Reviews

Quixote Petite Sirah Helmet of Mambrino

Initially tight on PnP: black cherry, black raspberry, blackberry, and bitter chocolate.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Coliseum Block

PnP with notes of smooth black raspberry, red/black currant, wild berry (almost a brambly, mountain fruit quality), red licorice, and a nice dusty/chalky component that added good cut on the back end.

Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard

PnP with the same tannic black berry fruit, black licorice, and wet pebble notes as my last CT note from 9/26/2015. 88-90 points on initial sips.

Forman Cabernet Sauvignon

More in line with my specific notes from 12/15/2015. Drinking good now without a decant. Classical Napa Cabernet style, with deep purple/red berry and currant notes. As always, some cedar on the back…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Specific tasting notes were pretty much the same except that this go-around on the PnP it was a little clunky. It reminded me that this is still a young 2013 Napa Cabernet that isn't 100% ready to…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Pellet Vineyard

I concur with other previous notes on this wine, especially JCAASI01 regarding its plump, round characteristics. It almost drank like a big Merlot, with some juicy Syrah components (as mentioned by…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

PnP with notes of red and purple berry fruit, red and black currant, cocoa powder, and chalk. Not filling in much on the mid-palate and a bit of a bite on the finish. Into the decanter it went.

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon LPV Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

PnP with notes of beautifully brambly red and purple berry fruit, black raspberry, macerated blackberry, vanilla bean, dark chocolate raspberry liqueur, espresso, black currant, and just a faint hint…

Lewis Cellars Syrah

Totally agree with DANIELBLEIER in that this wine is indeed super rich and lush (in the best of ways). Exactly what I would expect from a Lewis Syrah from an overly-giving vintage like 2012. PnP with…

Shafer Relentless

Same as my CT notes from 09/07/2015. Great stuff. Improved with two hours in the decanter. Could probably use another year in bottle for total optimum drinking.

Sullivan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon James O'Neil

PnP with notes on ripe plum, black cherry, red currant, vanilla, and signature Rutherford dust. Air helped to broaden the flavors a bit, but also muddled the fruit. The plum note became especially…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Same as my specific CT notes from 10/31/2015. Good stuff. Barely needed a decant. Drink now and over the next few years.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Kudos to AGEVERETT, YACK MAN, and BLUEGOOSE who nailed this wine perfectly.

Venge Vineyards Scout's Honor

Unfortunately this is the same as when I had it back in December. Not my thing at all. Muddled and confusing.

Realm Cellars The Bard

Tasted with Juan and Scott at Realm alongside the 2013 Farella, 2013 BTK, and a 2013 Bevan Wildfoote (just for contrast).

Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Tasted at Realm with Juan and Scott, alongside the 2013 Bard, 2013 Farella, and a 2013 Bevan Wildfoote Cabernet (just to mix it up a bit)!

Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Bone Ash Vineyard

Tasted side by side with the 2013 Venge Reserve Cabernet. Both were top notch Napa reds with reasonable QPRs considering what's in the bottle. They are a tad bit different wines stylistically; I…

Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Family Reserve

Tasted at Venge, side by side with the 2013 Bone Ash, which was a different wine stylistically from the Reserve. While the Bone Ash was awash with powerful and opulent blackberry and black licorice…

Venge Vineyards Merlot

Same as my previous tasting notes a few months ago. A cedar note was especially prominent this time around. Air helped open it up in terms of the fruit, but also elevated the wood component (not in a…

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Wildfoote Vineyard, Vixen Block

This was an unexpected addition to a 2013 Realm lineup including the 2013 Bard, Farella, and BTK. The Bevan was the first of the four, and had been opened (in bottle) for approximately three-four…

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Wildfoote Vineyard, Vixen Block

This was an unexpected addition to a 2013 Realm lineup including the 2013 Bard, Farella, and BTK. The Bevan was the first of the four, and had been opened (in bottle) for approximately three-four…

Realm Cellars Farella Vineyard

Tasted at Realm with Juan and Scott, alongside the 2013 Bard, 2013 BTK, and a 2013 Bevan Wildfoote (just for fun).

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

PnP with incredibly high-pitched notes of cranberry, pomegranate, unripe plum, bitter cherry, alkaline, and dust. Virtually undrinkable, and almost completely unidentifiable as a Cabernet Sauvignon.

Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard

PnP with notes of purple and black berry fruit, black raspberry, asphalt, granite, and a little bitter chocolate. Signature PS flavors with an admirable balance between fruit and mineral notes.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Similar to my CT notes from September 2015. I bumped this up a point to 94, as an hour in the decanter brought out some of the coffee, chocolate, and mineral notes that I typically associate with the…