Reviews

Addax Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Almost like a hybrid of the 2014 Bevan McGah and Ontogeny I just had prior to tasting this wine, but injected with 100 cc of horse juice, the Addax was deeply extracted and concentrated with black,…

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard

A very giving and inviting representation of the McGah site, with a notable finesse that allowed for a seamless delivery of black and dark purple core fruit. Had a bit of a black asphalt, pebbly…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

Notes of red and black currant, black cherry, and black raspberry. Acid seemed a bit higher, with a more red fruit profile than the Bergfeld and Diamond served before this Veeder. A lot of tension…

Vincent Arroyo Bodega

A somewhat strange BDX hybrid. Some dark currant flavors with some wood. Not a lot of depth, viscosity, or complexity. Clipped and thin on the back end. I couldn't get into it unfortunately.

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Same as all of my previous notes on this wine. It was totally open for business, with plump and saturated black and purple core fruit. The PV component seemingly showed a pebbly dark side almost…

L'Aventure Côte-à-Côte Estate

Hot and disjointed...like Kate Beckinsale with a peg leg.

Senses Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Fairly straightforward domestic Chardonnay, veering a little more toward the butter and rounded vanilla flavors. Medium-bodied, but delivering a fuller hit of lemon curd and rich yellow citrus…

Seven Stones Cabernet Sauvignon

Similar to my previous notes on 1/22/2017. This exhibited beautifully balanced flavors throughout the later courses of dinner. Kobe beef and lamb dishes were certainly friends to this wine. Notes of…

Buccella Merlot

Previous notes apply. This bottle came off a little "fruitier" than the Buccellas of the recent past. Showed less verve and a little less nuanced flavor profile than what I remember from before.…

Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block

Same as 2+ months ago. Some blasé, medium-bodied flavors of blackberry, plum, black cherry, and faint vanilla. Kinda fruity overall in the initial attack, but faded extremely fast on the back end. A…

Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Summit 1376'

Beautiful notes of black cherry, black raspberry, Chinese five-spice, earth/loam, and a fascinating evergreen note on the back end that provided a phenomenal lift, carrying the finish on for 45+…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Same as all of my previous notes. Though this is drinking really well right now with a bit of a decant (two hours was optimal), I will try to listen to my own advice and wait until 2018+ before…

Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard

Similar notes to over a year ago, but man did this start out with some serious jet fuel blasting over the palate. This thing went straight into a decanter for a couple of hours before it was truly…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Same as my notes two months ago. A step behind the GTO and OG in terms of Carter's To Kalon wines, but a great showing regardless. Hold until 2020+.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Still awesome. Still 100 point potential. Served side by side with La Bam. The La Bam is a very good wine, but this La Verdad is on a whole other level. Superior concentration and complexity.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

Same as my notes from two months ago. 10 minutes in the glass and some swirling really brought out some elevated flavors. Not as high toned and overtly red fruited as last time. Verve and acidic…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Bam Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Same as my notes from two months ago except that I bumped this up a point. Served with La Verdad side by side. Admittedly La Bam can't match the sheer awesomeness of its superior sibling La Verdad,…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon The Magnificent Seven

A nearly flawless example of a big "cult style" Napa Cabernet. The attack is a rush of dark black currant, black cherry, black raspberry, dark chocolate, subtle char, and black mulch notes. A…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon

A Stagecoach (Pritchard Hill side)/LPV hybrid, this Cabernet showed the best of what can become of Stagecoach fruit, with some much elevated flavor assistance from LPV. I wouldn't have been able to…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon BBS Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

On the nose, interesting floral aromas, with liqueur and alcohol wafting up through the back of the mouth. On the palate, dark red and black berry notes, black raspberry liqueur, and subtle violets.

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon BBS Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Close to being on par with the 2015 Magnificant 7, this LPV BBS is packed full of dark, chocolate-covered black berry, black currant, black licorice, black raspberry liqueur, cacao, and pulverized…

World's End Cabernet Sauvignon CrossFire Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard

I wasn't a fan of this wine at all. Given the Missouri Hopper site, I definitely expected more. Closed off, muted, thin, and a bit tannic. Some black fruit on the attack with a bitter back end.…

Lithology Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

A beautiful label with lovely packaging in a pretty box that would make most wine collectors proud to own a 3-pack...and...a totally forgettable and unfortunate bottle of juice given the players and…

Eric Kent Wine Cellars Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Similar notes to last year. A very round and inviting Chardonnay, if not a bit too simple overall. Some nice yellow citrus fruit and hints of vanilla and buttered popcorn. Nothing over the top, but a…

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Same notes as 5 months ago. Drinking really well with a one hour decant. Impeccably balanced for a wine in this bracket. One of the best sub-$100 Napa reds out there. Drink now and over the next 5…