Tuesday, April 15, 2025
2018 Ackerman Family Vineyards Memoir Red Blend
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
2022 Pine Ridge Vineyards The Traveler's Series Cabernet Sauvignon
Monday, March 10, 2025
2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
When Barb and Bart at a charity event a few decades ago, their love of wine was a bond that they shared that ultimlately led them to opening their owe winery in Napa. A quarter of a century ago the duo purchased 33 acres of prime Napa real estate and eventually they began producing Bordeaux and Burdundian styles of wines that promote their sustainably farmed vineyard. These "estate only" exclusive wines promote not only traditional styles, but also the passion that Barb and Bret share for each other after all of these years.
Today we are tasting the 2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. As one would expect, it is memorable from cork pop to the finish with it's beautiful bottle and striking darker mulberry color in the glass. Ripe berries, granite, wet stone, cigar paper and spice swim in the nose, creating a mouth-watering introduction that delivers. Dark fruit, plum, spice cabinet, pencil shavings, cedar smoke and a hint of milk chocolate dance on the tongue, creating a persistent finish against sophisticated tannins. This wine has only begun to show it's potential and we regret not decanting this prior to tasting. It is a wine that you need to add to your cellar, not only to lay down for fifteen or more years, but to prove to yourself what a fine Napa Valley Cabernet should taste like. It's beautiful!
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
2021 Ackerman Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Estate
Thursday, December 19, 2024
2021 Starmont Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne
Monday, December 9, 2024
2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
In 1996, Switzerland navtive Jack Schlatter, who became a partner just 5 years prior, became the sole owner of Merryvale, along with his family and son René. Eventually René would marry Laurence, whose family had been making wine in Switzerland for six generations. This story would travel half way around the world and end up in St. Helena where the Schlatter family continues to produce distinctive wines at the historic property.
This expression is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Cabernet Franc (17%), Petit Verdot (2%) and Malbec (2%) and the combination is married in wonderful unison. Medium ruby red color with subtle blueberry pie, tobacco leaf, dried herbs and earthy undertones. The mouthfeel is very much in balance with the medium acidic brightness against the ripe plum, oak, blueberry and savory finish. The micro tannins are very welcoming and this wine is a stand out of the vintage. Drink now or cellar this for 5-10 years; either way it is classic Napa and it is very lovely!
ABV: 14.5%
Napa Valley AVA
Winery: Merryvale
Suggested retail price: $74.00
Drink The Bottles score: 93/100
Monday, December 2, 2024
2019 Hedges Family Estate La Haute Cuvée
Monday, May 13, 2024
2021 Flora Springs Trilogy
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
NV Harvester Cabernet Sauvignon
Monday, April 25, 2022
2018 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus
Sonoma Valley, CA
2,698 cases produced
Suggested retail price: $90.00
Drink The Bottles score: 93+/100
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
2018 Enkidu Cabernet Sauvignon High Mayacamas
Sonoma, CA
Suggested retail price: $45.00
Drink The Bottles score: 92/100
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
2016 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
2017 Patel Napa Valley Red Wine
Here's a another winner from a winery that we were introduced to about 13 months ago. The 2017 Patel Napa Valley Red Wine is a luscious and aromatic offering that offers a dark purple and mouth watering welcome to the palate. Ripe dark cherry, pencil lead, cocoa bits and cherry tobacco on the nose. In the mouth is a powerful blend of red fruits, barn wood, black tea and cherry licorice. This wine is framed with a solid acidic backbone and pulled together nicely for an amazing finish. Tips the scale at nearly 15% alcohol but the balance is in check. There were only 150 cases produced, but this one should be in your cellar while you can grab it. Enjoy it optimally for the next 12-15 years. Well done!
ABV: 14.9%
Napa Valley, CA
Suggested retail price: $75.00
Drink The Bottles score: 93/100
Monday, December 13, 2021
2017 LOBO Wines Custom Red Blend
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
2019 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine
We were really taken back by the 2018 vintage of this wine and the 2019 doesn't disappoint! This is the 2019 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine. The wine is a Bordeaux Blend that consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), Merlot (20%), Malbec (12%) and Cabernet Franc (6%). This is not an "in your face" type of wine but rather one with a graceful introduction to blackberry and cherry aromas framed with cedar plank. In the mouth is a glass-like feel with very polished tannin against flavors of plum, blackberry, cherry cordial and baking spices. The closing moments of the wine linger and this young wine will surely continue to provide more depth with some time in the bottle. Simply lovely! 700 cases produced.
ABV: 14.5%
Walla Walla, WA
Suggested retail price: $60.00
Drink The Bottles score: 90+/100
Friday, November 12, 2021
2018 Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Tuesday, November 9, 2021
2018 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine
ABV: 14.5%
Walla Walla, WA
Suggested retail price: $60.00
Drink The Bottles score: 92/100
Monday, November 1, 2021
2018 Truchard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Carneros Napa Valley
Friday, October 29, 2021
2018 LOBO Wines Cabernet Sauvignon
Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour Sparkling Wine
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