Reviews

Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red

Similar to my prior CT note (but obviously I couldn't wait until 2017 as I had previously recommended). This time around, I gave the 2008 Rudd an extra point (from 95 to 96), as it certainly…

Venge Vineyards Merlot

A pleasantly surprising example of a Napa Merlot. Notes of plump blackberry, raspberry, plum, chocolate, and baking spices. Beautifully crafted with more complexity than I often find in this varietal.

Mark Herold Wines Herold by Mark Herold

Same as my previous CT notes on this wine. Solid wine with complex and tiered flavors. A dark profile, especially flaunting its blackberry and black licorice notes. Has a cool, striking minerality…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

Drank at Carter/Envy alongside the 2013 Carter Weitz, Coliseum, and Hossfeld Coliseum. Also had barrel samples of the 2015 Myriad Dr. Crane and 2015 Quivet Kenefick Ranch Cabernets.

Bacio Divino Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard

Pnp with tight but wild notes of red and black licorice, red and black currant, red and black raspberry, blackberry, cacao nibs, and a hint of pencil lead. Just faintly chalky tannins, incredibly…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Tasted at Cliff Lede alongside the 2012 Beautiful Generation, Howell Mountain, and High Fidelity. The Beckstoffer To Kalon was #1 of the quartet of wines. All wines were double-decanted with a…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

Similar to my CT notes on 08/21/15 and 09/18/15. Tasted with Mike Smith at Carter Cellars alongside the 2013 Carter Hossfeld Coliseum, Weitz, and 2013 Myriad GIII and Dr. Crane.

Mark Herold Wines Herold by Mark Herold

Drank alongside the 2010, 2011, 2012 Brown Labels, 2011 and 2012 White Labels, 2013 Stagecoach, and 2012 Maze Cabernets.

Mark Herold Wines Herold by Mark Herold

Drank alongside the 2010, 2011, 2012 Brown Labels, 2010 and 2012 White Labels, 2013 Stagecoach, and 2012 Maze Cabernets.

Mark Herold Wines Herold by Mark Herold

Drank alongside the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Brown Labels, 2010 and 2011 White Labels, the 2013 Stagecoach, and 2012 Maze Cabernets.

Mark Herold Wines Herold by Mark Herold

The 2012 White Label kicks off with notes of dark red and black berry fruits, licorice, cassis, chocolate, and hints of coffee, vanilla, and baking spice. The upper echelon cooperage (Taransaud)…

Cabaud Cabernet Sauvignon Benedictions Missouri Hopper

Pleasant notes of dark plum and black currant, but with a short, chalky finish that clamps down on the fruit flavors. Additional notes of cedar and stone made for some interest as well.

Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Franc Force de la Nature

On the nose, somewhat muted aromas of ripe, wild berries and alcohol. On the palate, initial notes of raspberry liqueur, blueberry, boysenberry, licorice, and some spice. The fruit is just a tad…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

Similar notes as last month, though this bottle seemed even more tightly wrapped and less forgiving at the moment. Black licorice and coiled up fruit just waiting to burst in a couple of years. A…

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

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting.

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…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Tasted at a private Carter Cellars 2013 Horizontal tasting.

Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cour de Vallée

Black licorice and earth on the nose. The aromas repeat on the palate, along with that distinctive BTK black fruit, coffee, charcoal, ink, and graphite. A less sweet, more earthy version, (by Morlet…

Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red

Aromas of dark red and black fruit, cedar, and alcohol on the nose. On the palate, a tightly coiled mix of red and black licorice, espresso, blackberry, currant, and bitter chocolate. Still a taut,…

TOR Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Up front dark red and blue fruit flavor profile. Nuances of licorice and cocoa dust follow. The pure fruit power typical of many 2012 Cabernets dominates. Understandably primary, with some restrained…

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Corona Vineyard

On entry: Ripe plum, black fruits, forest floor. The plum repeats itself, with hints of sage, camphor, and menthol adding cut and contrasting interest to the full fruit flavors. Still a little…

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

Had this wine back in late 2014, and enjoyed its rich, smooth, dark personality. Tasted again last weekend, with similar notes (hasn't noticeably evolved too much yet for me). Nose is a bit muted at…