Chris Gorman is a veteran winemaker who first built his reputation around luxe wines back in 2002, and has since added other premium labels such as his Ashan Chardonnay and high-end, value-driven line called “The Devil You Know” and “The Devil You Don’t Know.” The most recent addition to this label is a Cabernet Sauvignon called “Old Scratch.” Read the feature article and interview with Chris Gorman at this link. Here are nine releases that we recently reviewed:
The Evil Twin 2012, $65
Editor’s Choice — Extraordinary
Led by aromas of Chambord, porchetta and sage, this pure and juicy Red Mountain blend of Syrah (75%) and Cabernet (25%) triggers all the senses, starting with a firm grip of mouth coating tannins that deliver amped up flavors of macerated black raspberry, dark cherry and ripe blackberry inlaid with sage and saline minerality that reverberate on the polished and powerful finish.
The Bully Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $50
Editor’s Choice — Extraordinary
Juicy red berry aromas mingle with Cameroon tobacco wrapper and spice. Boasting elegance behind the muscular and bold Red Mountain fruit, there’s a drum roll of ultra-fine tannins that resonate through the graceful, ethereal texture. Extracted flavors of cassis, blackberry compote and vibrant red plum, tobacco and violet sing through the finish with lingering notes of crushed rock.
The Pixie Syrah 2012, $45
Editor’s Choice — Extraordinary
With alluring dark berry aromas, this uber-lush red wine is textural, lined with powerful, concentrated black fruit flavors, notably cassis, black plum sauce, violet, lavender, sage and loamy earth with a dusting of cocoa powder. The rich juicy flavors weave together and saturate the finish in epic proportion.
The Big Sissy Chardonnay 2014, $35
Editor’s Choice — Extraordinary
Lush and creamy, there’s a silky unctuous mouthfeel that accompanies the tropical fruit flavors dominated by pineapple and plantain, layered with apricot, lime blossom, coconut sprinkles and blanched almond notes that glide through the harmonious finish.
Zachary’s Ladder 2013, $30
Editor’s Choice — Extraordinary
The red wine that launched the winery back in 2002 as its first release is as remarkable as ever! This blend of six Red Mountain vineyards is pillowy and smooth, with rich seamless flavors of crushed black raspberry, esspresso, tarry earth and granite, all the while elevated by light, yet firm tannins that build on the focused finish.
The Devil You Know 2014, $28
Editor’s Choice — Excellent
Smooth, polished and well-structured, touting powdery fine tannins that glide through flavors of vivacious raspberry and black cherry layered with dark fruit characters of blackberry, black currant, freshly-turned earth and peppery barrel spice on a mouth coating finish.
The Devil You Don’t Know 2013, $28
Editor’s Choice — Excellent
A Syrah-dominant blend with aromas of steeped plum, violet, caramel and spice. Fleshy and dense, this wine rolls off the palate with fluidity, exhibiting full flavors packed with rich dark plum, black currant and boysenberry, layered with caramel, tar and iron notes that emerge on the finish.
Old Scratch 2014, $28
Editor’s Choice — Outstanding
This Red Mountain Cabernet swirls with dark-toned dense flavors of raspberry and blackberry preserves, plum skin, licorice and pipe tobacco spice. There’s a sheen of crushed shale and smooth tannins that freewheel through the lingering finish
Ashan Celilo Vineyard Chardonnay 2013, $40
Editor’s Choice — Excellent
Elegant and refined, this single-vineyard wine was crafted from historic old vines planted in 1973, among the oldest in the state. Creamy and pure, with aromas and flavors of Meyer lemon, peach, fresh apple and biscotti interwoven through a bolt of supercharged acidity, this Chardonnay gushes with distinctive chalk and limestone minerality on the long finish.