Brad Jensen

9.3

Held up well over the last 28 years! Took a gamble on some birthday wine and it payed off well. Prominent bricking and the cork obviously fell apart, but the wine maintained the rustic, leathery notes of age, with hints of black tea, overripe plum, and some lingering acidic energy, like a ripe strawberry with some dark chocolate. Medium bodied, with some leathery, smoky ash over the dark cherry like fruit, there’s notes of cranberry and strawberry compote still alive in here. The finish lingers for a while, fresh, but not acidic with tannins that only really started to show after a few hours of opening. Grippy, but well integrated. If the measure of a great wine is in its ability to last, this wine has earned the title despite poor storage conditions and lack of faith from its sellers. — 14 days ago

Randy Fillingim

9.1

After 14 years, quite an impressive showing. The usual two players-Mr. Tanin and Mr. fruit -still working together and near perfect harmony. It was a delight to drink.  — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

1978 Chuck Hope left beverage job, moved to Paso Robles, became farmer, & top grape grower. Working with his father, Austin led family into winemaking in ‘95, creating his label in 2000. Grapes from 5 small blocks of Paso Robles AVAs, aged in 75% new French oak, 18 mos. Dark Ruby, aromas of sweet ripe black fruits & dried smoky spices. Flavors of ripe blackberry, sweet cacao, espresso & vanilla oak. Big wine, fine tannins that needed 45 minutes, long fruit finish. The 15% ABV, slight burn, but ok. Nice! — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Dog Point Vineyard combines experience of Ivan and Margaret Sutherland & James and Wendy Healy. Ivan and James met while working at Cloudy Bay Vineyards. Light straw with typical SB aromas adding a touch of floral mineral notes. On the palate flavors of melon and grapefruit with citrus and honeysuckle notes, generous acidity, great mouthfeel with long finish ending with a salty spice character. Exceptional wine! — 2 months ago

GaryWEdwards

9.6

Wow. Both fruit and brioche working together in the best way.. At 20 years, still a mere babe. Thanks to 67 Pall Mal for offering this by the glass. I have 12 bottles in home storage and might have to start working them through the rotation. — a year ago

Brad Draper

9.1

Smooth and light red fruits on the palate — 5 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.2

Grilling some excellent pork chops on a beautiful warm San Diego evening, and my pairing instincts took me to an aged St-I. This from arguably the best Oregon vintage of the 2000’s, it represents perhaps the most Burgundian effort by Mr Vlossak during his “tenure” working the hallowed Seven Springs vineyard. Savory, smoky, brambly, with moderate acidity and tannins, an undertone of grilled herbs, brilliant restrained red fruit, and a hint of brett to round it out. Wine outshined the chop, but all goodness. — 6 years ago

Daniel M

9.0

Date night with my wife in my childhood's home back home without any kid or pet in sight. We are working remotely this week from Toulouse, but this definitely feels like an extension of our summer holidays 😁.
The nose is very merlot-forward with notes of cherry, leather, earthy, clay touches, cedar, beef stew and almond powder. The palate is big, bright and broad, with a nice strawberry and earthy notes that carries on all along a strong acid drive, there is width, there is matter, it's rather muscular but you peep the 15% abv on the (barely readeable) back label you start to understand why! Tannins kick in the rear but they are not harsh, they caress and come across as a gentle hug around a very nice, meaty, juicy finish that goes on for a while. Cherry and earthy notes carry on and that savoury touch comes around to crown a very nicely made right bank effort. Kudos to the winemaker, this is punching way above its 10 euro retail price category and I have had many a saint emilion in my time that would be pale in comparison. — 3 months ago

Paul T HB

9.8

New pix,
Used @Severn Goodwin decant time recco,👍🏼🥩
Tried to delete the last post, not working🤷🏼‍♂️ — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

We opened this bottle late on Friday night and poured off a small glass to see what we were working with. As I suspected, far too young with loads of energy, rolls of baby fat and frankly, not very well behaved. So we pressed the cork back in the bottle and figured we would try our luck the next day when my parents stopped by for a socially distant glass of wine to “celebrate” Easter together. I’m so glad we waited. Twelve or so hours of slow-ox made a huge difference. While it was still very primary, it was much more enjoyable showing a strong core of dark berries, tobacco, leather, coffee and baking spices. But again, where Seavey really excels is texture and sense of place. To be expected for mountain fruit at this age, the tannins are firm but reasonable and there is such lovely acid that screams Howell Mountain. I have no doubt this will have a very bright future! In my mind, Caravina is probably the greatest “second” wine in Napa. This is Seavey’s 19th and latest vintage of Caravina. After an extended drought, 2017 began with torrential rain that flooded the valley. The fruit comes entirely from steep hillside blocks on the estate and is otherwise made in the same fashion as the Grand Vin. If you’re going to drink one now, I highly recommend a lengthy decant as these are easily 10 years away from their best. — 6 years ago