Reviews

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

Tasted alongside a Cliff Lede 2012 Stags Leap Cabernet and a 2011 High Fidelity. This was the weakest of the trio, with a thin and watery mouthfeel, lacking viscosity and depth. Some red currant and…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

Same as my specific notes from 2/12/2016. Not surprisingly, this wine bested a 2011 Cliff Lede Stags Leap Cabernet and a 2011 Cliff Lede High Fidelity.

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

PnP with notes of tart raspberry, strawberry, alcohol, and some wood and citrus. Allowed to breathe in a wide-bottomed decanter for over an hour at 54 degrees.

Quixote Petite Sirah Helmet of Mambrino

Initially tight on PnP: black cherry, black raspberry, blackberry, and bitter chocolate.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Coliseum Block

PnP with notes of smooth black raspberry, red/black currant, wild berry (almost a brambly, mountain fruit quality), red licorice, and a nice dusty/chalky component that added good cut on the back end.

Salinia Chardonnay Heintz Ranch

Tasted side-by-side with the 2006 Salinia Heintz Chardonnay. Same specific CT notes on this wine as on 10/9/2015. I bumped it up a point to 95, as that lovely sherry/Jura style was rocking perfectly…

Salinia Chardonnay Heintz Ranch

Tasted side-by-side with the 2008 Salinia Heintz Chardonnay. Same as my specific CT notes from 07/5/2015, except that I feel as though this has smoothed-out even more so than 8 months ago. Ready to…

Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard

PnP with the same tannic black berry fruit, black licorice, and wet pebble notes as my last CT note from 9/26/2015. 88-90 points on initial sips.

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Specific tasting notes were pretty much the same except that this go-around on the PnP it was a little clunky. It reminded me that this is still a young 2013 Napa Cabernet that isn't 100% ready to…

L'Aventure Optimus

Same notes as last month. Always a crowd pleaser, a great QPR, and ready to drink now. A little air always helps, but it's smooth and lush with a bit of swirling in the glass after a PnP.

Forman Cabernet Sauvignon

More in line with my specific notes from 12/15/2015. Drinking good now without a decant. Classical Napa Cabernet style, with deep purple/red berry and currant notes. As always, some cedar on the back…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Pellet Vineyard

I concur with other previous notes on this wine, especially JCAASI01 regarding its plump, round characteristics. It almost drank like a big Merlot, with some juicy Syrah components (as mentioned by…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District

PnP with notes of red and purple berry fruit, red and black currant, cocoa powder, and chalk. Not filling in much on the mid-palate and a bit of a bite on the finish. Into the decanter it went.

Valdez Family Winery Petite Sirah Landy Vineyard

Thick unctuous PS notes of blackberry, blueberry, chocolate covered raspberry, asphalt, tar, granite, and cacao.

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon LPV Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

PnP with notes of beautifully brambly red and purple berry fruit, black raspberry, macerated blackberry, vanilla bean, dark chocolate raspberry liqueur, espresso, black currant, and just a faint hint…

Eric Kent Wine Cellars Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Same notes as 01/25/2016. "It was fine," is the only phrase that comes to mind. Buttered popcorn and lemon curd; two flavors I like in a chardonnay if there is something else to elevate it. Not here.

Talley Vineyards Chardonnay Rosemary's Vineyard

Good, not great. Nothing memorable. Notes of mineral-inflected lemon oil, green apple, quince, and granite. Epitomized a "standard California chardonnay" in that it offered up a decent drinking…

Lewis Cellars Syrah

Totally agree with DANIELBLEIER in that this wine is indeed super rich and lush (in the best of ways). Exactly what I would expect from a Lewis Syrah from an overly-giving vintage like 2012. PnP with…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Daughters of Earth Goldrock Ridge

An absolutely phenomenal showing this go-around. Similar to my previous CT notes on this wine, with specific flavors of sweet black cherry and dark berry fruits, ripe plum, black raspberry, vanilla…

Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block

Corked. Dammit all!

Carlisle Syrah Cardiac Hill

Corked. Another flawed Carlisle in the same night. For the love of all that's holy!!!....... Grrrr...

Shafer Relentless

Same as my CT notes from 09/07/2015. Great stuff. Improved with two hours in the decanter. Could probably use another year in bottle for total optimum drinking.

Sullivan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon James O'Neil

PnP with notes on ripe plum, black cherry, red currant, vanilla, and signature Rutherford dust. Air helped to broaden the flavors a bit, but also muddled the fruit. The plum note became especially…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Same as my specific CT notes from 10/31/2015. Good stuff. Barely needed a decant. Drink now and over the next few years.

Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Summit 2114

My absolute favorite of the 2013 Bevan Pinots at this stage. Strikingly similar to the 2012 2114, except that the 2013 exhibited an even greater spectrum in depth of flavor. Specific notes for the…