Cohn Estates Tasting

Last night Dad and I stopped by the local Wine Styles franchise. As we checked out the inventory (which is arranged not by region but by flavor profile - "bubbly" "bold" "fruity", etc), we noticed a well-dressed gentleman getting ready to do a tasting. Score!

Dan Cohn, of B.R. Cohn Winery shared 5 wines with us.

B.R. Cohn Winery was formed in 1984 by longtime Doobie Brothers manager Bruce Cohn (more on that later). It is located in Glen Ellen, CA, quite near Sonoma. Cabernet and Merlot are the predominant grapes in the area, and Cohn prides themselves on producing 100% varietals (i.e. a Cabernet Sauvignon that is comprised of 100% Cabernet grapes).

First up was the 2005 Carneros Chardonnay ($24). This wine has been aged in French Oak for 9 months and showed some tropical notes as well as a hint of butter. Nicely balanced, but a little pricey for the taste.

Second was the 2004 Sonoma Valley Merlot ($35). This wine saw oak for a total of 20 months and showed toast, dark fruits (esp blackberry), vanilla and hint of spice. A good wine, drinkable now.

Next we tasted the 2004 "Silver Label" Cabernet Sauvignon ($20). This is a blend of about %50 of Cohn's Olive Hill Vineyard filled out with its North Coast Vineyard. This wine has strong notes of cassis and smoke and was quite nice. My favorite to that point!

We had to follow the "Silver Label" with the 2002 Olive Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($50). It was immediately evident where the Silver Label got it's brawn - this was a great wine. A little fruitier than some other Cabs I've tried recently (for example the Smith and Hook that I'll be featuring here soon), but rich and layered in all the right ways. It smelled of earth (a plus!) and I tasted plum and currant. A nice wine!

Finally, we got to taste the 2003 Doobie Brothers Red ($96 for three). This is a series of 5 vintages produced to honor the Doobie Brothers, and a portion of the proceeds go to the National Veteran's Foundation. This wine is a Bordeaux blend. Both Dad and I liked this wine a lot, and we agree with Dan Cohn that this is a wine suitable for cellaring. It had strong tannins (but not as strong as a Petite Syrah) with a nice dark fruit undertone. We left with a three pack for Dad's new wine cellar. It was drinkable now but I'd say in a few years this wine will only improve.