Reviews

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Brown Label

Drank alongside the 2010 and 2011 Brown Labels, 2010, 2011, and 2012 White Labels, 2013 Stagecoach, and 2012 Maze Cabernets.

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

Same notes as two weeks ago. The 2013 Stagecoach is a total standout wine!

Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon

Pnp with a muted nose. On the palate were notes of rich plum, deep red currant, blackberry liqueur, and some chocolate. After about an hour in the decanter, this wine opened up a little bit more,…

Séléné Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Fred Vineyard

Same as my CT notes on 9/9/15. A easy drinker Cabernet that lacks complexity. Purple and black fruits are framed by light acid and medium-to-lighter tannins. Has some muddled, grape notes that aren't…

Culler La Palette

Similar to my CT notes on 7/27/15.

Boich Family Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Wall Road

This wine did not exist on CT yet, so I had to create it. Tasted at the Mayacama Country Club at a Boich tasting.

Boich Family Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

This wine did not exist on CT yet, so I had to create it. Tasted at the Mayacama Country Club at a Boich tasting.

Favia Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasted at Favia alongside the 2012 and 2011 Favia Cerro Sur. I found the Napa Valley to be the best of the three in terms of complexity and current accessibility.

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Brown Label

This wine did not exist on CT, so I had to create it after a number of new tastings at Mark Herold's tasting room in Napa. In 2012, there is just one Brown Label; in 2013 there is a standard Brown…

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

This wine did not exist on CT, so I had to create it after a barrage of fascinating tastings at Mark Herold's tasting room in Napa. In 2012, there is just one Brown Label; in 2013 there is a standard…

Mark Herold Wines Herold by Mark Herold

The 2012 White Label kicks off with notes of dark red and black berry fruits, licorice, cassis, chocolate, and hints of coffee, vanilla, and baking spice. The upper echelon cooperage (Taransaud)…

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Brown Label

Notes of red and black berry fruit, with some chocolate and black licorice. Had a little time in the glass for some air, which allowed it to open up slightly, but still seemed to be holding back a…

Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon

A great effort. Tasted alongside the 2012 Mending Wall Cabernet (see my CT notes on the 2012). Has all of the crowd-pleasing stuffing of the 2012, but the 2013 also gains points for a more layered…

Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon

A definite crowd pleaser and a QPR that is worth seeking out. Tasted at Mending Wall via a Coravin; tasted alongside the 2013 Mending Wall Cabernet (see my CT notes on the 2013). Tightly wrapped dark…

12c Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

Definitely a young Cabernet, with vibrant fruit all wrapped up in a tightly-knit ball of verve and energy. Notes of red and black currant, red licorice, red and black cherry, pomegranate, and cedar.…

12c Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Definitely a young Cabernet, with vibrant fruit all wrapped up in a tightly-knit ball of verve and energy. Notes of red and black currant, red licorice, red and black cherry, pomegranate, and cedar.…

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2013 Outpost Howell Mountain Cabernet immediately opens up with black and purple fruit flavors; blackberry, black raspberry, blueberry, dark plum, black licorice, asphalt, and inviting vanilla…

Cabaud Cabernet Sauvignon Benedictions Missouri Hopper

Pleasant notes of dark plum and black currant, but with a short, chalky finish that clamps down on the fruit flavors. Additional notes of cedar and stone made for some interest as well.

Pine Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Ampére

Purple and black fruit notes of plum, black currant, and black cherry, with a chalky, talc-like minerality that clips the finish. No green notes, but a little thin.

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

Tightly coiled notes of cool, dark purple and dark berry, black licorice, chalk, graphite, and wet slate. Offered a nice zing of red fruit notes, with currant and ripe raspberry darting across the…

Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard

Double decanted for an hour. Notes of black licorice and dark black fruits dominated. Started off with some prominent, chalky tannins, throwing off a lot of sentiment as well. Mellowed out after an…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Coliseum Block

Similar notes as 09/12/15. This bottle was a little more coiled up, leading me to believe this will last a little longer than I had originally anticipated. Drinking well after a slow O2 over two…

Odette Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

A very open and accessible 2012 Cabernet blend. The quality and purity of the fruit is evident, with plush dark berry notes, currant, and mocha. Tannins were extremely tame, with not a hard edge to…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Very similar to the 2009 Myriad Dr. Crane, with an initial subdued nose of dark fruit, earth, wood, and alcohol. On the palate, dark brooding berry fruit, blackberry, cedar/wood, and earth. Not as…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

Similar notes as last month, though this bottle seemed even more tightly wrapped and less forgiving at the moment. Black licorice and coiled up fruit just waiting to burst in a couple of years. A…