Reviews

Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Big and ripe black fruit and dark soil elements dominate. A rich Napa Oakville bomb that carries enough mineral lift to keep it all in focus. Seems to be getting heavier with time. Drink now.

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard

A one-note dollop of red/black fruit, with a static delivery that moves across the palate with predictable flavor expansion. Lacks personality and a distinct focus. Finishes flaccid and without…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

This was the ripest and most fruit-bomby of all the wines in the blind, with a rounded core that was covered in extracted baskets of gushing fruit. It's a cocktail style that is all bachelorette…

Kinsman Eades Cabernet Sauvignon Anjea Sleeping Lady Vineyard

Big and unctuous, but with a silky finesse that made a 2018 Arkenstone Heimark served beside it look like a blackberry whiskey sour. the Anjea has that Nigel smooth edges thing going on that always…

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

This came off extremely oaky and almost chocolate milkshake marshmallowy compared to the other competitors in the Napa blind tasting. Gobs of fruit here.

Futo 5500

More graphite and mineral elements here than the 2021 Futo Oakville served next to it (blind), the 5500 carries similar class but with some red fruit notes that make for a higher register delivery…

MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon

In a blind of Napa big boys, this thing jumped ahead of the pack with what I consider to be one of the most perfect profiles for my palate. There is that signature olive and saline overlay that…

Futo Oakville

I have to admit to continually being fond of Futo, especially the Oakville offering. Despite the elevated pricing, the wine itself is consistently compelling with its combination of dark fruit and…

Kongsgaard Chardonnay The Judge

A lot of powdered sugar and heavy confectionery elements jumping out at first pass here, with succulent lemon curd and marshmallow saturating the palate. The chewy yellow citrus flavors are a bit…

Joseph Phelps Insignia

A fair amount of funk on the nose gives way to a mild-mannered and sound delivery of cedar, tobacco, macerated cherry and plum, soil, sherry, and caramel notes. Slightly grainy on the finish, but…

Ultramarine Sparkling Rosé Heintz Vineyard

A solid sparkling Rose right here. Rhubarb, grapefruit, chrysanthemum, watermelon, strawberry, travertine, and chalk notes make for a wine with superb gravitas, but also one of precision and keen…

Ultramarine Blanc de Blancs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

In a good spot right now, with focus on equilibrium and lovely fruit expansion. Lemon, quince, yellow pear. Less of the overt Hefeweizen froth and yeast this go-around. The slightest hint of the…

Platt Vineyard Chardonnay Estate Reserve

As before, a lot of lemon to go around, with crème fraiche, lemon curd, pineapple, and milky vanilla making for a more succulent entry of ripe fruit on the front end. The creamy texture shows fuller…

Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard

From Magnum.

Platt Vineyard Chardonnay Estate Reserve

Lemon, lemon, and lemon. Crème fraiche and vanilla encompass the succulent fruit on the front end, making for a creamy texture and rounder attack on entry. Mid-palate is medium, with lemon curd and…

Faethm / Fingers Crossed Unanswered Prayers Rosé

This was a very confusing wine for me. Comes off like an ultra-modern and really, really ripe Pinot Noir. from like.Texas. Muddled strawberry, menthol, spice, and a powerful medicinal cough syrup…

Aubert Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard

Nicely balanced for this style, the 2023 Eastside carries succulent lemon curd, lemon butter, marshmallow, popcorn, marzipan, crème fraiche, yellow pear, and quince notes. With voluminous Aubert…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Blind.

Sine Qua Non Distenta White II

Like a 2020 Fingers Crossed White served next to it, the SQN performed well, if but a bit static and horizontal across the attack throughout consumption. There was a nice sense of depth that emerged…

Bella Oaks Vineyard Proprietary Red

Blind.

Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo

As before, brooding and almost rustic at first pass, but probably the most interesting Cabernet at the table, this MG impresses with some pyrazine and soil driven elements that help to lift the dark…

Faethm / Fingers Crossed Head Held High White

This bottle was fine and all, with melon rind freshness and yellow citrus lift that adds to the yellow and white pear flavors, but it stays middle of the road in terms of depth. Slightly superficial…

Bergman Proprietary Red Wine

Blind.

Kinsman Eades Syrah Aberro White Hawk Vineyard

Plush fruit, but harnessed and slightly muted overall. A cool feeling to it, with purple-black fruit and not much perception of heat. Round on the back end, but with a finish that maintains focus and…

Tusk Estates L'Orange

Blind.