Reviews

Keplinger Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Ranch Vineyard

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…

Futo Oakville

No denying the quality of Futo's Oakville Cabernet, with its seductive dark fruit and chewy (but ethereal) mouthfeel, this is a textural delight no matter how you slice it. Black cherry and currant…

Futo Sauvignon Blanc

Excellent Sauvignon Blanc; the best of all the whites sampled across numerous Napa producers offering SBs at the Inspire event. Yellow citrus, smoke, grass, vanilla bean, lemon and lime zest,…

Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon Cornelius Grove

I favored this Cornelius over the Estate. Whereas the Estate is much more modern and fruit-driven in profile, the Cornelius carries heightened focus and precision. The speed and freshness are of…

Bella Oaks Vineyard Proprietary Red

This latest iteration of Bella Oaks starts out as a round and fruity magoo, but it turns a little more serious as it swirls in the glass. Enter a nicely placed grip midway through the execution, with…

BOND Vecina

Linear and strict, with an old school vibe that represents as one of the more rustic versions of VHR. This is not atypical of Bond of course, as consumers of this producer, and in particular the…

Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon

This was surprisingly more modern in profile than I had anticipated, with a gushing posture kicking out fruity red and black fruit, licorice, and cedar notes. The tannins whip up in short order to…

Futo 5500

Black fruit and cedar, with some redder cherry and soil notes to add contrast and interest. Excellent lift and freshness, with a smidge less depth than the 2018 Oakville served next to it. Drinking…

Bryant Family Vineyard Bettina

Still showing beautifully since last having this three years ago, the 2015 Bettina is a classy wine. It still carries those chocolate and soil notes that compliment the dark (slightly rich) fruit.…

Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

A standout at Inspire Napa Valley, and clearly one of the top wines at the entire event, the 2022 Bryant is instantly captivating. Baker's bitter chocolate, charcoal, black soil, black cherry, and…

Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Very similar to the 2021, this latest iteration rolls out yellow citrus and zest, stone fruit, lichee, and lemongrass notes on a silky carriage of creme fraiche and white melon flavors. It's…

Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Tiiiiiiiiiight and linear, but luckily not angry or overly angular, the 2021 Eisele needs time of course, as in 10-15 years minimum. Red and black fruits dominate, with some pine and pebbly soil…

Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

From a Coravin pull. I gotta say, this was strikingly fabulous. Will it be even better in 10/15/20 years? I mean, I guess, maybe, probably, depending on your stylistic preferences. However, right out…

Christopher Tynan Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Old Vines Meleagris Gallopavo

Dark, chewy, and brooding, this carries a thicker and richer texture than other MGs. Deep and ripe black cherry, cassis, black currant, wet bark, purple plum skin, and soil. Finishes slightly warm,…

Kinsman Eades Syrah Aberro White Hawk Vineyard

This bottle was a shy guy and completely muted on the nose throughout consumption. Boysenberry, blackberry, and some meaty olive notes lurk within an otherwise texturally superior Syrah.

Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard

Lemon curd, creme fraiche, lemonade, lemon juice, vanilla, marzipan, and yellow pear. A ripe offering, but one that is controlled and texturally inviting (as Lauren often is). There is sophistication…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Red cherry and blackberry pie, red and black licorice, black current, vanilla, and red cherry syrup. Comes on strong and finishes hot. Missing the black earth and LPV rock elements, presumably masked…

Ultramarine Blanc de Blancs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Blind.

Ultramarine Rosé (Late Disgorged) Heintz Vineyard

Lemon, lime pith, wet white travertine, rhubarb, and strawberry notes are all present and pure, but a bit subdued and linear in their presentation. With air, orange zest, white currant, and…

Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard

In great shape. A lot of fruit, with a nice balance of tension. Finishes softer, with smooth blackberry and red/black cherry. Chewy. Starts to tighten up with air. Overall.Gobs of fruit. A hint of…

Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Red cherry and purple fruit spritz; reduced. Great fruit. Blackberry, blueberry, and purple-red skinned cherry. A streak of neon red cherry flashes around the core. Raw and exciting.

Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Sweet fruit on the nose equates to sweet-sour on the palate (in a good way). When compared to the 2020 and 2021, this 2022 carries brighter red cherry flavors that pop on the palate with intense…

Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark, serious, tense, tannic (but still perfectly balanced), and maybe even a bit 'The Professional,' with its brooding and beady-eyed black cherry flavors piercing the palate throughout the attack,…

Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

With notably softer contours than the 2021, this 2020 is kinda red-purple fruity on the front end and kinda darker on the tail. It's a medium bodied animal, with a cherry note that carries through…

Morisoli Vineyard Clementine Rosé

This is both exquisitely balanced and super fun, with notable pick-me-up and a sense of real depth. Medium in body but carrying a remarkable concentration that still stays vibrant and fresh, this…