Paul T HB

9.6

Day 2 knocks it out of the park — 2 days ago

Paul T HB

9.7

Nice nightcap.

Notes from Courvoisier—
Starting where Courvoisier XO finished, Initiale Extra is an elegant and rare Cognac aged to the peak of flavour— starting at the delicate age of 30 and maturing beyond 50 years old. This masterful blend perfectly marries the Grande Champagne and Borderies crus with a touch of Petite Champagne, each distilled on the lees. The result is a harmonic gem of a Cognac, full of complexity and depth with a long, lingering finish. A sipping experience that won’t soon be forgotten. — 11 days ago

Paul T HB

9.8

Missed trying one last year, definitely opening up earlier than my previous bottles. 2 hour decant with a NY Strip. — 14 days ago

Paul T HB

9.7

Another well aged M.-Etain.
I bought a case on release at retail $120.00 OTD.,
That’s long gone but this was worth the extra $70 on Auction. — 22 days ago

Paul T HB

9.8

First time having this Schrader, 💯 from Jeb review, too early for me to give a perfect score but still a fantastic wine only made in Mags.

A barrel selection released only in magnum, similar to the Old Sparky release, yet only from the Las Piedras Vineyard, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Colesworthy Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is another perfect wine from this team, and it’s one of those wine where I wish I could pour ever reader a taste. Offering up thrillingly pure notes of crème de cassis, perfectly ripe blueberries, chocolate, and a crazy, liquid rock-like minerality, it hits the palate with a full-bodied, powerful style that carries tons of richness and depth, yet still just glides over the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. It’s certainly one of the greatest Napa Cabernet Sauvignons I’ve ever tasted. As with the base Las Piedras Vineyard, do your best to hold off for a few years.
— 4 days ago

Paul T HB

9.6

The Vineyardist 2nd label.
This one surprised me by how much air it needed to open up. Had a splash on day 1 and immediately corked it back up for a day 2 decant. Definitely not an over extracted Cabernet just to please the masses. My ratings might be higher than others but I work these wines to get the best out of them.

Interesting note I found-

The Vineyardist is a Diamond Mountain property with a long history. In the late 19th century it was purchased by a Dutch shipping captain who planted vineyards and made wine. During prohibition the vineyards were replaced with nut and prune orchards. In 2000 the property was purchased by Dirk Fulton and Becky Kukkola, who began replanting some of the 80 acres to vineyards. — 13 days ago

Paul T HB

9.6

Better than the 05, but still not quite up there with the 2010 which really exhibited the traditional Eucalyptus. But considering all were auction bottles who really knows. But this was a great steak wine, drank over 6 hours.
5 bottles left of this vintage — 19 days ago

Paul T HB

9.8

Notes from 98 point LPB are more in line for me than others.
Great with a Wagyu Fillet Mignon this time.

The 2021 Aphex Cabernet Sauvignon, co-fermented with 19% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, comes from Ecotone Vineyard, straddled between St. Helena and Howell Mountain, and new for this year. It skips out with bright, cheery notes of redcurrant jelly, freshly crushed blackcurrants, and rose oil leading to undertones of boysenberries, aniseed, forest floor, and wild sage. The full-bodied palate vibrates with lively black and red berry layers supported by firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long with loads of minerally sparks. — 7 days ago

Paul T HB

9.8

Sometimes you need something new, great wine that’s worth the price of admission. — 17 days ago

Paul T HB

9.4

I think this is the only 2020 Napa I have bought & tasted.
Opened one the day after they arrived which is way too soon to judge but it was better than expected for the vintage. Tons of sediment surprisingly. Winery notes below-
Owners: Florence & Daniel Cathiard
Produced and bottled on Cathiard Vineyard’s estate
Yields 2.5 tons / acre (37 hL/ha)
Average vine age 25 years
Grape variety 55% Cabernet Sauvignon
40% Merlot
5% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol 13.9%
Harvest dates From Sept. 10, 2020, to Oct. 2, 2020
Harvest Hand-harvested from our oldest hillside vineyard and
valley floor vines.
Winemaking Gentle de-stemming, optical sorting of berries
to ensure the best whole berries are utilized.
Grapes are transferred to fermentation vessels
by gravity and left to cold soak for up to 5 days.
Fermentation temperature maintained under 82F
(28C), with gentle manipulations by pump-overs
and punch-downs. After 30 days in tanks the wine is
drained, pressed, and undergoes a naturally occurring
malolactic fermentation in new
French oak.
Barrel-aging 16-18 months,
40% new French oak and 20% large foudres. — 25 days ago