Reviews

Greer Cabernet Sauvignon Greer Vineyard

Similar to previous notes. Last minute pull. From Coravin. Notes of black cherry, black raspberry, cassis, purple plum, and faint hints of salami and dust (maybe the dust thing is just in my head - I…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Though I usually can't help but blather on about this topic, I don't have to write much on this particular wine because Cristal2000, #1WineLover, and BadMonkey pretty much covered all that needs to…

Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap

Better than the last time I had this wine a few months ago. Much less of the muddled, goofy behavior, but still a big a** Pinot with a fistful of fruit and spice rocketing right to your face. Don't…

TOR Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard

Same as previous notes. Usually in that 95-96+ category for me. This was almost there, but developed a bit of a plumy tinge on the back end after a few hours of air. PnP might be better service on…

D.R. Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon Collateral Napa Valley

Though some at the table thought this was a little too tight and constricted, a number of us (myself included) thought it was firing off some nice flavors quite nicely. Black and blue core fruit,…

Blankiet Estate Proprietary Red Wine Paradise Hills Vineyard

Similar to previous note 1.5 years ago. Very smooth and sophisticated. Really nice black and red berry and currant fruit, with a little earth and spice on the back end. Veering more toward a…

O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

For me, this little bugger did not want to budge one bit throughout consumption. Some tight and linear notes of red and black currant, black rock, cassis, bitter black cherry, and some vanilla laced…

Sine Qua Non Syrah Stock

Notes of blackberry, funky earth, wet hay, limestone, black pepper, hard salami, campfire, and garrigue. A little furry on the palate, with the flavors finishing a bit gritty and fuzzy. Some air…

Lineage Wine Company Lineage

Tasted as part of the 2011-2014 Lineage lineup.

Shafer Relentless

Same as all of my previous notes. Always a solid performer. A bit of air coaxed out some really nice bitter chocolate, tar, railroad tie, and black pebbly flavors to accompany the core black fruit.

Lineage Wine Company Lineage

Tasted as part of the 2011-2014 Lineage lineup.

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard

A very good showing for this wine tonight. It was up there with WOTN among all the other wines at the table (tied with a '12 Janzen Missouri Hopper). This 2013 Bevan McGah was served next to its 2012…

Steven Kent Winery Cabernet Sauvignon The Premier

A bit past its prime for my palate, but still displaying some familiar notes for the varietal. Dark plumy fruit core with earth and cedar notes.

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Served side-by-side with a 2013 Bevan McGah (and a whole bunch of other wines at the table). A smooth delivery of black (predominantly), blue, and some reddish-purple core…

Wente Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Nth Degree

This was a little difficult for my Napa-trained palate to grasp on to. Some pleasurable flavors of currant, plum, black cherry, and hints of cedar. A little flat and hollow mid-palate, with some…

Bacio Divino Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard

A really great showing on this wine. Sifting through the droves of wine at the table, this was probably my WOTN (next to a '13 Bevan McGah that was also performing well). PnP was a little tight with…

Wente Vineyards Syrah Nth Degree

Blackberry, Trader Joe's fig paste, olive, charcuterie, pastrami, and earth flavors dominated. A pretty gamey and earthy Syrah, with a fistful or really ripe fruit. An interesting take on the…

12c Cabernet Sauvignon G3 Reserve Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

On par with what I've experienced with the 12C GIII Reserve, this 2015 version was displaying some interesting (almost funky and earthy) dark red and black core fruit flavors, laced with cedar and…

Murrieta's Well Zarzuela

I couldn't get a good read on this wine. Black cherry and plum flavors came forward, but there were other flavors that came up on the back end that caused it to come off a little over-ripe and bitter…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Aaaaagh! Mother-lovin' holy dammit all! Horribly corked right out of the gate. On initial "pop" (or rather, "puuhf"), the cedar and vinegar smell launched right out of the bottle. Such the bummer,…

Murrieta's Well Merlot Small Lot

A classic example of Merlot, with plum, black cherry, and cocoa powder dominating the delivery of flavor. Straightforward, but with some nice acidity that cut through what could have been an overly…

Hunnicutt Cuvée Equite

This was a decent showing with this wine. For me, it unfortunately got lost in the shuffle of some other heavy hitters at the table. Medium-bodied, with a pleasant attack of round darker fruit. This…

Murrieta's Well Tempranillo Los Tesoros

Notes of black cherry, dark rhubarb, muddled blackberries, bitter coffee powder, and plum. An interesting take on the varietal, which I think was a little complicated by the addition of other…

Ridge Monte Bello

Surprisingly a bit past its prime for my preference (depending on how your palate is drawn to the different transitioning phases of this varietal). Notes of red currant, sandalwood, earth, bark,…

Peirson Meyer Pinot Noir Miller Vineyard

As mentioned by others, this displayed some candied notes of sweet, ripe red raspberry, cherry, dust, cedar, and some spice.