Vineyard Creek
A. Rafanelli
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Simply stunning! Especially, for a Sonoma, not a Napa Cabernet. 😳
Follow up AB Cowgirl wine after the Saxum. If ever you thought a Sonoma Cabernet could not stand tall with a great Napa Cabernet, have a well aged good vintage of A. Raf..
4 hour decant.
Still medium plus, round, velvety tannins. Lush, rich, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, ripe strawberries, hints of heavenly raspberries, plum, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mid/dark berry cola, dark, dry Indian/Asian spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon to stick, caramel notes, malt balls, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice to anise, dry, crushed limestone powder, soft, fresh tobacco, dry, used leather, softened tarry notes, some dry herbs-bay leaf sprinkled with sage, dry crushed rocks/river stone, dry top soil, candied & withering, dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets & lavender, crazy, round, excellent acidity, well structured & balanced for days, elegant, polished and an endless finish. Harmony on the palate.
Find an 07, you’ll thank me later. My highest recommendation for Napa/Sonoma Cabernets.
10-15 years of good drinking left in this 07. — a month ago
Quilceda Creek
Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Did not make it to 3rd hour of decant. Everyone drank it up quickly. Wine got better with each minute. — 2 days ago
Diamond Creek Vineyards
Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1978
From my cellar. Cork fell apart, but the wine was in excellent condition. Needed 1/2 hour to really open up. Fragrant, smooth, with tremendous balance and length. Lovely! — 7 days ago
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000
Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040. — 9 days ago
Philip Togni Vineyard
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Dark red purple. Classic Cabernet nose and palate of cassis and underripe blackberry with oak and very gentle bell pepper undertones. Medium tannins and medium plus-ish acidity. Old school style Napa Cabernet with an excellent balance between fruit and structure. Excellent match for that porterhouse. Drink now through 2032. — 3 days ago
Flowers Vineyard & Winery
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022
Bigger style clocking in at 14.1%, but oak is well integrated. Polished little night cap. — 7 days ago
Jay Kline
I pulled this from the cellar on Father’s Day; toasting the year I became a dad. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2006 pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core and a magenta rim; medium+ viscosity with faint staining of the tears and lots of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of tart dark fruits: brambles, montmornecy cherries, tobacco, dry earth, and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy with tongue smacking acid. The 2006 Rafanelli Zinfandel is in a seriously great spot right now and well stored examples should hold in this position easily through the rest of this decade. Great with pizza. Drink now through 2031+. — 14 days ago