Carter, Hossfeld Coliseum, Napa Valley

Deep ruby black core with some of the 12 year age showing on the edge but not much. Aromas of coffee, cacao, and ripe black fruits. More black fruit on a full bodied frame, just oozing purity of California fruit and solid winemaking. Some tertiary earth and sweet black olive. I love Carter wines. To me they are what California can be their best, yet they are still relatively fairly priced. Highest recommendation due to QPR and excellence.

2010 vintage

Delicious wine. Dark color. Wonderful fruit driven blackberry nose. Well integrated 14,8 alc. Long and intense finish with blackberry, vanilla and date notes. Smooth tannins. Still youthful wine. Lots of pleasure. Many more years ahead.

2008 vintage

Very big for a merlot based wine. A cabernet lover’s red blend. Better than most St. Emilion wines I had.

2011 vintage

Delicious right now but it feels very young and still evolving. Lovely upfront black and red fruit, if you have a few bottles, it is very goog to try right now.

2010 vintage

Plenty of fruit, mellow tannins. Acidity that's just right. Long finish. This puppy is in its prime. Have at it.

2011 vintage

Tons of fruit. Big Napa cab. Better on the second night. This is a big wine despite the vintage. Not spectacular but does not disappoint either.

2011 vintage

Decanted for 30 minutes. Blackberry, plum, dark chocolate, fig paste and spice on the nose and palate. Dense and mouth coating. Leads to a long finish. Full bodied. Served with grilled pork chops.

2010 vintage

A very expressive nose yielding raisins, dried figs, peppercorns and toast. On the palate, layers of toast, black currant, figs, bing cherries, licorice, mint and baking spices. A wonderful finish.

2009 vintage

Smooth drinking, long finish....excellent drinking now are better with another 3 - 5 years.

2010 vintage

Well balanced wine with wonderful layers of toast, cocoa, black peppercorns, figs and licorice. Well worth the wait.

2009 vintage

kind of fruity for our taste

2011 vintage

Aerated with a Vinturi and decanted for 1.5 hours. Currant, black and red berries, mocha and roasted coffee on the nose and palate. Ripe and pure, leading to a long finish. Full bodied, rich and dense. Served with surf and turf.

2010 vintage

A savory Merlot-based blend that delivers chocolate and dark fruit in a nice package - but should be drunk now. Dark red in color, full in body, nose of charcoal and blueberry. Tastes of boysenberry, dark chocolate, granite, and gravel, with thick tannins. 14.8% alcohol. Drink now, if you would (like me) enjoy some fruit to go along with the secondary characteristics. Faded dramatically on second day.

2008 vintage

Tasted on the same night as the 2013. Both are good, but the '13 is better.

2011 vintage

A lush and round Cabernet-based blend that has aged beautifully. Dark burgundy in color; full in body (tear drops all over glass); nose of blackberry, spice, and coffee beans. Plush tastes of plum, black cherry, mocha, and cedar, with soft tannins that are well-integrated and overwhelmed by waves of fruit. 14.9% alcohol. Seems close to its peak, so I would drink in next year or two. Blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot.

2009 vintage

My first Hossfeld. I had lower expectations due to the vintage and this blew it away. Nice balance of dark berries with a little powdery feel. Good acidity and long finish.

2011 vintage

Restaurant find for basically retail. Very strong oak and dark subtle berries upon opening. After 2 hrs it was coming alive. Sweet oak with ripe berry character, smooth and mouth-coating this is big and delicious. Wish I had a way to get more.

2011 vintage

Fantastic wine. I was concerned it would not be accessible since it is young but it was very open. No tannins just silky smoothness. Popped and had a sip then decanted and consumed over two hours.

2011 vintage

This is the best 2011 Carter Cellars I've had at this point. I though the wine opened up after 2 hours delivering nice big fruit that integrated well with the tannins, nice long finish.

2011 vintage

Big Cab. Amazing fruit on the nose with soft velvety tannins. Extremely well balanced.

2010 vintage

Red Blend: Creamy, pure blackberry and classic cab notes; sweet tobacco, more complex than the Merlot; big but nicely balanced. 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet.

2010 vintage

Tasted at Envy Winery tasting room. Notes of violets, spice, peppercorn, tea leaf, leather and cassis. Rich and concentrated on the palate with savory leather and tea in the forefront, along with subtle plum and cherry. Fleshy and silky with round polished tannin and a full finish of spice and red fruit.

2010 vintage

Winery Tastings, Napa, May 2012; 5/17/2012-5/20/2012 (Coombsville, Howell Mountain, Moss Creek, Calistoga, Spring Mountain, Rutherford, Pritchard Hill) : (B+) Nice red fruits, touch of arugula flower spice, and a little cooling fruit. Not quite together.

2009 vintage

Wineberserkers.com Napa Offline BYOB (Napa Valley Wine & Cigar) : Good fruit, floral, pepper and meaty.

2009 vintage

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Carter, Hossfeld Coliseum, Napa Valley

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