Reviews

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Actaeon Quixote Vineyard

Such a beautiful transformation since I last had this wine a year ago. I feel like a broken record lately as I rant on about the superior quality of Aaron Pott's wines.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Well, this was likely one of the best Myriad Cabernets I've ever tasted. I'd even venture to say this was one of the top wines I've ever had in the 2012 vintage. The only thing keeping this from a…

Sarocka Cabernet Sauvignon

Same as 5 months ago. Good stuff. The only thing that keeps this from elevating further is that it seems to level out after an hour or so and never really kick into any exhibiting any full-throttle…

Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Same as my notes 9 months ago, except this took only about an hour in the decanter before it was singing nicely. Two hours and it was really kicking out some nice black cherry liqueur and dark…

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

Same as previous notes. Developing a nice overall finesse, while still maintaining a profile driven by awesome depth and power. Decanted at 54 degrees for a total of two hours, which broadened the…

Lewis Cellars Sauvignon Blanc

Crisp and lively, while also exhibiting a voluptuous roundness that is seldom seen in SBs. In the past, Lewis has been known for severely over-oaking their SBs; thankfully, this was not the case…

Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley

Same as a few weeks ago. Not bad. Not great. A good intro sipper. Had a little bit of a distracting alkaline tinge on the back end, which clipped the finish.

Buccella Merlot

One of the best domestic Merlots out there, especially for a full-on Merlot (as opposed to some of the high end Merlot/Cab. or local BDX blends out there). This has more spine than the 2012 (not…

Buccella Sauvignon Blanc

An extremely inviting SB, with a good delineation of flavors and no hard edges to speak of. More on the tropical fruit side, but not overtly sweet or overbearing. No alkaline or steely metallic…

Hall Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc

I almost bought some additional bottles of this, but held off just because it fell a little short on the finish for me. Honeysuckle, peach cobbler, lemon oil, lemon curd (like the kind in lemon…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn Hall Napa Valley

A downright beautiful bottle of wine. Balanced beyond belief. This followed the Bergfeld (which was my favorite in the lineup), so the Kathryn Hall had some real catching-up to do in terms of…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Jack's Masterpiece

Essentially identical to the 2013 Eighteen-Seventy-Three except that the Jack's Masterpiece had a bit more depth. The Jack's carried the same higher register red berry fruit and spice as the…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Eighteen Seventy-Three Napa Valley

A little tight, with some high-toned red berry and currant flavors punching through the darker berry fruit notes. Some alcohol and vanilla, with a spicebox note that was fairly prominent on the back…

Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Katrina Eileen

As expected, this was the star of the lineup. The quality oak influence showed through in spades, but the near-perfect core of dark berry fruit could handle the 100% new French oak without any…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Bergfeld

This was my favorite in the lineup, as it kicked out wonderful blue and black berry fruit notes, along with some signature Saint Helena minerality. This wine had so much of what I love about Napa…

Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon

This definitely needs a little bit of time to unwind and sort itself out; but what presented itself after about an hour decant was a very well delineated and focused core of deep, dark fruit. Notes…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Simple and straightforward notes of plum, black cherry, some black raspberry, and a bit of cedar. Fairly plump and round, almost carrying some Merlot-like nuances. Some purple berry and talc notes…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Previous notes from 08/22/2016 still apply, however I took some time to follow this over the course of a few hours.

TOR Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Same as my specific flavor notes from May. Ideally, this shouldn't be opened for another year or two (shoot for 2018). We didn't intend on cracking the cork on this, but circumstances dictated…

Trujillo Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasted at a friend's before dinner. Paired with white ghost pepper salami and rich/salty hard Parmesan. This wine was MUCH better with food; as a stand alone drinker, it felt a little lost at this…

Realm Cellars Sauvignon Blanc ibid.farella Farella Vineyard

Paired with an abalone and legume dish, and then a summer squash and mussel "cold soup" that were both extraordinary with this wine. This was one of my favorite pairings we did. The wine was one of…

Bevan Cellars Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard

Started off linear and tight, with red, blue, and purple berry fruit notes and a bit of alcohol. After two hours in the decanter, it began to open up more, with additional blueberry and raspberry…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

Rich, extracted, and incredibly deep. Black fruit driven wine; notes of ripe blackberry, dark chocolate, asphalt, tar, scorched earth, smooth oak, vanilla bean, and a little clove. Reminded me a bit…

Forman Cabernet Sauvignon

Same as my specific tasting notes in March.

Realm Cellars The Tempest

Same as my notes from 1/13/2016. Beautiful bottle of wine! Drink now and over the next few years.