Reviews

Culler La Palette

A soft, rounded-out wine at this point, with a seemingly less dimensional profile than I recall from past bottles. Still a nice, well made medium-bodied cabernet, with traditional notes of red…

Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cour de Vallée

Black licorice and earth on the nose. The aromas repeat on the palate, along with that distinctive BTK black fruit, coffee, charcoal, ink, and graphite. A less sweet, more earthy version, (by Morlet…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Auction 15 Lot 76

Pop and pour. A surprisingly soft cabernet that is well integrated and pleasantly balanced. Lacking a bit of personality, complexity, and energy (especially after being open an hour or so), but still…

Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Decanted for 30 minutes at cellar temperature. On the nose: Plum, brownie, and milk chocolate jump from the glass. On the palate: Rich dark berry fruits, vanilla, cassis, and chocolate truffle.…

Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard

Tasted at Phifer Pavitt alongside SBR's '12 Petite and SBR's '11 Cabernet and '11 Petite.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Ripe plum, dark red/blue fruit, hints of black licorice, anise, earth. Seems to be drinking at a very open and accessible stage. No trace of distracting herbal or green issues. A nice fleck of…

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Corona Vineyard

On entry: Ripe plum, black fruits, forest floor. The plum repeats itself, with hints of sage, camphor, and menthol adding cut and contrasting interest to the full fruit flavors. Still a little…

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

Had this wine back in late 2014, and enjoyed its rich, smooth, dark personality. Tasted again last weekend, with similar notes (hasn't noticeably evolved too much yet for me). Nose is a bit muted at…

Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon

At a private tasting alongside the 2011 Memento Mori Cabernet. The 2012 far overshadowed the 2011 in terms of immediate pleasure. Though the 2011 was a complete and "fine" wine, it came across overly…

Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon HL

Tasted at the Herb Lamb release and again at Taj Campton SF. Complex notes of cool black and purple fruits, burnt embers, coffee, and cocoa. Not yet fully expressive, but shows promise in a tightly…

Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon Two Old Dogs

A round, soft, and somewhat plum-driven cabernet. Shows the fruit-forward nature of the vintage, but in a cooler-climate style. Some dark cherry, currant, and chocolate notes, with faint wood notes.…