Inspire Napa Valley: May 4-May 6
Screaming Eagle
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
The 2015 Screaming Eagle is fabulous. Rich and ample on the palate, with soaring aromatics from the Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Ripe red plum, pomegranate, mint, kirsch, lavender and sweet spice notes are beautifully delineated in the glass. In this tasting, the Cabernet-based Screaming Eagle is quite a bit more open and accessible than the Merlot-based The Flight. Even so, it will be years before the 2015 Screaming Eagle is ready to drink. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago
Dana Estates
Lotus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is another wine that has fleshed out very nicely over the last year. All of the signatures of this site are very much in evidence. Silky tannins and creamy, voluptuous fruit are front and center. A wine of tremendous exoticness and sheer appeal, the 2014 will drink well pretty much right out of the gate. A rush of sweet red cherry, plum, mocha and spice builds into the beautifully polished, refined finish. What a gorgeous wine this is. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago
Lokoya
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Lokoya's Cabernet Sauvignon (Howell Mountain) draws on both fruit from the Jackson family's Keyes and La Jota vineyards, which is unusual, as the wine is usually made only from Keyes. Plush, deep and inky, the 2015 races across the palate with layers of inky blue/purplish fruit, spice, new leather, licorice and lavender. Deep, powerful and super-concentrated, the 2015 has a lot to offer. Here, too, winemaker Chris Carpenter has tamed the mountain tannins considerably. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago
Bryant Family Vineyard
Proprietor Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is the most successful of Bryant's 2015s. Rich, sumptuous and exotically ripe, the Estate nevertheless maintains the size, shape and freshness that made the 2014s here so extraordinary. Expressive floral notes and red-toned fruit notes give the 2015 enough brightness to play off the naturally ripe, succulent fruit. The 2015 will start to drink well in another few years, once the aromatics develop more nuance. All things considered, this is a terrific wine in a very challenging vintage. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago
Continuum
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015
Bottled just a few months ago, the 2015 Continuum is shaping up to be a real gem. The flavors are dark, bold and incisive. In 2015, poor weather during flowering took with it 50% of the production in Continuum's prime Cabernet Sauvignon blocks. As a result, the 2015 has a high percentage (31%) of Cabernet Franc. Today, the Franc is keeping the wine a bit clenched, but that should be less of an issue as time passes. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago
Spottswoode
Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon possesses off the charts ripeness as well as a level of exoticism that recalls the 2010. An infusion of dark red cherry, plum, white flowers, leather, tobacco and menthol accompany this super-expressive, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon. Violet, licorice and a host of spiced nuances develop with time in the glass. In 2015, Spottswoode's Cabernet is decidedly luscious and flamboyant, but I would give it a few years to shed some baby fat. There is plenty to look forward to. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago
Bond
Pluribus Napa Valley Red Wine 2014
The 2014 Pluribus is stellar. Once again, I am deeply impressed with the Pluribus. Inky blue/purplish fruit, lavender, mint, plum and licorice infuse this super-expressive, resonant Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. Pluribus is the most improved Bond wine. This flight of 2014 makes that quite evident. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018)
— 6 years ago
Harlan Estate
Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 2014
A wine of restraint and sensuality, the 2014 Harlan Estate is wonderfully transparent in feel. Time in the glass brings out a compelling interplay of beautifully layered fruit and lifted aromatics. The 2014 is one of the most understated yet energetic young vintages of Harlan Estate I can remember tasting. Readers who have not tasted Harlan Estate in a few years might be taken aback by just how sophisticated and nuanced the 2014 is. This is a superb effort. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago
Alejandro Bulgheroni Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
A rich, voluptuous beauty, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Alejandro Bulgheroni has turned out beautifully. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice and spice notes are pushed forward in a racy, voluptuous Cabernet that hits all the right notes. Silky tannins add to the wine's plush, racy personality. Raspberry jam and lifted, floral notes add striking perfume on the expressive finish. What a gorgeous wine this is. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2015 Maya is surprisingly powerful and tightly wound. Time in the glass allows the tannins to relax just enough for the fruit to gradually emerge. Like all of the 2015s here, the Maya is still very primary in its expression of fruit. Even so, the wine's heady, flamboyant personality is very much on display. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, lavender and exotic spice overtones gradually develop in the glass, but it will be years before the 2015 enters its prime. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018) — 6 years ago