A perfect wine? Perhaps. Not many Napa wines can have this kind of horsepower at 19 years old (I was always told Napa wines fall apart after 15 years). I’ve never had Screaming Eagle or Grace Family or any of the new “premier cru” wines. What I will say, though, is that I have a hard time imagining a wine being better than this. Plush, with a solid core. Very little fade. Let it breathe, but it was drinkable right out of the bottle, rich with refined tannins, so much fruit, so much pleasure. The oak is now seamless with the wine, not an addition, but a part of it. If you had told me this was a more recent vintage, I would have believed you. This was Cosentino’s top of the line and what a top it was. Age has allowed for more complexity (I did taste this when it was newly bottled) and development, but this is a young wine, still. Nothing out of place. It is one of the best wines I’ve ever tasted. Quintessential Napa, the best the valley has to offer. I forget the story of “the secret clone” but knowing what all the steps are in making great wine, having this clone was just one of the many right choices in making this. This one may outlive me. It is in its prime with no end in sight. Perfect? I’m not sure. But I’ve not had better. — 6 months ago
A new Garden series bottling for me. Padthaway is also new to me.
The initial nose was quite muted, only showing leathery note. The palate on the other hand shows great from the first sip with flavors blueberry, orange peel, toffee, black pepper, light medicinal, and thyme. It’s deep, powerful yet reserved. Acidity is holding up and tannins is still profound but rounded. And after 3 hours the nose finally comes around. Massive 16% ABV makes it presence felt at the end.
Probably need another 4-5 years to peak. — 9 months ago
Another excellent red in the Henschke range. Brief notes: A GMS blend from the Barossa Valley. Rich and flavoursome (14.5% ABV). Red and blue fruits - medium plus bodied - plush. Stephen Henschke often said on the weekend what great vintages 2022 and 2023 were. Added to the fabulous 2021, that’s 3 great vintages in a row. — 4 months ago
Very dark in colour - almost black. Lots of everything - ripeness, oak, blackberry, dark chocolate. The sort of wine I would have loved in my 20’s, not so much in my 70’s. Not for lovers of delicate wine - this is full throttle. This Australian producer is probably better known in the USA than Australia - like Mollydooker. A full bodied palate with M plus intensity and grainy tannins. Ranked No. 3 in Wine Spectators Top 100 wines of 2012. Not sure that extended cellaring will make a huge difference but will try to have the last one in early 2027. — 6 months ago
Soft very easy to drink — 9 months ago
Very nice wine. Good fruit with berry finish. Smooth finish — 6 months ago
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon impresses with peppery florals, exotic spices and black currants. It's soft yet sincere, possessing juicy, zesty acidity and crisp wild berry fruits. A pleasant, bitter, balsamic spice tinge tapers off long and resonates with lavender and violet notes. $25.00 (Eric Guido, Vinous, March 2024) — 6 months ago
Justin Bothur
Blackberry, licorice , raspberry jam, touch of tobacco. — a month ago