Reviews

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Berry liqueur, red and black raspberry and cherry, licorice, and hints of earth, this vintage of Crane has hallmark Vice Versa power, but is downshifted a bit compared to other vintages. There is a…

Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Though the 2016 and 2019 have consistently outperformed other recent vintages of Spottswoode, this 2018 offers a pretty display of red and black currant, red cherry, cedar spice, and dry mulch. Faint…

Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon

Red fruited, with some bricking evident, this shows a softer, more rustic side of California Cabernet. Compared to other wines in the blind (both Napa and BDX), this was surely older school in…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

This is a super hot fruit goober. I mean, it's a Crane, so fruit is kinda its thing, but I would leave these alone for a while. It's on total flash and overtly cocktaily in its current fraternity…

Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

This sample was fruity and vanilla-coated, with a single note delivery of dark purple berry fruit. Medium finish.

Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon Cornelius Grove

I favored this Cornelius over the Estate. Whereas the Estate is much more modern and fruit-driven in profile, the Cornelius carries heightened focus and precision. The speed and freshness are of…

Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon

This was surprisingly more modern in profile than I had anticipated, with a gushing posture kicking out fruity red and black fruit, licorice, and cedar notes. The tannins whip up in short order to…

Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst

Black cherry and black raspberry lead the front end. Plum then begins to overpower the profile, becoming plummy and jammy at times. Mid-palate is medium with a round finish that quickly turns…

Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Though youthfully primary and slightly strict at this stage, the 2019 is packed with sophistication and beautiful potential. It's a serious and stern presentation currently, but it makes its mark…

Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Linear and superficial in execution, with notes of vanilla, cedar, blackberry seed, and currant which struggle to expand or gain depth. Finishes direct, bitter, lean, and without much personality.…

Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Cutting to the chase, this was a rocket ship on day two. Day one was reserved and a little linear, with red to black fruit dominating the profile. Finished flavorful but a bit strict on the back end.…

Sodhani Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

This really is a phenomenal wine. The 2013 is probably the best wine this house has ever made. So much focus and chiseled intensity, with a flavor expansion that can turn on a dime. Expertly crafted,…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

I had to laugh because I have always considered Dr. Crane fruit-driven for my palate. The first word in my notes says, "fruity." CT'r Cristal2000 thinks I make this stuff up just cuz I give him a…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Powerful and front loaded. Boom! Instantly turns richer and longer with the first sip. A beast of a wine that holds it all together with graphite and mineral elements providing an amazing stretch of…

Sodhani Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

This is an incredibly compelling wine. The spine and pulsating energy unite to make for a perfect juxtaposition to the dark, ripe fruit. There is the slightest touch of pyrazine (which I love) to…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

It's been a few years since I last visited this wine. It drinks smooth and plush for the most part, with little bits of air helping it stretch its legs. The profile hasn't changed much, with black…

La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon Alluvium

Blackberry, black raspberry, black cherry, soil, and graphite dominate, with more power and darker fruit than the Red Hen served beside it, the 2018 Alluvium is a bit of a monster. Still, there is…

La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon Alluvium

This 2021 is a powerful and driven specimen, with sweet, ripe, and dark fruit interweaving with a pronounced propulsion of candied raspberry and cassis notes. The finish is incredibly loooong.…

La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon Alluvium

Another go-around with this wine, which delivered the initial hit of powerful tannins, but was able to find a nice groove once given a healthy amount of air. This bottle kicked out super dark, black…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

The 2021 LPV and Crane especially lead with vanilla and chocolate notes, flaunting their baby fat like the happiest kid on the planet with a triple scoop ice cream cone in one hand and a pinwheel in…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

The 2021 LPV and Crane especially lead with vanilla and chocolate notes, flaunting their baby fat like the happiest kid on the planet with a triple scoop ice cream cone in one hand and a pinwheel in…

La Pelle Cabernet Sauvignon Alluvium

The powerhouse of the three SVDs, the Alluvium elbows past the partygoers and shows its upfront opulence and swanky luxury. Ripe blackberry is encircled with a bit of booze on the initial cascade of…

Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

Over four years since my last sampling this, the '16 FM LPV has gone from a high-rider taut teaser to a lush, plush, and gurgling gush of muddled blackberries and choc-o-late silkiness. If you know…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

This sample was actually a bit subdued (comparatively to other vintages of VV LPVs at least), but certainly with enough potency and drive that there is little question of its origin and of the…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Hey man... What can I say?! This is everything you love about the good Doctor turned up to 11. If you know Crane and you know Elysian, it'll come as no surprise that this bugger is all flavor-forward…