Reviews

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon BBS Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

An extraordinary example of the LPV site, with captivatingly crunchy minerality swirling amongst the gorgeously balanced and pure black and purple core fruit. Black cherry, miniature wild purple plum…

Stone the Crows Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard

Pucker factor galore on the initial PnP. This needed some air to even out its delivery and broaden its shoulders a bit more. Sour plum, black and red cherry, wild blackberry liqueur, and some bitter…

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Terroir Series

Black cherry, black and red currant, plum, vanilla bean, and light cedar notes. Medium weight on the front end and through the mid-palate. Fairly simple and pedestrian, with a little bit of energy…

Post Parade Cabernet Sauvignon

Nose of ripe prune, green peppercorn, and poblano chili pepper. "Uh Oh?!" I immediately thought this was going to be blasted or flawed. Ultimately it was not - at least not the latter (which would've…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Black and red core fruit, with notes of black and red raspberry, black and red cherry, vanilla liqueur, black rock, and some cedar. The mineral note shows up again on the back end (thankfully),…

Lewis Cellars Cuvée L

PnP and this was ready to go. A little heat at first, but it blew off soon enough. Powerful but with a refined elegance that offers a more silky mouthfeel when compared to the Reserve or standard…

Pulido-Walker Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

Blackberry, black cherry, asphalt, black pebbles, and some scorched earth. The flavors were enticing, with the mineral notes really grabbing my attention. However, it was a bit boozy. The grip was…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

DAY 2: A little less than 1/4 of the previous juice was bottled in a small sample bottle, filled to the top, and sealed for the next day. Much more resolved and less overtly bombastic than Day 1.…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

So I've had some breathtaking and otherworldly wines within the last week; and a number of them were from one of my favorite sites in the Valley. Who would've thought LPV could deliver such…

Addax Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Previous notes from last year apply. Big, ripe, and sexy, but with some serious scaffolding to hold it nicely together. Black and purple/red core fruit, with predominantly a black profile overall.…

Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper

Much like the 2015 Becklyn NV, the MH had the slightest bit more of elevated concentration and power, but otherwise displayed a comparable flavor-filled hodgepodge of awesome blue, red, and black…

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper

The 2015 Purlieu had a notable concentration and depth of flavor. Dark berry fruit, black cherry, cassis, dark mulch, fresh soil, and hints of scorched earth. A great push and grip as well. A far…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

More of a black fruit profile when next to the regular 2016 Scarlett bottling, but a little more red-fruited compared to the 2015 Scarlett Reserve. Black raspberry, blackberry, bitter chocolate,…

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper

The front-loaded attack of dark blue and blackberry and scorched, mulch-driven fruit washed over the palate with a plush rush of intensity. What initially seemed like a wondrous attack of broodingly…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Blackberry, black cherry, chocolate chunk, and some spice. Just bottled, and showing a little stuttering on the delivery. This will be just fine when it has time to settle in. Give it a year+ to find…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard

The best showing of this wine ever. Totally compelling; totally enthralling. A complete package of class and pleasure. All previous notes apply, except that this just shot to the moon in every…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

A gorgeous bottle of wine. Proof that a few years on the Elysian can elevate it into a classy madam with personality and appeal, as well as sophistication and seamlessness. In a perfect place. PnP…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Gobs of black and uber-dark red berry fruit, black raspberry, viscous black cherry, black soil, tar, and some bitter chocolate. This is exactly what I would expect from a barrel sample of Myriad's…

Realm Cellars The Bard

Previous notes apply with this wine. I kicked it up another point or so because this chubby baby might have shed a pound or two since I last had it a couple of months ago, but it still needs to hit…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Another stunner that managed to slap even the most fatigued of palates was the 2016 barrel sample of Myriad Dr. Crane. It wasn't clear whether or not this will end up in the standard Crane or Elysian…

Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

Black core fruit, with some black currant, blue river rock, scorched earth, and purple plum skin. A good deal of energy and verve for a 2014, and much more compelling than the standard 2014 MM. From…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

An exclamation of formidable magnificence in black liquid form, the 2016 barrel sample of the Quivet LPV was absolutely rockin'! A "Holy Mary, Mother of God" moment as soon at it hit the palate.…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon LPV Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Better than the 2014 Schrader LPV and 2014 Colesworthy, but it couldn't catch up to the 2015 Colesworthy (likely by design). However, the conversation amongst the Schraders became somewhat…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

One of the top wines of the night. A point up from the last time I had this wine back in November of 2017. I would've said this was the best Quivet LPV I've had to date, but that attestation only…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Previous notes apply on this wine, as I've written quite a bit and gloated on and on about my adoration for the beloved Verdad. Its flavor profile is totally my jam. It was the delivery end of a…