Reviews

The Third Twin Nuestra Señora del Tercer Gemelo The Third Twin Vineyard

Deeply pitched purple and black-red fruits ooze on to the palate, with an entry that is intense but controlled. With a few hours in the decanter, the flow is enhanced and the saturation pulsates with…

Bevan Cellars EE Cuvée

Ok, so this bottle screams two words to me very distinctly and without equivocation: "Drink Now." It's a Charleston chewy prune purple drank and all, but it's pushing past its window (at least, this…

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

With a silky-milkshakey entry, like a liquified raspberry nougat 3 Musketeers bar wrapped in a vanilla bean and caramel robe, this iteration of OG is a mix of oak and fruit that seemingly still need…

Herman Story Petite Sirah First Time Caller

Dooooooooouuude. This. Is. A. Bruiser.

Herman Story Pinot Noir Smash City

If Dr. Pepper had an Adderall-addicted brother with a propensity for Lewis Black whiskey fits and kidnapping caracal kittens, it would be the 2020 Herman Story Pinot Noir Smash City...

Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve

A straight skinny minny, with a diluted and "way-overly-classical" fringe profile that has the body of a Gamay, the brains of a Pinot Gri, and the stamina of a Lambrusco. Cedar, strawberry, red…

Faethm / Fingers Crossed Two Become One White

I suppose it must be this way, where one of the best white Rhone-styled wines I've had in recent memory is also one of the rarest. I suppose "one of a kind" can't be such if it's common, easily…

Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard

With a microscreen to filter-out some of the sediment and a small decanter to allow it to stretch its legs for about an hour at 52 degrees, the 2012 Araujo Eisele was ready for prime time. A lovely,…

Aesthete Wines Sauvignon Blanc Barrel Aged Dry Stack Vineyard

Where there are suitable lime, lemon, grass, and kiwi flavors offering a degree of pleasure here, I am just not getting much in the refreshing department. The finish is significant the same way…

Harlan Estate

This is my fourth time with this wine, so I'll just mention some particulars that I think might be noteworthy. This presented as advertised and expected for the most part, with a rich and chewy…

Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

An easy rider production of a Cabernet, with the softer contours of the 2012 vintage marrying with the now-ten-years-from-vintage maturity and resolution this wine brings to the table. A total food…

VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Extended Barrel Age Vine Hill Ranch

A quartet of VHR wines side-by-side (among 20 other wines that night): 2018 VHR 2018 VHR Extended Barrel Age 2019 VHR 2019 Arrow & Branch VHR

VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

A quartet of VHR wines side-by-side (among 20 other wines that night): 2018 VHR 2018 VHR Extended Barrel Age 2019 VHR 2019 Arrow & Branch VHR

VHR Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

A quartet of VHR wines side-by-side (among 20 other wines that night): 2018 VHR 2018 VHR Extended Barrel Age 2019 VHR 2019 Arrow & Branch VHR

Sine Qua Non Grenache Distenta I

Similar notes to my last recent sampling. I'll just add that this displayed a cocktail cassis element that I was hoping would blow off a little faster than it did. This took some time to get into a…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

A quartet of VHR wines side-by-side (among 20 other wines that night): 2018 VHR 2018 VHR Extended Barrel Age 2019 VHR 2019 Arrow & Branch VHR

Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Though this showed some tertiary notes that more than hinted to the wine's age, they certainly added to the layered complexity of the flavor profile of this wine. Black and red raspberry, Red and…

Predecessor Cabernet Sauvignon Lorraine Red Lake Vineyard

Oh this is a round and fruity Cab that just says drink me now and love me for who I am. Don't ask me to take your math test. Don't ask me to recite Shakespeare. Just hold my hand, take me dancing,…

Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon

Tense and coiled up on the initial pass, with crunchy blackberry seed, asphalt, coffee grounds, and gravelly soil. The profile is darker and blacker fruited than how I typically experience young…

Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Coup de Coeur

I've written quite a bit on this wine over the years. I mean, if you want quintessential domestic Chardonnay with all the quality marshmallowy lemon curd citrus peachy honey cream notes you could…

Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo

I've written a ton on this wine, so I'll spare everyone even more of my usual drivel and just say that this MG continues to impress. Though it offers upfront, chewy pleasure now (and a decent amount…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

2016 Myriad Elysian, 2016 Myriad Empyrean, 2015 Schrader To Kalon, 2015 Schrader GIII

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

2016 Myriad Elysian, 2016 Myriad Empyrean, 2015 Schrader To Kalon, 2015 Schrader GIII

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon GIII Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

2016 Myriad Elysian, 2016 Myriad Empyrean, 2015 Schrader To Kalon, 2015 Schrader GIII

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Empyrean Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

2016 Myriad Elysian, 2016 Myriad Empyrean, 2015 Schrader To Kalon, 2015 Schrader GIII