Reviews

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beautiful Generation

Similar to my previous notes in terms of specific flavor profile; just more advanced in expansion and depth (since having it 3 years ago). This was a dark and concentrated wine. Huge black berry…

Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Ma Princesse

With its plump yellow citrus core on full display, the 2017 Ma Princesse is showing a more vanillin-laced profile than six months ago when I last sampled it. A rounder dose of creamy oak and some…

Andremily Syrah No. 6

Huckleberry, blueberry, blackberry pie, licorice, creosote, graphite, campfire, and wet slate. A textural temptress, with a silky smooth front end. Holds a ripe and chewy mid-entry drop that melts…

Vice Versa Chardonnay Platt Vineyard

As awesome as the last time I had it. For folks who are looking for a CA Chardonnay that parrots quality white Burg with that extra oomph of intensity, THIS is your wine. Gorgeous tension and verve.…

Realm Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Fidelio

Well... it tastes like Sauvignon Blanc. It's fresh. It's crisp. It hits the lychee, grapefruit, yellow apple, lemon and lime zest, and melon rind notes as expected. It's... Sauvignon Blanc.

Andremily Mourvèdre

Well it looks like Andremily has upped their game with this iteration of Mourvèdre. The hype is real and justified my friends. I need another new winery allocation like I need COVID, but it looks…

Aubert Chardonnay CIX Estate Vineyard

Not too dissimilar from my experience back in November 2018. Glycol-laced vanilla, honey, and lemon curd surrounded by spritzy lemonade and white and yellow peach flavors. Alcohol on the finish took…

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

It's been about 3 years since I've had the 2013 OG. I actually pulled this by mistake (I thought I grabbed a 2015), because I was reading some of the most recent CT reviews on the 2013 and planned on…

Tusk Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep black cherry, black raspberry, chocolate chunk, black warm soil, deep cassis, anise, subtle cinnamon stick, and iron. Broad shouldered, but gorgeously textured, with a seamlessness that seems to…

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

2017 Schrader RBS and CCS side-by-side.

Young Inglewood Vineyards Right Bank Blend

Plum, ripe black cherry, earthy-chocolate, and some cedar. A pleasant sipper with medium-weight flavors and a quasi-sluggish delivery; a relatively simple expression overall. Not much tension here.

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

2017 Schrader RBS and CCS side-by-side.

Aubert Chardonnay UV-SL Vineyard

Pineapple, lemon curd, olive oil, guava, ripe orange cantaloupe, and powdered sugar. The typical flavor-first front end, with a semi-syrupy-meets-alcohol mouthfeel makes for a bit of a skip on the…

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Bevan Ontogeny vertical 2014-2017.

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Bevan Ontogeny vertical 2014-2017.

Ovid Red Wine

Moving into more of an old school profile at this point, with earthy cedar and dark spice and soil notes complimenting the black cherry and black currant core. Finishes with a little bit of grandma's…

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Actaeon Quixote Vineyard

From Magnum. Round and plush black cherry and plum notes are encompassed by some cedar and evergreen notes. Finishes medium and a little soft. Balanced and even-keeled. A definite crowd pleaser. A…

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Bevan Ontogeny vertical 2014-2017.

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Bevan Ontogeny vertical 2014-2017.

Quivet Cellars Sauvignon Blanc McGah Vineyard

Crisp and fresh, with a great body and weight distribution along the palate. A bit of power on the back end that drives the fruit through the finish. Lightly tropical flavored, with yellow citrus,…

Next of Kyn Touriga Nacional Número Dois

On initial pull, the nose showed ripe blackberry, plum, and incense smoke aromas. Similar on the palate, with a fascinating smorgasbord of bramble and chewy ripe flavors of muddled blackberry,…

Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Coup de Coeur

Fairly similar to last year's notes. Still continuing to exhibit its beautifully textured vanillin yellow citrus notes in a style that is both balanced and suggestively, subtly energetic. It doesn't…

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Martinez Vineyard

Purple, black, and red fruit jet fuel. Give this air! Better yet, leave it alone for another few years. This has certainly turned into a NASA Space Shuttle for some reason right now since I last had…

Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

This particular bottle was similar to SMHALPS' recent tasting note. Gooey, sweet fruit and licorice, with a plump core and rounded, plush texture. A chewy mouthful of ripe fruit. Not too much tension…

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Wildfoote Vineyard, Vixen Block

A kiss of sweet, ripe dark red and black berry fruit gives rise to a mouthful of black raspberry and cherry, blackberry, anise, and chewy chocolate notes. Still a tinge of alcohol here, but otherwise…