Reviews

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Refer to my previous novellas I've written regarding this wine, as they still apply here for the most part.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Previous notes apply. I had the 2014 Elysian the following day, which certainly showed additional complexity and concentration when compared to this "standard" Crane. Still, this is a wonderful…

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard

This seems to have lost quite a bit of drive since I last recall. Displayed some nice saturated red raspberry, ripe red/black cherry, and citrus rind notes, but there was nothing to propel the…

Aubert Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard

My previous note from the beginning of the year still applies. Buttery citrus, poached pear, honey, and subtle butterscotch. A sultry Chardonnay all the way through. A melts in your mouth kind of…

Château Boswell Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

The most complete of the Boswell reds in the lineup presented, this BTK showed a notable distribution of weight (especially mid-palate) and a medium-bodied flavor profile overall. Holding a bit firm…

Château Boswell Estate Reserve

60/40 CS/CF. Spicy black cherry, wild black raspberry, currant, black soil, rainbow peppercorn, Christmas spice, and hints of leather. The front end was heavy with spice, leading ahead of the fruit.…

Château Boswell Red Wine

I believe this is the "Tapestry" label, but CT has some name cross-pollination with calling it Tapestry and/or the Proprietary blend. It is labeled Tapestry in some vintages (through 2013) and…

Château Boswell Cabernet Sauvignon At Anchor

Black cherry dominated, with somewhat invasive menthol and evergreen notes swirling around additional flavors of forest floor and spice. Medium bodied and somewhat restrained overall, with the core…

Château Boswell Pinot Noir Absolutely Eloise Rita's Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills

Once again, I concur with CRISTAL's on-point description of this wine. Much more modern indeed, especially in comparison to the Sun Chase served before it. Dark, dark black cherry, muddled ripe…

Château Boswell Pinot Noir Absolutely Eloise Sun Chase Vineyard Sonoma Coast

CRISTAL's assessment is spot-on. Notes of black cherry, tobacco leaf, earthy cedar, and subtle woody spice. A decent amount of fruit here, with more focus than the overtly bombastic Rita's Pinot…

Château Boswell Chardonnay True Course

A beautiful Chardonnay, with a complexity of silky and sexy flavors that is hard to come by in most domestic Chards. Much richer and viscous than the Ritchie Chard served before it, this True Course…

Château Boswell Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

Yellow citrus, white peach, yellow apple skin, lemon zest, and some white stone. Fairly acidic, but providing nice energy and lift, especially on the back end where the grip clenches the jaw and…

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

It's perfect. So shut up already and find some... The GTO is the runway model OG, but also with an MD from Yale. A bucket list wine for the 2016 vintage. Previous notes apply otherwise.

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

Previous notes apply. My third go-around with this wine. Standby for this to be "perfect" in a couple of years. Great grip. Great complexity. Great focus. Great drive.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Previous notes apply. The 2016 GD is not as fueled-up as the Three Kings and not as structured and focused as the OG. Showing a more fruit-driven style, with a slightly sweeter attack on the front…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Jesus H. Christ on a rollercoaster! Strap in boys and girls, because this Three Kings is a "Wow!" wine if there ever was one. Huge, huge fruit. Red and black cherry, rich cassis, licorice, and a fat…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Love this wine! Previous notes apply. So focused and deliberate in its delivery of flavors, and also so texturally seductive on the palate. The front end is incredibly giving with its silky fruit…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Bam Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Boy did this kick out a s***-ton of fruit this time around. Gobs of black and purple berry flavors injected with healthy doses of black rock, cassis, and some sweet spice.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Carter

Carter Carter... The wine so nice, they named it twice (Oh, that never gets old! - I don't get out much apparently)... Anyway...

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Wonderfully vivacious fruit flavors, with a youthful tension that begs for a little more time in bottle to settle in. Acid and structure are at the forefront. It is certainly…

VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

Coiled-up red currant, red cherry liqueur, black cherry, spice, and peppercorn. Bound up pretty tight, with a spicy/peppery element to compliment the red (and black-ish) core fruit. The purity of…

Dana Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard

My first experience with this wine. It unfolded really nicely throughout the evening. A ton of verve here, with a tension that provides a hyper-focused delivery of flavors. As others have noted, it…

Fait-Main Chardonnay Penhoet Toyon Farm

An decent showing, but missing that next-level oomph. Refreshing and crisp, but a bit singular in its delivery of would-be complex flavors. Paired well with the seafood dishes. As a stand-alone, it…

Sine Qua Non Grenache Jusqu'à l'os Eleven Confessions Vineyard

An absolute monster of a Grenache-dominated blend, with viscous and deeply pitched black raspberry, red/black licorice, Amarema black cherry syrup, black and blue river rock, and subtle incense…

Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

PnP. An absolutely incredible showing. The best I've experienced with this wine, and probably one of the best 2012 Napa Cabs I've had in recent memory. I almost wanted to hit it with a 100 point…