Reviews

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard

Served side-by-side with a 2014 Bevan McGah. I favored the 2014 for its more exuberant personality and flavorful delivery of its blue and black fruit. The 2012 was probably a more balanced and…

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard

Same as my previous notes from last month. Served side-by-side with a 2012 Bevan McGah. I favored the 2014 for its more exuberant personality and flavorful delivery of its blue and black fruit. The…

AJ Pearce Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. George Vineyard

Tight as a drum, with enough acid on the back end to suck all the fat out of sumo wrestler. Purity of fruit is notable indeed, as is the craftsmanship of the wine overall. However, this is a 2012…

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Block 6

Crazy intense, concentrated, and delivering so much blue/black fruit that the term 'hedonism' doesn't even come close to aptly describing this wine. It certainly has some sexy stripper pole aspects…

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon

I was very much drawn to this wine. It had a great combination of focus and concentration. Fairly rich on the initial delivery, with blue/black fruit, dark red raspberry and black cherry, bitter dark…

Buoncristiani Cabernet Sauvignon

My first experience with this producer, and this did not disappoint at all. Beautiful blue/black core fruit, dark red raspberry, ripe black cherry, bitter chocolate, and a hint of cedar. The acid and…

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon

This is certainly an easy drinker, with ultra-plush blue/black core fruit washing across the palate and coating it with a sucrosity that is both inviting and a little overwhelming at first. This…

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

Tight and restrained, with a more earth-driven profile than the Napa or the Block 6. The mountain fruit was under lock-and-key for the most part throughout the entire consumption. Still, it had a…

Favia Cabernet Sauvignon

Just 10 days ago, the bottle I had of this was really singing with about an hour of air. This time, it was wound extraordinarily tight throughout most of consumption. Almost like a totally different…

Bevan Cellars Merlot Alexis' Cuvée Showket Vineyards

A truly captivating bottle of Merlot; drinking exquisitely smooth and voluptuous on the initial delivery. Notes of wonderfully nuanced purple and black core fruit, plum, black cherry, dark red…

Post Parade Cabernet Sauvignon

Unfortunately I have to go against the CT grain on this one, as my experience was a little "meh" when all was said and done. This was the group's least favorite wine of the night. Part of the issue…

Sarocka Cabernet Sauvignon

93-94+ points this time around. With about two hours of air, it became more approachable and flavorful. Previous notes apply otherwise. I'll try to hold my next bottle until 2019+.

Barbour Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

A much softer and more accessible representation of the 2013 vintage for Napa Cabernet. Purple and black fruit profile, with some nice cedar flecks on the back end. Not overly complex, but extremely…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Same as my previous notes. PnP was a blast of alcohol and higher register red fruit notes. All it took was about an hour in the decanter and this wine was singing quite nicely. Really appealing red…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Same as all of my previous notes. Served next to a 2014 D.R. Stephens Napa Cabernet. I slightly favored the Scarlett, but both came off with decent pushes of fruit (2014 vintage showing a lot of baby…

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge

From a vertical of 2006-2011 Conn Valley Eloge. The 2006 and 2007 were my favorites in the lineup. This was my least favorite. Thin, watery, and muted. Some light currant, cedar, and cranberry notes.…

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge

From a vertical of 2006-2011 Conn Valley Eloge. The 2006 and 2007 were my favorites in the lineup. This 2010 had some leather and cedar notes along with the light currant flavors. Fairly thin and…

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge

From a vertical of 2006-2011 Conn Valley Eloge. The 2006 and 2007 were my favorites in the lineup. This 2009 held some interest, but like its siblings, it was dominated with a strong cedar element…

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge

From a vertical of 2006-2011 Conn Valley Eloge. The 2006 and 2007 were my favorites in the lineup. This 2008 was fairly flat and lacked much delivery of flavor overall. Like its siblings, it threw…

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge

From a vertical of 2006-2011 Conn Valley Eloge. The 2006 and 2007 were my favorites in the lineup. A decent amount of cedar and thin red and black currant dominated throughout the attack. This 2007…

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards Éloge

From a vertical of 2006-2011 Conn Valley Eloge. The 2006 and 2007 were my favorites in the lineup. A decent amount of cedar and thin red and black currant dominated throughout the attack. Drink now.…

D.R. Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

A very agreeable example of this varietal in the 2014 vintage. Not a ton of fireworks, but some nice black and blue core fruit to compliment the vanilla bean and subtle clove notes. Round, plush, and…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Nine months since my last bottle. I think this needs even more time in bottle (2020). PnP has a decent amount of alcohol to blow off; it took about 3+ hours before it settled down and unveiled some…

Quixote Petite Sirah Helmet of Mambrino

Similar to my notes from last year. Some nice railroad tie and camphor flavors developed after about three hours of air (decanted).

Favia Cabernet Sauvignon

Previous notes apply. Displayed a beautiful, silky finesse throughout consumption. Extremely focused and balanced delivery. The perfect amount of weight and lift working in tandem to enhance its…