Reviews

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard

PnP with fun and vibrant red and purple berry fruit flavors; specific notes of ripe satsuma plum, black raspberry, bramble/shrub, limestone, and some spice. Chalky initially on the back end,…

Mark Herold Wines Herold

Similar to previous notes.

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

Similar to previous notes.

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Brown Label

Similar to previous notes.

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Brown Label

Similar to previous notes.

Celani Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Ardore

Similar to my notes on the 2012 Ardore, except for the fact that this 2013 had all of the power, depth, energy, and overall quality that I would expect from a high-end Napa Cabernet.

Celani Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Same as my previous note from April 2016. I was able to try this wine as a PnP and also a separate sample that had been open for a couple of days.

Celani Family Vineyards Tenacious

Simple and straight-forward. Something that I think the bachelorette parties of the Valley would definitely enjoy. A medium-to-light bodied red; not too bad on a hot day when you don't want something…

Celani Family Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley

A pleasant Chardonnay, with a nice linear, quasi-Burgundian profile. Soft lemon and poached pear notes, with some steely minerality. A little popcorn on the back end, but nothing overly buttery or…

TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard

PnP and this wine was coiled-up and bit all over the place. Wild red and black berry notes, bramble, ollalaberry, blackberry, chalk, and river rock. At no point was it astringent or tannic, just…

Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

A deeply pitched core with dark purple and red berry liqueur, dark/deep kirsch, blueberry, earth/loam, spice box, wood, and some green/gray stone. Showing the best of the three varietals, with all…

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Harbison Vineyard

Better than the 2012 Bevan Tin Box I had the previous night. The Harbison had the depth I was more looking for. Not only did this deliver in terms of a beautifully textured mouthfeel and a silky…

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Tin Box Vineyard

Certainly an impeccably balanced and finessed Cabernet, with an elegance and femininity that I was a little surprised by. Soft and round, as the tannins were barely noticeable throughout the entire…

Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs Brut

A pleasant sparkling. Decent foam and a user-friendly mouthfeel and profile that never offends. A good-to-go drink when you want a sparkling white on a hot evening. Paired great with crab jalapeño…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Same as previous notes. Just a down right friggin great Cabernet and a phenomenal QPR. For me, there is no better Napa Cab. for my money.

Salinia Chardonnay Heintz Ranch

Same as my notes from 3/21/2016. Good to drink now. Great extracted Jura style Chardonnay.

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

The absolute best of the bunch for me. I had absolutely no problem picking the OG as my favorite in the lineup as soon as I took a sip of this bad boy. That clone 337 just reaches out and slaps you…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Of the BTKs, this was the most reserved at the moment. Sweet and concentrated, with notes of red and purple berry fruits, vanilla, and alcohol. The quality of fruit is again evident, as is the tannin…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Phenomenal fruit, with flashy red and purple berry notes, vanilla bean, chocolate, and pencil lead. Where this wine really shows you its presence is in its depth and mid-palate. Huge sexy "oomph" on…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Holy Mary Mother of God. If you've loved previous LPVs from Carter, you're gonna freak out over this wine. If this shakes out right, I can see this wine following its 2013 older brother and becoming…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard

Here is where we really started to ratchet up the intensity and complexity. This felt like a huge jump in flavors compared to the Coliseum and Fortuna. The 2014 Weitz displayed wonderful purple,…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

A wine that I absolutely fell in love with in the 2013 vintage has again showed immense promise in 2014. A bit more blue and purple berry fruits than the Coliseum Block Cabernet, with the wild red…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Coliseum Block

The reverse of the Hossfeld, with approximately 80/20 Cabernet/Merlot. This wine showed the fruitiness of the Merlot, but kicked in with a nice spine that added some tannic structure, pleasantly…

Carter Cellars Hossfeld Coliseum

Certainly the fruitiest of the bunch, and unquestionably a Merlot-driven animal. Red and black cherry, cherry liqueur, cacao nibs, alcohol, and a tinge of alkaline. Understandably, this little guy…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Rock Block Series Stardust Heaven

Agree with others on this. Wait! In fact, wait another 4 years. 2020 seems like a good time to see where this is, as it displayed extremely coiled-up notes of red berry fruit, alcohol, chalk, and…