Reviews

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard

Even more compelling than the last couple of times I had this wine, the 2016 Weitz popped on the palate with extraordinary drive and complexity. Same as my previous notes in terms of its overall…

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and a new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and a new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Block 6

A massively endowed wine, much akin to the 2014 Block 6 with its dark berry and rich chocolatey profile. A lot of power and sappy concentration here, with the melted dark chocolate notes singing the…

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and a new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

Horizontal of the 2015 Estate, Stags, and Howell Cabernets.

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

Horizontal of the 2015 Estate, Stags, and Howell Cabernets. More earthy and funky than the Estate or Stags, this Howell offering from Revana displayed a soil-driven meatiness that was interesting, if…

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon

Horizontal of the 2015 Estate, Stags, and Howell Cabernets. Previous notes apply on this wine. My preferred wine amongst the three. This exhibited much more complexity and focus by comparison.…

Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

Served side-by-side with 2016 Carters Bam and Verdad. The FM was more purple fruited and displayed a softer grip than the Carters. Less intensity and concentration mid-palate from the FM by…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Carter

Exact same as all previous notes as before. Great body, flavor, and depth. A big swirling of cassis and purple-red core fruit. Wonderful candied black raspberry and black cherry notes shoot across…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The G.T.O Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

If the OG is a perfect wine, then the GTO is a perfect-er wine. Previous notes apply.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

All previous notes apply. With the exception of the GTO, this OG is a darn-tootin', kick a** and take names kind of Black Bart fella that stands up at the saloon, skins its pair of smoke-wagons, and…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Power and flavor all wrapped into one big hunk of spicy sexiness. A true athlete on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition (but like a for-real athlete...not just…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

As before, fruit and spice dominate, with likely the most baby fat still present when compared to others in the lineup. It is just so darn flavorful right now though...total yum factor. It will…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

In a side-by-side with the 2016 La Bam and a 2015 Fait Main LPV, the 2016 Verdad delivered as one (at least I) would expect... It dominated on all levels. The fascinating cassis note was indeed…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Bam Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Still rockin' and rollin', the 2016 La Bam continues to impress with its ability to rocket-out a ton of red-purple fruit, spice, and cassis, while still maintaining poise and focus. More fruit-driven…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2015 and 2016 are killer vintages for the Quivet offerings, as this NV is a testament to true "affordable" winemaking at an appellation level. Young but lusciously approachable, with dark, dark black…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Coravin pour. Previous notes apply, except to note that this round displayed a little heavier on the deeply-pitched red cassis and red licorice notes. A little bit of alcohol on the back end needed…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Just as solid from bottle as it was from barrel. Previous notes apply. There is certainly some wonderful oak influence going on with this wine at the moment, with further integration to come with…

Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Red and black currant, red and black cherry, spice, and some sweet cedar notes make up the 2012 SBR Reserve Cabernet. A fine wine all the way around, with a super smooth, polished entry as soon as…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Bergfeld

Black/red fruit dominated, with a ripe, spicy, and chocolate-driven profile. With air, this became black fruited, with scorched earth and char rounding out the back end. Healthy hits of richness, but…

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Kaliholmanok Kicu'me

Surprisingly approachable, but still seems to be finding its way a little bit; showing primarily black cherry and plum notes. PnP was actually the preference for me frame-wise, with just a bit of air…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

A beautiful and poised example of BTK; medium bodied and seamless (almost gentle) on the finish. Pure fruit flavors of black raspberry, black cherry, cinnamon, and subtle bitter chocolate. A kiss of…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Leading with gorgeous baking spice notes and a solid push of black, super dark red, and some purple core fruit flavors, this Three Kings was a healthy glass of youthful flavor fun, with just the…