I Love California
Corison
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 vintage. PNP. Sultry and sexy. Light-medium/medium bod. The Corison Cabernets occupy a deliciously distinctive, Napa niche. This vintage is no less than that standard. Slightly less “busy” than the 2018, the 2019 continues to bring the must-have goods to market. Herbs, earth, woods, cassis, anise, kapow and blammo all easily found within. When you come across a jaded Napa Cab person (raises both hands), this baddy restores the faith. 01.20.25. — 10 days ago
Quintessa
Rutherford Red Blend 2010
I was impressed how well this 15 year old has held up. I’ve got a few more to indulge in before too long. No point in not enjoying while they’re still tasting wonderful. — 3 days ago
Opus One
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010
[Tasted on January 25, 2025 at Home with Tom, Kathy, Mark and Lucille]
84% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5.5% Merlot; 5.5% Cabernet Franc; 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Blackberry and black currant fruit, with chocolate, espresso, earth and a mineral note. Nicely balanced. — 4 days ago
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1991
Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.
Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease. — 12 days ago
Ridge Vineyards
Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2019
Very pretty color of ruby with medium intensity and a wide reddish rim.
Pretty nose with nice complexity.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate and complex.
Showing red and black fruits with wood, light licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco and herbs.
Nice finish with soft tannins and cherries.
This 6 year old Zinfandel based Red blend from Sonoma County is drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.
Elegant and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and soft with a nice mouthfeel. Showing nice complexity at this point.
Wine Enthusiasts 90 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.
Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.
A blend of 73% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 10% Carignan, 3% Mataro and 1% Alicante Bouschet.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$35. — 18 days ago
Zach D
On the nose black raspberry, black cherry, Asian five spice, some black tea. Good dose of acidity for a zin based wine; some tannin as well. More black raspberry, black cherry, hint of smoke, blackberry and spice on the palate. I don’t usually go for this type of wine (higher etoh, somewhat warmer and riper style) however given the old vine character, Ridge is a producer I do come back to every once and a while. Did hit the spot on a cold night. — 4 days ago