Reviews

Boich Family Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

The bell curve on this wine was fairly low and quick. Its apex showed some nice purple core fruit, but it had a bit of a plum effect on the back end that sat on the grip and made it taste a little…

Iter Cabernet Sauvignon

Prune, stewed beef broth, and rotten plum chewing gum.

Courtney Benham Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Raisiny and muddled to the point of carrying a dingy flavor profile across the palate. Dirt-dusted plums.

Venge Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Jewell Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Better as it warms to cellar temperature (54 degrees). Drink now.

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

Same as it ever was...which is awesome of course. I gotta stop blowing through these young wines, but they are so delicious right now. Served next to a 2014 Myriad GIII, which was a bit of an apples…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Served next to a 2015 Carter OG. The OG was much more royal and advanced complexity-wise than the GIII, but this wine held up all of its stacked flavors in spades. Pleasurable…

TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard

Similar to all of my previous notes. This is coming back around to the epic showing it had a year ago. A seamlessness continues to develop on this wine that delivers a good combination of pleasurable…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard

A great showing for this wine. Previous notes apply. This showed a grace and maturity that I have not seen displayed too much from this before. It showed me that it indeed has the ability to age some…

Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

If you are satisfied with the Lewis house style, then this wine will be the Snickers to your wine consumption. Rich and giving, with dark core fruit, dark chocolate, vanilla bean, and dark spice…

The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Previous notes apply. This was a very good showing for this wine, reminding me why I like the Crane site so much. This was served next to a 2012 Lewis Reserve Cabernet (which was very good); the…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Last minute pull. PnP was a little hot with fleeting beams of sweet black cherry and black raspberry. Great wild and pure red, black, and some blue-ish/purple berry fruit, but just a bit overrun by…

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Lore Vineyard

I'm continuing to try to follow this wine with some diligence over a tracked span of time. From a healthy Coravin pour. Over the course of an hour, it didn't budge much (as expected). I noticed a bit…

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Between two BTKs: '15 Carter OG vs. '15 Purlieu BTK. The Purlieu displayed lovely black and dark red raspberry core fruit, dark chocolate, black soil, and clove. I favored the OG this go-around, but…

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

Between two BTKs: '15 Carter OG vs. '15 Purlieu BTK. The OG KILLED IT this go-around. A Coravin pour no less. The Purlieu was delicious no doubt, but the concentration and complex array of flavors on…

Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Silencieux

A decent ground pounder, with signature (if not a bit pedestrian) notes of red and black currant, black raspberry, and some spice. A little hot, but not too distracting. Medium-bodied and somewhat…

Venge Vineyards Syrah Block I-4 Stagecoach Vineyard

Somewhat unconventional and a bit of a sidewinder on the palate. Moments of Cote Rotie earthiness and barnyard funk that provided interest, but then wonky core fruit that wobbled in and had you…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Bergfeld

Previous notes apply, but this was a little muted this time around. The fruit was there, but not displaying itself with its typical accessibility and friendly flavor profile. Good but reserved. Hold…

Venge Vineyards Scout's Honor

Man, do I really love the backstory to this wine, paying homage to the beloved canine Scout and all, but I unfortunately just can't get down with this wine. So fruity and wonky for me that I can't…

Venge Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Jewell Vineyard

Somewhat traditional tropical fruit notes (without being a Carmen Miranda hat) juxtaposed with elements of stone and yellow citrus notes. Soft on the edges and thankfully no harsh steely bite on the…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall Napa Valley

Same as before. A fruit-brute that hits you with a monolithic blast of RIPE dark blue and black core fruit flavors and leaves you wondering what else is there. Answer: more fruit. Too sweet and…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Jack's Masterpiece

Previous notes apply. From two different bottles. The one opened yesterday and had 18+? hours of air was mostly alcohol and spice. The fruit took a definite back seat. Bitter on the back end. 80…

Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve

A fistful of dark fruit, with a notable concentration that held interest from start to finish. Mid-palate was especially satisfying, with the enveloping fruit and spice really ratcheting-up the…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

Same as my previous notes from last year. Much better than the '14 Kathryn tasted next to it. The Howell remains in the 91-93 point max range for me. A good bottle of wine with the usual "crowd…

Venge Vineyards Merlot Oakville Estate Vineyard

I'll say it like this: For Merlot, it's pretty good. It has some grip. It has some acidic cut. It has some energy and drive that enable the purple and red fruit flavors to push through to the back…

Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Bone Ash Vineyard

Served alongside the 2014 Bone Ash. I favored this 2015 just a bit more, as its complexity, grip, and drive were more prominent. The fruit was a little more focused and the delineation of flavors…