Reviews

TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Melanson Vineyard

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Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

So...for the few of you actually taking notes on this wine, there are two obvious things I would advise not doing - that I of course was bamboozled into doing by a partner in wine crime (you know who…

Bevan Cellars Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard

It's been about a year since I last had this wine, which now shows noticeable smoothing-out and an elevated sophistication that was not fully resolved back in mid-2017. Though part of me misses the…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

...Killed the remainder of the bottle. About an hour+ of air prior to consumption served it well, balancing out the flavors nicely and enabling it to find a steadier glide across the palate (less of…

Realm Cellars The Falstaff

This is a follow up from my note from last week, which was a Coravin pour. This time was a PnP with a couple of hours of air. Previous notes apply, except that the additional O2 really brought out an…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon The Magnificent Seven

Last week's note on this wine was a Coravin pour. This evening was a PnP from the remainder of the bottle. With some additional air, this wine really hit a stride that speaks to certain promise if…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Tusk vs. 2015 Vice Versa Magnificant 7.

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon The Magnificent Seven

2015 VV M7 vs. 2013 Tusk.

Realm Cellars The Falstaff

Well hot damn if this wasn't one of the best examples of a Cab Franc/Merlot blend (88/12) that I've had in a long while. Just when I've been all keyed-up in a recent grumpy rant over the doughy…

Pott Wine Cabernet Franc La Carte et Le Territoire

A fascinating and cerebral wine, with notes of dark red core fruit (and some purple), red and black currant, red and black raspberry, crimson plum, black cherry, cassis, red dirt, iron, dusty…

Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Notes of black core fruit, earth, fresh black soil, chocolate, and dark spice. Medium-bodied and readily accessible, this exhibits a somewhat standard appellation profile in terms of complexity and…

Viader

Notes of black and dark red core fruit, black currant, dark soil, and cedar. Offers up some decent flavor on the initial attack, but fairly pedestrian overall. Medium and somewhat flat mid-palate.…

Mumm Napa DVX

A fairly resolved and approachable sparkler, with mature yellow citrus, grilled Meyer lemon, yeasty bread dough, brioche, toasted almond, quince, olive oil, and subtle plantain. A super easy sipper,…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Open for business right on PnP. Drink now and over the next few years. Not a long terms ager by any means, but enjoyable for what it is. Good flavor (really nice dark black and blue fruit). Good…

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Previous notes apply. This was a PnP and it ultimately did not get enough air. Fairly tight throughout consumption. Either decant and give this the breathing room it deserves, or hold for at least…

Blankiet Estate Proprietary Red Wine Paradise Hills Vineyard

Similar to my previous notes, except that this showed a cedar element that clipped the finish; the fruit was solid, but took a back seat at times. This seems to be transitioning toward its next phase…

Scarecrow Monsieur Étain

Previous note applies. Ideally I'm going to try to give this another 2 years before opening my next bottle. Drinks beautifully after a couple of hours in the decanter, but shows even more potential…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

PnP was an initial palate pimp-slap of black cherry liqueur, electric purple plum, strong spice, and a decent amount of rocket fuel. Not to worry though...not my first rodeo with this bucking bronco.…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Update from my previous note on 3/4/18 on a Coravin pour of this wine. The remainder of this bottle was consumed as a PnP, and without the 2015 Verdad alongside it. As a stand-alone, this 2014 really…

Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon

A month ago I gave this a shot via Coravin and found it to be overly restrained, especially after some open air in the glass. I was (and am still to this day) not exactly sure of the root cause of…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Coravin pour; this was smooth and singing with just a few minutes of swirling in the glass. Black asphalt and gravel led the attack, with astoundingly pure black, purple, and…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

100 points. Why?! Because it's friggin' awesome, that's why!

Realm Cellars Moonracer

Captivating and concentrated black core fruit, a fistful of dark spices, and black minerality all pulsate across the palate in a beautifully powerful display of flavor and intensity. This Moonracer…

Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle

Super young, high and tight, this Marine was in bootcamp mode, with a fairly stiff delivery, high-toned red cherry and black raspberry core fruit, and a finish that was washed over by alcohol and…

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

Much improved since I last had this wine 6 months ago. More captivating in both the flavor and complexity department, with dark black and blue core fruit, plum, black raspberry, black currant, black…