Reviews

Salinia Sauvignon Blanc

Same as all of my previous notes. The dry and sherry-esque profile of this wine, especially on the finish, has become a little wearisome for me personally. It's ok, but it's just ok at this point.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Bam Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

A very interesting wine with vibrant energy and elevated, higher-toned fruit. Displaying more tight red fruit than the La Verdad (the "original" Carter LPV block from previous vintages), the La Bam…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

This and the GTO were the absolute best in the entire lineup. Where the GTO was a 110 point wine, this LPV was a mere 100 points. From the first sip, I knew it was Las Piedras. Dark purple fruit with…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Carter

This 2015 Proprietary Cabernet is a resurrection of the 2004/2005 Carter Proprietary/A&J Cabernet that originally sold for $300 over a decade ago (RP gave those wines 99 and 98 points respectively).…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard

The best Carter Weitz to date, the 2015 ratchets up the depth and richness and tones down the acid to just the right amount. The amazingly beautiful grip on the Weitz is certainly one of the first…

Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs

Same as previous notes. Very nice on a hot day, but nothing to write home about.

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingly Project Winfield Vineyard

A beautifully concentrated and opulent wine. Just a hair more intense and powerful than the standard 2014 Grade Cabernet. Dark blue and black fruit, deeply pitched, and a hint of sweetness on the…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

For a sub-$100 Napa Cabernet, and from the Fortuna site no less, this wine drinks way above its price point. Just a tick below some of the other more expansive and concentrated 2015 Carters, the…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Hands down the best GIII Mike Smith has made to date. Off the charts intensity and concentration. A rich drive pushes unbelievable tiers of black, blue, and purple fruit flavors on through a finish…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

This was the most accessible and giving of the standard Grade Cabernets. It displayed that signature kiss of sweet blue and black fruit that I consider a hallmark of the 2014 vintage. Glycerin and…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The G.T.O Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Perfect, quality fruit, beautiful concentration, extraordinary depth the likes of which I haven't had in a wine, and a finish that went on for 60++ seconds (and this was after having the other Carter…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingly Project Winfield Vineyard

As with the standard 2013 Grade Cabernet, the Kingly was also pretty wound tight. Coiled up and ready to pop, but not yet; not for another two years I would estimate.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

I've written quite a lot about this particular wine, as it is often my absolute favorite in the Carter lineup. Other previous notes have indeed covered it well. I will say once again that this wine…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

As others have mentioned, this wine still needs some time. It came off a bit linear and tight; higher toned red fruit when compared to the 2012 or 2014 versions. This was the least accessible when…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

This reminded me of the OG, but with a little less of that core black fruit and massive attack that inherently comes from the OG. This GD was surely opulent and inviting, but had a verve that kicked…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kingly Project Winfield Vineyard

Same as my note from 2 months ago. The best of all The Grade 2012/2013/2014 wines (standard and Kingly). The 2012 Kingly truly has that opulent, concentrated, and rich display of dark fruit, earth,…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

I had this wine served from 2 separate bottles (2 separate ways): Multiple Coravin 3-day old bottle and a fresh PnP.

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard

Same as my notes from 10/19/2016. A well crafted Cabernet with still some nice energy behind it to push the flavors forward. Fell off just a tad on the back end, but was otherwise a very giving style.

Sea-Fog (The Grade Cellars) Sauvignon Blanc

A very easy going SB that is smooth and inviting. Not a whole lot of unique flavors to distinguish it from other SBs, but a pleasant sipper nonetheless.

Carter Cellars Hossfeld Coliseum

A really beautiful Merlot blend, with round and supple core fruit and a mocha-infused flavor that complimented the dark purple fruit notes. A red with very nice focus and craftsmanship.

Favia Cerro Sur

Super tight and linear initially. Took a couple of hours to start to be a quasi-enjoyable drink. Certainly a different style of red, with freshly grilled/seared meat, peppercorn, plum, currant, coal,…

Donelan Chardonnay Genevieve's Block DeVoto Vineyard

An absolutely phenomenal showing. This went from hardly memorable over a year ago, into one of the most intriguing bottles of domestic Chardonnay I've had in a very long time. Some time in bottle has…

The Debate Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

It has been six months since I last had this wine. All previous notes apply for the most part. Still in the 94-96 point range for me. Such a balanced and silky version of a Dr. Crane; this is…

Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard

I love SBR Petites and have had great luck with them. They are generally extracted, high octane monsters that are still fun to drink and experiment with in terms of hedonistic pleasure and downright…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Similar to my notes 6 months ago. This continued to improve over the course of three hours in the decanter. I'm surprised we were able to stretch this wine out for that long, as it was one of the…