Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.4

Such a serious Scheuerbe. Gorgeous nose. Wild herbs, sweet lime, sage, blackcurrants. High toned and so wild. Aromas in neon lights. Palate is slamming. Concentrated, elegant and densely structured but oh so nimble and super pure. Unreal class and finesse. So stunning and what a finish. Savory and alive. Cannot wait to see what air does. — a month ago

Ron R

9.7

Black as the night in the glass. A clone of the 19 vintage, only more sexy and voluptuous. Round, curvaceous and supple on the palate. Presents cocoa and a hint of barrel toast. So opulent and pure. Tannins are awesome and the acidity is bright. More brilliance from Jason Moore…
@Rick K — 6 months ago

with Anne-marie

Brad Jensen

9.6

Absolutely gorgeous and unique. For a 23yo wine the complexity on the nose and palate is still bumpin, and the tannins are silky and smooth, with a little grab here and there just to let you know it’s past. Nose of rich dark berries, old driftwood (from Collin) with a medium body that’s fruit forward, somewhat smoky, and beautifully balanced with hints of dried herbs, and sage. Absolutely amazing. — 3 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

A vibrant, focused and deliciously complex red, offering raspberry, cherry, cinnamon, mocha and subtle sage notes rolling through the long and expressive finish. Deft. Wine Spectator #3 Wine of the Year — 4 years ago

Bob Eisenbach

9.1

Blackberry explosion and a bit of heat. — 5 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.2

2014 vintage - this is the “Alta Rocca” - had their regular bottling in the past was very nice but this is Alta Rocca 100%Sciaccarellu what an amazing wine - interesting nose of dried herbs and sage , cherry , mushroom, great balance , like drinking in the land — 6 years ago

Joe D'Angelo

9.8

The 2016 ‘Insignia’ is an absolutely incredible showing, and is amongst the most compelling vintages I have yet to taste from the Estate. Composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec which spent 24 months in 100% new french oak. As this unwinds in the glass it begins to release its seductive aromatics of ripe dark currants, crème de cassis and blueberries along with fresh violets, pencil shavings, wild sage brush and exotic spices. On the palate this is full-bodied, with a gorgeous rich, opulent texture that is beautifully balance by a lovely touch if underlying acidity keeping it fresh and inviting all the way through the long enveloping finish. Displaying a remarkable combination of both power and precision, the 2016 is a total stunner and will go on to have a marvelous future for many years to come. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

A 1/4 century in bottle…mmmm. I have had every 90’s vintage of Phelps Napa, except a 90 I think. Many of those multiple times at 15 yrs plus. This 99 is as good as any of the ones I’ve had. 98, not a great vintage but the 98 consistent with the rest and 99 better than many would expect.

Siting it, it has a dark core with little or no brickish edges. The fruit still very lively.

The nose shows; slightly candied to ripe & some slightly plummy fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, graphite, cocoa powder, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed I liquid violets with a touch of lavender.

This is still around its peak. M-M+ velvety, round tannins. It’s round w/ elegance defined. Nothing that bits back. Palate confirms the nose. Slightly candied to ripe fruits; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, baked strawberries, pomegranate & raspberries. Cinnamon stick, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, anise to black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry tobacco, used leather, dry stems, dry crushed rocks with dry top soil, limestone, dark Asian spices with some palate heat, dry herbs w/ a sage lead, graphite, used charcoal ash, cocoa powder, caramel, dark cola, steeped berry tea, moist clay, dark & red bright florals framed in liquid violets with a touch of lavender, very round, beautiful acidity, well; made, knitted, structured, tensioned w/ excellent length and elegance-balanced finish that lasts minutes & lands on moist clays and ripe, evolved fruit.

Perfect w/ the Prime Ribcap. — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.6

Continuum Estate – 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Cabernet Franc, 17% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot / Vintage 2015
Sage Mountain Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A Bordeaux-inspired red blend from Continuum Estate, perched on Sage Mountain high above Napa Valley. The 2015 vintage, though small in production due to drought and cool flowering conditions, yielded fruit of remarkable intensity and character. Limited quantities make this a collector’s treasure.

Aromas & Flavors
Opens with aromas of cacao, black currant, cardamom, and savory wild herbs. On the palate: lush layers of black cherry, roasted espresso, mountain minerals, and a touch of tangy orange spice. Velvety tannins wrap around ripe black fruit and chocolate notes, finishing long and expressive.

Mouthfeel
Dense, structured, and deeply vinous with remarkable balance between power and finesse. Rich and tactile, yet elegantly polished. Built for both immediate pleasure and decades of graceful aging.

Food Pairings
Best enjoyed with rosemary lamb chops, prime rib, aged gouda, or wild mushroom ragù. But honestly? This wine is an experience in itself, no food required.

Verdict
An elevated expression of Napa Valley mountain fruit, complex, soulful, and deeply memorable. One of those rare wines that leaves you saying, “whoa.”

Did You Know?
Continuum was founded in 2005 by Robert, Marcia, and Tim Mondavi, continuing the Mondavi family’s legacy in Napa with an estate entirely dedicated to Cabernet-family blends from Sage Mountain.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This was a showstopper for me. The 2015 Continuum delivered an elevated experience, the kind of wine that redefines how you think about Napa blends. Truly unforgettable. — 8 months ago

Tanya Koob

10

Very oaky — 5 years ago

Severn G

9.3

Last bottle, and damn it's drinking fine! No new notes today, but I must identify that the waxy notes and acidity are transcendent...This bottle still has years. 🥲

Prior notes:
Nose has dried grapefruit rind, honeydew melon, dry sage, fresh rosemary and beeswax.
Palate has ripe honeydew melon, dried lemon, lemon juice, acidic pear, orange rind with plenty of dry minerals and acidity for days. Wonderful. — 6 years ago

Sam Shepard

9.3

Dried herbs (thyme, sage) and red currants — 7 years ago

Hampus Bejnö

9.2

Fruktigt o gôtt — 7 years ago

Joel Lara

9.2

Really tasty. Full bodied with medium acidity and medium/high tannins. Plums with hints of blueberry are joined by interesting herbal notes of thyme and sage. Also has a nice earthiness that veers into a touch of just-ground coffee beans accompanying the fruit and herbal flavors on the finish. Really good, and went well with meatball, ricotta, and mushroom pizza. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Happy New Year! 🍷

Perfect pairing w/ my Dutch oven braised short-ribs & horseradish mashed potatoes.

Dark currants, brambly blackberries, dark cherries, brilliant cherries, strawberries, iron pan, dry shale, dry herbs-sage lead, dry crushed rocks, limestone, volcanics, roasted chestnuts (a signature of this producer), some black coffee, tarriness, dry top soil, dark spices, some red to mid berry cola, red, dark flowers, violets, excellent, round acidity, balance for days, nice structure/tension with elegance that lands squarely on dry earthiness. — 6 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.0

[Tasted on May 25, 2022 at Moto in Nashville with Rachel]

Red and dark berries, rose petal, tar and sage with earth and a hint of smoke. — 4 years ago

Kyle Zeman

9.5

Dali vintage. Still super alive and young, what fun wine to drink alongside Dali’s Wines of Gala book. Most of the fruit is gone, lots of terroir shining through — grape seeds and clay. Some sage / menthol. Literally no oxidative notes — 5 years ago

leon egozi

9.8

Tasting 3 new wines with Russell and Heidi. All 3 were recently bottled and amazing. This one just kept getting better with every sip. All of them will just get better with time. Impossible to pick the WOTN. Cool labels awesome wines. — 5 years ago

P A

9.0

One of the Okanagan best from an excellent vineyard and vintage. Presents a velvety mouth feel with a smooth vanilla finish. The perfect evening treat after a day #wfh. Cheers and be safe and healthy to all my Delectable friends 🍷🇺🇸🇨🇦 — 6 years ago

Beom Ki Lee

9.0

Sage, eucalyptus, black olives, and start blackberries. Extremely fruity and full body, typical for a good bottle of syrah. Hint of sour cherries, tobacco, and acai berries too.
Great bottle for its price range. — 7 years ago

with C