Reviews

Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon NVD

Served alongside a '12 Kobalt and a '14 Myriad Napa Cabernet.

Kobalt Cabernet Sauvignon

Served next to a '13 Arkenstone NVD and a '14 Myriad Napa Cabernet.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Served alongside a '13 Arkenstone NVD and a '12 Kobalt.

Bevan Cellars Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard

Okay folks, it seems as though we are making our way into a drinking window of bad a**-ness with this wine. On 9/15/2016 when I last had this wine, it was a bit restrained and linear...just a bit. I…

Mark Herold Wines Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

Love this wine! And since I'm the only one on the planet apparently posting notes on Herold's big Cabs, I'll simply say that all of my previous notes apply. It has an awesome chocolate covered black…

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Kaliholmanok Kicu'me

PnP was extremely tight but still giving off some wonderful and brambly fruit flavors, purple and red berries, black cherry, limestone, and alcohol. A chalky (but not bitter) finish that made me…

Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Cour de Vallée

PnP gave me the same standing hairs on the back of my neck that screamed, "Oh crap, you opened this too soon yet again, and it's gonna be just another high-toned red fruited Cabernet that shouldn't…

Cliff Lede High Fidelity

Similar to my previous notes. My last bottle. It was good, even a little better than when I last tried it back in December. A few hours in the decanter helped significantly. But even as I type this,…

Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosemary's Vineyard

Same as 12/17/2016 and all my other notes on this wine, except this was decanted for about two hours total and ended up tasting fairly dark and smooth, but still pleasantly sassy with some spice box…

Rudd Oakville Estate Proprietary Red

Same as all of my previous notes. 97-98 points. Wonderful dusty tannins that beautifully frame the classical red and black currant, earth, and spice flavors.

Goldeneye Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

Same as my notes from 11/2/2016. Not a fan. Simple and weak. A frail little girly-man of watery Pinot-like juice. Some spice on the mid held my interest barely long enough for me to then just go back…

Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap

Same as all of my other notes on this wine. Really nice, and a deep, dark-pitched soul of a Pinot. If you love high toned red cranberry types of Pinots, then pack a suitcase full of Cran-apple fruit…

Blankiet Estate Proprietary Red Wine Paradise Hills Vineyard

Same notes as 9/5/2016. No decant necessary. Presented really well on a PnP. Drink now and over the next few years.

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon

Same notes as a few months ago. I know others enjoy this, but I just can't wrap my head around this as a true expression of the varietal. It has no varietal characteristics that really make it…

Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium

Naysayers be dammed, because I can't for the life of me find a reason not to rate the 2014 Materium much different than the 2013. In fact, I have to say that this wine is perhaps singing even better…

Realm Cellars Farella Vineyard

I gotta stop drinking all of these awesome wines. I feel like I'm just giving away high scores on CT lately. However, this is yet another well deserving wine. Tastes even better than I remember it to…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

PnP with higher-toned red fruit notes that scream baby in a bottle. Purity of fruit is evident, as is the balance among the acidity, structure, and core fruit. However, as good a bottle of wine as…

Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap

Served with a few of the "heavier"/final courses in the evening at Madrona Manor, but still managed to have enough finesse to act like a Pinot when it needed to. Paired great with dishes that…

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Silver Eagle Vineyard

PnP was very tight and acidic; typical young RM notes of cranberry, pomegranate, red cherry, and hints of orange rind and spice box. No worries, as this is usually the way most of these little guys…

12c Cabernet Sauvignon G3 Reserve Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

PnP with a small pour; it was really tight and high-toned. Red fruit notes with alcohol. A little tart in the finish, but some deeper red and purple fruit flavors started to peek through. Came across…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Coliseum Block

I hadn't originally planned on opening this wine, but a flawed 2012 Carter Coliseum pushed me to make sure a bottle of the 2013 wasn't having issues too.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Coliseum Block

Slight hints of alcohol and vinegar on the nose. Same on the palate. Fruit was dead and flat; slightly sour aftertaste. No finish otherwise. Air made the alcohol and acid more pronounced. Never…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Not surprisingly, PnP was indeed a little jammy and primary. Purple and red berry notes, alcohol, and some asphalt.

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Demigods & Demons

This is in as perfect of a drinking window as I would imagine it will ever be. Hugely plush, deep, fruit forward, and extremely giving on the attack. The silky glide is unreal, with a glycerin-coated…

Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard

Similar to my previous notes. A little more higher toned black raspberry liqueur and Amarena Fabbri black cherry notes dominating the palate this time around. This particular bottle threw off a lot…