Reviews

Carter Cellars Hossfeld Coliseum

Drank at Carter/Envy alongside the 2013 Carter Fortuna, Weitz, and Coliseum. Also had barrel samples of the 2015 Myriad Dr. Crane and 2015 Quivet Kenefick Ranch Cabernets.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Weitz Vineyard

Drank at Carter/Envy alongside the 2013 Carter Fortuna, Coliseum, and Hossfeld Coliseum. Also had barrel samples of the 2015 Myriad Dr. Crane and 2015 Quivet Kenefick Ranch Cabernets.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

Drank at Carter/Envy alongside the 2013 Carter Weitz, Coliseum, and Hossfeld Coliseum. Also had barrel samples of the 2015 Myriad Dr. Crane and 2015 Quivet Kenefick Ranch Cabernets.

Envy Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Drank at Carter/Envy alongside the 2013 Carter Fortuna, Weitz, Coliseum, and Hossfeld Coliseum. Also had barrel samples of the 2015 Myriad Dr. Crane and 2015 Quivet Kenefick Ranch Cabernets.

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Kenefick Ranch

Barrel sample during racking.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Barrel sample during racking.

Mark Herold Wines Acha Red

PnP with notes of raspberry, forest floor, cedar, and hints of olive and clove. A decent example of a Tempranillo, but a little thin on the mid-palate. The finish was a bit short as well, fading…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Shriveled Hand

An absolutely phenomenal bottle of wine. In fact, one of the most alluring Pinots I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. PnP with an enticingly brooding nose of dark berry and baking spice aromas. On…

Carlisle Syrah Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands

I had been admittedly losing a little faith in Carlisle over the years, as there have been some misses lately in terms of richness and depth in Mike Officer's Syrahs. (He has commented that his…

Carlisle Syrah Cardiac Hill

Initial PnP was extremely restrained, with tight, high-toned red and purple berry fruits flavors. Very thin and alcohol-ridden on the finish. I was concerned this was going to be a dud at first. Not…

Torrin Akasha

Similar to my CT notes on 9/22/15, although I gave this an extra couple of points from 91 to 93, as this filled in on the mid-palate much more satisfactorily than it did two months ago.

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

Similar to all of my notes on this wine in terms of flavor profile, but I bumped this up a number of points to 97. Slow O2 for two hours this time around, which absolutely allowed for it to transform…

L'Aventure Estate Cuvée

Same note as 3 days ago. Couldn't wait until after the holidays. Absolutely fantastic. Gave it even more time with air. Continued to improve. Slow O2 for two hours. Near-perfect all the way around!

Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard

Drank alongside a 2009 Lewis Reserve Cabernet, 2010 L'Aventure Estate Cuvée, and a 2012 Bevan Ontogeny. The SBR came in #4 among the competition.

Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

I bumped this up a point to 95 from the last couple of tastings I've had of this wine over the course of the past few months. Really shined nicely this time around. Almost identical tasting notes in…

Donelan Syrah Walker Vine Hill

Exact same as my previous CT notes on 8/11/15. PnP with slow O2 for about an hour; no need for a decant. Ready to drink now and over the next few years.

Bacio Divino Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard

Pnp with tight but wild notes of red and black licorice, red and black currant, red and black raspberry, blackberry, cacao nibs, and a hint of pencil lead. Just faintly chalky tannins, incredibly…

L'Aventure Estate Cuvée

PnP with explosive notes of blackberry liqueur, blueberry, black raspberry, charcoal, tar, and some baking spice. A total hedonistic and voluminous mouthfeel, with dark berries and cacao on the…

Cayuse Syrah Armada Vineyard

Decanted for 30 minutes at 54 degrees. Notes of black cherry, blueberry, beef blood, sanguine, brick, saline, black olive brine, iron, iodine, terra-cotta, and red clay.

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

Tasted at Cliff Lede alongside the 2012 BTK, Beautiful Generation, and High Fidelity. All wines were double decanted through a Vinturi four hours prior to my tasting.

Cliff Lede High Fidelity

Tasted at Cliff Lede alongside the 2012 BTK, Beautiful Generation, and Howell Mountain. All wines were double decanted through a Vinturi four hours prior to my tasting.

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Tasted at Cliff Lede alongside the 2012 Beautiful Generation, Howell Mountain, and High Fidelity. The Beckstoffer To Kalon was #1 of the quartet of wines. All wines were double-decanted with a…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beautiful Generation

Similar to my CT notes on 11/3/15.

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

PnP with soft, muted notes of creamy strawberry, rhubarb, red plum, raspberry, and only a faint touch of the signature cola flavor often indicative of KB Pinots.

Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap

PnP with tight, acidic high-pitched red berries, pomegranate, strawberry, and a touch of medicinal bay leaf on the alcoholic finish. It seemed like it desperately needed air (and also seemed like…