Reviews

Del Dotto Cabernet Sauvignon The Beast

From barrel. The best rendition of The Beast I've had over the last couple of years. Seemingly more focused than the 2015 was at this stage, and more akin to the 2014 in its concentration and…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

My prior notes from last year apply. PnP was fine, with some nice dark chocolate and rich black soil notes complimenting the dark, earthy black cherry core. Rich and seemingly low in grip and frame.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

As before, fruit and spice dominate, with likely the most baby fat still present when compared to others in the lineup. It is just so darn flavorful right now though...total yum factor. It will…

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

Horizontal of the 2015 Estate, Stags, and Howell Cabernets.

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon

Horizontal of the 2015 Estate, Stags, and Howell Cabernets. Previous notes apply on this wine. My preferred wine amongst the three. This exhibited much more complexity and focus by comparison.…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

Previous notes apply. A clean and focused representation of the site, with terrific purity of fruit. A wine that promises to develop over the coming year or so and in need of a little short term…

Riverain Sauvignon Blanc Gamble Vineyard

An inviting and refreshing expression of the varietal, with a traditional yellow citrus and tropical fruit core. A good 'right now' summer (well...autumn-ish) sipper. Nothing overly remarkable, but a…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Carter

Exact same as all previous notes as before. Great body, flavor, and depth. A big swirling of cassis and purple-red core fruit. Wonderful candied black raspberry and black cherry notes shoot across…

Flint Knoll Royal Appointment

A supple and approachable wine, with a fun and unpretentious profile that offers round red and black berry fruit. The Merlot component softens the edges, allowing the Cabernet Sauvignon to show its…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

In a side-by-side with the 2016 La Bam and a 2015 Fait Main LPV, the 2016 Verdad delivered as one (at least I) would expect... It dominated on all levels. The fascinating cassis note was indeed…

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and a new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Bam Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Still rockin' and rollin', the 2016 La Bam continues to impress with its ability to rocket-out a ton of red-purple fruit, spice, and cassis, while still maintaining poise and focus. More fruit-driven…

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and a new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard

Even more compelling than the last couple of times I had this wine, the 2016 Weitz popped on the palate with extraordinary drive and complexity. Same as my previous notes in terms of its overall…

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and a new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Carter Cellars Hossfeld Coliseum

Previous notes apply. Still amongst the big boys in the 2016 Carter lineup, this beautiful wine manages to keep pace and hold interest with its wonderfully inviting dark red and purple core fruit.…

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

Horizontal of the 2015 Estate, Stags, and Howell Cabernets. More earthy and funky than the Estate or Stags, this Howell offering from Revana displayed a soil-driven meatiness that was interesting, if…

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Block 6

A massively endowed wine, much akin to the 2014 Block 6 with its dark berry and rich chocolatey profile. A lot of power and sappy concentration here, with the melted dark chocolate notes singing the…

Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

Served side-by-side with 2016 Carters Bam and Verdad. The FM was more purple fruited and displayed a softer grip than the Carters. Less intensity and concentration mid-palate from the FM by…

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

If the OG is a perfect wine, then the GTO is a perfect-er wine. Previous notes apply.

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

All previous notes apply. With the exception of the GTO, this OG is a darn-tootin', kick a** and take names kind of Black Bart fella that stands up at the saloon, skins its pair of smoke-wagons, and…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Power and flavor all wrapped into one big hunk of spicy sexiness. A true athlete on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition (but like a for-real athlete...not just…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2015 and 2016 are killer vintages for the Quivet offerings, as this NV is a testament to true "affordable" winemaking at an appellation level. Young but lusciously approachable, with dark, dark black…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Coravin pour. Previous notes apply, except to note that this round displayed a little heavier on the deeply-pitched red cassis and red licorice notes. A little bit of alcohol on the back end needed…