Though I have admittedly been hesitant with Marcassin with what I consider to be a stylistic old school black Chardonnay-type profile of that house that I have sometimes struggled to be drawn to, I…
A lovely profile, with ripe berry fruit and layered soil elements, the inaugural 2003 Scarecrow is holding strong with solid freshness and focus. This bottle shows no signs of being past its prime;…
I used to really enjoy Ceritas Heintz, but was never taken enough by it to keep following it over time. That said, I will fully admit to feeling quite privileged to be able to catch up with this…
My exact notes read, "Super fresh! Finish is uber-puckery and higher toned, but some black fruit comes in and levels it off nicely. An elegant and beautiful profile. Young, flamboyant, and exciting,…
My notes read, "Muted and COOLER in profile; linear but still approachable. A serious side with an affable one too. Blacker style; currant and black cherry." Missing the extra layer of the flagship…
Fresh but also brooding and dark fruit. Acid and tannin management throughout consumption are near-perfect. My exact notes read, "Richness and density with superior freshness." Any time a wine can…
Even more thin and diluted than the bottle I had previously (which was from magnum, which might explain the better showing before). Red and black fruit make for a very pretty wine, but noticeably…
Barrel sample. Snappy poppy cherry. Pucker factor is ultra high here. Super high-toned purple red licorice. Pure and fresh. Picked before the heat spikes. Might be one of the few 2022s worth checking…
A compelling nose, with spice and crunchy red and black cherry, cinnamon, salami, and red currant notes dominating. Earth and spice notes slowly come into form, making for a full mouthfeel and…
Creamy lemon, creme fraiche, and cut grass. The acidity creeps up on the back end making for both a popping and smooth profile. Finishes round and slightly milky.
Charcoal, blackberry, and a little booze on the back end. A little warmer (room) temperature leveled out the finish. Cooling off would regain focus; so, I recommend this at cellar temperature.…
Dude! What the heck. Stop making stupid good wine. It's insulting. We get it; you win. It's the best. Dear Lord. Having this again just makes me mad at every other Napa Cab ever produced. "This! This…
A natural step up from "The Flight," this flagship offering shows dark, black fruit that is initially chewy on the front but dilutes quickly on the back end (not sure what kind of flavor-mullet that…
There's a bit of an old school thing going on with this vintage of OVR, kicking out leather, cedar, and dried herb notes, complimenting the red and black plum fruit. Additionally, true to Keplinger's…
Franc is for Freshness, and the RBK has plenty of freshness. It's an airy and lighter version of the vintages before it, but it carries a basket full of lift and energy wholly led by the Cab Franc at…
Surely the standout in the 2022 lineup, the VHR displays captivating intensity and flex in a fashion that also embraces Keplinger's hallmark poise and purity. Though the fruit is primary and compact,…
Dark without being deep, the superficial expression of flavor here struggles to find foundation and direction. The elements are searching for each other, but the overall execution appears misguided…
This sample was a Chewy McChewster, with black currant, dark soil-driven black fruit, licorice, and super dark spices all bundled into a chocolate chunk holiday package. I wanted to pour this thing…
Red and black cherry flavors present as a medium expression, with some dark fruit and cedar notes adding to the profile. A fairly simple delivery overall, especially for the 2019 vintage.
Black fruit and cedar, with some mulchy elements that give it both earthy and modern vibes. Finishes a touch light, especially compared to other producers in 2019. Stylistically it's a little hard to…
Dark and ripe fruit present a modern profile that is covered in dark chocolate, cardamom, and vanilla bean. It's a rich hippo that has an elevated amount of mouth-coating lusciousness and gobs of…
What's this.? The Anjea be gettin a lil serious on yer boy here. It still carries all of the enveloping characteristics that make this site so lovable, but I notice a bit o' chisel from this bottle.…
