Reviews

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

I was a HUGE fan of this wine. The first sip totally grabbed my attention, and this was after having all of Hall's previous other Cabernets (including the Bergfeld and Kathryn). This was the clearly…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall Napa Valley

Same as previous notes. I'm really liking this wine at the moment. Well crafted, dark, mocha-laced core fruit, with a finesse that is most notable. Beautiful is the word I would use, with a depth and…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Bergfeld

Previous notes from two months ago apply, except that I dropped this down a bit because of its seemingly rushed PnP service? I was unable to determine how long this had actually been open, but it…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Jack's Masterpiece

A bit more user-friendly than the Eighteen-Seventy-Three, but this time the Jack's masterpiece was really flaunting its small Merlot component in a very noticeable way. It initially presented itself…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Eighteen Seventy-Three Napa Valley

Same as last month and the month before that, except that I did like the energy this wine was kicking out. Still a bit high-toned for me, but my other half really loved it. As previously mentioned,…

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon

PnP was an immediate clash between jammy blackberry and a tannic slap in the face. The finish fell apart almost immediately. DECANT!

Hartwell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve

Same as two weeks ago. A very nice comparison to the unreleased Realm Moonracer I had earlier in the day.

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon

Vanilla extract, chocolate vodka liqueur, sweet chocolate truffles, vanilla schnapps, and bon-bons.

D.R. Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon Walther Vineyard

Acidic and a bit brash. A classically styled Cabernet built for consumption in about 7+ years at minimum. Mike Hirby is obviously trying to craft this wine for the long haul (at least I hope that's…

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard

Tasted at Outpost alongside the 2013 Zinfandel, 2014 Zinfandel, and 2014 Howell Cabernet.

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasted at Outpost alongside the 2013 Zinfandel, 2014 Zinfandel, and 2014 True Cabernet.

Favia Cabernet Sauvignon

Outstanding improvement from 6 months ago. About two hours in the decanter at 54 degrees (and then a little warm up to a cool room temperature at around 65 degrees) really brought this wine into a…

Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

Drank alongside a 2012 Insignia. Both were solid, but the Lokoya had a little more complexity and earth nuances (which seemed much more indicative of the 2010 vintage). The Insignia was plush and…

Celani Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Same as my notes from June. I'm thinking holding this for another year is a good idea. Started to develop some nice dark chocolate notes that added interest on the final sips. 93+ points (inching to…

Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Moulds Vineyard

I gotta honestly say I don't know how anyone is drinking this right now without some SERIOUS airtime. PnP was like drinking cranberry juice. An hour in the decanter did next to nothing in terms of…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

You've been wanting to try the 2014 Scarlett Reserve out...but don't. You'll think that the standard 2014 Scarlett isn't drinking too bad considering it's youth, so why not give the Reserve a…

Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

PnP with a splash decant at around 54 degrees proved to be the best showing of the night for this wine. Extraordinary notes of black berry fruits, black currant, asphalt/road tar, dark chocolate,…

Lewelling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

Similar to my previous notes, but this went down a tick for me to be honest. Turned a little plumy after about an hour of air. Thin mid-palate as well. QPR is obviously pretty darn good, but even at…

Rudius Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

Same as my notes from six months ago except that this had a hard time shedding itself of a plum-tinged aftertaste until about 2+ hours of air managed to help bring out some deeper flavors. However,…

Hartwell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve

Same notes as 3 months ago. A really nice dark chocolate and roasted coffee note appeared after about an hour or so of air, which really elevated the wine. 94-95 points on the final sips. The…

Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon

Previous tasting notes apply. This thing played punching bag with a 2012 Odette served beside it. I'm loving the way the Kobalt is showing right now. Right up my alley. Paired incredibly well with a…

Odette Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Same as my previous tasting notes. Others at the table loved this wine, commenting on its smooth and seamless personality. For me, it was certainly good, but it suffered from two things:

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Still solid. 93-94 points. Previous notes apply. This bested a 2012 Boich GIII and a 2012 Pruett Taylor's Syrah by a decent margin. Drink now with no decant really necessary.

Boich Family Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Pretty much the same as six months ago. Previous notes apply. A little tight and less giving in terms of the immediacy of fruit. I wasn't getting a whole lot of personality from this little chameleon…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Same as my notes a month ago. 93-94? points. Comes off a little young (understandably); a little bit of a cocktail feel about it after about four+ hours of air. Like the 2013, this is an early…