Reviews

Faethm / Fingers Crossed Head Held High White

Still holding on to your precious 2017 Fingers Crossed white (yes, singular 'white,' since most of you only have one)? Life too scary out there and ya just can't bring yourself to crack the 2018?…

Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard

Man I tell ya, I last had this nearly five years ago and my note then is just as applicable as it is now. Solid stuff here that is absolutely able to (and perhaps should) age for longer. This…

Saxum Booker Vineyard

Well, hot dang! What's up blackberry bombshell?! Huck a slab of tar in your face and top with some chocolate, gingerbread, and ...pine needles? ..and you got yerself a Booker that, once the booze…

Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard

As a standalone, this wine was initially a tad confusing to me. likely more due to my general stupidity (as usual) than the wine being some sort of enigma. Here's why - The texture was exceptionally…

Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

Over four years since my last sampling this, the '16 FM LPV has gone from a high-rider taut teaser to a lush, plush, and gurgling gush of muddled blackberries and choc-o-late silkiness. If you know…

Three Sticks Chardonnay Alana

If you're a fat pufferfish of a kid who likes to cram butter-oiled popcorn in your face while sucking a jumbo 7-Up through your Red Vines straw, then you will likely find the Alana to be a bit too…

Bevan Cellars Syrah Moaveni Vineyard

I haven't had this wine in over four years, but this really held its own throughout the evening. Still a powerful and strong showing, but not overbearing or loud. When I kept revisiting it, the…

Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo

This started out in a zone that seemed to be on track for greatness, but it shut down hard in under an hour. Like Aqua Net at a Stevie Nicks concert, it was initially swarming with wonderful acid and…

Faethm / Fingers Crossed Syrah

Me: I think I'll open you tonight. I've been patient enough, right?

Ultramarine Sparkling Rosé Heintz Vineyard

Hibiscus, rhubarb, blood orange, and Aperol notes create a unique framework for the supplementary flavors of freshly rinsed raspberries, watermelon, lemon pith, and wet limestone. At first glance, it…

Sine Qua Non Distenta White I

A Little Havana disco-pulse ultra-club kaleidoscopic fruit bowl bonanza of butterscotch schnapps, honey hot toddy, fresh pineapple, unripe mango, dry hay, fresh corn, and limoncello mojito, the…

Arrow & Branch Right Bank Blend

I say with a little air, this is good to go. Drink with a couple hours in the decanter, or hold with confidence for 5++ years. Black fruited. Polished on the front end, with an…

Sine Qua Non Syrah B 20

This could certainly go another 3-5 years with no problem. Showing a meaty but finessed profile, with a bit of flex for the initial pour. Three hours in the decanter made for marked improvement…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Opened at the end of the evening, which is almost always a mistake in terms of service, the Tusk wasn't the total blowout like the SQN mighty Z cocktail, but it was clearly in need of about 3-5++…

Sine Qua Non Syrah Ziehharmonika

Too early. Period. PnP was a total joke: hot and brash. It wasn't a hot 'mess' necessarily, but it teetered on being completely chaotic and vulgar. It was mad at me and I was mad at it. "Stop…

Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium

Bringing this to a BDX tasting is like having Marilyn Manson as an opening act at a Celine Dion concert. Heavy metal devil horns brings the ripe fruit, the heat, and. well, the ripe fruit. Yet, this…

Saxum G2 Vineyard

Ok, I gotta call it like I see it. This was HOT HOT HOT. A Grenache cocktail if there ever was one. No, we didn't decant (so I'll take the hit on that for less-than optimal service). But oh lordy was…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon The Magnificent Seven

I think I've already punched my ticket a couple of times in terms of adjective allowances to describe this wine in my previous notes. Just when I think I'm pretty much done with this degree of what…

Abreu Madrona Ranch

A super solid showing here, with a beauty and sophistication that highlights why Abreu consistently belongs in the upper tier of Napa wines. I admittedly have been dismissive of this producer at…

Vice Versa Chardonnay Platt Vineyard

Every time I pop the cork on this wine, I fall in love with it all over again. It is totally my jam and one of the best representations of Chardonnay in California out there. It is (unfortunately)…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

This sample was actually a bit subdued (comparatively to other vintages of VV LPVs at least), but certainly with enough potency and drive that there is little question of its origin and of the…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Hey man... What can I say?! This is everything you love about the good Doctor turned up to 11. If you know Crane and you know Elysian, it'll come as no surprise that this bugger is all flavor-forward…

Crocker & Starr Cabernet Sauvignon Stone Place

Purple plum, blackberry, cedar, and hints of leather. A smooth and fulfilling entry that speaks to a nicely aged red with the seeming ability to evolve into its tertiary flavors with poise. There is…

Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Reserve

A solid performance, though this was rightly outshined a bit by a 2006 Abreu Madrona Ranch (comparative side-by-sides can get crunchy, eh?!). Otherwise, this 2012 Tynan Reserve was true to form and a…

Medlock Ames Malbec Secret Ingredient Bell Mountain

At Cyrus Restaurant, Geyserville.