Reviews

Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Reserve

A solid performance, though this was rightly outshined a bit by a 2006 Abreu Madrona Ranch (comparative side-by-sides can get crunchy, eh?!). Otherwise, this 2012 Tynan Reserve was true to form and a…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon The Magnificent Seven

I think I've already punched my ticket a couple of times in terms of adjective allowances to describe this wine in my previous notes. Just when I think I'm pretty much done with this degree of what…

Abreu Madrona Ranch

A super solid showing here, with a beauty and sophistication that highlights why Abreu consistently belongs in the upper tier of Napa wines. I admittedly have been dismissive of this producer at…

Bevan Cellars EE Cuvée

Ok, so this bottle screams two words to me very distinctly and without equivocation: "Drink Now." It's a Charleston chewy prune purple drank and all, but it's pushing past its window (at least, this…

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

With a silky-milkshakey entry, like a liquified raspberry nougat 3 Musketeers bar wrapped in a vanilla bean and caramel robe, this iteration of OG is a mix of oak and fruit that seemingly still need…

Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve

A straight skinny minny, with a diluted and "way-overly-classical" fringe profile that has the body of a Gamay, the brains of a Pinot Gri, and the stamina of a Lambrusco. Cedar, strawberry, red…

Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard

With a microscreen to filter-out some of the sediment and a small decanter to allow it to stretch its legs for about an hour at 52 degrees, the 2012 Araujo Eisele was ready for prime time. A lovely,…

VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

A quartet of VHR wines side-by-side (among 20 other wines that night): 2018 VHR 2018 VHR Extended Barrel Age 2019 VHR 2019 Arrow & Branch VHR

VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

A quartet of VHR wines side-by-side (among 20 other wines that night): 2018 VHR 2018 VHR Extended Barrel Age 2019 VHR 2019 Arrow & Branch VHR

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

A quartet of VHR wines side-by-side (among 20 other wines that night): 2018 VHR 2018 VHR Extended Barrel Age 2019 VHR 2019 Arrow & Branch VHR

Predecessor Cabernet Sauvignon Lorraine Red Lake Vineyard

Oh this is a round and fruity Cab that just says drink me now and love me for who I am. Don't ask me to take your math test. Don't ask me to recite Shakespeare. Just hold my hand, take me dancing,…

Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon

Tense and coiled up on the initial pass, with crunchy blackberry seed, asphalt, coffee grounds, and gravelly soil. The profile is darker and blacker fruited than how I typically experience young…

Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Though this showed some tertiary notes that more than hinted to the wine's age, they certainly added to the layered complexity of the flavor profile of this wine. Black and red raspberry, Red and…

Harlan Estate

This is my fourth time with this wine, so I'll just mention some particulars that I think might be noteworthy. This presented as advertised and expected for the most part, with a rich and chewy…

VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Extended Barrel Age Vine Hill Ranch

A quartet of VHR wines side-by-side (among 20 other wines that night): 2018 VHR 2018 VHR Extended Barrel Age 2019 VHR 2019 Arrow & Branch VHR

Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo

I've written a ton on this wine, so I'll spare everyone even more of my usual drivel and just say that this MG continues to impress. Though it offers upfront, chewy pleasure now (and a decent amount…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

2016 Myriad Elysian, 2016 Myriad Empyrean, 2015 Schrader To Kalon, 2015 Schrader GIII

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

2016 Myriad Elysian, 2016 Myriad Empyrean, 2015 Schrader To Kalon, 2015 Schrader GIII

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon GIII Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

2016 Myriad Elysian, 2016 Myriad Empyrean, 2015 Schrader To Kalon, 2015 Schrader GIII

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Empyrean Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

2016 Myriad Elysian, 2016 Myriad Empyrean, 2015 Schrader To Kalon, 2015 Schrader GIII

BOND Pluribus

This is the obvious standout for me amongst the 2018 Bonds, with well-delineated blackberry, unripe plum flesh, purple and red plum skin, and red cherry flavors complimented by a meaty element adding…

BOND Vecina

Boy is this a tight and stubborn monkey; a little awkwardness and wonky alcohol surfaced here, further distracting from the would-be flavors hoping to emerge on the delivery. Furry, flinty, and…

BOND St. Eden

Blackberry and plum notes provide the plushest and most rounded profile (by Bond standards) of the 2018 lot. Air becomes somewhat of a weapon here, with extended time in the glass clamping down on…

BOND Quella

Earthy and slightly flat on entry, with the front end giving comparatively less oomph than its siblings. A linear and stemmy execution, with dusty gravel, green peppercorns, blackberry seed, and…

BOND Melbury

Unripe red raspberry, sour red cherry, green peppercorn, and plum skin notes present as painfully young, holding the fruit back a thousand yards from expansion. With vigorous swirling in the glass,…