2020 Tasting Notes
2004 Bodegas LAN Edicion Limitada Rioja
2009 Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Bodegas LAN Edicion Limitada Rioja
2004 Bodegas LAN Edicion Limitada Rioja
Score: 93 Points
Location: Spain
Blend: 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo
This dark beauty had a rich bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, cassis fruit, leafy tobacco, bell pepper, herbs, baking spices, and leather. The wine was full bodied with rounded tannins that coated the palate with hints of cassis fruit, blueberries, dusty earth, tobacco, coffee, and oak. The wine had an elegant power to it that added to the complexity of the wine. The wine was layered with a lush tapestry of flavors that pleased the palate, but lacked brilliance. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2015 Joseph Phelps Insignia
2009 Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Bodegas LAN Edicion Limitada Rioja
2015 Joseph Phelps Insignia
Score: 96 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
This opaque dark purple beauty had a richly flamboyant bouquet of blackberries, currants, cassis fruit, plum, graphite, chocolate, menthol tobacco, wet minerals, and toasted oak. The wine was full bodied with rounded but gripping tannins that painted the palate with brushstrokes of dark berries, black olive paste, wet earth, soft herbs, chocolate, and a kiss of sweet oak. The wine was a like a complex tapestry of layers that interwove together in beautiful harmony. There was an elegance that brought balance to the straight and depth of this wine; thus, this wine will evolve nicely over the nest decade for those with the patience to wait. The wine is approachable now, but it will continue to improve with some time. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2009 Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 91 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot
The wine was opaque with hues of purple and a bouquet that was rich with alluring aromas of blackberry, blueberries, cassis fruit, cherries, mocha, baking spices, and toasted oak. The wine was full bodied with rounded tannins that gave way to a plethora of concentrated dark fruits, chocolate, wet minerals, soft baking spices, and toasted oak. The wine was nicely layered with ripe dark fruits that were blanketed with soft baking spices and a touch of sweet oak. There was a beautiful structure and balance to this wine that made it quite enjoyable. Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2016 Pence Rosa Estate Chardonnay
2016 Ketcham Estate Allie’s Reserve Pinot Noir
2009 Spring Mountain Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Pence Rosa Estate Chardonnay
Score: 96 Points
Location: Santa Rita Hills, California
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
This beautiful yellow golden wine had an alluring bouquet of orchard fruits, lemon, grapefruit, wet limestone, baking spices, and softly smoked oak. The wine was medium+ bodied with brilliant acidity that integrated seamlessly with a plethora of apricots, peach, lemon zest, hay, marzipan, wet river rocks, flint, and other earthy minerals. The wine is very Burgundian in style and is complex with intricate layers of fruit and earth. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2009 Château Dauzac
2016 Ketcham Estate Allie’s Reserve Pinot Noir
2016 Ketcham Estate Allie’s Reserve Pinot Noir
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2009 Château Dauzac
Score: 91 Points
Classification: Fifth Growth in 1855
Location: Margaux, France
Blend: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot
The wine had a beautiful deep dark ruby color with a bouquet of blackberries, black currants, cassis fruit, violets, anise spice, led pencil, and toasted oak. The wine was full bodied with gripping tannins that gave way to hints of plum, blackberries, cassis fruit, licorice, exotic spices, iodine, and oak. The wine needs more time to come into balance, but has a nice core of concentration and strength. The wine should evolve nicely for those with the patience to do so, as I anticipate such restraint will be rewarded accordingly in about eight years. Recommended
Tasted: February 2020
2016 Ketcham Estate Allie’s Reserve Pinot Noir
2016 Ketcham Estate Allie’s Reserve Pinot Noir
2016 Ketcham Estate Allie’s Reserve Pinot Noir
2016 Ketcham Estate Allie’s Reserve Pinot Noir
Score: 94 Points
Location: Russian River Valley, California
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Wafting from my glass was a beautiful array of blackberries, currents, roasted coffee, cumin spice, rose petals, and a hint of citrus. The wine was medium + body with firm tannins and integrated acidity that brought balance and harmony to the wine. The wine is extremely complex with lavish layers of fruit and earth that play brilliantly together. The wine coated the palate with a plush array of blueberries, gram cracker pie crust, blackberries, baking spices, earthy minerals, and a kiss of oak. The wine was elegantly restrained allowing the supple terror notes to bring balance and finesse to this wine. This is truly a beautiful wine that should evolve nicely over the next 8 to 10 years. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2018 Pina Cellars Low Vineyard Chardonnay
2014 Pina Napa Valley Wolff Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2014 Pina Napa Valley Wolff Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Pina Cellars Low Vineyard Chardonnay
Score: 92 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
The wine has a fragrant bouquet of white peaches, apricots, crisp sliced pears, marzipan, lemon, white flower, and limestone. The wine is medium + body with a nice level of acidity that cuts through the richness of the wine. The wine is nicely layered with a complex typist that unfolds on the palate giving way to hints of white peach, crisp pears, lime, buttered popcorn, wet chalky minerals, and a touch of salted candied ginger. The wine is a fantastic value to quality! Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2014 Pina Napa Valley Wolff Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2014 Pina Napa Valley Wolff Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2014 Pina Napa Valley Wolff Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2014 Pina Napa Valley Wolff Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 94 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This beautiful dark purple wine had an alluring bouquet of black cherries, plum, cassis fruit, blackberries, smoldering sage, dusty minerals, burnt sugar, vanilla, and toasted oak. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gripped the palate and gave way to hints of blackberries, black cherries, cassis fruit, chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel, minerals, sage, dusty earth, and toasted oak. The wine is complex with silky smooth layers of fruit and earth that bleed into one another beautifully. The wine had a lovely herbal quality that plays nicely with the lush layers of fruit. The wine is approachable now but should continue evolving nicely over the next 10 to 15 years. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2017 Chalk Hill Wright Creek Chardonnay
2014 Pina Napa Valley Wolff Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 Chalk Hill Wright Creek Chardonnay
2017 Chalk Hill Wright Creek Chardonnay
Score: 93 Points
Location: Sonoma County, California
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
This beautiful wine had a floral bouquet of spring flowers, peach, apricot, apple, lemon curd, crisp minerals, buttery short bread, and a hint of oak. The wine was medium + bodied with integrated acidity that brought balance and complexity to the wine. The palate was crisp with a lovely minerality that blended perfectly with layers of white fig, nectarine, peach, guava, lemon, with a kiss of honeysuckle on the finish. The wine is a tapestry of complex layers that intertwine and harmoniously play off one another. The wine is approachable now but should develop nicely over the next 8 years for those with the patience to cellar it. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2016 Chalk Hill Clara’s Vineyard
2018 Freemark Abbey Howell Mountain Chardonnay
2017 Chalk Hill Wright Creek Chardonnay
2016 Chalk Hill Clara’s Vineyard
Score: 94 Points
Location: Sonoma County, California
Blend: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot
This opaque beauty had a rich bouquet of lush blackberries, black cherries, cassis fruit, blueberries, vanilla, chocolate, anise spice, black pepper, crème brûlée, and toasted oak. The wine was full bodied with gripping tannins that painted the palate with a tapestry of crushed blackberries, black currants, cassis fruit, mocha, vanilla, baking spices, pepper, burnt sugar, earthy minerals, and sweet toasted oak. The wine is complex with dark fruit flavors that are restrained and balanced by the supple terroir notes that give sophistication to this elegantly bold wine. This wine is in its infancy yet is approachable now; thus, for those with the patience to cellar it for 10 to 15 years will be rewarded. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2015 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Freemark Abbey Howell Mountain Chardonnay
2018 Freemark Abbey Howell Mountain Chardonnay
2015 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 93 Points
Location: Alexander Valley, California
Blend: 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec
This dark beauty had a Bordeaux style bouquet giving off aromas of blackberries, cassis fruit, vanilla, soft herbs, savory spices, cloves, minerals, and toasted oak. The wine was medium ++ in body with rounded tannins that gave way to a balanced palate displaying hints of blackberries, boysenberries, vanilla, cut herbs, spices, tobacco, earth, and a kiss of sweet toasted oak. The wine is nicely layered with supple terroir notes that brought elegance and sophistication to the fruit profile. This wine requires some patience and will reward those that wait 10 to 15 years. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2018 Freemark Abbey Howell Mountain Chardonnay
2018 Freemark Abbey Howell Mountain Chardonnay
2018 Freemark Abbey Howell Mountain Chardonnay
2018 Freemark Abbey Howell Mountain Chardonnay
Score: 93 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
This bright straw color wine had a floral bouquet of white flowers, white peach, pears, apple pie crust, coconut shell, plantains, lemon zest, praline, and orange blossoms. The wine was full bodied with a beautiful acidity that gave balance to the creamy palate. The wine had a lovely layering of orchard fruits, melon, vanilla, lemon oil, flint, crushed minerals, and wet slate. The wine had depth and complexity with its tapestry of fruit that harmonized playfully with the crisp minerals. The finish was long with a hint of vanilla and honey dew melon being kissed with a touch of lemon. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2016 Freemark Abbey Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Charles Krug Limited Release Voltz Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Freemark Abbey Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Freemark Abbey Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 94 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This bark beauty had a ripe bouquet of cherries, fig, currants, caramel, tobacco, cumin seeds, spice, minerals, and toasted oak. The wine was medium ++ in body with rounded tannins that painted the palate with hints of ripe cherries, currants, cassis fruit, tobacco, smoldering herbs, soft spices, dusty earth, caramel, and toasted oak. The wine is complex with layers of fruit that are dusted with supple terroir notes. There is a beautiful restraint that empowers the fruit and earth to harmonize perfectly together. The wine is approachable now but can be cellared for 15 years or so, and will reward those with the patience to do so. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2016 Charles Krug Family Reserve Generations
2016 Charles Krug Limited Release Voltz Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Freemark Abbey Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Charles Krug Family Reserve Generations
Score: 93 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec
The wine was deep red in color with purple hues and a bouquet of blackberries, currants, cassis fruit, fig, burnt sugar, sage, coffee mocha, and toasted oak. The wine was full bodied with rounded tannins that gave way to a long finish with hints of blackberries, blueberries, currants, chocolate, herbs, soft earth, baking spices, iron, and toasted oak. The wine is layered with a complex tapestry of fruit and earth that harmonize nicely together. The wine is a bit tight and requires time to open up; thus, this one will reward those who cellar it for another ten years. This wine is a great value to quality! Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2016 Charles Krug Limited Release Voltz Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Charles Krug Limited Release Voltz Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Charles Krug Limited Release Voltz Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Charles Krug Limited Release Voltz Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 97 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This dark beauty had a rich bouquet of blackberries, cassis fruit, plum, chocolate, salted caramel, sage, and toasted oak. The wine was full-bodied with plush rounded tannins that gave way to hints of blackberries, concentrated cassis fruit, bitter baking chocolate, herbs, soft spice, rocky minerals, coffee, and a touch of vanilla on the finish. The wine is complex with layers of dark fruit and soft earth that harmonize beautifully together. The wine shows elegance and sophistication with a lovely earthiness that dusts over the burnt caramel notes on the palate. Although this wine is approachable now it is one to put away in the cellar for a decade before approaching, as this wine will continue to evolve nicely and reward those with patience. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2018 Relic “The Sage” Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
2018 Relic “The Sage” Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
2016 Charles Krug Limited Release Voltz Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Relic “The Sage” Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Score: 94 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
This lovely wine had a beautiful bouquet of white flowers, nectarines, apricots, pears, burnt popcorn, flint, dried herbs, lemon oil, and orange blossoms. The wine was balanced with a bright acidity that gave way to a crisp palate painted with hints of pear, lemon, honeysuckle, crushed minerals, melon, and other orchard fruits. This wine has a wonderful layering of orchard fruits and salty minerals that are harmonious and elegantly sophisticated. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2016 Relic “Artefact” Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Relic “The Sage” Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
2016 Relic “Artefact” Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Relic “Artefact” Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 96 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine was opaque with a rich reddish-purple color and a magnificent bouquet of blackberries, cassis fruit, plum, chocolate, sage, molasses, tar, coffee, and toasted oak. The wine was full-bodied with rounded tannins that gave way to a luxuriously long finish pleasing the palate with notes of blackberries, plums, crème de cassis, mocha, black tea, crushed gravel, dusty earth, licorice, soft herbs, and a kiss of oak. The wine is complex with savory layers of earth that blend harmoniously with the dark berry fruits. There is strength and power to this wine without losing its elegance and sophistication; thus, it is beautifully balanced. The wine is approachable now but will reward those with the patience to cellar it for a decade. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2016 Relic “La Place” Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Relic “The Sage” Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
2016 Relic “Artefact” Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Relic “La Place” Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 98 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
This dark beauty had a concentrated bouquet of blackberries, cassis fruit, black cherries, violets, smoldering sage, chocolate, dried tobacco, vanilla, graphite, and toasted oak. The wine was full-bodied with gripping but rounded tannins that gave way to a palate painted with black cherries, crème de cassis, blackberries, licorice, salted caramel, tobacco, cocoa powder, dried herbs, chalky minerals, dusty earth, lead pencil, and toasted oak. The wine is powerful yet sophisticated with elegant layers of complex fruit and earth that blend perfectly together. The wine should evolve nicely over the next 20 years, for those with the patience to cellar it. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2012 Mario Bazan Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2012 Mario Bazan Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Score: 94 Points
Location: Napa Valley, California
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine had an alluring bouquet of ripe red cherries, blackberries, cassis fruit, sage, caramel, molasses, wet slate, tar, and toasted oak. The wine was full-bodied with plush rounded tannins that gave way to hints of concentrated red and blackberry fruits, bell pepper, salted chocolate, iron, dried herbs, soft spice, dusty earth, and a kiss of oak. The wine is balanced with complex layers of fruit and earth that harmonize beautifully together. There is a richness to this wine that gives it a nice backbone, yet there is a lovely level of acidity that brings sophistication and elegance into play. The wine is approachable now but can easily be cellared for another decade. Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020
2015 Matrix Winery Kenneth Carl Pinot Noir
2015 Matrix Winery Kenneth Carl Pinot Noir
Score: 96 Points
Location: Sonoma County, Healdsburg, California
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
This beautiful wine had a lovely bouquet of tart cranberries, red cherries, soft herbs, rhubarb pie, orange blossoms, and hints of forest floor. The wine was medium-bodied with rounded tannins and a nice level of acidity that brought balance to a tapestry of red cherries, cranberries, grapefruit, wet slate, crushed gravel, brined herbs, dried forest leaves, and a touch of sandalwood. The wine was complex with integrated layers of fruit and earth that harmonized perfectly together. The wine was obviously new world; however, it seemed to have a Burgundian influence on it. There is an elegance to this wine that is alluring with its savory layers of earth that blend nicely with the mixed fruits. The wine is approachable now but is also cellar-worthy. Extremely Highly Recommended!
Tasted: February 2020