Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of days. Solid on Day 1 but even better on Day 2. The 2011 “Elivette” pours a deep garnet/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black fruits: cassis, blackberries, black cherry, purple flowers, tobacco, Poblano pepper, cocoa and fine 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. Yet another example of the 2011 vintage in Napa proving it’s better than originally advertised. This still has a long life ahead. Drink now through 2041. Bottle No. 12026 — 6 hours ago

Paul K

9.3

So consistent, so good. — 18 days ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

Apple, lemon, honey, peach, oak and hints of almond. Great acidity and balance. — 5 months ago

Jerry Raphael

9.5

Well, here we are two years later, back at the same BYOB for New Year’s Eve with the same wine. I figured 35 years was enough—it was time to drink it.
Same treatment as in 2024: opened and decanted, then poured about two hours later. This time the nose offered noticeably more—cedar, a touch of vegetal character, and dark berries. On the palate, dark berries again took the lead. The finish was good, but at the very end it seemed to stop just a bit short but still giving it a 95. At Anthony’s — 3 days ago

Sean Townley

9.0

Some funk up front. Better on day 2 — 21 days ago

with Mairead

Eric Urbani

9.3

First time with this maker and impressed. — 2 months ago

Brian Hearty

9.3

2007. Big, rich, dark fruits and oak! Great on its own, but I liked the Red Cap a little better. — 6 months ago

Ming L

9.4

The petrol note is pronounced, yet beautifully integrated. Citrus and tropical tones emerge on the nose, joined by a faint wisp of smoke. The palate has Viognier-like texture, lending weight and shape, while bright, clean-cut acidity is balanced by just a touch of residual sweetness.

It’s puzzling that Napa Valley can produce Riesling of this caliber! — 10 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1979 vintage. Last tasted 8.15.25 (9.4) and 7.15.25 (9.4). Decanted and tasted after 15 minutes. Still giving and surprisingly filled with life. Forced, begrudging retirement but still über-active and outpacing every senior member in your zip code...er...cellar. Just won the yearly Pickleball tourney-again. Suck it, neighbor. 12.10.25. — 24 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

1998 vintage. Tasted after being open for 30 minutes. Not decanted. Wasn’t the best vintage for valley floor juice but hillside/mountain derived stuff showed decently then. This showed as expected but better than most would have surmised. 07.15.25. — 6 months ago