Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

So, this had nice fruit but it lacked depth & character. Especially, for a 2019. Most 19 Napa Cabernets or blends have shown me more. Also, would have expected to see more integration of what is there.

On a another note, I took the top right picture of their estate Merlot on 7/11/26. This is the furthest advancement of veraison in early July of Merlot in all my yrs. Or, in July period. This is what happens when you have a very warm tail-end of winter and warm Spring. It was 95 for many days in March while it was technically still Winter. 👀 😳. I have lived in Ca a long time and have never seen 95 in mid March. Climate change is real. It is likely they pick this August 10-15. Do not recall that ever happening either. — a month ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Medium-dark purple color, dark berry and mulberry aromas and flavors, some tannins, nice weight and balance, medium-long finish, solid Margaret River Cabernet!! — 2 years ago

with Jim

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot and 2% Petite Sirah, deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, herb spice and smoky oak scents. On the palate flavors of black cherry and plums with cinnamon, licorice and cacao, lively acidity. Fine ripe round tannins, well balanced, long finish ending with fruit, tobacco and earthy character. — 3 years ago

Eric

9.4

Much better than the last bottle I had (separate auction buys). Pretty amazing that 15.5 alcohol can go this long. Underripe black cherry, and meat. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Mostly Cab with 8% Merlot. The fruit comes from Sacrashe and Hall's vineyards on Diamond Mountain and Atlas Peak. An absolute favorite, complex red/black fruit aromas, herb and sweet notes. On the palate full ripe rich fruit, raspberry and blackberry with a smoky savory character, adding leather and cacao notes. Dusty full tannins, more time will benefit however drinking well now, on long finish ending with complex earthy spices. — 5 years ago

Ken Z

9.0

Drank 9\20\20. Nice with a bacon cheeseburger.

Medium nose of black and blue fruits with some spice and a bit of herbaceousness as well. Big, but balanced with cassis, blueberry, and a bit of spice all backed by medium plus tannins. Long finish and great balance. I can't think of too many good cabs for under $20, and this one delivers for closer to $10. Incredible value.

3\21\8\4\4 +50 = 90 pts. — 6 years ago

Shawn R

9.4

Long decant pushes the envelope of lush and rich mountain fruit. Drinks really good now yet has another 5-8 years. — 6 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1 hour decant(lots of sediment). A wonderful inky dark purplish garnet color. On the nose: Intense notes of black and blue fruit, herbaceous, tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, forest floor. Taste: rich, velvety, harmonious mouthcoating wine with blackberry, currants, chocolate espresso, graphite, and a spiced-charred wood- dark cherry long finish. YUM!! — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Blend of Syrah (36%), Grenache (21%), Mourvèdre (17%), Tempranillo (14%), Zinfandel (8%) and Carignan (4%). Dark purple color. Aromas of dark berry fruit, lavender and roasted meat. Flavors of jammy boysenberries, black cherry, black raspberry, black licorice and roasted herbs. Slight hint of vanilla on the long and lingering finish. Well balanced acidity. Medium-plus body. Rich and plush but not over the top. Beautifully integrated and perfectly aged. Thanks for sharing, John S! — a year ago

Brooke Gannon

9.2

Steely, mineral driven, some apple, lemon zest, a nice long finish. — 3 years ago

with Joseph

Adam Louis

9.1

Deep ruby color and long legs. Nose of fresh strawberries and a bit floral. Smooth and pretty sweet considering the alcohol content 15%. — 4 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

8.9

Leather, blackberries, earth, spice, lavender. Black cherries. Long. Balancing bitterness. — 5 years ago

Chris

9.1

Took 2 hours to open, but it did. Raspberry and cherry and raisin, long finish. — 6 years ago

Nancy Pan

9.1

Nutty and citrus, buttery, mineral and stone fruit, long finish — 6 years ago

Dave Auerbach

9.4

2014 Reserve Merlot. Cutchogue NY. Dense and balanced. 2014 was a standout year for LI merlot and this puts an exclamation point on it. Fresh black berries, a hint of mint, and a slightly herbal finish. Well balanced and aging beautifully. Pretty close to it’s peak. — 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Dark Ruby red color with aromas of ripe dark fruits and an array of spices from cigar box to spice cake. On the palate flavors of black cherry preserves and blackberry jam, layering in some licorice, leather, tobacco and black pepper spice. Savory tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy character. Nice! — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Served double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment or gas. On the nose, the wine is clean, developing and very expressive. Very attractive notes of dark and red fruits: cassis, ripe plums, dark brambles, dark cherries, leaf tobacco, cedar box, cocoa, Flintstones vitamins, a touch of eucalyptus and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long with lovely texture and some crushed gravel minerals. Alcohol is medium+. This is a very easy wine to like. It’s beautifully balanced but it leans more towards the fruit rather than the structure. The fruit is just so lush that it’s very hard to me to place this in the Old World. I called Cabernet Sauvignon (and blends), from California, from Napa Valley from 2017. Close! Wow…my first Tor and what a generous contribution to Tasting Group! Obviously, I'm not complaining. This is drinking very well in its youth but considering the undeniable balance and quality of the fruit, I think this will continue to be awesome through 2039. — 3 years ago

David White

9.3

This took seven hours to really open up and the wait was well worth it
Clear dark ruby colour with sleight brickish edge about 1/2 inch sludge left in bottle.
Palate was clean with rich berries to the fore
Nice fruit acidity balance with long aftertaste
Ethereal in sense that time in the decanter completely transformed the experience
35 year old wines require patience and careful treatment

— 5 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Mixed pepper, mixed red and black fruit. Was tart to open and then evolved beautifully. This will age! Rated 2016 last night 2018 tonight (feb)... Update, (2nd bottle of 2018, now late may): Those tart aromatics are piercing, rose water, lavender. It’s an intense wine. Medium bodied with light tannins. Very little oak influence. I think the cranberry and subtle white pepper will age and this wine will be nice for a long time. — 5 years ago

Lorry Henny

9.0

A very pleasant well balanced wine that displays subtle fruit and mild tannins.
— 6 years ago