Reviews

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Le Nouveau Western Star Vineyard

Plum and black cherry dominate, with some detectable earth/dust, unsmoked cigar, and RC cola. Mostly on the fruit-forward side of the spectrum, with the plum and black cherry carrying the majority of…

Bevan Cellars Syrah Moaveni Vineyard

A great showing. With some exposure to some decanted air, this was delivering beautifully. It's a big wine of course, but it showed a nice balance and weight this time around. Black, dark fruit, with…

Wren Hop Chardonnay Ritchie by Proxy

Previous notes apply, though this is quickly becoming my favorite Chardonnay of the vintage; each time I have this wine I experience more layerings of flavor and depth. This particular bottle was…

Arkenstone Sauvignon Blanc

Previous noted apply. Softening up each time I have this wine. Drink now and over the next year.

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Red plum, red and black cherry, and some faint vanilla. Medium all the way around. It's good. It does the job fairly well considering it's QPR. Don't expect it to help you pass a math test, but it's…

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Teucer Vineyard

Crisis averted from 3 days ago with a previous bottle from 10/20/18 that must have been cooked a bit for whatever reason. This bottle tonight was what I expect from this wine. Fantastic! Previous…

Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

From a .375. Notes of red and black currant, red and black cherry, red plum, cranberry, unsmoked cigar, dust, and faint spice box. Most notable in its delivery of hyper pure fruit; medium in body and…

Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

There's a big part of me that almost grows tired of anointing super high scores to some of these Napa Cabernets. Maybe I should stay in that agreeable 94/95 realm when something is really good, just…

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Teucer Vineyard

This particular sample threw out a distinct plum note (bordering on raisin) that really heightened the sensation of ripeness in the overall flavor profile. It was good, but it was certainly not the…

Sine Qua Non Deux Grenouilles

Nectarine skin, marmalade, yellow citrus, lamp oil, lemongrass, and cashew notes. A great drop on the mid-palate in terms of intensity and depth, with a decent Chardonnay-freshness that kept the…

Maxem Pinot Noir UV Vineyard

Pervious notes apply. Big on the black cherry fruit flavors. Fun and a bit bombastic this time around. Enough notable frame to hold it all together. Good as a PnP, but I'll try to hold for just a bit…

Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard

Muddled strawberry, diluted red and black cherry, orange rind, and subtle spice (cinnamon stick) initiate the attack on this soft, subtle, and cloudy Pinot Noir. It still maintains a notable grip,…

B Cellars Pinot Noir Reuling Vineyard

Served next to the 2016 B Cellars Sonoma Coast, which I thought had a little more focus and complexity than that Reuling in its current state. The Reuling was more about luscious ripe fruit than the…

B Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Served next to a 2016 B Cellars Reuling Pinot, which was much more ripe fruit driven than this Sonoma Coast.

B Cellars Chardonnay Barrel Select

Served side-by-side with the 2016 Star Chardonnay, which I thought registered a little higher toned on the palate than this more unctuous Barrel Select Chardonnay. Previous notes apply. This was a…

B Cellars Blend 24

Similar to last month. Blackberry pie, jam, fig, pomegranate reduction, and some spice. A wine that shouldn't work, but it turns out kinda ok. Some chocolate emerged, helping to elevate its profile…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Star Vineyard

A lot of fruit going on here, with the front end leading the charge with ripe blackberry, deep/ripe black and red raspberry, and some spice. Fuzzy tannins provide some speed bumps in the delivery,…

B Cellars Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley

Sure enough, the label clearly read "Zinfandel," so I immediately didn't want to like it. I'm a "try all wines" kinda guy, but this varietal is a constant disappointment for me. Only a few of the…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Selection Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard

Black cherry, crunchy cranberry, white pepper, spice, red and black currant, and slight hints of dust. The Bourn impresses with its notable acid and grip, though it does ride fairly high on the…

B Cellars Chardonnay Star Vineyard

Served side-by-side with a 2015 B Cellars Barrel Select Chardonnay, which I thought had a bit more depth and complexity than this Star Chardonnay. The Star had notable tension and energy, with more…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Previous notes from February still apply. Black cherry, black raspberry, black and red licorice, dark cassis/black cherry syrup, bitter chocolate, Asian spices, and some blackberry pie crust. Hyper…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Served side-by-side with the 2015 B Cellars BTK. This 2016 (a barrel sample) is similar to when I had it back in February, though it seems to be honing-in more on its identity at this stage. The…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Inching its way in excellence, the BTK continues its trajectory toward showing a great combination of cerebral interest and soulful flavor. Previous notes apply, though I found this sample to be more…

Pott Wine Viognier 20m3

Pear, honeydew, white peach, and some yellow citrus. Smooth and round (especially for the varietal), with a silky mouthfeel and delicate grip. Seemingly lower in its display of acid and frame, but…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

Black cherry and black raspberry dominate here, with some red cherry, red and black currant, and cranberry flavors showing up to the party as well. Brilliant cut and acid here. Ripe but not rich,…