Follow Napa Valley's Route 29 north to Calistoga, and then just go a few more miles and you'll arrive at the pinnacle of the Napa Valley - the northernmost wedge where the Vaca mountain range meets the Mayacamas range. Here you will also find Bennett Lane Winery, sitting snugly at the edge of its own well-maintained vineyards.

Think this is out of the way, well their wines are outstanding and worth the extra drive to check out, of if you are not in Napa, worth the drive to the wine store. This month we look at their 2005 Bennett Lane Maximus Red Feasting Wine and a 2007 White Feasting Wine.

2005 Red Feasting Wine

The blend on the 2005 Maximus is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 11% Syrah and is big, juicy and bold. This is delicious blend and delivers an absolutely outstanding experience, it has little of everything going on and going on n all the right places! The wine opens with aromas of dark cocoa, black cherry and subtle hints of vanilla. On the palate the wine displays flavors of black cherry, plum, blueberry and finishes with subtle layers of cinnamon and nutmeg . With a velvety enhanced mouthfeel, the wine has a long fruit driven finish and leaves a little "heat" in the back of the throat. I was absolutely enjoyed this wine and was a little "shocked" as I poured the last glass. Yeah, this wine is so well rounded you don't even realize you drank a whole bottle ... well till the next morning.

Apparently we aren't the only folks that liked this wine ... 90 Points Wine Spectator Magazine ... Firm, rich and intense, with ripe vivid blackberry and wild berry fruit and a mix of currant and raspberry. Keeps a tight focus on the finish".

• Vintage: 2005
• Wine Type: Red Wine
• Varietal: Maximus Red Feasting Wine
• Appellation: Napa Valley
• Harvest Date: October 2005

2007 White Feasting Wine

A blend of 87 % Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Chardonnay and 2% Muscat fills the glass with a medium yellow color and citrus on the nose, an outstanding aroma comes from the glass.

With aromas of orange blossom and honeysuckle, this aromatic white wine displays incredible notes of citrus and honeydew On the palate the wine is crisp and has bright flavors of peach and grapefruit. The body is full and elegant with layers of fruit and a hint of minerals. An outstanding white great for warm summer nights and would pair well with fish. This is another wine from Bennett Lane that come in at a very reasonable price and has an outstanding price.

• Vintage: 2007
• Wine Type: White Wine
• Varietal: Maximus White Feasting Wine
• Appellation: Napa Valley
• Harvest Date: October 2007
• Aging: Stainless Steel
• Fermentation: No Secondary Fermentation
• Bottling Date: February 2008
• Alcohol %: 14.5

Both of these wines are available in the Ohio area and can be found in the $25 to $35 dollar range.

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