"Odedi"

9.3

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black fruits, cedar, spices, chocolates, coffee, licorice, cola, light pencil lead, tobacco leaf, herbs and black pepper.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and very fruity with black currants, blackberries, plums, cola, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, chocolates, vanilla, coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 13 year old Napa Cabernet is drinking beautifully now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Showing nice complexity with a soft mouthfeel. Elegant, rich and in your face kind of wine.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.

A gorgeous Cabernet, but I prefer the 2010 vintage.

Wine Spectator 91 points. Wine Enthusiasts 94 points.

Extracted, and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$150. — 9 days ago

Karilyn Lesassier-Van Oosten

9.3

Nice varietal of the Pinotage — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Caymus Vineyards – Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Caymus Special Selection is the flagship Cabernet, crafted only in exceptional years. The 2018 vintage stands tall among recent releases, showing why Chuck Wagner’s vision continues to shape Napa’s most recognized “luxury Cab.” 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from prime valley-floor vineyards, it strikes the perfect balance between Caymus’ signature ripe, fruit-forward style and an added layer of structure from a long, balanced growing season.

Aromas & Flavors
A powerful bouquet of ripe blackberries, cassis, and dark cherries, layered with cocoa nibs, espresso, and baking spices. Subtle hints of licorice, cedar, and vanilla lift the complexity, while a core of lush fruit drives the palate. The oak integration is seamless, giving a supple sweetness without overwhelming the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Rich, opulent, and velvety—yet with surprising finesse. The tannins are silky and well-structured, giving length without heaviness. The finish lingers on black fruit and mocha, balanced by just enough acidity to keep it vibrant.

Winemaking Notes
Meticulous fruit selection, long maceration for concentration, and extended aging in new French oak (18+ months). The Wagner hallmark: generous fruit expression wrapped in polished oak for immediate pleasure but with aging potential.

Food Pairing
An indulgent pairing with ribeye, prime rib, or braised short ribs. For a decadent twist, try it with dark chocolate truffles or roasted lamb with rosemary.

Verdict
One of the most impressive Caymus Special Selection vintages in recent memory—showing both lush Napa Valley opulence and refined elegance. A wine that thrills now but promises to shine for years.

Personal Pick Highlight
This 2018 stands as my favorite Caymus of the modern decade—a true benchmark that captures everything people love about Napa Cabernet at its richest and most expressive. Cheers!
— 4 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Realm Cellars – The Bard – Red Blend – 2022
Napa Valley AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Realm Cellars’ flagship proprietary red, The Bard represents the most expansive and dynamic expression of Napa Valley terroir. The 2022 vintage is Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant (approximately 70%), supported by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, with exact proportions varying by year. Sourced from a broad range of elite vineyards spanning Coombsville to Calistoga and both valley floor and hillside sites, this wine is designed to showcase Napa Valley in its full breadth and power.

Aromas & Flavors
Dense and expressive aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and dark plum lead the profile, followed by graphite, cocoa, crushed stone, and subtle baking spice. As it opens, notes of espresso, cedar, and savory herbs emerge, adding layers of depth and complexity.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, weighty, and concentrated, with a rich core of dark fruit framed by structured yet polished tannins. Despite its power, the wine maintains balance and freshness, carrying seamlessly into a long, impactful finish.

Food Pairings
Prime rib, grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, venison, or aged cheeses such as aged Cheddar, Comté, or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Verdict
A bold yet refined Napa Valley red that captures Realm’s philosophy of sourcing greatness across sites to build a wine of exceptional depth, richness, and presence. The Bard remains a benchmark proprietary blend that delivers both immediate pleasure and cellar-worthy structure.

Did You Know?
The Bard draws fruit from some of Napa Valley’s most revered vineyards, including Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Bourn, Blair, Houyi, and Larkmead, contributing to its layered complexity and distinctive Napa identity.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is a wine every serious wine lover should have in their cellar. Powerful, delicious, and unapologetically Napa, The Bard delivers depth, impact, and pure enjoyment in every glass. — 18 days ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#KosherWineSunday

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blue and black fruits with mediterranean spices, light cedar, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, light earth and black pepper.

Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, light earth, chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 6 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel is drinking wonderfully now. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Nicely balanced and soft.

Good right out of the bottle and better after 2 hours of airtime.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Complex and engaging. Tangy and spicy.

Interesting, and good by itself as a sipping wine.

Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Kosher.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$50. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim.

Nose of blueberries, black plums, black currants, coffee, licorice, spices, dark coffee, pencil lead, earth and herbs.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cherries, blood notes, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, barnyard, light vegetables, light tar and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Syrah from the Rocks District in Walla Walla Valley. In your face kind of wine. Rich, extracted and complex. Nicely balanced and elegant. Interesting stuff.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after a couple of hours of airtime.

This 6 year old Syrah is drinking beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years and see how it evolves.

A great sipping wine that also paired nicely with a big piece of steak.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$350. — 5 months ago

"Odedi"

9.5

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep inky in color with a short purple rim.

Very complex nose with blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, eacaliptus, Indian spices and black pepper.

Full bodied and soft, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, spices, cedar, licorice, vanilla, milk chocolates, dried fruits and peppercorn.

Very long finish with fine grained tannins, spices and cherries.

This 3 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is already drinking gorgeously. Rich and extracted, yet elegant. Soft and smooth with a great mouthfeel.

Still young, but already so delicious, and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 10 years and see how it evolves.

I've had many different vintages of this wine and it is very consistent.

Fruity, good right out of the bottle, and much better after 4 hours in the decanter.

Powerful with subtle elegance. Spicy and entertaining. A gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. A small production of only 300 cases.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

95 points.

$200. — 23 days ago

"Odedi"

9.4

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Strong and very aromatic nose of violets, blackberries, stewed plums, sweet cherries, cedar, toast, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, licorice, coffee, peppercorn, light cola and sweet tobacco.

Full-bodied and creamy with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and very fruity with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, dried figs, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso, dark chocolates, light earth, herbs and spices.

Long long finish with fine grained tannins, cherries and raspberries.

This 4 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is already gorgeous. Showing great complexity with a soft mouthfeel. Elegant and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and engaging.

Good right out of the bottle, but so much better after 3 hours in the decanter.

Still young and will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years.

Very complex already, and very entertaining. Powerful and velvety.

Showing a surprisingly beautiful nose already, especially considering its young age.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent. So far, my favorite vintage of it was the 2016.

A fabulous sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc. Aged in French oak barrels for 20 months. A small production of less than 1,500 bottles.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$235. — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale lemon color with ripe white fruits and wet stone aromas. On the palate flavors of ripe apple and peach, very complex, lively acidity. Long finish ending with mineral and sweet honey character, will short-term age well, tasting great! — 5 months ago

"Odedi"

9.0

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark inky in color with a reddish rim.

Nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light mildew, earth, herbs, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, light forest floor and black pepper.

Full-bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Very dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, earth, dried meats, black tea and light vegetables.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 19 year old Syrah from Northern Rhône is still drinking nicely, although definitely not at its peak anymore.

Not in your face kind of wine at this point. Elegant, with nice complexity. Interesting, and still powerful.

Mildew and forest floor notes start to disappear after 90 minutes in the decanter. Still showing some fruit notes though, which is nice to see.

Good by itself or with food.

13% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$80. — 6 months ago