God these are such beautiful wines. Floral beyond belief, with such a precise, finely woven tapestry of a bouquet. Settles and spreads on the tongue like molten taffy, ever so subtle rs cloaked in vigorous minerality and a great swath of satsuma mandarin and yellow peach acids. — 3 years ago
Explosive, super expressive nose. Burgundian. Nutty, mushroomy, savoury notes on the nose. Powerful dark fruited spicy core. But slinks across the palate with Burgundian weight. delicate and filigree. Tapestry. Yes!. — 3 years ago
Wow. I absolutely love this wine and cannot wait to have it again! It’s a balanced blend that’s easy on the palate but flavorful! — 3 months ago
Effortless, silky, seductive, and quietly powerful. The nose gives off strong tapenade/black olive to start, then settles into deep dark fruit, tar, and provencale herbs. Smoky, complex, and very long. The silky tannins weave in and out of the tapestry of dark fruit. The fruit is so pure and complex - you can taste the vine age. Outstanding wine that will kick on for another 20+ yrs. — 3 years ago
A tapestry of luscious dried fruit: figs, apricots, raisins, and prunes, all wrapped up in a soft yet very thick velvety mouthfeel. There are hints of cloves, caramel and even tobacco on that linger on the pállate. Well worth waiting for 58 years!! — 4 years ago
2013 Kelham Vineyards “Sons” Proprietary Red – Oakville, Napa Valley
Crafted by Rawson Kelham and inspired by his wife Susanna’s love for balanced reds, “The Sons” is a masterful blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 10% Sangiovese. Lovingly bottled by Rawson’s stepsons—who’ve been at the helm of this line for over 20 years—this 2013 vintage was cellared until 2016, with just 300+ cases produced.
Now, over a decade since harvest, this wine is a revelation. The blend unfolds seamlessly-structured, layered, and impossibly harmonious. Aromatically, it’s a mature tapestry of dark cherries, dried herbs, cedar, and hints of worn leather. On the palate, it’s intense yet controlled: lush black fruit, plum, a whisper of tobacco, and an echo of sweet balsamic reduction that brings complexity without weight.
What’s most striking is its youthful acidity—this bottle feels alive, still pulsing with energy as if it’s just waking up. That freshness paired with age-built depth makes it one of the most compelling wines I’ve had from Kelham (and I’ve had many—see my past notes!).
This is Oakville at its best. Bold, nuanced, timeless.
Speechless after the first glass. Crazy delicious.
Cheers! — 3 months ago
Delightful. For a 20 year old wine this certainly surprised with its freshness. Velvety smooth at this point and just a rich treat of dark fruit and soft tannins, some primary fruit remaining amongst a tapestry of secondaries. Really doing well for what was a cheap wine at the time. — 2 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Every time I have an older BV Tapestry, 15-25 yrs, I am always impressed with their better vintages. 2007 the rule rather than the exception. This when released in 2009-10 was between $35-$40 depending on when & where you purchased it. Having stated the above, these have proven to better than some to many Napa Cabernets costing $125 to $175 with the right long age. Bought in the last six months on the secondary market for $55 if my memory hasn’t failed me.
Tonight from a corvined bottle over the weekend still shows youthfulness but has excellent integration & evolution. Still has 12-15 years of good drinking ahead.
Ripe & lush, touch candied, dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, baked strawberries & haunting blueberries/raspberries. Sweet tarriness, dry twig, powdery limestone, anise to some black licorice, soft, wet herbs, baking soda, dry top soil, nutmeg, soft clove, cinnamon, vanillin, dark spices, withering & candied flowers that are dark, red, blue framed in lavender & liquid violets.
The palate shows lush, ripe with M+ velvety rounded tannins. Lush dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, baked strawberries & haunting blueberries/raspberries. Sweet tarriness, dry leather, used tobacco with ash, lead pencil shavings, dry twig, powdery limestone, anise to some black licorice, moist & dry herbs, baking soda, dry top soil, nutmeg, soft clove, cinnamon stick, vanillin, dark spices, withering & candied flowers that are dark, red, blue framed in lavender & liquid violets, pretty acidity and a finish that is; well balanced/structured/knitted, elegantly polished that last two-minutes and lands evenly on fruits, soft earth notes & deep spices as it sets. — 9 days ago