Witching Stick
Witching Stick
Gianoli Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020
Jones Family Vineyard
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
I am re-coravining this 07. The 2007 vintage is generally compared to 97. I would say 07 is slightly better than 97.
I am honest, sometimes to a fault. This is absolutely the most underrated Cabernet producer in Napa Valley, bar none. A TRB made wine since 97.
The nose reveals ripe & lush; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries, just a whiff of boysenberries with strawberries & creamy raspberries on the edges of the glass. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, cinnamon, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, touch of butterscotch, understated herb blend, some grey clay, dry top soil, light graphite, very used leather, light fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets.
The palate is heavily magical. The tannins round, velvety & still meaty. Ruby & lush nicely evolved fruits that are; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, dark cherries hints of boysenberries, cherries, strawberries, pomegranate extract & hovering, creamy raspberries. Melted dark chocolate to frosting, plum pudding, mocha powder, salted caramel notes, tarriness, dark roasted expresso, anise to black licorice, cinnamon stick, clove, some nutmeg & vanillin, dark spice w/ some palate heat, touch of toffee w/ nuts, understated fresh herb blend, lightly grilled meats, some grey clay/volcanics, dark, rich, sweet earth, dry top soil, nice graphite tones, very used leather, fresh tobacco, undertones of anise to black licorice, withering-candied; dark, red flowers-roses with candied violets, excellent round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that glides from beautiful fruits to spice & gentle earth and last nearly two-minutes. Glorious & stunning the character & depth of this wine!
Jones Family wines only shine this bright with 15 years plus in bottle.
This one has another 3-5 yrs before it starts its slow decent. — 6 months ago
A. Rafanelli
Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
The very definition of velvet wrapped in an iron fist. It is singing on my palate.
This Dry Creek is better than the Select Terraces I’ve opened lately. Deep, black, ripe, ruby, currants, blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, boysenberries, blue hues, dark cherries, crazy, deep, Indian spices, dark berry cola, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, vanilla, caramel, malt balls, fresh tobacco, used leather, tree bark w/ sap, steeped fruit tea, limestone, crushed risks, river stone, forest floor with dry leaves, dry herbaceous notes, endless rainbow of florals, beautiful acidity and well balanced, structure and tension that is tightly knit with finish for days.
Crazy, stupid, producer that continues to fly well below the radar. I am thankful it does.
This 2010 has 10 years plus of life left ahead. The best Ca Cabernet I’ve had in many years. Wine affects me differently than most but this wine is like a full body massage. Maybe, that is why I discovered my palate. — 2 years ago
James Cole
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
This wine is in a perfect place. 2008 is not as regarded as 2007, but this 2008 made by Charles Hendricks is saying differently & absolutely one of his very best. I would say, James & Coleen made a mistake in letting him get away.
It is sort of a Mother Mary of God wine. Not to be religious, just the phrase fits.
Our eyes & ears perk up when we hear Napa names like; Harlan, Scarecrow, Hundred Acre, Bond & Colgin. I’d like to put this in blind and watch the shock & awe in everyone eyes when the wines were revealed.
The palate entry is perfect in every way. It is rich, lush, extremely balanced with well rounded, velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, baked strawberries framed in raspberry edges. Some of the most amazing, dark spices with palate heat, melted, dark chocolate to pudding, black licorice to anise, mocha, malt balls, caramel, mid baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, fresh & used tobacco, leathery, graphite, crushed rocks & limestone, sage brush, slightly, candied, dark & withering flowers set in understated violet’s & lavender, warm, summer, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent structure/tension with elegance and smart polish that lasts minutes and settles on beautiful spices.
This wine is at its precipice and will hold a few more years with good drinking for 8-10 years. — 2 months ago
Beaulieu Vineyard
Reserve Tapestry Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1997
The follow up to the 03 Brane-Cantenac. So good but still youthful now as I mentioned this 97 still is in @Paul T- Huntington Beach recent post of his 2013.
The tannins are round, softened but still meaty & somewhat tarry.
The nose is still brooding. Ripe lush, ruby, fruits of, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked to poached strawberries. Dark, rich, sweet forest floor, mix of Indian & Asian spice with palate piercing heat, notes of Cognac, steeped tea, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, black licorice, tarry notes, day crushed rocks, limestone minerals, grey volcanic minerals, light tobacco with ash, used leather, sandalwood, bright, fresh; dark, red, blue florals with violets.
The palate is ripe, lush, juicy & floral fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked to poached strawberries, raspberry highlights & pomegranate. Dark, rich, sweet forest floor, mix of Indian & Asian spice, notes of Cognac, steeped tea, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, black licorice, tarry notes, day crushed rocks, limestone minerals, grey volcanic minerals/ash, moist, grey clay, light tobacco with ash, used leather, sandalwood, bright, fresh; dark, red, blue florals with violets, insane, waterfall acidity, woven, layered, structured, nicely tensioned with great length and a incredibly balanced, well polished finish that goes on for two to three minutes.
If you are 15-20 years plus patient w/ these bottling’s, they are one of the very best values in Napa Valley. — 2 years ago
Terredora di Paolo
Loggia Della Serra Greco di Tufo 2021
The 2021 Greco di Tufo Loggia della Serra’s alluring bouquet combines honeyed florals, peaches and mint. It’s soft-textured and sleek, with vibrant acidity and tropical citrus to elevate ripe orchard fruits. Mango and chamomile stick around on the dramatically long and complex finish. Wow. $24.00 (Eric Guido, Vinous, July 2023) — 2 years ago
Williams Selyem
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2009
I may sound like a broken record but these cuvées from Williams Selyem don’t really produce magic until they have 10 years+ in bottle. Tonight this 2009 Sonoma Coast is magic w/ the grilled marinaded “Bulgogi Pork.”
The cork like a new bottling. Nothing running down the sides.
The wine glides magnificently onto the palate. It has another 7-10 yrs stored well.
It is wine candy w/o the heavy candy. Ripe & glorious. It rides the fence of good red burgundy & Ca Pinot.
The fruits are perfectly ripe; dark cherries, black raspberries, blackberries, cooked strawberries, plum w/ subtle blueberries. Mid Asian/Indian spices w/just a touch of of heat, mild baking spices led w/ clove, nutmeg, cinnamon that is near stick, vanillin, very lightly grilled meats, mid dry tobacco, steeped tea, dry herbs, very used leather, dry brush/twigs, far crushed rocks, crumpled limestone, red roses, dark/red just candied flowers framed in violets, grand acidity, balance, well knitted, nicely tensioned/structured elegant finish that goes on and on and lasts minutes falling on dry minerals & spices. — 2 months ago
Witching Hour
California Red Blend
Delicious.. love whiting hour Great cab. — 7 months ago
Jones Family Vineyard
The Sisters Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
This small Calistoga producer falls largely under the radar. I am thankful. The 12 vintage brings such fruit. However, this 12 Sisters rides the fence of 12 & 13. Shows dark currents, concreted mouthfeel in addition to its ripe, rich opulence.
The nose ascends with rich dark, purple, blue fruits, dark spice, violets framed in lavender for days.
The palate is ripe, ruby, lush, concentrated fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, boysenberries, very dark cherries, creamy raspberries, in & out strawberries & blueberries. Big, heated, dark spice-box, round, meaty, sweet tannins cigar ash, led pencil, tarriness, anise, moist, fresh tobacco, black licorice & cola, dark, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, rich soil w/ dry leaves, dry, crush rocks/limestone, dry herbs-bay leaves, sage, parsley, notes of eucalyptus bark shavings, tree bark w/ hints of sap, touch of black sandalwood to barrel shavings, pepper, moist, volcanic clay, fresh & withering; dark, purple, red, blue floral bouquet framed in violets & lavender, excellent acidity with a lush, rich, big, round & meaty structure, still shows great tension, well balanced with endless polish & finish. 10 years of life ahead…properly stored. Wine post 4,600.
Such a deal at the Benchmark Bin Sale. @Paul T- Huntington Beach if you find any of this, just tell me about em, don’t buy em. 😂🤥 — 2 years ago
Château Cantemerle
Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
Not the team’s I wanted to see, so I’ll just stick to the basics. Went well with some A5 coffee crusted New York Strip, the steak 🥩 is so rich you don’t want to waste it on a fruity wine
The 2010 is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. The vineyard is situated on deep gravel deposits in the Macau and Ludon villages of the appellation and has 9,600 vines per hectare.
Vinious 93 The 2010 Cantemerle is vigorous and open on the nose, a mixture of red and black fruit with cedar and humidor scents. I admire the focus and detail. The palate is rounded in texture on the entry. This is a plumper, richer, more fruit-driven 2010 with a lush finish on the context of the growing season. You could broach this now, although I would prefer to leave it another three or four years. This is another excellent wine and candidate for most over-performing cru this vintage. Tasted blind at Farr Vintners 10-Year On Bordeaux horizontal. — 4 years ago
Turd Ferguson
Lean and a bit tart. Red fruits a little hazy barrel spice. Cool disposition. Delicious. Edit day two: fleshes out a bit. Increased score. — 21 days ago