Reviews of Teatown Cellars Wine

2001 Napa Valley Merlot

Connoisseurs’ Guide To California Wine - May 2004
Two Stars - 92 Points

Very well-concentrated and somewhat complex aromas of black cherries, briar, hints of berries and creamy oak show the wine off nicely from the first sniff, and the layered, rich, and fairly succulent flavors that follow are classically Merlot in direction. Also very much on point in the mouth with its supple, fairly mouthfilling texture, this incredibly priceworthy wine delivers succulent flavors of ripe red cherries, crème brulée, caramel and casis. Its light-medium tannins add a bit of toughness to the finish and call for bottle age of three to five years and service with steaks or chops.
GOOD VALUE $20.00

Wine Spectator - April 15, 2004, Page 140
87 Points

Ripe, with stewed black cherry, roasted currant and balsamic tones, framed by generous cedarand coconut notes that fold into gripping tannins. Drink now through 2007. 1241 cases made.  $20.00

Sante Magazine - Holiday 2003 Issue, Annual Buying Guide 2004 Issue

Fruit-forward, ripe style with berry patch and mocha notes; tannic finish. Venison.  Serve now but will hold for some time.

1999 Napa Valley Merlot

Harrington's West Coast Wine Net - December, 2001
Bob Wesley at Lazy Acres Market in Santa Barbara, California

An Exceptional Red - Teatown is ripe, thick and chewy, with cedar, graphite, plum and blackberry flavors, dosed with smoky, sweet oak spice. In a recent blind Merlot tasting, (see results), put on by my monthly tasting group, Teatown was voted the number one wine of the night, and bested many heavy hitters in the Napa wine community.  I actually picked it over the pricier wine that I'd brought. 

Read the Full Review and Results of Taste Test

Wine Spectator - September 30, 2001,
Page 155
87 Points

Ripe and juicy, with spicy plum, black cherry, coffee and chocolate flavors and a lingering, smooth finish. Drink now through 2004. 800 cases made.

K & L Wine Merchants - May, 2001

A deep, full bodied wine that shows flavors of black cherry, raspberry and hints of chocolate.  These flavors balanced nicely with a good dose of toasty oak.  The finish is long and silky, and will rival such excellent productions as Duckhorn or Swanson.  This is a newcomer that serious collectors should try.

- Jim Barr

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines - April 2001

This broad, mouth-filing, highly ripened wine, is far removed from poise and polish, and it is overdone by any standard of classic Merlot. It is, however, strikingly rich and long on character, and it's bombastic style is sure to be greatly praised by unredeemed fans of dramatic ripeness.  It should not sit in the cellar for too long, and will show best when paired with richer roasts and braised meats.

Cincinnati International Wine Festival - March, 2001 
Bronze Medal Winner

San Francisco Sommelier -
Wine of the Week, January 26, 2001

This is the third vintage from Teatown Cellars, a winery without a winery.  They buy all of their grapes and contract to have the wine made.  The result in their 199 Napa Merlot is excellent and a good value. It has an opaque, very deep ruby to purple color.  It is extremely ripe and lush with plum, cedar and dill aromas and flavors.  There are also notes of blackberry and eucalyptus.  It has powerful tanins and nice acid structure.  It is a bit much for any food other than pungent cheeses, such at Roquefort, but should settle down after a year or two in the bottle.

1998 Napa Valley Chardonnay

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines - February 2000

An interesting name and an interesting approach to Chardonnay.  This very ripe, almost honeyed wine, smells of sweet apple juice and high toast barrels with sprinklings of pineapple and roasted almonds also evident. Yet, for all of its complexities, it is somewhat soft and sweet on the palate, and its obvious, lush, honeyed flavors lead it away from true varietal identity. Withal, it is a tasty wine that might partner best with dishes having a bit of a sweet edge in their makeup.

Cincinnati Enquirer, Wine of the Week, November 12, 2000
and Cincinnati Wine Festival Recommendations, March, 2001

Virtual wineries are becoming more common in the United States as companies, such as Teatown, contract wines from established wineries, rather than produce wines themselves.  Regardless of origin, this Chardonnay has stunningly rich color, complex aromas, medium-full flavones and a texture that defines smooth.

- John Vankat