Reviews

Aubert Chardonnay CIX Estate Vineyard

Last summer's notes apply, but it seems like the declination (or perhaps, rapid progression?) of this wine continues. What vivaciousness it had a few years ago has softened to the point it's a bit…

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Teucer Vineyard

This is really compelling for a modern styled Napa Cab. An exquisite balance of extract and concentration with flavor and plain 'ol yum factor. Just when you think it'll be too sweet, too rich, or…

Aesthete Wines Sauvignon Blanc Barrel Aged Dry Stack Vineyard

Previous notes apply, though this bottle showed more unctuousness and somewhat surprisingly slightly-brassy Semillon-esque characteristics to the point that at times it overpowered the core. A…

Ovid Red Wine

Red currant, black and red cherry, cassis, tobacco leaf, spice box, cedar, and mulch. A beautiful example of old-meets-new world Napa Cabernet. Notably balanced and classy, with a sophistication that…

Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

Blackberry, blueberry, earth, river rock, and pulverized granite. This started off as many 2014s do with a giving amount of fruit and flavor on the front end. Finished plump and ripe (but balanced on…

Lutum Chardonnay Durell Vineyard

Smooth and inviting, if not fairly simple and a bit of a snoozer. It's medium all the way around, with lemon, vanilla cream, pear, and a slight floral note. Predictable but not totally off-putting.…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Mortal Coil Phendler

Drink now folks. Nearing the end of the road.

Melka Sauvignon Blanc Mekerra

Similar to last year, performing like a champ with juicy white peach, guava, acacia, lychee, lime, fresh squeezed lemon juice, grass, and white stone. I'd buy this by the case if it didn't cost as…

Walt Pinot Noir Blue Jay

Two words: Barely tolerable. Watery black and red cherry with that scraggy cedary oak-laced periphery that does everything it can to advertise the lack of forethought put into crafting this wine.…

La Crema Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Designed for the plastic cup and picnic table crowd, with flavors of diluted lemon water, alcohol, and lemon seed. Flat and angular mid-palate. Finishes with a hamster's attention span.

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Much less of the rocket propulsion drive when compared to last year. Instead, this LPV impresses for its chewy black core and namesake minerality that make for a go-go gothic profile that can't help…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Eeeeeeesh... What happened to my precious prefect Scarlett?!?!?!

Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon

Red and black raspberry, vanilla, red currant, and hints of scorched earth and espresso powder. A floral note briefly appears but then quickly dissipates. Smooth and fairly balanced on entry, but…

Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard

Still a huge monster that spits grit and sediment just as much as it thrusts out a concentrated core of blackberry, black cherry, and purple plum flavors. A push-pull delivery in its current state,…

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

Gorgeous depth of flavor, with succulent dark berry fruit coating the palate as it drops into a deep mid-glide and opens up even further and more opulent on the finish. Maintains focus throughout,…

Uppercut Cabernet Sauvignon

Hilariously horrible. Served alongside a string of discount domestic wines that all should've been put in front of a firing squad as soon as they were born.

Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon

Not yum.

Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium

From .375ml. This took some time to get out of its gobs-o-fruit lush and fruity mode. It has shed a bit of its trampy overt liqueur side (which is a good thing), but it stayed in black cherry and…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Pretty notable performance considering it was out of a plastic cup right before the 2020 countdown. :)

Venge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Bone Ash Vineyard

This wine continues to own the dance floor with its dark fruit core and striking black mineral elements that offer so much endurance throughout consumption. For me, this is how a 2013 Napa Cabernet…

Wente Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Nth Degree

Similar to my experience two years ago. Plum, currant, and some cedar. More of a flat delivery here, with a fruity core that struggles to expand or provide any layering. There's some plushness here,…

Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

Black cherry, purple plum, and black raspberry are flanked by asphalt and spice notes, creating a mouthwatering delivery that both exhibits drive and exquisite balance from front to back. Neeeds air,…

Christopher Tynan Wines Syrah Judge Family Vineyard

Similar notes to earlier this month, except that the gorgeous salinity really shows itself in an alluring and mouthwatering way. Next-level olive tapenade flavors gell exceptionally well with the…

Aubert Pinot Noir UV Vineyard

Rich and ripe, with saturated black raspberry, REALLY ripe black and red cherry, and Asian spices leading the charge here. Mid-palate is thick and a tad sluggish, with a finish that is certainly…

Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard

Surprisingly advanced and a bit heavy on the frontal push of ripe, deep yellow citrus, juicy BBQ'd pineapple, petrol, burnt brown sugar, and lamp oil. Mid-palate stuttered for a bit and hit a…