Reviews

Arkenstone Estate

Blackberry seed, obsidian, burnt embers, and chewy licorice, with mineral and scorched earth notes zipping around the concentrated core. More than a fair amount of power here, finishing youthfully…

Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon

An initial horizontal attack lends its way to a broader flavor expansion with a good hit of air, jumping into gear and kicking out read and black cherry notes on the front end. Much more red-fruited…

MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2015 was similar to the 2013 in many ways, except that the 2015 took a bit longer to shed some of its frame and allow the fruit to come forward. It was highly mineral-driven and the least…

Arkenstone Sauvignon Blanc

Grapefruit, freshly squeezed lime and lemon juice, white peach, and some stone. One of the better Sauvignon Blancs out there and consistently enthralling for both its energy and verve, as well as its…

Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon NVD

Saturated black raspberry, leather, blackberry, muddled strawberry, charcoal, and red and black cherry. Considering this is the more "base" model Cabernet from Arkenstone, it performs quite well and…

MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon

The most inviting and "palate-compelling" right now, the 2014 Macdonald showed wonderfully expressive dark, black fruit, with some violets and asphalt adding to the profile. Surprisingly silky,…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Continuing to operate in a nice drinking window it seems, as this was the best showing of this wine to date. Balanced out and not too heavy on the fruit (Quivet-speaking at least). A notable black…

Memento Mori Sauvignon Blanc

Stone fruit and subtle yellow citrus. Some yellow apple skin and faint white apricot flavors. Medium and a bit pedestrian all the way around. Notable smoothness and balance. Drink now and over the…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Given all of the xenophobic ribbing and hate emails I've been receiving about my recent espionage and shadow surveillance into Bordeaux and other Eurocentric wine regions, I finally succumbed to…

La Pelle Sauvignon Blanc

Lemon zest, fresh grapefruit, white stone fruit, fresh cut grass, and honeydew. Some white rock shows up on the tail, as well as a repeat of the grass and lemon notes. With some swirling, quince hits…

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Either it's in a plummy mood, or I'm in an anti-plummy mood. Maybe a combination of both I guess. So........ it was plummy.

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Bordeaux vs. Tuscany vs. USA:

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Franc Heritage Reserve Arrow & Branch Coombsville

More serious and firm that the 2015 CF Heritage served beside it, this 2016 has more dark power and grip than its older brother. Black fruit and some burnt embers make up the primary core, with small…

Arrow & Branch Right Bank Blend

The "Right Bank Bordeaux" red blend is the star of the 2016 A&B lineup. A Cabernet Franc dominant (50%) animal, with a 24%/24% additional split of Cabernet Sauvignon, with 2% Petit Verdot. Tasted…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Franc Heritage Reserve Arrow & Branch Coombsville

More plush and fruity when compared to the 2016 CF Heritage served alongside it, the 2015 impresses for its opulent red berry fruit and floral flavor. Round and plush red raspberry, red and black…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label

Red current, black cherry, and some spice box lead the classy execution of this medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Subtle cedar and plum skin notes carry themselves throughout the attack as well. A…

Arrow & Branch Sauvignon Blanc Heritage Reserve

A beautiful burst of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, subtle grass, and white stone rush on to the palate with verve and spunk, but with a smooth sophistication that shows class and complexity. A…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Dark, earthy red and black berry fruit, soft mulch and cedar, forest floor, and rained-on campfire embers. A pretty sweet kiss of red raspberry fruit on the back end provides lift to otherwise more…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Black cherry liqueur, smooth cedar, wet mulch, and some black rock. Classy, finessed, and super sophisticated, the execution here is medium and agreeable, with no hard edges to be found. A faint…

Tusk Estates L'Orange

A limited offering from Tusk with a TBD release/allocation date. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot. Blackberry, black cherry, dark plum skin, and grippy, bitter chocolate compete for center…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Blackberry, plum, black cherry pit, blackberry seed, underbrush, and some pyrazine and green peppercorn notes. Medium bodied (at least by Tusk standards), with a back end that tapered down into a…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Plum-dominant, with accompanying flavors of black cherry and black/purple berry fruit; wild, macerated raspberry makes a brief appearance, but is pushed over by the earthy plum note that elbows its…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" shouted the stinging nettle Tusk as is pulled the sheets over its face, refusing to get up and go to school. Balled-up, Coiled-up, spikey, and with even more air, a bit bitter…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Opulence is the word of the day here folks. Expressive and fruit-forward, the 2014 washes over the palate with velvety, lush black berry fruit. The hallmark slice of red fruit interjects briefly, but…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

The clear standout and undeniable best of the Tusk lineup was indeed the complex and sophisticated 2015 Tusk. As seemed to be the case for most everyone at the table, the progressive vintages…