2016 Greer Cabernet Sauvignon Greer Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Rutherford, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$185.00USD

We shared this bottle with Rob Greer over a recent lunch in Napa and then finished it up at dinner giving it a lot more time to breathe.  For those on the mailing list, this is the current release.  The vineyard is in a spectacular location across the street and down the hill a bit from Scarecrow.  A very pretty property.  The wine itself is quite young but might be the best Greer yet, and that is truly saying something.  This is one of the best wines that Napa has to offer.  It is made by Aaron Pott.  Purple in color with a ruby rim.  The nose has cassis, slight sandalwood, spice and with

2017 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

What a treat.  On a recent visit to Napa, we go to walk the vineyards with Alex MacDonald and learn so much about this venerated vineyard and hear about the "newer" winemaking at MacDonald.  And to top it off, we got to try the recently bottled 2017 Cabernet (not yet released).  The story is worth Googling , but the short version is that at the heart of the To Kalon Vineyard in Napa are some very old Cabernet Sauvignon vines.  They have been owned by the MacDonald family since 1954.  These have been used in the top Mondavi wines since before there was even a Mondavi Winery.  Due to some cop

2014 Greer Cabernet Sauvignon Greer Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Rutherford, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$245.00USD

Wow.  This is a wine that is rarely reviewed but just excellent.  Right up there with anything Napa produces.  Opened for my birthday dinner because it also goes great with food.  Deep purple in color.  Opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, spice, slight cedar and plums.  With air, a bit of iodine.  On the palate, this is full bodied.  Deep and complex.  Young with firm tannins.  Lots of cassis fruit with underlying spice and slight char.  Delicious.  Long finish.  This will no doubt continue to evolve over the next decade and closer to two.  It reminds me of St.

2014 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, St. Helena, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$428.00USD

 Wow.  Great showing for this wine.  It is a blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot.  A candidate for Wine of the Year.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is deep and complex with cassis, blueberries, gravel, slight cedar and spice.  On the palate, this is seamless.  Full bodied with supple tannins.  Wonderful balance.  Cassis, over a slight dry earth and charred wood.  Long finish.  This went great with a seared Tofu dish but would be great with steak or a roast.  It is still young and will develop but won't get better - just different.  

2006 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$200.00USD

Shafer Hillside Select is one of the great wines in Napa and the world.  It is priced accordingly, but every once in a while, it is worth splurging on a bottle with friends.  This bottle was decanted for sediment (there was very little) and allowed to breathe in the cellar for four hours prior to consuming.  A magnificent showing for this wine from admittedly, not one of their best vintages.  Purple in color with some ruby hues to it.  The nose is wonderful with cassis, slight pencil lead, a bit of coffee grounds and a slight salinity.  On the palate, lots of cassis.  Deep with layers of gr

2014 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$390.00USD

This is showing to be the equal of the 2007 and the best wine ever made by Thomas Rivers Brown which is no faint praise.  An exceptional bottle of wine that while young now is incredible and may still improve.  It will certainly evolve.  One can debate if a 100 point wine can get better on a philosophical basis.  There is no question that this is a 100 point wine now, so what happens if it does improve?  In any event, this is a shimmering, bright, opaque purple in color.  The nose has cassis, graphite, blueberries, cedar and starting to show a charred earth note.  On the palate, this is sea

2012 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$190.00USD

Bevan Cellars makes some of the best wines anywhere but his Napa Cabs are very expensive.  So is this one, but it is half the price of the others and that makes this a great value in the rarefied air of top Napa Cabs.  On release, this was $95.  This is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc.

2005 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2005
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$100.00USD

This is just starting to get where it is going but should easily have two decades left.  Deep ruby in color with some purple swirls.  The nose is great with cassis, tobacco, dark chocolate and slight pencil lead.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Juicy cassis flavors intertwined with a slight earthiness a char.  It unwinds in the glass.  Pop and pour, it would be better served with a slow ox or decant.  It will go well with a wide range of food.  

2015 Screaming Eagle, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$3000.00USD

Is there a more iconic wine made anywhere?  Arguably no and certainly not in the USA.  This is the wine that defines "Cult Wine".  The release price has closed in on $1,000 per bottle and the aftermarket is double for starters.  So, it is nice to actually open a bottle and see what the fuss is all about.  The first question is whether it is worth it.  That answer all depends on so much more than wine.  One pays for the rarity.  One pays for the status.  One pays for the experience.  Still, at the end of the day, how is the wine.  As Napa Cabs go, this is not a huge wine.  It is more about e

2014 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$500.00USD

My third time trying this bottle and it is incredible.  I have scored it 99 and 100 and this again gets the top score.  This bottle was opened 12 hours in advance, checked for quality, and then allowed to breathe.  Served with stuffed roasted peppers with feta, it was an excellent match.  Deep purple in color.  The nose is great with cassis, cedar, dark chocolate and spice.  On the palate, this is not overblown.  There is some obvious oak showing but it integrates nicely.  More than enough fruit to age this out beautifully.  Deep and complex but tight.  Drinking great now but will continue

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