Wine Doctrine
Every tasting note

Reviews

3,775 notes

2013

Keplinger Mars

Sonoma County · Moon Mountain District

More upfront fruit this go-around, leading with ripe plum, kirsch, and deep red raspberry. Progressing along nicely (and a little more rapidly than I had initially expected). Carries additional, more…

Reviewed 19 May 2019
2016

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Steltzner Vineyard

Napa Valley · Stags Leap District

Still as awesome as last year. Perhaps, dare I say, gaining some refinement since my last sample in the Fall. The latter half of my previous notes apply (a la the John Stamos reference), with the…

Reviewed 11 May 2019
2015

Greer Cabernet Sauvignon Greer Vineyard

Napa Valley · Rutherford

This rendition of Greer carries the signature Pott black cherry compote and pummeled ripe strawberry core, with some nice dust and cassis notes to balance it all out. More focused and framed-out than…

Reviewed 11 May 2019
2012

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Silver Eagle Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Predominately red fruited, with some citrus peel and rock notes. A easy-going Pinot at this stage. Not as much of a loosey-goosey experience as last year's sample, but definitely lacks some of the…

Reviewed 11 May 2019
2015

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Teucer Vineyard

Napa Valley · Coombsville

It's been over a year since I last sampled this vintage of Teucer. As expected, this has progressed nicely, with unctuous but not overbearing flavors of dark berry fruit, dark chocolate, and black…

Reviewed 8 May 2019
2013

Buccella Cabernet Sauvignon

California · Napa Valley

Dark and fairly rich. Chewy and a little bubblegumy in terms of mouthfeel. A nice full texture, but kind of a dumb delivery in that it lacks complex and expansive layering of flavors. Blackberry,…

Reviewed 6 May 2019
2014

Realm Cellars The Tempest

California · Napa Valley

Almost a year and a half since I last had this wine. I thought I had drunk the last of this vintage of Tempest, but the cellar Santa unearthed this bottle hiding in the back.

Reviewed 3 May 2019
2013

Scarlett Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley · Rutherford

Almost a year since I've had this. Followed over three days. I've posted way too much in this wine as it is, but it's worth saying that there is stuffing to last a number of years. Notable focus…

Reviewed 3 May 2019
2014

Purlieu Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper

Napa Valley · Oakville

A surprising come-around with this wine since I last had it. Much more balanced and seamless this time, and not too Syrah-gamey or Cornas-esque (as MH can sometimes come off to me).

Reviewed 27 April 2019
2013

L'Aventure Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Central Coast · Paso Robles

Showing the earthy side of Cabernet Sauvignon at this stage. Notes of wild and dust-covered plum, red and black cherry, and dry soil and sedimentary rock. The plum and cherry dominate throughout the…

Reviewed 26 April 2019
2014

Miner Family Cabernet Sauvignon Emily's

California · Napa Valley

Uber fruity. Oceanspray Cran-Cabernet cocktail. Some black cherry, blackberry, and cranberry-plum flavors. Next-to-no depth or focus. Finishes weak, with no sense of nuance or sophistication. Better…

Reviewed 26 April 2019
2015

Pahlmeyer Merlot

California · Napa Valley

With the qualifier of, "Well, as Merlots go, it's pretty good." Decent structure and grip. Not a ton of complexity or depth to speak of, but carries itself with some nice crunchy red and black cherry…

Reviewed 26 April 2019
2016

Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Branding Iron

Napa Valley · Oakville

A curious mix of cranberry and plum flavors, with some vanilla and crunchy pomegranate and red currant notes. Simple and a little odd overall. The price of admission on some of these N&N Cabs seems…

Reviewed 26 April 2019
2016

Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Dragonfly

Napa Valley · St. Helena

Round and ripe red and black cherry, plum, and some cedar. Straightforward and soft around the edges. Finishes plummy and a bit globular. Drink now and over the next few years.

Reviewed 26 April 2019
2016

Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Hayne Vineyard

Napa Valley · St. Helena

A plummy Zinfandel-esque profile with an overly ripe, round, and simple core. Flavors of plum, plum, plum, black cherry, macerated blackberry, cedar, and plum. Finishes plummy, with a plum-ridden…

Reviewed 26 April 2019
2016

Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon John C. Sullenger Vineyard

Napa Valley · Oakville

Though fairly tight and somewhat constricted, this was probably the best in the lineup from this producer. Notes of black and red cherry, vanilla, black raspberry, cedar, red and black currant, and…

Reviewed 26 April 2019
2012

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny

California · Napa Valley

Same as last year. Performs like a champ after a few hours of air. I'll try to hold another 8-12 months just to really optimize its drinking window. The 2012 vintage was a huge success from Bevan…

Reviewed 25 April 2019
2014

Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

Napa Valley · St. Helena

Previous notes apply from last year, though I do think another couple of years will produce even more upside for this wine. The 2014 is an agreeable vintage no doubt, with a personable delivery of…

Reviewed 24 April 2019
2015

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

California · Napa Valley

Still sticking to 2020+ (maybe even 2021) as a marker for offering an even more improved drinking window on this wine. It performs quite decently with a healthy decant, but would do well to shed a…

Reviewed 23 April 2019
2012

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Napa Valley · Oakville

It's been three years since my last bottle of this wine. A slight bit of evolution in bottle has served it well, but it hasn't changed all that much. Perhaps a little more expressive and less linear,…

Reviewed 23 April 2019
2016

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Napa Valley · Oakville

Previous notes apply. Still best to hold until after 2021++. This bottle was followed for four separate days over the course of two weeks (Coravin pours and a final day of a few hours of open air).…

Reviewed 20 April 2019
2012

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Mortal Coil Phendler

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Same as my previous notes on this wine, except that this was a tad boozy on the initial pull. Luckily, with some air in the glass, the alcohol dissipated quickly, revealing its fun and fascinating…

Reviewed 15 April 2019
2016

Barnett Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rattlesnake

Napa Valley · Spring Mountain District

Constricted and wrapped around the axle, this hyper-young wine is still in the embryonic state. Notes of crunchy cranberry, pomegranate, red cherry, red currant, cedar, green peppercorn, and some…

Reviewed 9 April 2019
2016

B Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Similar to before, except that this was exceptionally cloudy in hue and delivered a much cooler attack than I remembered from a few months ago. It was interesting and unique, but it certainly made…

Reviewed 6 April 2019
2012

Lewis Cellars Syrah

California · Napa Valley

Blackberry, chocolate, railroad tie, and wet black soil. It's a good Cali Syrah that delivers round flavor, medium weight, and a bit of a thick delivery. No hard edges; fairly plush, but exhibits a…

Reviewed 5 April 2019