Reviews

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingly Project Winfield Vineyard

Previous notes apply in terms of this wine's specific flavor profile, except the intensity of this is starting to down-shift as it continues to age in bottle. For some, this is welcomed news, as…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Previous notes apply, except that this had a warm, muddled plum tinge that it couldn't seem to shake all night. The wine was ok, but under-performed tonight in my opinion.

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Previous notes from last month apply. Medium bodied and middle of the pack amongst other wines at the table. Nice black and some blue core fruit. Similar profile to a '14 Buoncristiani Cab. Drink now…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

All previous notes apply. An easy-going crowd pleaser for sure. Flavors are always enjoyable from this wine, if not just a touch simple on the back end. It performed similarly to a 2014 Kobalt served…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

All previous notes apply. A little more muted than the last bottle. Grossly improper stemware is likely to blame for that. Drinking fine now otherwise.

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Open for business right on PnP. Drink now and over the next few years. Not a long terms ager by any means, but enjoyable for what it is. Good flavor (really nice dark black and blue fruit). Good…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Same as last month. Lush, ripe (but not over-ripe), and beautifully balanced. A nice rush of dark berry core fruit, with some bitter chocolate and subtle clove and black slate.…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Same as previous notes. I feel as though I rushed through it this time around. 93-95 points. An excellent wine, especially for the price-point, but I should've taken some more time to follow it…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Same as previous notes. Held up nicely over two days. Best after a couple hour decant after PnP. 93-94 points. Likely to level out at this point and start to gracefully age. Has plenty of life left…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Previous notes apply. This is already coming into an extraordinarily beautiful drinking window at the moment. After two hours of air, this wine was performing like a total phenom. Unctuously…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingly Project Winfield Vineyard

A beautifully concentrated and opulent wine. Just a hair more intense and powerful than the standard 2014 Grade Cabernet. Dark blue and black fruit, deeply pitched, and a hint of sweetness on the…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

This was the most accessible and giving of the standard Grade Cabernets. It displayed that signature kiss of sweet blue and black fruit that I consider a hallmark of the 2014 vintage. Glycerin and…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingly Project Winfield Vineyard

As with the standard 2013 Grade Cabernet, the Kingly was also pretty wound tight. Coiled up and ready to pop, but not yet; not for another two years I would estimate.

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

As others have mentioned, this wine still needs some time. It came off a bit linear and tight; higher toned red fruit when compared to the 2012 or 2014 versions. This was the least accessible when…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingly Project Winfield Vineyard

Same as my note from 2 months ago. The best of all The Grade 2012/2013/2014 wines (standard and Kingly). The 2012 Kingly truly has that opulent, concentrated, and rich display of dark fruit, earth,…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Same as my notes from 10/19/2016. A well crafted Cabernet with still some nice energy behind it to push the flavors forward. Fell off just a tad on the back end, but was otherwise a very giving style.

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingly Project Winfield Vineyard

An unbelievable showing this go-around. My previous notes apply from last year, except that an extra year in bottle has certainly done wonders for this wine.

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Same as my previous notes almost a year ago. A solid wine to be sure, with still some youthful restraint keeping it from coming to full fruition. Decanted for a total of three hours. Time/air helped…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingly Project Winfield Vineyard

A big, black, brooding Cabernet with a near-bottomless pit of dark core flavors. PnP with coiled-up blackberry, black licorice, red and black currant, asphalt, tar, bitter dark chocolate, obsidian,…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Similar to my CT notes on 8/29/15. PnP with tight berry and mineral flavors. An hour in the decanter brought out dark currant, black cherry, deep plum, and other purple berry notes. Some black…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

PnP with a bit of a restrained nose of black fruits, black licorice, and stone. Initial palate entry showed notes of tightly coiled-up black and red fruits, blackberry, black and red licorice, and…

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

Same notes as 7/21/15. Tasted side-by-side with a 2009 Favia Cerro Sur red blend. The Favia out-performed the Grade, with the Favia giving more dark berry fruit and a more voluminous texture.

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…