Reviews

Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

After a splash decant (through a micro filter to rid it of the sediment it was throwing off initially), this thing was high-kicking better than Paula Abdul (flashback 'Straight Up' '80s Paula; not…

Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon

As expected after having the 2013 version a few times now (which I really like), the 2012 was rich, full, decadently voluptuous, and lavishly dark. Just a hair less intense and vivacious than the…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beautiful Generation

Similar to all of my other previous notes. PnP was a little tight, but it advertised itself right away as a big boy wine. Balled-up black raspberry, black currant, black asphalt, and some bitter…

Rudius Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

Same as last month. I feel like this is digressing fast. My last bottle. Others at the table preferred it to the 2012 Keever; however, their palates were certainly more aligned with plump, round,…

Keever Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Same as two months ago. 93-94. Drinking fine now; will improve with 6-12 of bottle age. A very good Cabernet, but the QPR isn't that great all things considering.

Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard

It's been about 6 months since my last bottle. Previous notes still apply. An intense, deep, black PS that is drinking really well with a bit of a decant.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Jiminy H. Christmas on a popsicle stick! This wine took quite the journey before it turned into something worth consuming. I honestly don't know what in God's name happened to it initially. I opened…

Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve

Flat, dead, and barely a wine I'd even remember trying the next day. Little-to-no acid, almost no frame to speak of, and a "core" of fruit that maybe resembled diluted black and red currant. 100%…

Lewis Cellars Syrah

Same as my notes 8 months ago. Developed some really nice dark chocolate, earth, black olive, and deep black raspberry notes to frame out the core blackberry fruit flavors.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard

Same as my notes from March except that this showed more finesse and a little less intensity this go-around. Beautiful dark black, blue, and purple fruits, black licorice, and a nice subtle hint of a…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall Napa Valley

Same as previous notes. I'm really liking this wine at the moment. Well crafted, dark, mocha-laced core fruit, with a finesse that is most notable. Beautiful is the word I would use, with a depth and…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Jack's Masterpiece

A bit more user-friendly than the Eighteen-Seventy-Three, but this time the Jack's masterpiece was really flaunting its small Merlot component in a very noticeable way. It initially presented itself…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Bergfeld

Previous notes from two months ago apply, except that I dropped this down a bit because of its seemingly rushed PnP service? I was unable to determine how long this had actually been open, but it…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Eighteen Seventy-Three Napa Valley

Same as last month and the month before that, except that I did like the energy this wine was kicking out. Still a bit high-toned for me, but my other half really loved it. As previously mentioned,…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Same as 2 months ago. An "Is what it is" type of wine. Akin to the Sauvignon Blanc in terms of its seemingly humdrum delivery. It was "ok," "fine," "not bad," "pretty good"... with that little…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

I was a HUGE fan of this wine. The first sip totally grabbed my attention, and this was after having all of Hall's previous other Cabernets (including the Bergfeld and Kathryn). This was the clearly…

TOR Chardonnay Cuvée Torchiana

Exact same as my notes from 2/3/16. Was tied with a 2012 Littorai Heintz Chardonnay until we served the turkey...the Littorai really complimented the bird much better. The Tor had a bit of a tropical…

Frank Family Vineyards Brut Rosé Sparkling

This was universally #3 out of three sparklers tasted side-by-side (#1 was a Thienot Champagne, #2 was a 2007 Schramsberg Reserve).

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon

PnP was an immediate clash between jammy blackberry and a tannic slap in the face. The finish fell apart almost immediately. DECANT!

Realm Cellars Moonracer

Tasting with Juan at Realm.

Realm Cellars Sauvignon Blanc ibid.farella Farella Vineyard

Tasting with Juan at Realm.

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard

Tasted at Outpost alongside the 2013 Zinfandel, 2014 Zinfandel, and 2014 Howell Cabernet.

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasted at Outpost alongside the 2013 Zinfandel, 2014 Zinfandel, and 2014 True Cabernet.

Realm Cellars The Falstaff

Tasting with Juan at Realm.

Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain

Tasted at Outpost alongside the 2013 Zinfandel, 2014 Howell Cabernet, and 2014 True Cabernet.