Lancaster
Lancaster winemaker Jesse Katz has a great story. The son of a photographer, he always knew that he would be in the winemaking business. After a stint at Fess Parker and Vina Cobos, maker of some of the worlds best Malbec, he decided to take on his own Malbec project in hoping to craft the best Malbec out of California. Katz is not only head winemaker at Lancaster, he has a winery called Devil Proof where he crafts what Robert Parker has called the best Malbec in California (and received a 94 point rating from Parker and Wine Enthusiast). Katz has also worked at Hourglass and Screaming Eagle in Napa, some of the most esteemed wineries out there, before coming to Lancaster.
His releases at Lancaster impress, particularly his 2009 and 2010 Cabernet that are drinking nicely now but will have an incredibly long life. If you are a fan of powerful Cabernets with lush flavors of blackberry and cassis, these wines are for you. You can find Lancaster Cabernet at great Northwest wine shops or online at lancaster-estate.com.
Here are the great current releases from Lancaster. #lancasterestate
2012 Lancaster Sauvignon Blanc- Nose has grapefruit and green apple. Palate has grapefruit, Meyer lemon and cantaloupe. Nice minerality. -91
2011 Lancaster Sophia's Hillside Cuvée- Blackberry and chocolate on the nose. Slightly herbal. Palate has black berry, black cherry, anise and black olive. A bit lean but tasty. Drink 2015 on. -90
2010 Lancaster Cabernet- This was the winemaker's first vintage. Nose has blackberry and creme de cassis. Palate has Flavors of mocha, blackberry, crème de cassis and is layered. Needs time, drink 2016 on. -92
2011 Lancaster Cabernet-nose has dark nose with blackberry, cassis and dill. Palate has blackberry, minerals and black cherry. Mineral driven and slightly lean but balanced. Drink 2017 on. -90
2009 Lancaster Cabernet- nose has anise and blackberry. Palate has anise, crime de cassis and blackberry. Drink 2017 on. -92
2012 Lancaster Nicole's Red- herbaceous nose with dill and red bell pepper. Palate has nice richness and viscosity. Blackberry, blueberry and crème de cassis. Drink 2017 on. -93
2011 Lancaster Nicole's Red- Nose has black olive, cassis and dill. Flavors of blackberry, cassis and red cherry. Striking minerality. Drink 2017 on. -91