Reviews

D.R. Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon Walther Vineyard

Acidic and a bit brash. A classically styled Cabernet built for consumption in about 7+ years at minimum. Mike Hirby is obviously trying to craft this wine for the long haul (at least I hope that's…

Favia Cabernet Sauvignon

Outstanding improvement from 6 months ago. About two hours in the decanter at 54 degrees (and then a little warm up to a cool room temperature at around 65 degrees) really brought this wine into a…

Joseph Phelps Insignia

Slow O2 for less than 30 minutes and swirled in the glass for another 30 minutes. Solid core fruit with a rounded, plush profile. Much more accessible than I thought it would be. Certainly showed…

Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

Drank alongside a 2012 Insignia. Both were solid, but the Lokoya had a little more complexity and earth nuances (which seemed much more indicative of the 2010 vintage). The Insignia was plush and…

Celani Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Same as my notes from June. I'm thinking holding this for another year is a good idea. Started to develop some nice dark chocolate notes that added interest on the final sips. 93+ points (inching to…

Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Moulds Vineyard

I gotta honestly say I don't know how anyone is drinking this right now without some SERIOUS airtime. PnP was like drinking cranberry juice. An hour in the decanter did next to nothing in terms of…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

You've been wanting to try the 2014 Scarlett Reserve out...but don't. You'll think that the standard 2014 Scarlett isn't drinking too bad considering it's youth, so why not give the Reserve a…

Alban Vineyards Syrah Seymour's Vineyard

In no way ready for prime time whatsoever. A total departure from the Reva in almost every way. The Seymour's carries much higher-register red fruit tonalities of red raspberry and pomegranate, with…

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard

A fairly open and giving Pinot considering its youth. Usually these RM wines take some bottle age to really start kicking into gear (typically they can come off astringent and overtly tight).…

Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

PnP with a splash decant at around 54 degrees proved to be the best showing of the night for this wine. Extraordinary notes of black berry fruits, black currant, asphalt/road tar, dark chocolate,…

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…

Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block

Same as previous notes. Some subtle black olive and earth notes after about 3 hours in the decanter at 54 degrees. I will try to hold until mid/late 2017.

Becklyn Cellars Sauvignon Blanc McGah Vineyard

You can go ahead and copy and paste most of what Cristal2000 mentioned with anything I could hope to conjure up in terms of tasting notes for this wine. This was New Zealand SB right out of the gate…

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,…

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard

This took about two hours to fully unveil its core fruit and additional nuanced flavors. After a couple of hours in the decanter at 54 degrees, notes of deep black cherry, black raspberry, fresh…

Celani Family Vineyards Chardonnay Napa Valley

Same notes as 5 months ago. A very nice bottle of Chardonnay. Drink now and over the next couple of years.

Bernardus Winery Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard

Unfortunately all of the four 2013 Pinots tasted in this lineup were forgettable for the most part and hovered in the 87 point range at best. I could not honestly tell you which wine was which. The…

Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Henry Ayrton's Block Rapley Trail Vineyard

What should have been the grand finale of the signature Pinot lineup from Fogarty ended up, not surprisingly, a total dud. Same old song with the watery and diluted flavor profile, even less so when…

Bernardus Winery Chardonnay Soberanes Vineyard

Overtly candied lemon drop and sweet vanilla notes pummeled the heck out of any finesse this wine had hopes of producing. It had an almost vanilla Schnapps aftertaste, with the oak influence…

Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Rapley Trail Vineyard

Probably one of the "best" wines in the Pinot lineup, the Rapley Trail had a little bit of forest floor, mulch, and cedar to assist in attempting to wake up the otherwise diluted and watery black…

Bernardus Winery Chardonnay Rosella's Vineyard

Same as my notes from the day before. This was tasted alongside the 2014 Ingrid's Chardonnay, which was a fuller-bodied wine; however, the Rosella's had a little more complexity and delineation of…

Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Series Muns Vineyard

Try as I might, I can't for the life of me remember this Pinot at all. I can tell you it was thin and lost on my palate.

Bernardus Winery Chardonnay Sierra Mar Vineyard

A good Chardonnay, but far overshadowed by the Ingrid's and Rosella's tasted alongside it. Because of the competition, the Sierra Mar was forgettable. It was decently crafted, but I honest to God…

Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Will's Cabin Vineyard

Obviously sounding like a broken record, this wine followed suit with its brethren Pinots in its lost and forgettable profile. Some diluted strawberry, black cherry, and a hint of forest floor (which…

Thomas Fogarty Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Series Vida Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains

Much like the appellation Pinot. Thin, diluted, and weak. I took one sip and dumped the wine. Instantly forgettable and disappointing. Not even lifesaver verbiage like "pretty" or "feminine" or…