David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Simply stunning! Especially, for a Sonoma, not a Napa Cabernet. 😳

Follow up AB Cowgirl wine after the Saxum. If ever you thought a Sonoma Cabernet could not stand tall with a great Napa Cabernet, have a well aged good vintage of A. Raf..

4 hour decant.

Still medium plus, round, velvety tannins. Lush, rich, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, ripe strawberries, hints of heavenly raspberries, plum, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mid/dark berry cola, dark, dry Indian/Asian spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon to stick, caramel notes, malt balls, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice to anise, dry, crushed limestone powder, soft, fresh tobacco, dry, used leather, softened tarry notes, some dry herbs-bay leaf sprinkled with sage, dry crushed rocks/river stone, dry top soil, candied & withering, dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets & lavender, crazy, round, excellent acidity, well structured & balanced for days, elegant, polished and an endless finish. Harmony on the palate.

Find an 07, you’ll thank me later. My highest recommendation for Napa/Sonoma Cabernets.

10-15 years of good drinking left in this 07. — 17 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

A blend from several vineyards, including Middle Reach, Green Valley, Santa Rosa Plain, and the Laguna Ridge area. Bright Ruby color, purple edges, with aromas of ripe fruits, floral and complex spice. On the palate concentrated flavors of raspberry, cherry and currants with pepper, tea, herbs, vanilla and oak, aged on French oak, soft tannins on well balanced structure. Full body, rich long finish, ending with spice, ripe fruit and oaky tones. Very Nice! — 24 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2016 Pagani Ranch pours a deep ruby with near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of red and black brambles, toasted coconut, dill, wood, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and tart. This is in a lovely spot yet, it still exhibiting quite a bit of freshness so I expect this will be quite long-lived. Drink now through 2031+. — 21 days ago

Joe Weinberger

9.1

Still solid 3 years later — 3 days ago

Traci

10

👍👍 Amazing cab. Absolutely delicious, fruit-forward, balanced tannins, perfection on the palate. I could drink this one anytime, anywhere. No complaints. — 4 days ago

Shane Tse

9.1

Melon, grassy, acid. Great summer drink — 6 days ago

Thomas Ryan

9.3

One of our favorites. With Garmendia’s at lakeshore reserve June 2024 — 4 days ago

Ron R

9.1

First time trying this producer.
Muted nose, but displayed good taught acidity and grip on the mid-palate, with classic cola notes. Nice depth and freshness. — 2 days ago

with Anne-marie

Jocholla

9.3

Delicious blueberry pie, savory, leather, olive, black fruits, plenty dry. Could’ve popped the cork 5 years ago but 10 years has done this very well. Perfect wine with a steak and great representation of an American Cab not from Napa. — 18 days ago

Jacob Onufrychuk

9.1

Raspberry, blackberry, vanilla, and mint on the nose. — a month ago