Wine Doctrine
Every tasting note

Reviews

5,921 notes

2008

Bevan Cellars Merlot Alexis' Cuvée Showket Vineyards

Napa Valley · Oakville

Previous notes apply. A remarkable wine that has so much drive, especially for a decade-old Merlot. Very smooth and inviting, with near-perfect balance across the palate from beginning to end. The…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
1993

Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley · Spring Mountain District

From a vertical of Philip Togni '89, '90, '91, '93, '96, '97. While these were all past their primes in my opinion, and a definite challenge for my tendency to favor much younger and more modern…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2001

Sloan

Napa Valley · Rutherford

The first bottle was corked. This second bottle delivered pretty smooth, rounded plum and black cherry notes, with some currant, vanilla, and black dirt flavors. Not incredibly complex, but still…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
1991

Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Chabot Vineyard

Napa Valley · St. Helena

Two Beringer Chabots served side-by-side: 1991 & 1994. Not too much in the flavor department from either one beyond some vanilla cherry water/kirsch and wood notes. Flat and bland on the attack.…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
1994

Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Chabot Vineyard

Napa Valley · St. Helena

Two Beringer Chabots served side-by-side: 1991 & 1994. Not too much in the flavor department from either one beyond some vanilla cherry water/kirsch and wood notes. Flat and bland on the attack.…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
1997

Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley · Spring Mountain District

From a vertical of Philip Togni '89, '90, '91, '93, '96, '97. While these were all past their primes in my opinion, and a definite challenge for my tendency to favor much younger and more modern…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
1996

Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley · Spring Mountain District

From a vertical of Philip Togni '89, '90, '91, '93, '96, '97. While these were all past their primes in my opinion, and a definite challenge for my tendency to favor much younger and more modern…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
1991

Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley · Spring Mountain District

From a vertical of Philip Togni '89, '90, '91, '93, '96, '97. While these were all past their primes in my opinion, and a definite challenge for my tendency to favor much younger and more modern…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
1990

Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley · Spring Mountain District

From a vertical of Philip Togni '89, '90, '91, '93, '96, '97. While these were all past their primes in my opinion, and a definite challenge for my tendency to favor much younger and more modern…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
1989

Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley · Spring Mountain District

From a vertical of Philip Togni '89, '90, '91, '93, '96, '97. While these were all past their primes in my opinion, and a definite challenge for my tendency to favor much younger and more modern…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2012

Soliste Cellars Pinot Noir Solitaire

California · Sonoma County

Black and red cherry, strawberry water, earth, cedar, faint spice. Fairly round and medium throughout the front and mid, with a finish that tapered off relatively quick. A little more body than the…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2014

Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Ten

Central Coast · Sta. Rita Hills

Vertical of 2012/2013/2014 Sea Smoke TEN. All were very similar, with only the vintage characteristics standing out (if barely at all).

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2013

Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Ten

Central Coast · Sta. Rita Hills

Vertical of 2012/2013/2014 Sea Smoke TEN. All were very similar, with only the vintage characteristics standing out (if barely at all).

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2012

Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Ten

Central Coast · Sta. Rita Hills

Vertical of 2012/2013/2014 Sea Smoke TEN. All were very similar, with only the vintage characteristics standing out (if barely at all).

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2012

Famille Moussé Champagne Special Club Les Fortes Terres

France · Champagne

Crisp and refreshing, but with that signature Pinot Meunier funkiness that pushed out earthy, saline notes of peach and red apple skin, strawberry seed, watermelon, white stone fruit, and rocky soil.…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2013

Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

From Magnum. A phenomenal showing this time around. After about two hours of air and some vigorous swirling in the decanter, this absolutely gorgeous wine kicked-out all sorts of seductive and…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2012

Aubert Pinot Noir UV Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Part of a would-be vertical of 2010/2011/2012 magnums of Aubert UV Pinots, except that the 2011 was severely flawed.

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2011

Aubert Pinot Noir UV Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Part of a would-be vertical of 2010/2011/2012 magnums of Aubert UV Pinots, except that the 2011 was severely flawed.

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2010

Aubert Pinot Noir UV Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Part of a would-be vertical of 2010/2011/2012 magnums of Aubert UV Pinots, except that the 2011 was severely flawed.

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2014

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon

California · Napa Valley

The 2013 and 2014 Estate Cabs were served side by side. Both the 2013 and 2014 versions really come down to palate preference in my opinion. They are similar wines, defined and contrasted primarily…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2013

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon

California · Napa Valley

The 2013 and 2014 Estate Cabs were served side by side. Both the 2013 and 2014 versions really come down to palate preference in my opinion. They are similar wines, defined and contrasted primarily…

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2014

Revana Chardonnay

Napa / Sonoma · Carneros

Much improved from when I last had it earlier in the year. This was a PnP so it was surely much fresher and more energetic than the flattened-out boo-boo lipped version from my last note.

Reviewed 3 August 2018
2013

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

California · Napa Valley

Coravin pour. Red/black cherry liqueur, cassis, red currant, and some vanilla. This needed more air (which I didn't have an opportunity to give it because of the small pour), so I'll be opening the…

Reviewed 2 August 2018
2015

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard

California · Napa Valley

Coravin pour. This 2015 Twins was pretty restrained and balled-up. The small Coravin pour was likely a disservice to this wine, as it had little exposure to air. A few sips and it was gone. Pure…

Reviewed 2 August 2018
2014

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard

California · Napa Valley

Same as my note from June. This was served side-by-side with a 2015 Myriad Three Twins, which was much more youthfully restrained. The 2014 was kicking out all sorts of great flavors. I also had some…

Reviewed 2 August 2018