Reviews

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

A serious wine indeed, perhaps even a bit too serious in its present state, with a Jack Nicholson "You can't handle the truth" proclamation as soon as it launches its sword-forward attack on the…

Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus

Similar to previous notes. A little rounder and more plush this time around, displaying a beautifully balanced and smooth entry, if not lacking just a bit of verve and grip to best house the gorgeous…

Laherte Frères Champagne Extra Brut Les Vignes d'Autrefois

Previous notes apply. A great combo of seriousness and fun flavor. A nicely structured body and a sophisticated, chiseled delivery. I LOVE the uniqueness and complexities associated with the Pinot…

Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Franc

Black and red cherry, red plum, coffee grounds, cedar, and some bark. A surprising amount of balled-up energy and tension here, indicating even more time in bottle will allow for the flavors to…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

2014 Quivet LPV and 2014 Schrader LPV side-by-side.

Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon LPV Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

2014 Quivet LPV and 2014 Schrader LPV side-by-side.

Keplinger Mars

Tight and linear on initial PnP, but quickly opens up to reveal dark kirsch, cassis, purple plum, pulverized granite, and a touch of garrigue and camphor. This stayed pretty locked and loaded…

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

One of my Napa Cabs of the vintage, and a consistent standout every time I pop the cork. This wine simply lays waste to a whole mess of wines when in comparative tastings or as a stand-alone. The…

Morlet Family Vineyards Chardonnay Coup de Coeur

Why?... Because it's perfect, that's why!...

Ferren Wines Chardonnay Silver Eagle Vineyard

Fresh squeezed lemon juice, yellow pear skin, vanilla, and some glycol-alcohol on the finish. More powerful and a bit more abrasive than the Frei Chardonnay at this stage. Good flavors, but rattles…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Mortal Coil Phendler

Boy did this perform like a champ! A similar and familiar flavor profile to when I had this last summer, but with even more fascinating flavors prairie-doggin' all over the place on the palate. Black…

Wren Hop Chardonnay Ritchie by Proxy

About an hour of direct air allowed this wine to shake off some of the heavier coconut pie crust and vanilla flavors from its coat, allowing the lemon curd and pear notes to take center stage. Some…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Black cherry dominates here, with subtle hints of black river rock, dust, and vanilla. Showing some linearity, with a more horizontal delivery of flavors in its current state. Agreeable and a super…

Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Much improved and developed from when I had this last year. Black cherry, black raspberry, cardamom, blackberry seed, and some dust. The initial attack cons you into thinking it is going to be…

Pott Wine Space & Time

2015 Incubo & 2015 Space and Time.

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Incubo

2015 Incubo & 2015 Space and Time.

Ferren Wines Pinot Noir Frei Road Vineyard

Red berry, cherry, cranberry, and some earthy spice lurking on the periphery. More red-fruited, with a depth and richness dropping on the mid-palate with notable intensity, but still light on its…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Shadow Voices Estate

Same as before. 95-97+ points. Showed even better on Day 2. Hold for a few years.

Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Barrel sample. A fresh and vivacious example of Crane, registering a little high and red-fruited at the moment. A great deal of speed and pop here, with notes of bing cherry, red raspberry, cassis,…

Château Léoville Las Cases

Light red and black cherry water, tobacco, cigar box, soil, orange peel, and some green peppercorn. Held up nicely over the course of the evening considering its age. Hold for another 40 years.

Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

10-X in the head. Past its prime and shot, with some apparent flaws/corked issues also surfacing as it gained more air. Watery cranberry, tomato leaf, and soil, with a damp dishcloth aftertaste that…

Sine Qua Non Syrah Rätsel 16

A solid showing for such an infant. Surprisingly more medium-bodied than I was expecting given its youth (and considering its listed 16.1% ABV - which probably means 17%+). Appealing and agreeable…

Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cour de Vallée

As before, this CdV displayed notes of black and red raspberry, plum skin, soil, traces of cassis, green peppercorn, tobacco leaf, and some leather. Exquisitely balanced and, inside of an hour of…

Gosset Champagne Célebris

Previous notes apply. Bright lemon and yellow citrus, white peach, stone fruit, and some pear. Add flecks of flinty minerality and some brioche to the profile, and you have yourself a fun and…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Round Pond Vineyard

Red berries on the front end, black cherry and blackberry on the back, the fruit from the 2018 Round Pond really shows a fun swirling of festive red and black fruit flavors. A finish that hits the…