Reviews

Aubert Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard

On the nose, a distinctive whiff of lemon curd, marshmallow, and citrus blossom. On the palate, the wine totally bursts with a complex interplay of Meyer lemon, pear, butterscotch, salted caramel,…

Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red

Aromas of dark red and black fruit, cedar, and alcohol on the nose. On the palate, a tightly coiled mix of red and black licorice, espresso, blackberry, currant, and bitter chocolate. Still a taut,…

The Grade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Auction 15 Lot 76

Pop and pour. A surprisingly soft cabernet that is well integrated and pleasantly balanced. Lacking a bit of personality, complexity, and energy (especially after being open an hour or so), but still…

Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard

A big Petite with a very ripe fruit profile, indicative of seizing the most "grape" out of the 2012 vintage. I was concerned the fruit was going to come across overly-ripe, as the initial entry…

Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Decanted for 30 minutes at cellar temperature. On the nose: Plum, brownie, and milk chocolate jump from the glass. On the palate: Rich dark berry fruits, vanilla, cassis, and chocolate truffle.…

Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard

Tasted at Phifer Pavitt alongside SBR's '12 Petite and SBR's '11 Cabernet and '11 Petite.

TOR Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Up front dark red and blue fruit flavor profile. Nuances of licorice and cocoa dust follow. The pure fruit power typical of many 2012 Cabernets dominates. Understandably primary, with some restrained…

Bevan Cellars Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard

On the nose is a powerful wafting of crushed raspberries, Chinese five spice, and sweet liquor. Decanted for an hour to fan off some of the initial alcohol. Initial entry on the palate is an…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Ripe plum, dark red/blue fruit, hints of black licorice, anise, earth. Seems to be drinking at a very open and accessible stage. No trace of distracting herbal or green issues. A nice fleck of…

Pott Wine Cabernet Franc La Carte et Le Territoire

Though not completely ready to enter its prime drinking window, it is drinking surprisingly well. Decant for at least an hour or two, or wait a few years. Amazing purity of fruit, dark red and blue…

Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Corona Vineyard

On entry: Ripe plum, black fruits, forest floor. The plum repeats itself, with hints of sage, camphor, and menthol adding cut and contrasting interest to the full fruit flavors. Still a little…

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

Had this wine back in late 2014, and enjoyed its rich, smooth, dark personality. Tasted again last weekend, with similar notes (hasn't noticeably evolved too much yet for me). Nose is a bit muted at…

Salinia Chardonnay Heintz Ranch

One of those rare and profoundly unique wines that truly speaks to the personality and talents of the winemaker and to the maximum expression of place. Kevin Kelley is one of the few winemakers who…

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Tasted multiple times over the course of the last few months. Give this at least an hour decant to truly give it a chance to express itself (even then, it needs more time). A bit reserved on the…

Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon

At a private tasting alongside the 2011 Memento Mori Cabernet. The 2012 far overshadowed the 2011 in terms of immediate pleasure. Though the 2011 was a complete and "fine" wine, it came across overly…

Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon Two Old Dogs

A round, soft, and somewhat plum-driven cabernet. Shows the fruit-forward nature of the vintage, but in a cooler-climate style. Some dark cherry, currant, and chocolate notes, with faint wood notes.…

Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon HL

Tasted at the Herb Lamb release and again at Taj Campton SF. Complex notes of cool black and purple fruits, burnt embers, coffee, and cocoa. Not yet fully expressive, but shows promise in a tightly…

Cirq Pinot Noir TreeHouse

Tasted at the Cirq pickup event. Nose was somewhat muted, with unique mineral, wet slate and berry aromas. On the palate, a cool inward profile of purple and red fruit; plum, black cherry, dark red…