Reviews

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Quick impromptu tasting with Mike Smith during a pick-up of my Carter/Myriad/Quivet wines. This was poured via Coravin and allowed just a little time for air with some swirling in the glass.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Quick impromptu tasting with Mike Smith during a pick-up of my Carter/Myriad/Quivet wines. This was poured from Coravin with just a little time to breathe in the glass.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Bluegoose's notes are right on the money with this wine. Not much else to add. Certainly a well crafted and enjoyable wine, but somewhat overshadowed by the 2012 and 2013 vintages. Turned a little…

Del Dotto Cabernet Sauvignon Connoisseurs Series Allier French Oak Gamba Block 2

Notes of black berry fruit, dark plum, and cedar. Smooth and drinking well now; looks to be at the apex or just on the beginning downturn of its optimum drinking window. The cedar note became more…

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Brown Label

Holding steady at 95-96 points. Previous tasting notes from a few months ago still apply. Three hours of air in a decanter at 54 degrees smoothed out the overall texture of the wine very nicely.

TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard

Unbelievable showing this time around. Similar to my specific tasting notes six months ago in terms of specific flavors, except that the black licorice and asphalt notes circled even more superbly…

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection

PnP with accessible and immediately gratifying notes of blackberry, black cherry, black and red current, dark chocolate, and vanilla bean. A kiss of spice on the back end framed the core flavors…

Pott Wine Viognier 20m3

Pleasant notes of lemongrass, light citrus oil, and hints of dry hay, stone, and vanilla. An easy drinker, but not especially complex or popping with any discernible personality.

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

At the risk of sounding like I'm getting kickbacks from Schrader or something (I wish!), I have to admit this was indeed a fabulous showing with this wine. Had a bit of a tight grip on initial PnP,…

Casa Nuestra Cabernet Franc

Tart, clipped, and not giving off much fruit. Some dust and alcohol, with linear, bitter purple berry flavors just barely peeking out. A biting, chalky finish in the back end.

Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon

Another strong showing with this wine. Drinking well now, without the sweetness that had appeared previously. Nice round, dark fruit and dark chocolate flavors at the forefront.

Shafer Relentless

Same as my previous notes on this wine. Nice dark fruits and some notable minerality. Drinking well with an hour or two decant, or hold until early 2017 for even more optimum drinking.

Hartwell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve

PnP with enthralling notes of black and red currant, blackberry, asphalt, spice, and a hint of vanilla. After over an hour in the decanter at 54°, deeper flavors of dark chocolate and black licorice…

Lewelling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

PnP with notes of dusty red and purple berries, red and black currant, bitter plum, spice box, and a little earth. Threw out some wonderful intensity and verve on initial opening. Right away I felt…

The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Much improved from my previous experience with this wine nearly eight months ago. Decanted at a restaurant (Seven Hills SF) and followed for three hours.

Bacio Divino Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Cloudy's Vineyard

Decanted at a restaurant (Seven Hills SF) and followed over the course of two hours. Specific tasting notes from my last experience with this wine a few months ago still apply, with amazing dark…

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection

PnP, then decanted at 54 degrees, and followed over the course of about two-three hours. Time/Air didn't necessarily mark any significant changes in this wine's overall flavor profile; it stayed…

Turley Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard

PnP and then decanted at 54° for a couple of hours. Not much change with air. A completely unreal texture and viscosity, especially for a PS, which can sometimes be a little clunky. Layers of…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Previous specific tasting notes still apply. I continue to love this wine. Slow O2 at 54° for an hour. Consumed over two more hours, which was the perfect service treatment of this wine for my…

Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rattlesnake

PnP with good wild mountain red and purple berry fruit notes. Tight and chalky initially, but it didn't take long to open up fairly nicely. After about an hour decant, notes of plum, ripe raspberry,…

Blankiet Estate Proprietary Red Wine Paradise Hills Vineyard

Very similar to my notes on the 2007 Blankiet. This 2008 kicked out notes of red and purple plum, red and black currant, black raspberry, and some licorice/anise. A little chalk and cedar on the back…

Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red

Identical to my notes on 12/19/2015. Drinking very nice right out of the chute. An hour in a small decanter at 54 degrees was great. Beautifully balanced Cabernet and a great example of the varietal.…

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

I have to remember to listen to my own advice about waiting until mid-2017 before I crack the cork on wines like this. PnP was very, very tight, but the sleek, black fruit-driven profile gave me hope.

Mending Wall Cabernet Sauvignon

PnP with wild flavors of red and black berry, red currant, black cherry, black raspberry, tobacco, bitter chocolate, and dust. A little high-toned to start, but quickly lost its bite after a little…

Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon

On initial PnP, this was singing beautifully. Notes of dark plum, red and black currant, brambly blackberry, and some asphalt/minerality. This started off tasting a little like a wild mountain fruit…