Reviews

Realm Cellars The Falstaff

I've been sitting on these bottles for over two years now and decided to check what's under the hood in hopes that this 2015 would nudge me enough to coerce-out my plastic cash to invest in the…

Realm Cellars The Bard

I've followed and reviewed this wine quite a bit over the course of the last few years and it has certainly delivered a consistently lushly dark and hedonistically round profile. For those who know…

Aubert Chardonnay Sugar Shack

Less of a viscous and oily texture than my previous bottle two years ago. Honeyed yellow citrus, pineapple, subtle exotic waves of flavor, and some creamy vanilla undertones. This took some time and…

Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

Almost two years since my last note on this wine. Unlike a number of 2013s out of Napa that are still a bit prickly and in need of further unfurling, this Fait Main was singing from the first pull of…

Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus

Well, I know I'm gonna get some static for this, but here-goes nuthin'.

La Pelle Sauvignon Blanc

Similar to my previous note. Agreeable and quasi-punchy light tropical fruit and grassy lemon flavors that are balanced and complete. Drink now and over the next year or so.

Bevan Cellars EE Cuvée

Similar to my tasting note from last year. Progressing very nicely. Decanted two-three hours to really get its glide on. Beautifully weighted, with a flavor expansion that offers a surprisingly…

Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon

Much more of a linear performance from when I had it three years ago. A solid wine, but even a few hours of coaxing in the decanter did very little to truly deepen and expand its flavors. It was a…

Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cour de Vallée

Gorgeous purple-red berry fruit saunters effortlessly across the palate with dark soil, wet cedar, cigar leaf, and black spice notes. Carries with it a conspicuous amount of sediment, but it's so…

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Because I've reviewed this wine a ton of times, I'll simply add that there were slight pyrazine and green peppercorn flavors that came from this bottle. Overall, a flavorful creature indeed, but in a…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

As good as it was 1.5 years ago. A big, mouthwatering wine that is somehow able to finesse its way clear of being a brute. Super luscious blue and black berry fruits, with embers, slate, anise/dark…

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

It's been 3.5 years since my last bottle. This has progressed nicely, and could likely use even another year or two to fully come together. Followed over the course of 72 hours (Days one and two were…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Almost four years have past since I last took a shot at this wine (my tasting note on 7/3/16 is vastly different than my experience today). Patience has paid off for sure, as this once spun-up purple…

Arrow & Branch Sauvignon Blanc Heritage Reserve

Just as awesome as last year. It was great on first pull, but also improved even more with air. Such controlled verve and focused flavor expansion. The kiwi-meets-green apple flavors are really…

Memento Mori Sauvignon Blanc

Drink these up now...as in, before the summer kicks into full gear (well, by COVID standards at least). This bottle was even less expressive than it was 6+ months ago. Medium-light on the attack and…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beautiful Generation

Similar to my previous notes in terms of specific flavor profile; just more advanced in expansion and depth (since having it 3 years ago). This was a dark and concentrated wine. Huge black berry…

Realm Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Fidelio

Well... it tastes like Sauvignon Blanc. It's fresh. It's crisp. It hits the lychee, grapefruit, yellow apple, lemon and lime zest, and melon rind notes as expected. It's... Sauvignon Blanc.

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

It's been about 3 years since I've had the 2013 OG. I actually pulled this by mistake (I thought I grabbed a 2015), because I was reading some of the most recent CT reviews on the 2013 and planned on…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep black cherry, black raspberry, chocolate chunk, black warm soil, deep cassis, anise, subtle cinnamon stick, and iron. Broad shouldered, but gorgeously textured, with a seamlessness that seems to…

Young Inglewood Vineyards Right Bank Blend

Plum, ripe black cherry, earthy-chocolate, and some cedar. A pleasant sipper with medium-weight flavors and a quasi-sluggish delivery; a relatively simple expression overall. Not much tension here.

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

2017 Schrader RBS and CCS side-by-side.

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

2017 Schrader RBS and CCS side-by-side.

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Bevan Ontogeny vertical 2014-2017.

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Actaeon Quixote Vineyard

From Magnum. Round and plush black cherry and plum notes are encompassed by some cedar and evergreen notes. Finishes medium and a little soft. Balanced and even-keeled. A definite crowd pleaser. A…

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Bevan Ontogeny vertical 2014-2017.