Shay A

9.3

93+

Opened for a quarterly BNO (theme was Cali cabs pre-2016 and Alsatian whites) alongside a 2012 Gustave Lorentz Grand Cru Kanzlerberg Pinot Gris.

My last of three bottles, and all three showed a bit of variation. The second bottle I opened up in Jan of this year was a bit more powerful and leaned toward the darker fruit spectrum whereas this one was very much classical and pure red-fruit driven.

Pulled the cork two hours before consuming. Everything about this wine spoke to a classical style of Cali cab before ripeness got pushed to the limit. Most people agreed this wine showed a good bit of youth. Aromatics of dark cherries, raspberries, red/purple potpourri, hint of graphite. Very fresh and juicy on the palate with ripe red fruits, some herbs and earthiness and a fantastic spine of acidity running through. Even after two hours of being open and consumed over the next 2-3hrs, the tannin at the finish was grippy and paired well with a rich short rib. My friend next to me brought an ‘05 Stag’s Leap Cellars SLV which showed more French in style while also being very much in the “not getting better” territory.

I had a full glass worth to follow the next day and it was beautifully integrated a touch more. If this bottle is as the norm, I’d say it has a couple more years in this lovely window before turning more tertiary. — 14 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2018 vintage. Can’t improve on the 3.13.24 (9.3) note so won’t. 6.20.26. — 2 months ago

KA

9.2

Elways Steakhouse Denver — 2 months ago

Paul J

9.4

1hr+ decant. Lovely dark red almost purple color. More oak than I was expecting but it was fairly well integrated with dark fruit. Medium plus depth and solid finish. — 4 months ago

with Brooke and

Doreen Kleindienst

9.3

Very nice smooth finish — 4 years ago

Frank Soldano

9.5

Drinking the 2017 in 2021. Nose is rich with blackberry and blueberry. Lighter on the palate, with hints s of blackberry, strawberry and ripe fruit. Light and smooth with very low tannins. Oaks and a light earthy finish. Very nice wine. Wish I had a few bottles to set aside for about five years. — 5 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2022 vintage. Nice but overpriced. 7.29.26. — 10 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2022 vintage. Nice but overpriced by miles, not kilometers. 7.1.26. — a month ago

Andrea Watt

9.3

Oak, leather, blackberry, and hazelnut. Richer and bolder than I expected for the age. — a month ago

Tom Garland

9.2

Decant and pour. An amazing still dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: subtle notes of dark fruit, worn leather, herbaceous, pencil shavings, mint. Taste: savory, silky, elegant wine with some dried cherry/red plum, currants, tobacco, spice, earth, coffee grounds and a medium plus finish. YUM!!! Drinking beautifully for its age on this rain for an hour cool afternoon in Napa. — 2 months ago

with Brenda

Gary Wilson

9.7

Great wine! Strong firm tannins. This is my kind of wine. — 7 months ago

Matthew Steilen

9.1

Delicious and distinctive Zin. Drinks like a Bordeaux. — 4 years ago

Jason Keefer

9.4

Late disgorged just hits different! Round and silky, layers upon layers, could drink all day! — 4 years ago

Jocholla

9.0

Lemon, biscuit, green apple, some herbal note, crisp bubbles. Nice Thursday pour. — a month ago

Bill Mowry

9.3

100% Petite Sirah. Starts with dark ripe fruit including blackberries, blueberry, raspberry, and cedar and forest notes with semisweet chocolate and creamy finish. Very age able with hints of tannins that set up the structure of the wine. — a month ago

with Amelia

Steve S.

9.1

Full strawberry jam experience. Bold fruit. Smooth aftertaste. — 2 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.0

Plum and pepper with a touch of leather. — 2 months ago

Joe Christenson

9.4

Big plum, blackberry, and dark cherry flavors. Black pepper. Plenty of zippiness. A bit of earthiness. Delicious with pizza. Excellent wine. — 4 months ago

Ron R

9.6

The epitome of smooth and majestic.
Not easy to find on the secondary market, but worth securing a bottle at the right price. Notes of mocha and espresso on the nose and mid-palate segue to polished tannins and moderate acidity. The capstone is a nice balanced weight and mouthfeel. Never disappointed with this botting. — 7 months ago

with Anne-marie

Sara Hallihan

9.0

12 year anniversary, delightful with steak, I’m sure would last 12 more years. — 5 years ago