Reviews

Realm Cellars The Falstaff

Well hot damn if this wasn't one of the best examples of a Cab Franc/Merlot blend (88/12) that I've had in a long while. Just when I've been all keyed-up in a recent grumpy rant over the doughy…

Scarecrow Monsieur Étain

Previous note applies. Ideally I'm going to try to give this another 2 years before opening my next bottle. Drinks beautifully after a couple of hours in the decanter, but shows even more potential…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

PnP was an initial palate pimp-slap of black cherry liqueur, electric purple plum, strong spice, and a decent amount of rocket fuel. Not to worry though...not my first rodeo with this bucking bronco.…

Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon Booth Bella Oaks

Biting black cherry, red and black currant, and asphalt. A flat, stinging mid-palate wards off any real depth of flavor. Finish is completely clipped. After two hours of air in the glass, it showed…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

This reminded me of a more regal version of a 2014 Myriad GIII, almost what I'd imagine the Empyrean to be like if Mike Smith produced a 2014 bottling of it. Finessed, elegant, but still pumping…

Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Thomas Vineyard

Barrel sample. Red and black core fruit, with some soil and spice. Medium-bodied and a little simple, the Thomas was much more subtle and reserved than I had anticipated. I did not get any of the…

Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Barrel sample. Black core fruit, with some soil, dust, and spice to add interest. Delivery on this wine was a little flat and Simple Jack, but it still managed to offer pleasure by way of its…

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Previous notes from December still apply. A beautiful display of dark fruit flavors, if not lacking just a bit on the concentration side of things. Veers toward a more simple delivery of flavors, but…

Greer Cabernet Sauvignon Greer Vineyard

Same as all previous notes. Performed quite well, with a notable accessibility and plushness that is indicative of the vintage. A wild, dusty blueberry note added an elevated interest. Drink now with…

Greer Cabernet Sauvignon Greer Vineyard

I went for another small pour from the Coravin on this wine. It had some time to open up with air, which was a good thing. I'm starting to understand this wine a little more. Even with the plushness…

Greer Cabernet Sauvignon Greer Vineyard

Similar to previous notes. Last minute pull. From Coravin. Notes of black cherry, black raspberry, cassis, purple plum, and faint hints of salami and dust (maybe the dust thing is just in my head - I…

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard

A very good showing for this wine tonight. It was up there with WOTN among all the other wines at the table (tied with a '12 Janzen Missouri Hopper). This 2013 Bevan McGah was served next to its 2012…

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Served side-by-side with a 2013 Bevan McGah (and a whole bunch of other wines at the table). A smooth delivery of black (predominantly), blue, and some reddish-purple core…

12c Cabernet Sauvignon G3 Reserve Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

On par with what I've experienced with the 12C GIII Reserve, this 2015 version was displaying some interesting (almost funky and earthy) dark red and black core fruit flavors, laced with cedar and…

Boich Family Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

The bell curve on this wine was fairly low and quick. Its apex showed some nice purple core fruit, but it had a bit of a plum effect on the back end that sat on the grip and made it taste a little…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Served next to a 2015 Carter OG. The OG was much more royal and advanced complexity-wise than the GIII, but this wine held up all of its stacked flavors in spades. Pleasurable…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Previous notes apply. This bottle seemed a little more mellow at first. It took a couple hours of air to deepen its flavor profile a bit more. It had a more beautiful delivery (as opposed to a…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Barrel samples (Cabernet Sauvignon):

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Opened the night before, gassed, re-corked, and tasted at 11AM the next day. A not-too-surprising representation of the GIII site. Plush, fruit-driven, and flavorful, with fairly soft edges and an…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Round Pond Vineyard

Barrel samples (Cabernet Sauvignon):

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Empyrean Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Barrel samples (Cabernet Sauvignon):

D.R. Stephens Chardonnay Star Vineyard

PnP with beautiful notes of yellow citrus, lemon curd, vanilla bean, white bread center, and light honey. Creamy and giving, with an immediate accessibility that draws you in with each sip. Medium…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Same as my notes from earlier this month. Wild and concentrated flavors, with a mid-palate that is incredibly intense. This and a '13 Tusk were tied for WOTN. The Tusk was much smoother (after about…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

All of my previous notes apply. This took about 2 hours of slow O2 with some swirling in the glass throughout consumption to really develop some beautifully deep and saturated flavors. Started out a…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Empyrean Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Previous notes apply, though this was a much more reticent showing than five months ago. PnP was somewhat linear on the attack, with a softer back end. The fruit was restrained and holding a lot back…