2012 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, St. Helena, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$170.00USD

Beautiful showing and yet another example of how "showy" Napa Cabs can age and develop nuances and subtilty although this one still has plenty of life left.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar, slight tobacco, and just a bit of spice.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, this took about an hour to open and then just kept developing in the glass.  Flavors of cassis, some black cherries, spice, leather and char.  Long finish.  Based on this bottle, this wine has another ten to fifteen years of prime drinking.  Great on its own, t

2019 Becklyn Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$65.00USD

Another great Cab from Becklyn.  This is their entry level and while not inexpensive, it is a great value for a top Napa cab.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, cedar, vanilla and black pepper.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Lively acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cassis with slight vanilla and char.  Good finish.  This is drinking well if young.  Drink over the next fifteen years.  Great on its own but will work well with roasted meats or veggies.  

2020 Pope Valley Sangiovese Brut Rosé, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

This had been purchased at the winery.  First time trying a sparkling Sangiovese wine.  Deep salmon pink in color.  It has a nice mousse with small to medium bubbles, clear and bright.  The nose is nice if not expected.  Green apples with slight rhubarb and strawberries.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, apples, and slight strawberry notes.  Moderate finish.  A pleasant wine that will work better with food than on its own. Drink now.

2021 Outpost Zinfandel Howell Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$63.00USD

This is a very accessible Zinfandel that is also excellent.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight bramble, sandalwood and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with spice and char.  This has nice depth and concentration.  Long finish.  Drink over the next ten years.  Great on its own, this will work well with a burger or other foods off the grill.  

2021 Caterwaul Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is their basic Cab bottling and it is very good and for Napa, a great value in high end Cabs.  Purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has cassis, some leather, a bit of earth and spice.  Nice, semi-plush texture with good balance.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cassis, with earthiness and char.  Long finish.  This will get better with short term cellaring.  Drink over the next eight to twelve years.  It is great on its own and would work well with a steak or other big meats off the grill.  

Acumen PEAK 2021 Cabernet Franc

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

It’s always exciting to see a winery launch a new wine and for Acumen, this is their first ever Cabernet Franc. True, they have grown and used Franc for years, just not as its own bottling. This offers tight, dusty tannins supported by a mélange of dark red and black berry fruits. There is an earthy core with light black tea leaves, cigar notes and pomegranate. The oak program is evident (60% new French oak was used) but not overwhelming. Comprised mainly of Cabernet Franc, there are small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot added in to finesse this already lovely wine.

2011 Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, USA, California, Napa,

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$195.00USD

One of the few less than good vintages in Napa, yet, this wine rocks.  Purple  in color, opaque and bright.  The  nose has cassis, blueberries, gravel and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, with slight blueberries and a bit of earthiness.  Good finish.  This has some depth and complexity.  Drinking well now on its own, this will work well with a steak or burger.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  

2002 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2002
Grade: 
Current Price: 
$395.00USD

My second time in the last month or so drinking this and I am not complaining.  I had a small taste at a wine dinner featuring many other bottles and then a small glass on the next day.  Fantastic wine.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, pencil lead, cedar, smoke and leather.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Flavors of cassis, graphite dry earthiness, char and leather.  Long finish.  Delicious.  I won't give this a 100 score as I just didn't pay enough attention to it, but was fantastic.  

2010 Joseph Phelps Insignia, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

One of the great classic Napa cabernets.  It is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petit Verdot and some Merlot and Malbec.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, graphite, slight cedar, dark chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Great texture.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Complex and layered.  Cassis, earthiness, spices, minerality and chocolate.  Long finish.  This is still young but getting close to peak.  That said, it should go another twenty years.  Great on its own, this would work with Roasted meats, poultry and vegetables. 

2010 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, St. Helena, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$225.00USD

Very nice showing for this wine.  It is in a great place right now.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, coffee, cedar and graphite.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Mature but plenty of time left.  Complex and deep.  Flavors of cassis, cocoa, spice and nice minerality.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next ten years or so.  Besides the usual spices, this would work well with bacon wrapped steaks. 

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