Reviews

Revana Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2013 and 2014 Estate Cabs were served side by side. Both the 2013 and 2014 versions really come down to palate preference in my opinion. They are similar wines, defined and contrasted primarily…

Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Chabot Vineyard

Two Beringer Chabots served side-by-side: 1991 & 1994. Not too much in the flavor department from either one beyond some vanilla cherry water/kirsch and wood notes. Flat and bland on the attack.…

Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Chabot Vineyard

Two Beringer Chabots served side-by-side: 1991 & 1994. Not too much in the flavor department from either one beyond some vanilla cherry water/kirsch and wood notes. Flat and bland on the attack.…

Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon

From a vertical of Philip Togni '89, '90, '91, '93, '96, '97. While these were all past their primes in my opinion, and a definite challenge for my tendency to favor much younger and more modern…

Lillian Winery Syrah

A Syrah trio of 2008 and 2009 Lillians, and a 2012 Andremily No. 1. The latter was clearly the more complex wine.

Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon

From a vertical of Philip Togni '89, '90, '91, '93, '96, '97. While these were all past their primes in my opinion, and a definite challenge for my tendency to favor much younger and more modern…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Coravin pour. Red/black cherry liqueur, cassis, red currant, and some vanilla. This needed more air (which I didn't have an opportunity to give it because of the small pour), so I'll be opening the…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard

Coravin pour. This 2015 Twins was pretty restrained and balled-up. The small Coravin pour was likely a disservice to this wine, as it had little exposure to air. A few sips and it was gone. Pure…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Twins Vineyard

Same as my note from June. This was served side-by-side with a 2015 Myriad Three Twins, which was much more youthfully restrained. The 2014 was kicking out all sorts of great flavors. I also had some…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Refer to my previous novellas I've written regarding this wine, as they still apply here for the most part.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Previous notes apply. I had the 2014 Elysian the following day, which certainly showed additional complexity and concentration when compared to this "standard" Crane. Still, this is a wonderful…

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard

This seems to have lost quite a bit of drive since I last recall. Displayed some nice saturated red raspberry, ripe red/black cherry, and citrus rind notes, but there was nothing to propel the…

Château Boswell Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

The most complete of the Boswell reds in the lineup presented, this BTK showed a notable distribution of weight (especially mid-palate) and a medium-bodied flavor profile overall. Holding a bit firm…

Château Boswell Estate Reserve

60/40 CS/CF. Spicy black cherry, wild black raspberry, currant, black soil, rainbow peppercorn, Christmas spice, and hints of leather. The front end was heavy with spice, leading ahead of the fruit.…

Château Boswell Red Wine

I believe this is the "Tapestry" label, but CT has some name cross-pollination with calling it Tapestry and/or the Proprietary blend. It is labeled Tapestry in some vintages (through 2013) and…

Château Boswell Cabernet Sauvignon At Anchor

Black cherry dominated, with somewhat invasive menthol and evergreen notes swirling around additional flavors of forest floor and spice. Medium bodied and somewhat restrained overall, with the core…

Château Boswell Pinot Noir Absolutely Eloise Rita's Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills

Once again, I concur with CRISTAL's on-point description of this wine. Much more modern indeed, especially in comparison to the Sun Chase served before it. Dark, dark black cherry, muddled ripe…

Château Boswell Pinot Noir Absolutely Eloise Sun Chase Vineyard Sonoma Coast

CRISTAL's assessment is spot-on. Notes of black cherry, tobacco leaf, earthy cedar, and subtle woody spice. A decent amount of fruit here, with more focus than the overtly bombastic Rita's Pinot…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The G.T.O Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

It's perfect. So shut up already and find some... The GTO is the runway model OG, but also with an MD from Yale. A bucket list wine for the 2016 vintage. Previous notes apply otherwise.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Previous notes apply. My third go-around with this wine. Standby for this to be "perfect" in a couple of years. Great grip. Great complexity. Great focus. Great drive.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Previous notes apply. The 2016 GD is not as fueled-up as the Three Kings and not as structured and focused as the OG. Showing a more fruit-driven style, with a slightly sweeter attack on the front…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Three Kings Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Jesus H. Christ on a rollercoaster! Strap in boys and girls, because this Three Kings is a "Wow!" wine if there ever was one. Huge, huge fruit. Red and black cherry, rich cassis, licorice, and a fat…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Love this wine! Previous notes apply. So focused and deliberate in its delivery of flavors, and also so texturally seductive on the palate. The front end is incredibly giving with its silky fruit…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Bam Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Boy did this kick out a s***-ton of fruit this time around. Gobs of black and purple berry flavors injected with healthy doses of black rock, cassis, and some sweet spice.

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Carter

Carter Carter... The wine so nice, they named it twice (Oh, that never gets old! - I don't get out much apparently)... Anyway...