Showing posts with label cabernet sauvignon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cabernet sauvignon. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

2018 Ackerman Family Vineyards Memoir Red Blend

 

2018 Ackerman Family Vineyards Memoir Red Blend

In a tucked away corner of Napa Valley sits it's 16th AVA, Coombsville, and a very welcoming winery that is producing small lot, huge taste wines!  The Certified Organic property produces the 2018 Ackerman Family Vineyards Memoir Red Blend, which they say reflects their legacy of creating wine in Napa Valley for nearly three decades.

This smartly-constructed wine is made up primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) but is also joined by some red favorites - Petit Verdot (5%), Malbec (10%), Cabernet Franc (10%) and Merlot (10%).  The Petit Verdot fruit comes from Coombsville.  These grapes blend beautifully to create a medium-bodied, fruit-balanced and polished wine that would stand on its own accord or be enjoyed with some prime rib.

Dark red, juicy fruits in a medium garnet liquid are joined by book leather and dried spice on the nose.  The palate re-introduces the fruit but doesn't throw it in your face.  It's more of an introduction that presents plums, pomegranate and black cherry, joined with forest floor, signs of fresh mushrooms, vanilla and dried tea leaves.  The finish is silky smooth and memorable.  What a treat!

2018 Ackerman Family Vineyards Memoir Red Blend Label


YouTube interview with Leo Tellez and Joe Hinde



ABV:  14.1%

Napa Valley

Winery:  Ackerman Family Vineyards

Production:  680 cases

Suggested retail price:  $50.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100


Tuesday, March 25, 2025

2022 Pine Ridge Vineyards The Traveler's Series Cabernet Sauvignon

 

2022 Pine Ridge Vineyards The Traveler's Series Cabernet Sauvignon


We had the pleasusre of visiting Pine Ridge Vineyards towards the end of the Covid pandemic, so times were much different than they are currently.  Being fans of PRV for many years, we can attest that the property, the people, the wines and the overall tasting experience at Pine Ridge is absolutely stunning and  very welcoming.  It is a "must visit" destination on your next Napa Valley wine adventure.

Before we get into this wine, we have a confession to make and it might not be an easy one to hear.  We typically are NOT "wine with dinner" people.  Cue the moans, the eye rolls and horrible feedback.  We get it.  Wine accentuates your meal.  When paired properly, both the food and the vino compliment each other and the experience is beyond memorable.  In fact, one of our good friends who is a vintner in Napa Valley will talk your ear off about how lovely wine is with food and the importance of having quality in both.

We aren't going to dig into why wine isn't always served with food in our home.  That's a discussion for another day.  But we will tell you that the 2022 Pine Ridge Vineyards The Traveler's Series Cabernet Sauvignon has begun to change our thoughts on wine and food.  Why?  Because this wine is an excellent food wine.  It paired absolutely beautifully with chicken tettrazini, which honestly should not be an ideal pairing.  But the solid tannin and silky smooth feel from this wine made the marriage absolutely seemless.  What surprised us even more is that this is what we would call (for lack of better terminology), one of Pine Ridge's entry-level Cabernet.  But don't let that disuade you.

Indigo and raisin-colored in the glass, you're immediately greeted by blueberry, vanilla, lighty roasted coffee beans and really ripe strawberries.  Again, very silky smooth experience with loads of cherry and strawberry, sweet spice, brown sugar and vanilla bean blend effortlessly to provide you with an overall tasty and memorable wine.  While the finish is on the shorter side, this wine's versatility is the shining star here!

2022 Pine Ridge Vineyards The Traveler's Series Cabernet Sauvignon back label

ABV:  15.5%

California (Solano, Sonoma, Napa Counties)

Winery:  Pine Ridge Vineyards

Suggested retail price:  $35.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100


Monday, March 10, 2025

2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

 

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!

2020 O'Brien Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Label

ABV:  15.2%

AVA:  Napa Valley

Winery:  O'Brien Estate

Suggested retail price:  $120.00

Drink The Bottles score:  94/100


Wednesday, February 26, 2025

2021 Ackerman Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Estate

2021 Ackerman Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Estate

In the southeastern corner of Napa Valley sits a once unfamiliar area of Coombsville, which is now the 16th AVA of the Valley.  The Ackerman family purchased their prized property over thirty years ago, recognizing the amazing fruit that grew in the area, ultimately creating exceptional wines.  This particular offering comes from a beautiful vintage that was ideal in many ways regarding the weather.  But for most, including Ackerman, the yields were lower due to a rainfall shortage.

This is the 2021 Ackerman Fmaily Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon from the Coombsville Estate.  While we tasted this, it transitioned from a fruit forward young wine to (after decanting) a wine that can be aged for decades, showing potential to only increase in flavor and enjoyment.  Initially we recognized a basket of blueberries, cedar shavings and graphite.   Some decanting and swirling quickly transitioned this full bodied wine to fresh raspberry and strawberry fruits, forest floor, hints of allspice and vanilla.  The feathery tannins help create an unforgetful and steady finish.  

This wine is very impressive and offers a beautiful, dark eggplant color.  While we really enjoyed this now, we think that this is an ideal wine to cellar and re-visit in three to five years.  The additional complexity that this will surely develop would add a couple of points to the overall score (if scores are your thing).  

Stay tuned as we chat with someone from the Ackerman team when we create a video review of their 2018 Memoir Red Blend!

2021 Ackerman Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Estate Label

ABV:  14.1%

Coombsville AVA

Winery:  Ackerman Family Vineyards

Suggested retail price:  $98.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93+/100



 

Thursday, December 19, 2024

2021 Starmont Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

 

2021 Starmont Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

The first Starmont expression was produced over 35 years ago with a single varietal.  The label, which is part of the Merryvale family of wines, now produces four varietals under winemaker Jeff Crawford.  Crawford has been "all things Starmont" for ten years now and has been in the world of wine for twenty year.  2021 was an overall wonderful year for Cabernet due to the intense flavor of the berries despite generally smaller yields.  We have been tasting some really lovely Cabs from this year and this one is no exception.

The 2021 Starmont Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Teroldego (7%) and Cinsault (6%).  The fact that Crawford chose the latter two grape varietals for this blend is nothing short of impressive.  No doubt the Italian Teroldego grape added exquisite colors to this bottle and helped promote those fruit forward notes upon entry.  The Cinsault helps add a tick of extra ripe berry aromas and textured tannins. For the United States, Cinsault is planted mostly in the North Coast AVA but can also be found in Yakima Valley AVA in Washington and the Texas High Plains AVA.  Crawford really went outside of the box here and it shows in the presentation of the package.

Deep red to maroon in the glass, this Cabernet opens with strawberry rhubarb pie, very ripe raspberries, Mediterranean spices, damp soil and tar.  It is immediately inviting and swirling allows those aromas to literally leap from the glass.  Raspberry, plum and pomegranate are introduced to the palate first, followed by floral pedals, tea leaf and a hint of minerality.  This has a very satisfying and tender finish.  We are really impressed by this bottle and it proves once again that you don't have to pay a ton of money to find a wine that is delicious and one that could be cellared for a number of years.  We think with a few years in the bottle, it may even be more remarkable.  Bravo!

2021 Starmont Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Label

ABV:  13.9%

North Coast AVA

Winery:  Starmont Vineyards

Suggested retail price:  $25.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91+/100



Tuesday, December 10, 2024

2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne

 

2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne

On the north end of Napa Valley in St. Helena, California sits a wine estate that until recently, has been unassuming for fifty years.  Sullivan Rutherford Estate was the dream turned into reality of James O'Neil Sullivan, a visionary who became passionate about wine in the 1950's when and his wife received a grape arbor as a wedding present.  Home winemaking eventually led to a move to Rutherford where Sullivan would plant roots - literally.

The 2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne wine consists of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (14%) and Petit Verdot (6%).  We initially did not decant this wine and allowed only "air time" in the glass.  A unanimous decision to decant for about thirty-five minutes made the difference with this one.  Homemade strawberry jam color solid to the rim.  This "heart of vine" Cabernet offers plum, graphite, wet gravel road, and toasted baguette on the nose.  The decanting brought the firm tannins alive and presented flavors of raspberry puree, violet, hints of oak,  and bits of cocoa.  Give this one some time to open up and it will reward you for the next 15 years or so.  In four or five years this could be teetering on perfection in a bottle!  If you're someone who enjoys a dry aged steak with your wine, this marriage would be impeccable.

Sullivan Rutherford Estate is now in the hands of managing partner, Juan Pablo Torres Padilla and we anticipate that this label will continue to produce incredible and cellar-worthy wines.

2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Coeur de Vigne Label

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley AVA

Winery:  Sullivan Rutherford Estate

Cases Produced:  2,600

Suggested retail price:  $80.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93+/100






Monday, December 9, 2024

2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

We are always delighted to taste and share Napa Valley wines from 2018 because that was overall an amazing and exceptional vintage across the board.  The 2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a prime example of the delicious juices that were born out of this vintage.  

To appreciate all that is Merryvale, you really need to understand the history and humble beginnings of what originally started out as Sunnyhill Winery in 1933.  The Mondavi family got their start here, running wines by rail cars to northern California and other industrious cities.  Sunnyhill later became a co-op and the name because Sunny St. Helena and the building then because a wine storage facility in the 1970's.  It wasn't until 1983 when a group of investors/partners created the first Merryvale label.  

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!

2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Label

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

 

2019 Hedges Family Estate La Haute Cuvée

The Red Mountain AVA of Benton County, Washington produces some of the finest grapes of the region, cultivating into wines that have unique expressions and Old World charm.  The 2019 Hedges Family Estate La Haute Cuvée is a fine example of terroir and the feel of a wine that could be cellared for 15+ years.  Winemaker Sara Goedhart has nearly 10 years as head winemaker at Hedges Family Estate and her twenty plus years in the business is evident in the bottle we have today.

2019 Hedges Family Estate La Haute Cuvée Cork Close Up

Gorgeous, deep eggplant color that oozes to the edge of the glass.  This wine was not decanted but it was provided about twenty minutes of air time in the glass prior to tasting.  The first thing we noticed about this wine was how herbaceous it is and not the fruit bomb we may have been expecting.  Again, Old World style here all the way.  Fresh blackberries, dark chocolate shavings, pencil lead, mocha and leather blended effortlessly, each trying to take their turns to shine but not overpowering one another.  On the tongue is a satisfying, mouth-coating offering that offered more black fruits, baked Shiitake mushroom, garden herbs, fennel and damp earth.  

2019 Hedges Family Estate La Haute Cuvée

This is one of those wines that surprised us, but in the loveliest way possible.  It spent over 2 years in oak and the tannins are refined and minute.  Our recommendation?  Buy a half or whole case of this wine, open a bottle per year and see how it continues to develop.  We think there could likely be fifty more descriptors that could come out of this bottle.  It's a real treat.

ABV:  13.5%

Appellation:  Red Mountain AVA

Winery:  Hedges Family Estate

652 cases produced

Suggested retail price:  $75.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100 






Monday, May 13, 2024

2021 Flora Springs Trilogy

 

2021 Flora Springs Trilogy

This is our third vintage of Flora Springs Trilogy to taste and review over the years, and it has always been a consistently delicious and top performer.  For the 2021 vintage (their 38th bottling), there is a new label design which is (in our opinion) more elegant and welcoming that previous offerings.  As most of you know, we do take in consideration label design, or what we call shelf appeal, when scoring our wines and spirits.

The 2021 Trilogy is comprised primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) but also includes Petit Verdot (10%) and Malbec (5%).  This flagship wine is incredibly silky-smooth throughout the entire tasting experience, offering up tannins that are glossy and fine.  A swarm of aromas that include ripe dark berries, graphite and cedar are introduced initially, but this isn't a fruit-bomb, in-your-face type of wine, which is extremely refreshing.  After some time in the glass, the cedar yields to more earthy style of aromas.  The black fruits carry over on the palate with whisps of chocolate shavings, mint, minerality and suggestions of pine.  This wine is very structured and refined.  

We tasted this wine unaccompanied first and then paired it with some hard cheeses, cured meats and jams.  While the jams were not the best pairing, this wine absolutely soared with the aforementioned meats and cheeses.  If someone were building a wine cellar and asked us to give them 20 different wines to stock/cellar, this one would definitely be in that group.  It is perpetually delicious and each vintage is just breath taking.  Well done!

2021 Flora Springs Trilogy Close Up

ABV:  14.2%

Winery:  Flora Springs: Napa, CA

2.300 Cases Produced

Suggested retail price:  $100.00

Drink The Bottles score:  95/100



Tuesday, January 9, 2024

NV Harvester Cabernet Sauvignon

 

NV Harvester Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is another testament from the pulpit where we continually exclaim that not all wine has to be expensive to be good.  This is a non-vintage Harvester Cabernet Sauvignon from Austin Hope Winery.  Non-vintage generally eludes that this wine is a blend of several vineyards and vintages and the production is on the higher side.  That not only means that this wine is readily available, but it is also affordable.  We originally tasted this bottle at a local wine shop and while it didn't mirror the $100 Ghost Block that we tasted, it certainly held its own.

This wine is from Paso Robles and has a pleasant, medium-dark purple color.  The aromas are on the brighter side of red fruits and baked pastry, followed by notes of allspice and vanilla.  On the palate is a plesant and sleek flavor profile of cherry, plum, spices and vanilla.  The wine doesn't linger but the finish is satisfying and this is certainly a wine that would pair well with barbeque or stuffed peppers.  

When you're having one of those nights that you want a solid Cabernet Sauvignon, but you don't want to pluck a $200 bottle out of your cellar, reach for this one!  This would be a solid wine to serve at an informal get together as well.  Enjoy!

NV Harvester Cabernet Sauvignon label

ABV:  13.5%

Winery:  Austin Hope Winery

Suggested retail price:  $19.99

Drink The Bottles score:  88/100





Monday, April 25, 2022

2018 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus

2018 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus

We were recently introduced to Hamel Family Wines and their 2018 Isthmus red blend.  This wine is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (64%), Merlot (18%), Cabernet Franc (14%) and Petit Verdot (4%).  This wine is very rich up front with dominant blackberry, plum and pomegranate fruits.  Clove, grilling spices, river rock and ripe dark fruits blend to create a stunning and memorable wine that is approachable now and will also drink very well for the next 15+ years.  Wonderful texture with the medium to heavier mouthfeel.  We decanted this wine for about 90 minutes prior to tasting and that helped bring this selection to a compelling and delightful finish.  Ruby red in the glass to the rim.  While we don't often taste wines with food, we do think that this would be a delicious accompaniment to a bone-in ribeye steak.

2018 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus label


ABV:  14.5%

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

2018 Enkidu Cabernet Sauvignon High Mayacamas

Rich in texture and flavor with mouth-coating dark fruits, graphite, damp earth and oak.  That's what we discovered in this 2018 Enkidu Cabernet Sauvignon High Mayacamas wine.  Powerful fruit abounds from first sip to last with petite and polished tannin lead to a scrumptious finish.  These grapes come rom Cabernet Sauvignon from three distinct areas - Sonoma County (63%), Napa County (25%) and Lake County (12%) and four separate vineyards.  This wine is very classic Cab but has a lighter feel on the back end.  It's quite remarkable and the price won't offend you at all!  This is our second sample from Enkidu and the quality and consistency has been spot on.  Drink now and for the next 10+ years.

2018 Enkidu Cabernet Sauvignon High Mayacamas Label


ABV:  14.6%

Sonoma, CA

Suggested retail price:  $45.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100

 

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

2016 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon

 

2016 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 was generally a very good year for California Cabernet Sauvignon.  By far, the growing season was steady and uneventful, allowing grapes to help produce solid wines.  This 2016 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma Mountain is 100% Cabernet (yay!) and one that is extremely fairly priced.  We won't say "value priced" wine as that tends to actually devalue a brand.  We are going to call this wine an incredible deal.  Juicy blackberry, plum camp fire and cigar box on the nose with, at times, hints of dried spring flowers.  A dark, robust wine with flavors of black fruits, cherry tobacco, allspice and earthiness.  The wine really pulls you in immediately and leaves a solid finish on the palate.  This is the first Counterpoint that we have tasted and these 50+ year old vines are really strutting their stuff.  Excellent choice!  Drink now or for the next 10 years.

2016 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon label



ABV:  14.6%

Sonoma Mountain, CA

Suggested retail price:  $50.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

2017 Patel Napa Valley Red Wine

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!

2017 Patel Napa Valley Red Wine label


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

 

2017 LOBO Wines Custom Red Blend

The 2017 LOBO Wines Custom Red Blend is a wonderful example that delicious wines don't have to break the bank.  This Napa Valley stunner blends Syrah (69%), Cabernet Sauvignon (26%) and Merlot (5%) , creating dark and bold aromas of blackberry, cigar smoke and grilling spices.  You get amazing mouth coating flavors of blackberry cobbler, tobacco leaf, vanilla and black cherry. The tannin is powerful yet polished and the finish is one that makes you turn your head and smile.  We filtered and decanted this wine as there was a moderate amount of sediment.  It is absolutely delicious and while it will likely age well for a decade or more, we like this one now or within in the next 3 years for best enjoyment.

2017 LOBO Wines Custom Red Blend Label

ABV:  14.8%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $70.00

Drink The Bottles score:  92/100


Wednesday, December 8, 2021

2019 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine

 

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.

2019 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine Label

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

2018 Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon


If there is one thing that we know and appreciate about Cathy Corison's wines, it is that they are consistently beautiful and unique in style and flavor.  While most winemakers can create a memorable and powerful Cabernet Sauvignon, it is the Cathy's graceful and focused skillset that helps produce this wine in a very classic style.  The 2018 Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is deep purple, nearly opaque in the glass. There is patchwork of aromas that begin with currants, cherry, young fresh berries and flower petals.  This wine, with some time in the glass, also introduces bright minerality and fertile earth notes.  Tangy cherry, blueberry and dried herbs on the palate, connecting with dark chocolate bits and silky tannin that place a tender hold on the mouth to a very charming and long finish.  This wine will continue to blossom in the bottle but it drinking exquisitely now and will continue to for 2 or more decades.  
 

2018 Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Label

ABV:  13.8%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $100.00

Drink The Bottles score:  95+/100


Tuesday, November 9, 2021

2018 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine

2018 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine


We have been fans of Washington wines for many years but this was our first introduction to Caprio Cellars.  This winery not only produced solid and memorable wines, but they are also involved in many philanthropic activities as well.  If this 2018 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine from Dennis Murphy is an indication of how impressive all of their offerings are, then these Walla Walla wines are a definite "must add" to your cellar.  Powerful with the first sip before decanting and medium purple in the glass.  Distinct red berry mixture with cedar plank, plum and red licorice.  This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (59%), Merlot (19%), Malbec (15%) and Cabernet Franc 7%) is a smart blend that helps create some structure throughout the entire glass and beyond.  The flavors mirror the aromas and after decanting for about 90 minutes, the tannin softened considerably and led us to a velvety and balanced finish.  We detected a bit more woodsy notes after the decanting and the wine was equally appealing.  This is one of those wines that makes you clench your fist because it's so darn good.  Loving this and you can surely enjoy it 10+ years as it won't slow down for a very long time. 700 cases produced.

2018 Caprio Cellars Eleanor Estate Red Wine Label

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

 

2018 Truchard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Carneros Napa Valley

We have tasted wines from Truchard Vineyards for several years now and it is always exciting to taste different vintages to see how the compare from year to year.  We last tasted this wine from the 2014 vintage.  The 2018 Truchard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Carneros Napa Valley is a young wine, but feels more mature due to the older Carneros vines that develop the unique fruit for this example.  The 2018 vintage is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Petit Verdot (1%) and Malbec (1%).  This is a very similar blend to the 2014 vintage but a unique wine on its own.  Dark cherry, plum, violet and spice box aromas are at the forefront with beefsteak tomato appearing as the wine opens up.  The dark purple color is like an old friend, inviting you to sit and stay awhile and it is joined by raspberry, plum, vanilla and allspice to create a transformation that is rewarding and very tasty.  The wine has a softer finish than what we recall from the 2014 vintage but it does linger for moments and puts a smile on your face.  Get this wine from Truchard now and save a bottle or two back to enjoy in 10+ years.  We are confident that this will continue to evolve and pleasure the palate.

2018 Truchard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Carneros Napa Valley close up

ABV:  14.2%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $40.00

Drink The Bottles score:  91/100

Friday, October 29, 2021

2018 LOBO Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

 

2018 LOBO Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

It's another hit from LOBO Wines!  The 2018 LOBO Wines Cabernet Sauvignon is from their Wulff Vineyards of Napa Valley and for such a young wine this one is really singing.  Medium to dark red in the glass, fruit abounds and aromas of black and red raspberries combine with tobacco leaf, spring rain and vanilla.  We love the flavors of black and red currant, peppercorn, allspice and ripe berries.  This wine is mouth-coating and gifts you with a long and full finish.  You could easily age this wine for a decade or more and with only 280 cases produced, you should grab this one quickly.  Absolutely lovely and incredibly priced for a 100% Napa Valley Cabernet from the Oak Knoll District!

2018 LOBO Wines Cabernet Sauvignon wine label

ABV:  14.1%

Napa Valley, CA

Suggested retail price:  $75.00

Drink The Bottles score:  93/100

Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour Sparkling Wine

  This is quite possibly the best Brut Rosé we have tasted in a number of years!  It is, without a doubt, outstanding.  If you're lookin...