Wente Vineyards

When I tasted this wine, I knew who made it. And not because of how it tasted, either. Having gotten to know other wines from Karl Wente’s Nth Degree label (owned by his family in Livermore Valley), I was able to peg this one on mouthfeel alone. Now, there are endless details involved in getting mouthfeel perfect, and that’s one of the reasons for the label’s odd name. Wente has both the resources and permission to do things “to the nth degree” in the vineyard and winery when he makes these limited-release wines, and it shows – in a good way.

The red cherries and raspberry aromas are way ripe, and thick with the sweet vanilla of expensive new oak. You get em’ all in your mouth, in an opulent, juicy package that’s surprisingly light on its feet despite a full comportment of grape and wood tannins. The wine has 11 percent Merlot and 4 percent Cabernet, which explains the red tilt in the fruit and some of the plushness on the back end. Otherwise it’s all Syrah, from the purple color to the way the oak sinks comfortably into the texture and stays there. If you smell or taste a bit of charred meat, don’t worry: that’s Syrah at its ripe, ripped best. (Note: Nth Degree wines are sold exclusively to Wente wine club members and in the Wente tasting room. )

Reviewed August 19, 2007 by Thom Elkjer.