Reviews

Vincent Arroyo Petite Sirah

Not much better than the Greenwood, this PS suffered from the same lackluster performance and complete milquetoast flavor delivery. Thin and forgettable.

Brasswood Cabernet Sauvignon

Nope. Thin and forgettable. Tasted like a one-cent sale wine at BevMo.

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain

Even better than when I had this wine four months ago. Much more open and giving (the bottle had been open a couple of hours). Powerful and concentrated blue and black fruits. Some nice char and…

Vincent Arroyo Petite Sirah Greenwood Ranch

Almost unidentifiable as a Petite Sirah. The wonderful intense fruit flavors of this varietal didn't come through at all in this wine... and this was supposed to be Vincent Arroyo's flagship wine.…

Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon Outer Limits

From three different sites (instead of the six sites for the standard Napa Cabernet). The outer limits had a slight bit more push and "depth" than the standard Cabernet, but nothing that would…

Haber Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

Completely cooked to the point that even the stewed plum and raisin flavors were only barely identifiable as fruit. Beef broth and wrinkly raisin aftertaste. A muddled grapey note showed up briefly,…

Haber Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain

"Much" better than the 2014 Haber Howell Cabernet, but unfortunately that isn't saying much given the prune-tinged extraction and over-ripe flavors that still managed to wash over the palate with…

Vincent Arroyo Cabernet Sauvignon

A weak example of the varietal. More approachable than the 2013 Reserve Cabernet, but in terms of complexity and flavor this Cabernet was almost instantly forgettable. Next to no push or energy to…

Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

From six different "undisclosed" sites (which screams second or third round pick of fruit - especially given the finished product); this was unmemorable and instantly a wine where everyone said, "Ok,…

Dark Matter Cabernet Sauvignon Limitless

Another Mondavi sister (Angelina) creation. The Limitless was an ok representation of Howell Mountain (different areas than Aloft), but it fell behind even the Aloft Cabernet in terms of complexity…

Vincent Arroyo Cabernet Sauvignon Winemaker's Reserve

Tart, tight, acidic, and thin. Didn't taste like a Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, I'm not sure exactly what it tasted like. Some tart red currant and unripe crunchy red cranberry. Some green peppercorn…

Addax Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Almost like a hybrid of the 2014 Bevan McGah and Ontogeny I just had prior to tasting this wine, but injected with 100 cc of horse juice, the Addax was deeply extracted and concentrated with black,…

Aloft Cabernet Sauvignon

Interesting from a science project standpoint. This showed advanced flavors of over-ripe, mature black and red currant, cigar leaf, leather, mushroom, tea, and a streak of deep black cherry. Served…

Vincent Arroyo Bodega

A somewhat strange BDX hybrid. Some dark currant flavors with some wood. Not a lot of depth, viscosity, or complexity. Clipped and thin on the back end. I couldn't get into it unfortunately.

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Same as all of my previous notes on this wine. It was totally open for business, with plump and saturated black and purple core fruit. The PV component seemingly showed a pebbly dark side almost…

Aloft Cabernet Sauvignon

A decent example of Howell Mountain, with black and dark red core fruit, some spice, a little dark chocolate, and creamy oak. Mid-palate was more medium than I would have preferred, but it had…

Vincent Arroyo Nameless

...should be renamed "Tasteless."

Vincent Arroyo Tempranillo

Red fruit and subtle spice. No depth or complexity. No finish.

Vincent Arroyo Mélange Reserve

Completely flat and thin. Barely any discernible flavors of watery red fruit. Dump.

Vincent Arroyo Sangiovese

Cherry, red currant, spice. Simple and thin.

Seven Stones Cabernet Sauvignon

Similar to my previous notes on 1/22/2017. This exhibited beautifully balanced flavors throughout the later courses of dinner. Kobe beef and lamb dishes were certainly friends to this wine. Notes of…

Buccella Merlot

Previous notes apply. This bottle came off a little "fruitier" than the Buccellas of the recent past. Showed less verve and a little less nuanced flavor profile than what I remember from before.…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Same as all of my previous notes. Though this is drinking really well right now with a bit of a decant (two hours was optimal), I will try to listen to my own advice and wait until 2018+ before…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon

A Stagecoach (Pritchard Hill side)/LPV hybrid, this Cabernet showed the best of what can become of Stagecoach fruit, with some much elevated flavor assistance from LPV. I wouldn't have been able to…

World's End Cabernet Sauvignon CrossFire Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard

I wasn't a fan of this wine at all. Given the Missouri Hopper site, I definitely expected more. Closed off, muted, thin, and a bit tannic. Some black fruit on the attack with a bitter back end.…