Reviews

Shafer Relentless

Same as all of my other notes on this wine. Decanted for a couple of hours just for the hell of it, but it really didn't even need it. Taking a step back, this really is a gorgeous bottle of wine.…

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

Well this was quite the surprise (at least in the beginning). Decanted for approximately 30 minutes and it was kicking out some really nice blue and black fruit notes. Blueberry, black raspberry,…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

On the heels of just having the 2014 Carter OG the night before, I decided to pop the cork on my other top shelf Mike Smith wine that usually fights the OG for the best of Mike's wines. Not…

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

PnP was a "wow" moment, but the finish was followed up with a decent amount of heat. Otherwise, my previous notes apply. It took about two hours in the decanter and some significant swirling to blow…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Same notes as last week. Plump and generous. Totally showed its baby fat. I'm really going to try to leave these alone for 6-12 months.

Buccella Merlot

Same notes as last week. Never thought I'd like a Merlot so much. Disappeared fast. A real crowd pleaser.

Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Previous notes apply. A smooth and somewhat delicate example, but really interesting and inviting black and deep red fruit flavors. Beautifully sweet tannins and a rounded mouthfeel that makes this…

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

This is really performing well now. Previous notes apply. I didn't even need to decant it. After a couple of hours of slow O2, it was singing gorgeously. Highly recommended and drinking WAY above its…

Blankiet Estate Proprietary Red Wine Paradise Hills Vineyard

Same as a week ago; previous other notes apply. Drink now. Beautiful bottle of wine.

Buccella Merlot

Pretty much the exact same as my notes a few months ago, except that I thought this really rose up to a level that I rarely have seen in a straight Merlot. Great structure, big, bold, dark fruit, and…

Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon NVD

Served alongside a '12 Kobalt and a '14 Myriad Napa Cabernet.

Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon

Served next to a '13 Arkenstone NVD and a '14 Myriad Napa Cabernet.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Served alongside a '13 Arkenstone NVD and a '12 Kobalt.

Bevan Cellars Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard

Okay folks, it seems as though we are making our way into a drinking window of bad a**-ness with this wine. On 9/15/2016 when I last had this wine, it was a bit restrained and linear...just a bit. I…

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Kaliholmanok Kicu'me

PnP was extremely tight but still giving off some wonderful and brambly fruit flavors, purple and red berries, black cherry, limestone, and alcohol. A chalky (but not bitter) finish that made me…

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

Love this wine! And since I'm the only one on the planet apparently posting notes on Herold's big Cabs, I'll simply say that all of my previous notes apply. It has an awesome chocolate covered black…

Cliff Lede High Fidelity

Similar to my previous notes. My last bottle. It was good, even a little better than when I last tried it back in December. A few hours in the decanter helped significantly. But even as I type this,…

Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cour de Vallée

PnP gave me the same standing hairs on the back of my neck that screamed, "Oh crap, you opened this too soon yet again, and it's gonna be just another high-toned red fruited Cabernet that shouldn't…

Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red

Same as all of my previous notes. 97-98 points. Wonderful dusty tannins that beautifully frame the classical red and black currant, earth, and spice flavors.

Blankiet Estate Proprietary Red Wine Paradise Hills Vineyard

Same notes as 9/5/2016. No decant necessary. Presented really well on a PnP. Drink now and over the next few years.

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon

Same notes as a few months ago. I know others enjoy this, but I just can't wrap my head around this as a true expression of the varietal. It has no varietal characteristics that really make it…

Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium

Naysayers be dammed, because I can't for the life of me find a reason not to rate the 2014 Materium much different than the 2013. In fact, I have to say that this wine is perhaps singing even better…

Realm Cellars Farella Vineyard

I gotta stop drinking all of these awesome wines. I feel like I'm just giving away high scores on CT lately. However, this is yet another well deserving wine. Tastes even better than I remember it to…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

PnP with higher-toned red fruit notes that scream baby in a bottle. Purity of fruit is evident, as is the balance among the acidity, structure, and core fruit. However, as good a bottle of wine as…

12c Cabernet Sauvignon G3 Reserve Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

PnP with a small pour; it was really tight and high-toned. Red fruit notes with alcohol. A little tart in the finish, but some deeper red and purple fruit flavors started to peek through. Came across…