Reviews

Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

A truly stunning bottle of wine. PnP displayed beautifully pure red, black, and purple fruit notes, black raspberry, red and black currant, black slate, river rock/gravel, pumice, and a hint of…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Bergfeld

Same as my previous notes. A 94+ bottle of wine, and in the same category (in terms of quality) as the '13 Stags Leap, '14 Howell, and '14 Diamond Cabernets served during the same tasting. Drinks…

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

Well this was quite the surprise (at least in the beginning). Decanted for approximately 30 minutes and it was kicking out some really nice blue and black fruit notes. Blueberry, black raspberry,…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

On the heels of just having the 2014 Carter OG the night before, I decided to pop the cork on my other top shelf Mike Smith wine that usually fights the OG for the best of Mike's wines. Not…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

PnP with higher-toned red fruit notes that scream baby in a bottle. Purity of fruit is evident, as is the balance among the acidity, structure, and core fruit. However, as good a bottle of wine as…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Not surprisingly, PnP was indeed a little jammy and primary. Purple and red berry notes, alcohol, and some asphalt.

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

After a couple of hours in the decanter, this wine exhibited notes of red and black currant, black cherry, purple plum, cedar, alcohol, and a bit of chalky limestone. Had a lot of verve and energy on…

Seven Stones Cabernet Sauvignon

I'd love to pretend that I found this wine to be merely agreeable and well crafted, but straight from a PnP, I found this wine to be utterly amazing. From the first sip, I was sold. This had a…

Pott Wine Cabernet Franc La Carte et Le Territoire

Same as my notes from 8 months ago, except that this was extremely accessible after just a splash decant. No harsh edges and a beautiful, silky mouthfeel from start to finish. Drinking very well at…

The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

All of my previous notes apply. WOTN for everyone. Needed a splash decant and was quickly on its way to showing itself off. Quickly disappeared.

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Bergfeld

An enticing bottle of wine from start to finish. Drinking extremely well with about a 30 minute decant. Rich and deep, with the perfect kiss of sweet cassis and red and black licorice to compliment…

Rudius Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

Same as last month. I feel like this is digressing fast. My last bottle. Others at the table preferred it to the 2012 Keever; however, their palates were certainly more aligned with plump, round,…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Bergfeld

Previous notes from two months ago apply, except that I dropped this down a bit because of its seemingly rushed PnP service? I was unable to determine how long this had actually been open, but it…

Lewelling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

Similar to my previous notes, but this went down a tick for me to be honest. Turned a little plumy after about an hour of air. Thin mid-palate as well. QPR is obviously pretty darn good, but even at…

Rudius Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

Same as my notes from six months ago except that this had a hard time shedding itself of a plum-tinged aftertaste until about 2+ hours of air managed to help bring out some deeper flavors. However,…

D.R. Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon Moose Valley Vineyard

The best of the three wines tasted at the winery. Still high pitched and somewhat tart, but not nearly as acidic as the Walther.

The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

I don't know what it is, but I feel like I'm not supposed to like this wine as much as I do. But...I do. I hate to use the word hedonistic, but it truly is one of those wines that when it races…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Clearly too young to completely get a grasp on evaluating its full potential. PnP was understandably primary and a bit linear in terms of overall complexity. However the core red and purple berry…

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…

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…

Del Dotto Cabernet Sauvignon 9 Oaks 36 Month French Select Block 2 St. Helena Mountain

Surprisingly accessible and overall a well done, top shelf expression of Napa Cabernet. As good or better as the 2014 equivalent barrel sample tried at the winery's Barrels & Beasts a few months…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Previous tasting notes apply. My last bottle. PnP was slightly tight, with some alcohol lingering on the finish. Red and black fruit dominant, with black licorice, red and black currant, and some…

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…

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.

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…