With a rich garnet purple color and great clarity, this wine is perfumed with exotic floral and spice notes - cinnamon stick and rhubarb pie. It boasts a lovely sweet and juicy texture held together with firm integrated tannins, infused with flavors of chocolate and cherry, and leading seamlessly to a rich mocha raspberry finish. A beautifully classic Napa Valley Cabernet!

• 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot
• 168 cases produced

Wine Spectator Insider
October 26, 2011 (93 points) - James Laube
Dense, rich and extracted, with enticing dark berry, espresso, mocha and graphite. Full-blown, yet graceful and stylish, finishing with a long, persistent and layered finish. Best from 2012 through 2024.

The 2008 Blender Boy offers up earthy aromas of rosemary and grilled meat layered with pretty floral notes. This is a dark and concentrated wine with firm tannins, and a nice minerality reminiscent of crushed stones. Its texture is dense and powerful but not overwhelming, with flavors of dark cherry and pomegranate that layer into a long and gorgeous finish loaded with cocoa and raspberry.

• 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petite Sirah, 8% Petit Verdot
• 366 cases produced

The Wine Advocate #192
December 2010 (91 points) - Robert Parker
Drink: 2010 - 2015
The dark ruby/purple-tinged 2008 Blender Boy (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petite Sirah and 8% Petit Verdot) exhibits abundant cassis, tobacco leaf, licorice and black fruit characteristics. Supple textured with 15% alcohol, this well-balanced 2008 should be drunk over the next 4-5 years.

Wine Spectator Insider
November 2, 2011 (92 points) - James Laube
A complex mix of grapes, flavors and textures, this is ripe and full-bodied, exhibiting new shoe leather, currant and licorice flavors that show hints of espresso and tobacco, ending with a long, full, layered finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2023.

There are many reasons we continue our love affair with the Kick Ranch Petite Sirah. Among them are the super dense, purple black color that appeals on first sight, and a nose ripe with cherry cola and brambles that is rounded out by molasses and toasty oak. With a mouth full of flavors including huckleberries, Asian spice and cedar, and a pretty finish of violets and exotic spice, this wine is serious and fun, all at once. A classic beauty, and classic Les Behrens Petite Sirah. What's not to love?

• 95% Petite Sirah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 320 cases produced

Wine Spectator Online
October 17, 2011 (91 points) - MaryAnn Worobiec
Stylish and distinctive for its intriguing aromatics, offering sandalwood, mahogany and Sichuan peppercorn notes that give way to generous flavors of ripe, rich black fruit and boysenberry. The tannins are dense, but more smooth than gripping. Drink now through 2018. 321 cases made.

The 2009 Cemetery is the seventh vintage of this favorite of ours and as usual, it continues to impress. The texture is super dense and concentrated, but the integrated tannins and balanced acidity keep it from going over the top. The nose is sweet and creamy, with ripe blackberries and rhubarb pie, leading to flavors of mocha, vanilla and pain grille. This wine is vibrant and beautiful in its purity. The finish has a lush liquory sweetness of cassis and toasted almonds. This wine is unreal in it confluence of power and elegance.

• 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 175 cases produced

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2011 (91-93 points) - Stephen Tanzer
Bright medium ruby. Complex aromas of black cherry, blueberry, dark chocolate, mocha and licorice. Dense, fat and sweet, with a creaminess to the sweet, deep, fruit-dominated flavors. For a wine with 15.1% alcohol and a pH of 3.8, this shows surprisingly sound acidity. Has the stuffing to support its serious structure. Very long on the aftertaste.

Wine Spectator Insider
October 12, 2011 (94 points) - James Laube
Engagingly supple, complex and layered, with roasted coffee notes that show subtle touches of currant, plum, tobacco and black licorice. Full-bodied, yet unfolds ever so gracefully, turning silky on the finish. Drink now through 2022.

This is a bittersweet moment for us as we have reached the final Ode to Picasso from Behrens & Hitchcock. Beautifully dark purple yet vibrant, with a rich texture that is soft and full, the wine offers up aromas of espresso, toasty oak and crème brulee, and flavors of juicy blueberries, white pepper and dark cocoa. Floral notes and dark chocolate linger on the palette. It is a swan song that hits all of the right notes. A lovely tribute to a much-loved cat and wine.

• 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah
• 245 cases produced

Wine Spectator Online
October 17, 2011 (90 points) - James Laube
Firm and complex, with tiers of roasted coffee, herb and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied and drying, yet the flavors unfold gracefully and tighten with the tannic finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Drink now through 2020. 245 cases made.

Our first-ever non-vintage wine, The Road Les Traveled is exciting, fun and approachable. Vibrant, ruby red in color with a nose of violets, blackberry blossoms and cassis, this is an inspired multi-varietal, multi-vintage blend that only Les would create. With complex flavors of chocolate-covered cherries and blueberry pie, this wine according to Robin ‘is drinkin’ wine!’ Enjoy!
40% Petite Sirah, 15% Syrah, 15% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. 571 cases produced.

With a new vintage and a new look for one of our fan favorites, we offer you our 2008 “Everything But... the Kitchen Sink”. This has become the go-to wine for many of you, and we think this new release will continue to please. A ripe nose hinting of cedar and cassis leads to a round mid-palate of well-integrated tannins, dark fruit, spice and cloves.
60% Petite Sirah, 20% Cabernet Franc, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Tempranillo. 399 cases produced.

One of our favorites of the tasting is this new vintage of Spare Me. The wine is a gorgeous ruby red color and offers up aromas of toasty oak, cherry cola, and graphite. It is wonderfully balanced – lush, but fresh and vibrant on the palate with flavors of black raspberry and allspice. The finish lingers beautifully with hints of sassafras and tobacco. There really is so much going on it this wine!
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot. 249 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #192
December 2010 (90 points) – Robert Parker
Drink: 2010 - 2020
The 2008 Spare Me is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 8% Merlot. (Is the name a reference to the lynch mob mentality of the internet blogosphere?) The wine reveals beautiful aromas of black raspberries, black currants and spice box in its medium to full-bodied, richly fruity, savory, intellectually and hedonistically satisfying personality. Enjoy it over the next decade.

 

Another first for this release is our inaugural vintage of Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. We are incredibly excited about this beautiful vineyard located just around the corner from our winery. Aged in 100% new French Oak, this wine exhibits a gorgeous garnet black color with a nose of blueberries, cardamom and toasty oak. The palate is luscious in its purity with silky tannins and flavors of cassis and currants, hints of mocha, cinnamon and rose petals – all wrapped up in a lingering finish reminiscent of crème brulee.
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Merot. 196 cases produced

Wine Spectator Insider
June 1, 2011 (93 points) – James Laube
A classy, well-structured style, firm, complex and layered, with tight tannins wrapped around a tasty core of supple currant, blackberry, cedar, cigar box and graphite. Full-bodied, ending with a long, sleek finish. Drink now through 2020.

The Wine Advocate #192
December 2010 (93 points) – Robert Parker
Drink: 2010 - 2025
The dark ruby/purple-hued 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Crowley Vineyards offers up notes of damp earth, black currants, blueberries and violets. It should drink well for 15+ years. Superb purity, texture and depth are classic hallmarks of Lisa and Les Behrens’ savory wines.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2010 (90 points) – Stephen Tanzer
(80% cabernet sauvignon plus 10% each petit verdot and merlot; a new wine from a neighbor close to the Behrens & Hitchcock/Erna Schein winery on Spring Mountain) Deep, bright ruby. Lively aromas of blackberry and violet. Sweet, lush and chocolatey in the mouth, but perked up by a note of fruity peppercorn. Broader and more pliant than the Moulds or Cemetery samples today. Finishes with rather suave, sweet tannins and noteworthy persistence.

 

The Heavyweight is back! In retirement since the 2003 vintage, Les has created a powerhouse of a wine worthy of the name. Visually beautiful, the dense red hue leads to aromas of mocha, brown sugar and vanilla. Red plums and red fruit jam dominate the mouth, which true to its name, is beautifully structured - big and lush, closing in a smooth, toasty oak finish. This wine will go the distance.
40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot. 245 cases produced.

Wine Spectator Insider, September 28, 2011
September 2011 (91 points) – James Laube
Starts out firm and supple, weaving together a complex mix of cedar, currant, blackberry, spice and tobacco. Full-bodied and structured, firming nicely on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2020.

The Wine Advocate #192
December 2010 (92 points) – Robert Parker
Drink: 2010 - 2020
The Heavyweight reveals intriguing notes of blueberries, black currants, licorice and forest floor. Rich and full-bodied with good balance, purity and overall texture, this silky-textured, fleshy 2007 should drink well for a decade or more. This Heavyweight is more like Mohammad Ali than Haystacks Calhoun.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2010 (92 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Good deep ruby. Complex nose offers redcurrant, smoked meat and licorice, accented by pepper and tobacco notes. Then sweet, lush and fat with fruit. A very ripe style, but the wine's spicy component and smoky minerality provide lift to the middle palate. The broad finish features sweet tannins and excellent persistence.

 

The 2007 vintage has been much hyped, and this wine is one of those well-worthy of that buzz. The color is reminiscent of Bing Cherries with a nose full of spice, root beer and raspberries. It has a rich, creamy texture, bright acidity and flavors of ripe, black cherry and plum, ending in a gorgeous, long, silky finish.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc. 241 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #192
December 2010 (92 points) – Robert Parker
The 2007 Fat Boy may represent an homage to all those who might drink too much on occasion. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by a classic bouquet of creme de cassis, black raspberries, cherries and smoke. Layered, full-bodied, supple, civilized and rich, the Fat Boy name is somewhat misleading as this is a wine of complexity, balance and length. It should drink nicely for 5-7 years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2010 (92 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Good full medium ruby. Aromas of blackberry, licorice and violet. Sweet on entry, then silky in the middle palate, with captivating, slightly high-toned flavors of dark berries and bitter chocolate. This really perks up the salivary glands. Finishes horizontal and velvety, with broad, sweet tannins and palate-saturating length.

This is the first vintage we made a single vineyard designate from the Moulds Family Vineyard, and what a gorgeous expression of that site this is! The 100% new French Oak is not ostentatious in any way, but beautifully melds the vanilla and cinnamon aromas with the rich, lush, supple tannins of the palate and adds a wonderful sophistication to the wine. Huckleberries and cassis dominate the mid-palate as bright red fruits linger through the finish.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 216 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #192
December 2010 (94 points) – Robert Parker
The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Moulds Family Vineyard is an elegant yet authoritative Cabernet displaying lots of black currant, underbrush, cedar and incense notes. It is a spicy, ripe, round, impeccably well-made wine with richness, purity and well-integrated oak. Already delicious, it should drink well for 15 years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2010 (91 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Bright ruby-red. Redcurrant and tobacco leaf aromas lifted by a whiff of rose petal. Juicy, light on its feet and refined, with good peppery thrust and aromatic character to the berry, mineral and tobacco flavors. Finishes with fine-grained tannins and lovely subtle persistence. An elegantly styled cabernet with no shortage of intensity.

 

Our beautiful Owen Smith-created painting once again graces the front of this bottle. A deep purple/garnet color and aromas of vanilla, chickory, plum and violet lead to a palate full of bacon fat, cherry, cassis and powerful tannins. This wine only gets better as it sits in the glass, and we suggest a generous decant if consuming young. The meaty, smoky finish fulfills the promise of our ‘Angel of Meat’!
62% Syrah, 24% Petite Sirah, 14% Petit Verdot. 301 cases produced.

Wine Spectator
Online Edition, 2010 (90 points) – James Laube
Intense and complex, with a mix of spice, mineral, dried berry, sage and cedar notes that are full-bodied and well-structured, firming on the finish, where the focus narrows. Drink now through 2019.

 

Our second of vintage of Petite Sirah from Kick Ranch continues our love affair with this vineyard. Deep, dark purple in color with a nose full of violet, sweet vanilla and cedar, this is one kick ass wine! Flavors of Chinese five spice, roasted nuts, smoked meat, dark chocolate and brambly blackberries keep you mesmerized until the finish finally takes over, firing on all cylinders and embracing your senses.
90% Petite Sirah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. 312 cases production.

Wine Spectator
Online Edition 2010 (91 points) – MaryAnn Worobiec
Massive and dense, yet still with an air of grace, with cigar box, violet, spice, cedar and crushed seashell mineral accents to the lovely dark fruit flavors of huckleberry and boysenberries. Drink now through 2020.

The 2008 Cemetery was without a doubt the wine of our tasting! This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with 100% new French Oak from our favorite vineyard, adjacent to the St. Helena Cemetery. Deep red, leaning towards black with a vivid bouquet of coffee, granite, sweet cream and toasty oaky, this wine is one for the ages. The palate is mouthcoating, lush, intense and savory, dominated by dark, ripe plums, while the finish is laden with baked blackberry and pepper lasting for 30-40 seconds.
With crop levels incredibly low in 2008, we have only 112 cases of this wine.

The Wine Advocate #192
December 2010 (93 points) – Robert Parker
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Cemetery, from a well-known parcel of vines planted near a graveyard (with a portrait on the label that resembles me after two weeks of 12-14 hour days spent tasting), exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with classic aromas of creme de cassis intermixed with floral undertones. With sweet fruit as well as impressive balance, this is a wine of considerable flavor authority, integrity and richness. Given its forward, precocious style, it should drink well for 10-15 years.

 

Our favorite deceased cat has travelled back in time to Stone Henge for our 2007 vintage of Ode to Picasso. Following in the paw prints of its predecessors, Les’ inspired blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah and 10% Petit Verdot is anything but traditional. Clove and vanilla stand out in the nose with a lovely freshness, while the palate, perfectly balanced with notes of French Plum, pomegranate and cassis, linger into the finish filled with cherries jubilee.
252 cases produced.

This playful Les Behrens blend makes for a most intriguing, easy-drinking wine. The nose opens with smoke and hints of tar and tobacco, evolving into sweeter tones of currant, cherry and violet as the wine sits in the glass. The flavors in this bright, mouth-filling cuvee range from graphite to black huckleberry, vanilla to cherry, and the round, integrated tannins linger through the finish. This should be your ‘go to’ wine for any and every day.
58% Petite Sirah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cab Franc. 312 cases produced.

Our third vintage of Jersey Boy, once again paying homage to Les’ birthplace, is a combination of the best characteristics of Napa and Mendocino. The garnet red color and earthy, toasty oak nose lead to flavors of red plums and ripe raspberries. With skillfully balanced acidity and structure and a finish of cocoa and vanilla, the new French Oak beautifully ties all of these lovely elements together.
45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 14% Syrah, 6% Petit Verdot and 5% Cab Franc. 384 cases produced.

The 2007 Erna Schein ‘Spare Me’ exhibits a brilliant deep purple color edged with a magenta hue. Sweet and spicy on the nose with creamy vanilla, cherry cordial and a hint of smoky BBQ sauce, this wine has a lovely approachability. Flavors of plum, toasty oak and espresso are supported by a nicely balanced acidity. Soft, ripe tannins carry everything through to the lingering and juicy finish.
95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cab Franc. 280 cases produced.

Tasting the 2007 Erna Schein Knockout felt like a primal, meat-driven experience! Some of the descriptions that we came up with as we put nose to glass were: beef stroganoff, braised short ribs, cedar, spice box, anise, black licorice, clove, black forest cake and venison with a blackberry reduction! This texture-driven wine is powerful yet well structured: concentrated and rich, with molasses, black fruits, cassis and huckleberry, all culminating in a long and lingering finish.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 280 cases produced.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2009 (91 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Medium red. Reticent but pure aromas of cherry,
blueberry and milk chocolate. Sweet, lush and rather open-knit, with a rocky, minerally quality and a note of milk chocolate dominating the mid-palate. Seems much more pliant and sweet than the 2006 version. Finishes with rather suave, round tannins and lovely length. A more refined expression of cabernet than the 2006.

Wine Spectator
Online Edition, 2010 (93 points) – James Laube
Smooth, rich and creamy-textured, this is supple yet builds depth and complexity, offering a mix of fresh earth, currant, blackberry and wild berry fruit, with touches of spice, hazelnut and cedar. Young and tight. Needs time. Best from 2011 through 2018.

 

A cornucopia of spice - vanilla, cinnamon, clove, allspice and nutmeg - describes the nose. While flavors of cherry and raspberry are bolstered by an attractively bright acidity. Number 14 is a Bordeaux-blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon,100% warm climate, Napa Valley and built to last!
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 5% Cab Franc. 245 cases produced.

Wine Spectator
Online Edition, 2010 (91 points) – James Laube
Combines ripe, rich, layered fruit with a sense of elegance and
finesse. Full-bodied, offering a core of fleshy currant and ending with cedar, spice and tobacco leaf notes. Drink now through 2017.

In this exciting blend, we again combine the focus of powerful mountain fruit with the lush, juiciness of the valley floor. These two districts (Howell Mountain & Oak Knoll) come together in the Herrick-Moulds Cabernet Sauvignon. The spicy aromas of clove, toasty oak and cinnamon on the nose lead to plums and cedar on the palate. The great structure makes this wine built for the long haul, and the finish goes on and on.
76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot. 392 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
December 2008 (90 points) – Robert Parker
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Herrick-Moulds includes small amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot, resulting in a Graves-like nose of scorched earth, crushed rocks, and blueberry and black cherry fruit. The wine is medium to full-bodied with moderate tannin, and outstanding concentration. It can be drunk now or cellared for 10-15 years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2009 (91+ points) – Stephen Tanzer
Bright medium ruby. Complex, perfumed nose offers blackberry, cassis, licorice, violet, mocha and menthol. Juicy, urgent black fruit flavors are quite tightly wound today but seemed to unclench somewhat with aeration. At once thick and bright, finishing with big tongue-dusting tannins and solid structure. I'd hold this for a few years.

 

Yep, Les has done it again, and we hope he never stops. Like The Kitchen Sink and Spare Me before this, Blender Boy is Les’ latest inspired concoction. Even with the aromas of grilled meat and toasty oak there is a freshness to this wine. The flavors of cardamom, star anise and nutmeg are reminiscent of triple cherry pie, all leading to a long, soft, plush finish.
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, 7% Syrah, 4% Cabernet Franc. 285 cases produced.

Les and Lisa are over the moon about our new Petite Sirah source. The intense black/purple color of this Petite Sirah let’s you know right away that this wine is not for the faint of heart. Exotic florals, earth and mesquite characterize the bouquet while dusty tannins and nuances of dark chocolate, plums and dried blueberries carry the lush, round mouthfeel. The sweet yet smoky finish lingers for what seems like minutes.
86% Petite Sirah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot. 280 cases produced.

Wine Spectator
Online Edition 2009 (92 points) – MaryAnn Worobiec
Deep, dark, rich and smoky, with sandalwood notes that mingle nicely with the gushing, concentrated cassis, blackberry and huckleberry flavors. Firm, chewy tannins never get in the way of the flavors and the long finish. Drink now through 2016.

This vineyard keeps amazing us with each new year. Deep, ruby red in color with a classic nose of cedar, black olives, coffee and sage, the fruit profile really explodes in your mouth with blueberries, black cherries and juicy pluots all wrapped up with a toasty, lingering finish. This wine is hugely complex, brooding and intense. It is hauntingly delicious!
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc. 225 cases produced.

Wine Spectator
Online Edition, 2009 (92 points) – James Laube
Rich, intense and full-bodied, with a rustic earthy edge to the loamy currant and dried berry flavors that give this a touch of character. Firm and concentrated, gaining depth and richness, with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2017.

 

This year’s label features Picasso on the Moon, and the wine is ‘out of this world’ as well. As you pour your first glass, you will note that the color is a deep, earthy garnet. The nose is pure Les Behrens - a wonderful panoply of cedar, currants, black tea, tobacco and just a hint of sweet vanilla. Flavors reflect a purity of fruit including cherry, plum, and blueberry with a soft, bright, nicely balanced mouthfeel. This Ode To Picasso is a ‘purring cat’ when you first drink it, all the way through the long, pronounced finish.
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah, and 10% Petit Verdot. 250 cases produced.

A new addition to the Erna Schein portfolio, the 2007 Sainte Fumee delights us with aromas of black licorice, saltwater taffy, tellicherry pepper and the minerality of wet stones. Dark yet vivid purple in color, this wine offers flavors of sweet cassis and plums with a hint of smoky bacon. Complex, yet fun – deep, yet balanced with a bright acidity, this is a food wine, a party wine, our own Angel of Meat if you will ...
70% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Petit Verdot. 370 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
December 2008 (91 points) – Robert Parker
... the 2007 Sainte Fumee (382 cases) boasts an inky/purple color in addition to a floral-infused blackberry and blueberry-scented nose with a hint of toasty oak. Considerable power, elevated glycerin, a fleshy, full-bodied mouthfeel, and a long finish suggest it will drink well for 5-7 years.

 

Fat Boy is back, with an updated look and all of the power and richness of its predecessors. This wine exhibits a deep, dark ruby color with an intriguing nose of cocoa powder, clove, tobacco and cedar. Great structure and unctuous texture are complemented by the mouth-filling flavors of chocolate cherry cordial and espresso, all leading to an earthy finish of vanilla, leather and violets.
56% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc. 375 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
December 2008 (90 points) – Robert Parker
The outstanding 2006 Fat Boy exhibits espresso, coffee, black cherry jam, charcoal, and pain grille characteristics. As its name suggests, this is a fat, succulent wine with loads of fruit, glycerin, purity, and length. Enjoy it over the next 5-7 years.

Wine Spectator
Online Only 2009 (92 points) – Tim Fish
Sleek and stylish, yet complex, offering red currant, clove and spice notes, with rich, layered black cherry, mocha and espresso favors that take on momentum toward ripe but deep tannins. Drink now through 2014.

 

A deep, black/red color graces the glass, as the nose announces itself from a distance. Earthy scents of the dark forest floor blend with aromas and flavors of meat grilling with sage and mushrooms. The flavors are explosive and add dark fruits, cherry and cocoa to this new wine. The mouthfeel is lush, yet bright and has great balance. A long finish of plum and lavender is your “just desserts”.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 350 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #162
December 2005 (91-93 points) – Robert Parker
The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Left Blank (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits classic creme de cassis characteristics along with hints of minerals, new saddle leather, graphite, and smoke. Rich, full-bodied, and superbly concentrated with a seamless integration of wood, acidity, alcohol, and tannin, it should drink well for 8-12 years.

 

This wine has a very dark garnet color. The nose is a complex, nutty bouquet with hints of violets, currants, mint and dusty oak. The body of this wine is built to age well and opens up beautifully in the glass. Balance and structure create an elegant wine with dark berry, huckleberry and red currant flavors with a long, lingering finish.
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. A blend from three of the Napa Valleys premier vineyards. 250 cases produced.

It started with the 1999 Oakville Cab, (Parker: 95-98 points) and ends with this 2004 Farewell Cuvee. Six powerhouse wines from the famous To-Kalon vineyard. This final edition is all that you could expect. From start to finish, this is a voluptuous, soft and elegant wine, with great balance and round tannins. The bouquet is loaded with aromas of caramel corn and black cherry. Dark chocolate, blackberries and hints of nutmeg and all spice dominate the palate, and, in lieu of a “finish,” we felt an “after-glow”.
70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. 291 cases produced.

Wine Spectator
Online Only 2009 (92 points) – James Laube
Well-made in a superripe style, with ripe plum, berry jam and anise. Starts out smooth and concentrated, then firms up on the finish, where this shows a touch of heat and cedary oak. Drink now through 2016.

The Wine Advocate #162
December 2005 (91-93 points) – Robert Parker
The deep ruby/purple-hued 2004 Farewell Cuvée is the estate’s last offering made from Beckstoffer Vineyard fruit. While tannic, rich, concentrated, and promising, it is not as impressive as the Beckstoffer Vineyard Cabernets produced in 2003 or 2001. It will unquestionably need time as this appears to be the most tannic, backward cuvee of the 2004 vintage from Les Behrens. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018.

 

Dare we say, the Knock Out delivers a powerful 1 - 2 punch. Up front, this wine is big and bold with aromas of all spice and clove. Round 2: the mid-palate is thick with flavors of chocolate, blueberries, espresso and plum cake. This all rounds into a pretty finish of cedar and vanilla. Throw in the towel, and drink it ‘til you hit the mat!
87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot. 350 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
December 2008 (92 points) – Robert Parker
The 2006 Knock-Out (87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot; 350 cases produced) offers smoky, meaty, black currant, bay leaf, and foresty characteristics. Deep, rich, and full-bodied with elevated glycerin, heady alcohol, and a lusty, hedonistic finish, this attention-getting red should be consumed over the next 7-8 years.

Wine Spectator
February 4, 2009 (92 points) – James Laube
Intense and structured, with spicy currant, cedar, cigar box and dried berry fruit that’s tightly wound, full-bodied and focused, ending with hints of licorice and nutmeg. Drink now through 2017.

 

True to its name the 2006 Kitchen Sink is a creative blend of various lots which come together to make a beautifully balance wine. With a saturated, dense purple/black color, it is full of spicy aromas of vanilla and cinnamon toast. Flavors of cassis, chocolate, plums and other chewy dark fruit flavors coat your mouth and linger into a supple, round finish.
44% Syrah, 29% Petite Sirah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot. 395 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
December 2008 (94 points) – Robert Parker
A blockbuster effort, the 2006 Everything But...The Kitchen Sink is a blend of 44% Syrah, 29% Petite Sirah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot (who thinks up these blends?). Sensational aromas of smoke, meat, bouquet garni, lead pencil shavings, creme de cassis, and asphalt soar from the glass of this explosively aromatic red. Deep, full-bodied, and layered with tremendous opulence, loads of glycerin, and a superb finish, this stunning 2006 can be consumed over the next 7-8 years.

Wine Spectator
Online Only 2009 (91 points) – James Laube
Enticing spice, wild berry and blackberry fruit is pure, crisp and layered, with touches of mineral, clean leather, tobacco and sage-herbal scents. Full-bodied, balanced, complex and elegant, with firm tannins. Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2014.

 

2006 Spare Me, a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot, exhibits a gorgeous, deep garnet color. The wine jumps out of the glass with a nose of orchids, violets and Asian spice. With beautifully balanced acidity and lush integrated tannins, flavors of blueberry, red raspberry and resin are all wrapped up in a long vanillin finish.
380 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
December 2008 (91 points) – Robert Parker
Composed of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot, the 380-case cuvee of 2006 Spare Me possesses a dense ruby/purple hue, aromas of underbrush, black cherries, black currants, smoke, and background wood, medium to full body, and an elegant style. It represents a California version of a ripe St.-Emilion. It, too, should last for a decade or more.

Wine Spectator
February 4, 2009 (93 points) – James Laube
Soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce aromas stretch the flavors and give this a measure of complexity, joining dense dried currant, wild berry and savory herb flavors. Dense and concentrated, this is very young and tight now. Best from 2010 through 2017.

  

The 2006 Cemetery again comes from one of our favorite ’plots’ in St. Helena. The wine exudes aromas of coffee, violets, earth and minerals. With a dark garnet color and a brooding but balanced richness. Silky tannins lead to focused flavors of raspberry cordial, cassis and smoky spice. It’s to die for!
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot. 370 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
December 2008 (94 points) – Robert Parker
Another Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated offering, the 2006 Cemetery (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, all from David Abreu’s vineyards) displays a stunning bouquet of graphite, smoked herbs, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, chocolate, and toasty oak. The outstanding aromatics are followed by a lavishly rich, extravagantly fruit-driven wine with superb body, richness, and texture as well as a compelling, hedonistic appeal. It should drink well for a decade or more.

Wine Spectator
February 4, 2009 (92 points) – James Laube
Rustic, with a pleasant earthy edge to the dried currant, blackberry, sage and savory herbal notes. Full-bodied, complex and wellfocused, ending with a long finish. Drink now through 2016.

 

Thanks to a near-perfect ripening season at the Alder Springs Vineyard in 2006, we have enjoyed watching this wine’s development into the lush, ripe and meaty Syrah that comes from this vineyard in its very best years. The nose hits you with the sweet spiciness of Chinese Spareribs, honey and violets. The soft yet solid tannins contribute to the velvety texture of this wine. Rich and opulent flavors take you a couple of spins around the flavor wheel, through spiced plums, clove and eucalyptus into a rich, long finish of espresso, tar and a lovely smokiness.
84% Syrah, 8% Petite Sirah, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. 300 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
December 2008 (93 points) – Robert Parker
Another brilliant effort from Lisa and Les Behrens is the 2006 Homage to Ed Oliviera Alder Springs Vineyard. This 300-case cuvee of 84% Syrah and 16% Petite Sirah displays black and blue fruits, raspberries, lead pencil shavings, spring flowers, and wet stones. Dense, full-bodied, lush, and succulent, revealing oodles of fruit and glycerin as well as a hedonistic, blockbuster, fruit-driven style, it should age effortlessly for 5-10 years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2008 (90-92 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Bright, full ruby. Sappy aromas of blackberry, violet, orange zest, pepper and licorice. Lush, broad and full, with chewy flavors of black fruits, bitter chocolate and tar. A big, chewy mouthful of wine, finishing with huge but ripe tannins and a late note of licorice. I find this more pliant and better balanced than the 2005 version.

Wine Spectator
November 19, 2008 (93 points) – James Laube
Intense and concentrated, with well-structured exotic leather, spice box, beefy wild berry and blackberry fruit that picks up a note of tobacco and cedar. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins. Drink now through 2016.

 

The 2006 Jersey Boy is a spicy and complex follow up to the inaugural 2005. As with the 2005, this wine comes primarily from the famed Alder Springs Vineyard, with just a touch of Petit Verdot from Kenefick Ranch. This wine has a beautiful dark garnet color with a nose that opens up to floral aromas of orchid and violet and moves on to notes of sage and Asian spice. The mouthfeel is lush and balanced with plenty of stuffing. Focused flavors of black cherry, tamarind and sassafras follow through to a plum and cardamom finish.
46% Syrah, 34% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot. 330 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
December 2008 (88 points) – Robert Parker
The Erna Schein offerings start with the 2006 Jersey Boy, an innovative blend of 46% Syrah, 34% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It displays a deep ruby/purple color, earthy, meaty, black currant notes, and a slightly austere finish. Overall, it is an exuberant, fruity, straightforward style of wine to drink over the next 5-6 years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2008 (91 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Good full red-ruby. Musky raspberry, mocha and chocolate on the nose. Sweet, intense and firmly structured, with saline, meat and earth elements lifted by a firm spine of acids and tannins. Finishes slightly dry but long. I like the gamey syrah and complex soil tones here. "The 2006 and 2005 vintages have more similarities than differences," noted Les Behrens, adding that both years feature high acidity levels. This was the only 2006 in bottle as of early March.

 

The Spring Mountain District Petite Sirah is yet another 2006 that leaves us gushing about the layers of sweet and rich spice. A gorgeous purple/black color with edges of magenta, the wine exudes marvelous aromas of holiday spice, cinnamon, clove and tellicherry. This is a powerful wine with silky tannins and a solid structure to support the flavors of cola, cassis, espresso and sweet, smoky oak.
92% Petite Sirah, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon. 300 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #180
December 2008 (90 points) – Robert Parker
The 2006 Petite Sirah Spring Mountain is a tannic, backward effort exhibiting notes of incense, acacia flowers, and blueberries along with some sweet tannins. The color is a nearly impenetrable purple, and the wine will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age. It should keep for 15 or more.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2008 (89-91 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Full ruby. Reticent but pure aromas of cassis, black pepper and licorice, with a distinctly resiny, tarry lift. Rather suave on entry, then tightly wound and uncompromisingly dry in the middle, with the peppery character carrying through onto the palate and tannic aftertaste. Behrens referred to this one as "the Angel of Meat." It would make a perfect accompaniment to a pepper-encrusted steak.

Wine Spectator
Online Edition 2009 (91 points) – MaryAnn Worobiec
Charming and fragrant, with pepper and lavender notes and full-bodied flavors of blackberry, licorice and huckleberry that are dark, intense and chewy. Despite the concentration of flavors, this retains an air of elegance, with a long finish. Drink now through 2014.

  

Caramelized aromas of sassafras, black licorice and crème brulée jump from the glass of the 2005 Front Man. The palate builds in intensity with flavors of smoke, bramble, roasted meats and mahogany. An elegant foundation of sweet tannins helps buoy complex flavors of black cherry, plum, cedar, huckleberry and molasses. The wine is further laced with the flavors of mocha, toffee and Spanish paprika. A spice-driven and even floral essence sustains the long finish. Robert Parker writes that the wine is a “full-throttle, in-your-face, voluptuous, brash effort,” likening it too a “sexy beast” (was reviewed as 2005 Fat Boy in The Wine Advocate, Issue 168).
65% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot. 375 cases produced.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2008 (91 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Highly perfumed aromas and flavors of red berries, tobacco and dried flowers. Supple, juicy and sweet, with a round texture and good spicy lift to the middle palate. Finishes with ripe tannins and excellent length.

 

Although it says Cabernet Sauvignon on the label, the 2005 Spare Me hints at greater complexity than just a single grape. Partnered with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the wine is a dark crimson and boasts a nose both precise and inviting. Wafts of cinder, Moroccan spices and cinnamon lift gently from the glass. The palate is loaded with flavors of cassis, blueberry and molasses. The wine demonstrates supple acidity and a clean, round balance. Sweet tannins provide for a confectionary-like finish, with notes of candy corn and sweet jam.
76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2008 (89 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Good full ruby-red. Floral aromas of redcurrant, graphite and tobacco. Silky on entry, then supple and juicy in the middle, with attractive red berry and spice flavors. Finishes with rather soft, slightly dry tannins. This easy-drinking wine contains a good bit of fruit declassified from the winery's more expensive bottlings.

 

The 2005 Herrick-Moulds is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon, except for a dash of Petit Verdot, which surely contributes to its dark garnet, nearly purple color. A delicate nose of soft mint and roasted fruit is followed by a more rigorous palate of tobacco, currant and mixed peppercorn. The mouth-feel titillates with cherry compote and plum, while the flavors evolve into more exotic notes of cardamom, star anise and roasted chestnuts.

95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot.

The Wine Advocate #168
December 2006 (92-95 points) – Robert Parker
The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Herrick-Moulds Vineyard reveals that varietal’s classic creme de cassis/blueberry side as well as great purity, a striking minerality, full body, sweet tannin, and good length and intensity. It should age effortlessly for 14-15 years given its tannic profile and freshness.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2008 (91+ points) – Stephen Tanzer
Good bright ruby-red. Musky aromas of raspberry, tobacco, violet and mint. Juicy and penetrating in the mouth, with spicy, highly aromatic raspberry, blackberry, chocolate and rose petal flavors. Lively more than fleshy despite its 15.2% alcohol. With a minty lift to the cabernet, this offers a light touch. May merit an even higher score with a couple years of cellaring.

 

A brooding wine of intense color and complexity, the 2005 Cemetery is nearly black. Earthy sage notes coupled with deeper scents of espresso, cocoa and cedar give life to the wine before it even hits your lips. All agreed that a near symphonic balance is achieved in this wine; you feel the bass of Mexican dark chocolate as you taste the higher-toned raspberry elements. The fruit nuances are balanced by more muscular flavors of tobacco and liqueur. The Cemetery truly makes for a complete wine that finishes with grace and length.
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot. 340 cases produced.

The Wine Advocate #168
December 2006 (93-95 points) – Robert Parker
Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with 17% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot, the 2005 Cemetery is a beautifully poised, elegant wine displaying medium to full body, sweet tannin, and abundant crushed rock, floral, black currant, and plum nuances. Given its good acid profile and firm tannin, it should evolve slowly ... over the next 12-16 years.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2008 (90 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Ruby-red. Slightly raw aromas of raspberry, chocolate, tobacco, pepper and herbs; conveys a strong impression of gravelly soil, not unlike the northern Medoc. Then lush and syrupy in the mouth, showing a slightly rustic underripe/overripe character that was not obvious in a barrel sample a year ago. Following the last couple of wines, this one is distinctly more chunky, superrich, and Napa Valley in style. Finishes with substantial tannins. Les Behrens obviously likes this bottling, but today it comes across as a bit disjointed. I'd suggest holding it for a couple of years.

Wine Spectator
March 31, 2008 (91 points) – James Laube
A rich, savory style, with a supple medley of herb, sage, dried currant and mineral notes. Has excellent structure, focus and length, though this clearly needs time in the bottle or plenty of aeration. Best from 2009 through 2013.

   

The crème de la crème of the still small Erna Schein portfolio, this nearly equal blend of four Bordeaux varietals has proven to be a clear in-house favorite for the vintage. The 2005 Behrens Family Reserve is dark ruby red and offers up subtle, warm notes of vanilla and thyme with hints of violet and toast. We all use slightly different words to describe the thoroughness of the wine: “amazing balance,” “seamless,” “fully-integrated,” “thick,” “opulent” and “harmonious.” Rich flavors of root beer, fig and cassis lend the wine incredible finesse.
31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 19% Petit Verdot. 370 Cases Produced.

The Wine Advocate #168
December 2006 (92-94 points) – Robert Parker
The 2005 Behrens Family Reserve is a 400-case blend of 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. A saturated ruby/purple color and blackberry as well as charcoal notes emerge from this full-bodied 2005. Low acidity, ripe tannin, and abundant texture and opulence are classic elements of Behrens wines. This fun, innovative offering is loaded with character, purity, and richness.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
May/June 2008 (92 points) – Stephen Tanzer
Full red-ruby. Raspberry, tar, mocha and earth on the nose, lifted by rose petal and minty nuances. Intensely flavored and juicy, with lovely lift to the flavors of red raspberry, tobacco and sweet oak. In bottle, this is much more delicate and vibrant than it appeared to be from barrel. Finishes with substantial broad, ripe tannins and excellent persistence.

Wine Spectator
March 31, 2008 (92 points) – James Laube
Tight, sleek and focused, with an elegant mix of ripe currant, black cherry, smoky, cedary oak and loamy earth and herbal scents that fold together nicely. Already impressive for its depth and definition. Drink now through 2013.

 

The 2005 Jersey Boy is the first art label release from Erna Schein. It is a cross-county, garnet/ruby-colored blend exhibiting an exotic nose of mahogany, cocoa, perfume and orchids. This well-balanced wine is rich without being heavy and displays dark fruits such as black berries, ripe plum and huckleberries. One of the most complete wines of the vintage for Erna Schein, it’s solid, “sweet” core lasts throughout the palate and is further facilitated by super-fine tannins and a long, steady finish. Rather well-polished for a “Jersey Boy.”
41% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 6% Petit Verdot . 443 Cases Produced.

The Wine Advocate
(90-92 points) – Robert Parker
The 2005 Jersey Boy (a cross county blend of fruit from Mendocino to Napa) is 41% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, and 6% Petit Verdot. Exhibiting a deep ruby/purple color along with extroverted aromas, soft tannins, plenty of black cherry and blackberry fruit, and full-bodied opulence, it is a soft, hedonistic fruit bomb to enjoy during its first 4-5 years of life.

 

The 2005 Petite Sirah delivers on all fronts! There is little to say about the color beyond, “Black!” It has a deep and thorough nose of cedar, Asian five-spice, anise, coriander and jasmine. Many island themed notes work their way from the nose well into the mid-palate: we found lychee, kumquat and coconut. An intense Rhone-like, yet supple palate reminded us of miso/sake glaze, tar, blueberry and pork belly. The tannin structure is firm and present, albeit seductively rounded and soft. Given this wine’s lineage, tannins and ridiculously long finish, plan on keeping at least a few bottles for the long haul.
100% Petite Sirah Spring Mountain District. 324 Cases Produced.

The Wine Advocate
(92-94 points) – Robert Parker
A knock-out effort for those with patience is the 2005 Petite Sirah Spring Mountain. This dark purple-hued effort reveals beautiful blueberry and violet aromas along with hints of crushed rocks and incense. Rich, full-bodied, powerful, and tannic, it should be at its finest between 2010-2025.

 

Another impeccably crafted Syrah from the cooler vineyard site of Alder Springs in Mendocino County, this year’s “Ed” displays the typical black/purple color of Syrahs from this vineyard, while also having a more vintage specific freshness to it. The nose introduces soft notes of daphne and fruit tree blossoms combined with more rich notes of peat, loam and roasted meats. This wine demonstrates the fresh, red fruits of raspberry and cherry as well as more subtle flavors toward marmalade and apricot. It is further bolstered by more foundational notes of graphite, stone, and smoke. This wine has a firm and age-worthy finish.
100 % Syrah Alder Springs Vineyard. 484 cases produced.