A compelling nose, with spice and crunchy red and black cherry, cinnamon, salami, and red currant notes dominating. Earth and spice notes slowly come into form, making for a full mouthfeel and…
A better showing than a few months ago, this bottle was fresher and more focused. It still seems to be straining for a full depth of flavor, so perhaps more time in bottle is needed. It's very lifted…
Instantly captivating, with beautiful tobacco, leather, macerated plum, and orange rind flavors that roll across the palate with classicism and sophistication. Super fresh and fully mature, with no…
What's this.? The Anjea be gettin a lil serious on yer boy here. It still carries all of the enveloping characteristics that make this site so lovable, but I notice a bit o' chisel from this bottle.…
Man, this thing is still in rock star leather pants mode with all the fixins. Mick Jagger swagger. Freddy Mercury twerkery. David Bowie showy. and Steven Tyler. um. styler?.. or whatever rhymes with…
A natural step up from "The Flight," this flagship offering shows dark, black fruit that is initially chewy on the front but dilutes quickly on the back end (not sure what kind of flavor-mullet that…
Dark without being deep, the superficial expression of flavor here struggles to find foundation and direction. The elements are searching for each other, but the overall execution appears misguided…
Black fruit and cedar, with some mulchy elements that give it both earthy and modern vibes. Finishes a touch light, especially compared to other producers in 2019. Stylistically it's a little hard to…
Red and black cherry flavors present as a medium expression, with some dark fruit and cedar notes adding to the profile. A fairly simple delivery overall, especially for the 2019 vintage.
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…
Franc is for Freshness, and the RBK has plenty of freshness. It's an airy and lighter version of the vintages before it, but it carries a basket full of lift and energy wholly led by the Cab Franc at…
Surely the standout in the 2022 lineup, the VHR displays captivating intensity and flex in a fashion that also embraces Keplinger's hallmark poise and purity. Though the fruit is primary and compact,…
Dark and ripe fruit present a modern profile that is covered in dark chocolate, cardamom, and vanilla bean. It's a rich hippo that has an elevated amount of mouth-coating lusciousness and gobs of…
This sample was a Chewy McChewster, with black currant, dark soil-driven black fruit, licorice, and super dark spices all bundled into a chocolate chunk holiday package. I wanted to pour this thing…
Dude! What the heck. Stop making stupid good wine. It's insulting. We get it; you win. It's the best. Dear Lord. Having this again just makes me mad at every other Napa Cab ever produced. "This! This…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
