, the fruit is lush and lasts a good long while. It was my favorite. Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - This 100% Cabernet is a blend of Bennett Lane's estate Cab and that sourced from other Napa Valley growers. A big cherry nose greets you and the taste is driven by flavors of dark plums and leather. Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 - The Cab is augmented by 4% Petit Verdot. It's a very rich wine that, to me, is chocolatey enough to be dessert. But no, they have that covered even better. Dessert Wine - This beauty is a non-vintage port-style wine of which less than a hundred cases were produced. I don't know the percentages, but it's made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Carignane. Beautiful, rich flavors abound. Figs, cherries and some spicy notes put me in mind of Christmas, even though I had been off the hot, dusty trail for only a few minutes. blaneSat, 04 Jul 2009 02:25:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:83http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/82/Idaho-Statesman.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=82http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=82&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/82/Idaho-Statesman.aspxWine Advice: Red blends are perfect for summer grilling Winemakers are creating unique reds that are easy-drinking but bold enough for grilled meats. By GARRY SCHOLZ  The 4th of July is right around the corner, and that means backyard grilling will be in full swing. The perfect red wine this summer for grilled meat is a non-traditional red blend. American winemakers, in particular, have been free-thinking in their approach to crafting unusual reds. Syrah and Zinfandel seem to be two of the grapes used more effectively to create unique reds, although many other varieties also are used. Syrah adds color, body, and fruity richness when combined with other red grapes such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. For its part, Zinfandel adds character by giving the finished wine more balance; a richer, softer taste; and a little pepperiness. And that's just what you want during summer: a red wine that's easy to drink but big enough to handle grilled foods and tangy, spicy sauces. Bennett Lane 2005 Maximus Red Feasting Wine, Napa Valley ($32) is another Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah blend. It has real weight and structure, with lots of fruit and hints of baking spices. It's made to stand up to the heartiest of grilled steaks. Serve it when you have ribeye or New York strip.blaneWed, 24 Jun 2009 22:48:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:82http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/89/North-Bay-Bohemian.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=89http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=89&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/89/North-Bay-Bohemian.aspxBennett Lane Winery by James Knight The old trope "beer-drinking NASCAR fans vs. Chardonnay-sipping highbrows" may have lost the lead it once enjoyed, but hasn't entirely run out of gas. Ours is a nation that reads politics into the provenance of condiments, and supposedly holds sacrosanct the union of cheap beer and high-performance motor sports. Yet a 2007 Nielson survey found that although NASCAR fans ranked last in household wine purchases, their spending was up 22 percent. Increasingly, the question may not be blue or red, but red or white. When NASCAR comes to wine country, wine clearly has the home advantage. My preference in racing is for both cold beer and kiosks conveniently at hand where I can place a wager on a horse with a funny name. So when I set out to investigate the state of the grape at the Bennett Lane 200 (at the invitation of the winery's media relations partners), I brought along my father. While he does not closely follow NASCAR--and is a wine convert who has actually owned three French-built automobiles throughout the years--Dad is a longtime car-racing enthusiast who used to bring me to Sears Point (as the track was called when places were named for history and geography) decades ago when little but wind-swept, scrubby hills surrounded the track. Things have changed--there's even a Pinot Noir vineyard growing amid all the buildings, tents and permanent bleachers set into terraces on the popular turns. From a vantage point on Turn 2 we leaned into the fence as Bennett Lane's own car, emblazoned with grapes, spun around the rubber-slicked curve. Founded in 2003 by ad exec Randy Lynch, the winery sponsors a race annually and hosts the wine garden where its wines are available by the glass. An infamous Roman emperor who appreciated his vino as much as a good chariot race inspired the 2007 White Maximus ($28). Mostly Sauvignon Blanc with Chardonnay and Muscat, the wet honeysuckle aromas and tropical, papaya flavors were fine with a cool day or a hot day in the sun--both of which this Carneros location offered. A plume of heavy toast roared out of the 2005 Maximus ($35) "red feasting wine," and sweet black cherry and brambleberry zipped past moderate tannin, leaving me ready for the grill: this is your ribs, burger, roast head of boar wine. Dad certainly enjoyed it. After the first 20 laps, he had drained the glass; the next time I looked, he grasped an already half empty second. Meanwhile, I also fell under the spell of the caterwauling stock cars as they passed time and again. Bennett Lane's #2 put in a good effort, but finished toward the rear of the pack with a crumpled hood, its grapes slightly crushed. As we trekked back to the car, I saw crumpled cans of beer littered about, and in the parking lot was a minor obstacle course, none of them wine bottles. Could be that those Chardonnay sippers were just more predictably concerned about the environment . . . or, in the transformation of "beer drinkers to wine drinkers one race at a time," as Lynch aspires to, there are a few laps to go.  blaneWed, 24 Jun 2009 04:07:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:89http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/84/Santa-Barbara-New-Press.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=84http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=84&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/84/Santa-Barbara-New-Press.aspx   BENNETT LANE: IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE By Dennis Schaefer     There are hundreds of wineries to visit in Napa Valley but only one has a NASCAR race car in the corner of the barrel aging room. Bennett Lane Winery, just north of Calistoga, was the first winery to sponsor and own a NASCAR racing team, one that won the 2007 NASCAR Grand National Division West Series Championship. And, by the way, Bennett Lane also makes wine that belongs in the winner's circle. Also, Bennett Lane has kept their wine prices reasonable for such expensive grape-growing real estate. In the recent "Savvy Shopper" issue of Wine Spectator, Bennett Lane was called "a reliable source for high quality and good prices." The 2007 white Maximus ($28), subtitled "white feasting wine," is a proprietary blend, primarily of sauvignon blanc, with a bit of chardonnay and muscat in the mix. The aromas are enticing, with orange blossom, honeysuckle and grapefruit, smelling like the best breakfast juice you could conjure up. The flavors are ripe with fruits of white peach, nectarine, orange citrus, pear and red grapefruit, backed up by prickly acidity that just gives it more oomph on the mid palate and a lengthy finish.   The 2005 Maximus red wine ($35) is about two-thirds cabernet, one-quarter merlot with the balance syrah. Again, the aromatics are a strong point, with dark plum, black cherry, blackberry, cocoa powder and vanilla. The well-extracted flavors spread out on the palate like a buffet, including sweet and ripe black cherry, licorice, blackberry and plum with subtle layers of mint, cinnamon, nutmeg and cedar. As jam-packed as that sounds, the wine is nevertheless supple and refined with an incredible balance of fruit, spice and acidity. A tasty best-buy and worth twice the price.   This being Napa Valley, Bennett Lane most certainly makes a cabernet. The 2005 [Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon]version ($55) has darker, deeper and reserved aromatics (than Maximus) with cherry, candied violets and aged barrel notes of clove and cedar. On the palate, the flavors are more sustained with dark plum, cassis, black cherry and cedar. It's savory in the same way the juicy pink center of a medium-rare steak is.  A myriad of deeper flavor components, not all of which are evident on first pass, reveal themselves with time in the glass.  Great length and persistence is obvious in this cab and you can drink it now or age it for a few years.   The winery also wants to go toe-to-toe with other high-end Napa cabs with their 2005 cabernet reserve ($95). It has the darkest of all cassis, licorice, cherry and plum aromatics you can imagine; the flavors are focused with plenty of dark fruits, including a rich layering of raspberry, cocoa and chocolate and hints of licorice, green herb and vanilla. It's the absolute finest cabernet they can make at any price and it was my best of show of all the wines. Put this one in the cellar for up to 10 years.   The 2006 Los Carneros reserve chardonnay ($45) just jumps right out of the glass with billowing clouds of pineapple, honey, coconut, cinnamon and clove. The real focus of flavors are on fresh pineapple that's vibrant in nature, along with baked apples and toasted hazelnuts in an important but supporting role. The mouthfeel is juicy as well as rich and the finish is crisp and lengthy. View Article SCHAEFER ON WINE blaneThu, 23 Apr 2009 02:37:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:84http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/87/The-Star-Ledger.aspx#Comments0http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=58&ModuleID=467&ArticleID=87http://www.bennettlane.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=87&PortalID=0&TabID=58http://www.bennettlane.com/Winery/Reviews/tabid/58/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/87/The-Star-Ledger.aspx  Supplies & Demand Get the right stuff at the right price By TJ Foderaro   Taste tip: A delicious example of a Meritage blend with a twist is the 2005 Bennett Lane Maximus “Red Feasting Wine” ($35). It’s a cabernet-merlot blend with a touch of syrah thrown in for extra oomph.  The bouquet is a thing of beauty, with concentrated aromas of jamlike fruit and hints of coffee and earth.   View Article  blaneWed, 01 Apr 2009 03:08:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:87