Reviews

Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard

Nearing almost a year since my last experience with this wine. It was in a "good not great" mood this go-around. The flavors were all there, but it took some serious coaxing and swirling to get them…

Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus

Almost a year and a half since I last had this wine. Notes of red and purple core fruit, earthy plum, blackberry, black and red cherry, blueberry skin, red and black licorice, railroad tie,…

Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Becklyn lineup and vertical tasting of Becklyn NV 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016.

Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Becklyn lineup and vertical tasting of Becklyn NV 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016.

Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Becklyn lineup and vertical tasting of Becklyn NV 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016.

Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper

2016 Becklyn lineup and vertical tasting of Becklyn NV 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016.

Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Becklyn lineup and vertical tasting of Becklyn NV 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016.

Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Moulds Vineyard

2016 Becklyn lineup and vertical tasting of Becklyn NV 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016.

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Daughters of Earth Goldrock Ridge

A wine I'm very familiar with as a stand-alone, but also one that paired surprisingly well with a bittersweet chocolate pots de creme dessert. There was a dried fruit element in the chocolate that…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Shadow Voices Estate

Behaving like a younger version of the 2013 Oracle's Whisper served before it, the Shadow Voices displayed a bit of booze on the front end of the attack on the initial sips, but then kicked into…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Oracle's Whisper

From magnum. The best showing of the Oracle's to date. Dark and earthy black cherry and black raspberry, forest floor, incense, evergreen, orange citrus sencha green tea, burnt orange rind, bark, and…

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Old Vines

Ripe black cherry, dark red raspberry, cranberry, loam, forest floor, evergreen, stems, and some citrus. Medium on the attack, with a ripe core fruit drop mid-palate that added weight and some depth.…

Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard

It's been three years on its side since I last stirred awake the wine that is the 2013 Outpost Immigrant. Hey, guess what?! It still doesn't want to be bothered with all of my, "let's see what's…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Last minute pull. Still a good idea to hold on to these for a couple/few more years in hopes of best capturing the heightened complexity this wine potentially has to offer.

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Silver Eagle Vineyard

PnP was almost immediately accessible, with a fruit forward attack that also pushed out the requisite acid, grip/tannins, and verve to keep it all moving to the mid and back ends in proper…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

So here I am diligently scanning my CT notes from a year and a half ago that stated I should wait on opening this wine until at least 2019+. I thought to myself, "That's pretty much now, right?!"…

B Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Black cherry, bark, spice, and some faint evergreen. Similar to my previous experience with this wine a few months ago, except the core fruit seemed a little more deeply pitched and saturated this…

Favia Syrah Quarzo

It tasted like Syrah...

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Flavorful and fun indeed. Shares similar characteristics to the standard Myriad Cabernet, with the Twins exhibiting some additional currant and mineral nuances that add…

Favia Cabernet Sauvignon

A notable showing, with blackberry, red and black currant, cedar, dark cassis, rock, and some faint leather and bitter floral notes working their ways over the palate with purpose and delineation. At…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Good black and red core fruit, cassis, and some spice, with a medium distribution of flavor and a rounded, more plush finish. Some alcohol on the tail end showed up initially, but faded fairly…

TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard

Another solid showing from this wine. Nicely balanced, flavorful, compelling mid-palate concentration while still staying light on its feet, and a good push of energy to keep the good time flavors…

Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon Rock Block Series Stardust Heaven

Time in bottle has certainly helped this wine come along beautifully, kicking out fascinating flavors of earthy black raspberry, black cherry, blackberry seed, black rock, scorched earth, black…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

So for those familiar with B Cellars, Venge, and To Kalon, it should come as no surprise that this particular concoction is chock-full of hedonistic and viscous unctuousness that delivers up-front…

Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

Notes of wild blackberry and blueberry, black raspberry, purple plum, black licorice, graphite, asphalt, and subtle pepper, limestone, and garrigue notes. After about an hour of air, this wine really…