What a superb wine, first and foremost. Just so beautiful and powerful. A deep, dark burgundy color in the glass. The nose is pure and alive with cherries and blackberries initially. Oak, as ever, along with a slight hint of vanilla and earth. Really pretty floral notes which accentuates the total package.
Terrific depth and balance here. Every now and again Napa reminds you of what it can really be. Very modern and elegant with so much personality. Everything here is restrained and refined. The fruit on the palate is dramatic and fresh. Vibrant red fruit with the customary woodsy elements. A touch of tobacco and well integrated smoke just for good measure. The finish is long and lusty and leaves you wanting more. Made for the long run for sure but so delicious now. A true gem of a wine. — 23 days ago
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicon is dark, supple and super-expressive. It shows higher ripeness and a stronger oak imprint than the Cabernet Sauvignon. Even so, it has aged very well. Dark plum, espresso, licorice, sweet spice and a kiss of toasted French oak lend notable complexity throughout. In this tasting, ripeness and new oak feel accented, certainly more so than when this wine was younger. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— a day ago
Depth of flavor is a real thing people! Holy cannoli. A level above. Wolfens. — 20 days ago
Really nice — 5 days ago
+1 hour decant(some fine/chunky sediment). A captivating dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: mellow notes of cherry, tobacco, menthol, wet forest floor. Taste: cherry, herbal, leather, bitter chocolate and a spiced graphite w/some slightly astringent tannin medium plus finish. — a month ago
Light straw color with typical SB aromas adding a touch of floral mineral notes. On the palate flavors of melon and grapefruit with lemon citrus and honeysuckle notes, generous acidity, great mouthfeel with long finish ending with a salty spice mineral character. Nice wine! — 10 days ago
v15. Outstanding! Tobacco nose. Deep, rich, dark, blackberry and tar fruit. Smooth, tight, slightly astringent mocha and leather finish. This is what it is all about. — 16 days ago
Beast of the East vs. Best of the West….taste off
VA Monticello Petit Verdot against a Cali Napa Valley Cab.
Pairing: American Wagyu Strip, Home Fries, Mushroom Ron Zacapa 23 glaze.
As much as I love my Napa Cabs, the edge went to the PV. 93 - 92. — a month ago
Jay Kline
Popped and poured; no formal notes. I would still categorize the 2013 as developing and in a really good place right now. Secondary characteristics are just beginning to show themselves and the fruit and structure are in good balance. Pretty much a fastball right down the middle of the plate as far as Napa Cabernet from Rutherford goes, and that’s a compliment. Drink now through 2038. — 7 days ago