Reviews

Clos Solène La Petite Solène

Tasted at Clos Solene alongside the 2013 L'Insolent, Cuvee Jean, El Toro, and Hommage a nos Pairs.

Clos Solène Garnacha El Toro James Berry Vineyard

Tasted at Clos Solene alongside the 2013 La Petite Solene, L'Insolent, Cuvee Jean, and Hommage a nos Pairs.

Epoch Estate Wines Syrah Block B Paderewski Vineyard

Ripe, plum fruits with blackberry, forest floor, and (as others have noted) a raisin/ripe black currant swath on the back end of the palate. Some lingering earth and spice notes hold just enough…

L'Aventure Côte-à-Côte Estate

Tasted at L'Adventure alongside the 2013 Estate, Cabernet, and Optimus.

L'Aventure Optimus

Tasted at L'Adventure alongside the 2013 Estate, Cote a Cote, and Cabernet.

L'Aventure Estate Cuvée

Tasted at L'Adventure alongside the 2013 Cabernet, Cote a Cote, and Optimus.

L'Aventure Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Tasted at L'Adventure alongside the 2013 Estate, Cote a Cote, and Optimus.

Brian Benson Cellars Western Widow

Tight, taut, and tannic, with restrained, high-toned red and blue fruits. The floral component of this wine (from the Roussanne) combined with the chalky, tannic spine, covers most of the otherwise…

Bevan Cellars EE Cuvée

An outstanding nose of candied licorice, sweet red and black fruits, and subtle spices, the Bevan EE is a winner for sure. On the palate, perfectly balanced blackberry liqueur, blueberry, ripe red…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting, with additional 2013 Myriad wines for comparison.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting, with additional 2013 Myriad wines for comparison.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Coliseum Block

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting.

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

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting.

Carter Cellars Hossfeld Coliseum

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting.

Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosemary's Vineyard

Dark black cherry, raspberry, ripe plum, and wood smoke, with secondary notes of black tea, allspice, and a hint of mushroom/forest floor.

Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block

As others have noted, blackberry, blueberry, and black olive notes. What distinguishes this wine over the other Carlisle Syrahs is the interplay between the subtle meaty notes and distinct Papa's…

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

Black cherry, ripe raspberry, KB cola, vanillin cassis, and subtle wood smoke. Improved with an hour in the decanter. The best of the appellation 2012 KB Pinots at the moment.

Bremer Family Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

What one would expect from a standard, mid-level Napa Valley cabernet. Plum, red currant, cedar. After some air, the cedar and dust notes come more to the forefront, with subtle tannins clamping down…

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

PnP with upfront and ready-to-go flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry, nutmeg, wood smoke, a hint of Earl Grey tea, and baking spices.

Littorai Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard

An extremely balanced and feminine chardonnay, with notes of smooth, subtle Meyer lemon, citrus, popcorn, and pear. Nothing out of place, with an impeccably inviting persona. A hint of minerality…

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Kaliholmanok Kicu'me

An outstanding Spring Mountain cabernet, with complex and fascinating notes of purple and black fruits (copious energetic dark berry notes - blackberry, blueberry, ollalaberry, marionberry), scorched…

Keplinger Sumo

Though I have been a fan of Sumos past, this 2011 was incredibly disjointed for me at the moment. The floral and lemon citrus components of the Viognier almost completely overshadowed any other…