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.

This is still youthful but opens nicely in the glass and as we drank it.  Light golden in color.  The nose is very nice with lemon custard and nice minerality.  Like most Rivers Marie Chardonnays, there is some oak showing but is used deftly and not at all a problem.  On the palate, this is crisp and focused.  Lemon cream and minerals.  Long finish.  This works quite well with food and also will work on its own.  It won't get better but should easily cruise thru the next decade.  

This is a winery that I have found to be hit or miss for my personal tastes.  Sometimes the oak can be a bit much and other times the wines are wonderful.  This one was quite good although it pushed my tolerance for oak.  Medium golden in color.  The nose has vanilla, lumber, peaches and floral notes (white?).  On the palate, this has a nice creamy texture.  Lots of peach fruit.  Spice and oak are present but not over bearing.  This is a rich and voluptuous style but not a caricature.  At the end, I found it quite good.  It will go well with rich see food and similar salads.  This should la

This is in a great place right now.  It won't get better although it will continue to mature.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is gorgeous with Black cherries, garrique, violets and tapenade.  On the palate, the texture is incredible.  Soft yet structured.  The wine just glides down the palate.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with some black cherries layered with a bit of earth.  Great balance.  Long finish.  This will go great with meat dishes and anything roasted.  No hurry, it should be at this level for a decade and even then some.  

This was a great comparison drinking side by side with a Rhys Chard.  From similar areas south of San Francisco.  This is a bit more austere although that isn't really the right word.  Perhaps not as flamboyant?  In any event, this is fantastic.  Light golden in color.  The nose is great with lemon curd, slight peaches, and a bit of lime.  On the palate, this is medium bodied with crisp acidity.  Almost seamless from the first sip to the smooth finish.  The lemon curds follow thru to the palate.  Long finish.  This is very food friendly and will work with all but the heaviest of foods.  Gre

This is part of a three part release that was an homage to the Guigal La La wines of the Northern Rhone.  This was my first time trying any of them and they still need a bit more time.  Purple in color.  The nose has a lot of oak still to work thru.  Of course, there is plenty of black raspberry fruit so it should be able to.  There is some roasted meat and black pepper as well.  On the palate, the oak is also pronounced.  Firm tannins.  Gobs of black raspberry fruit.  Deep but impenetrable.  All of that said, it is delicious now, slightly sweet and highly enjoyable on its own.  It is more

Purchased off a restaurant list which is a great place for this if priced fairly.  It is ready to go and provides good drinking for the money.  Light green/gold in color.  The nose is more about tropical fruits than expected; mango and melons.  Maybe some peaches as well.  On the palate, this is big but not oaky.  Peaches with slight acidity.  Worked well with sushi.  This should probably be drunk up by 2022.  

Nice to revisit this at age 10.  Mature and drinking well.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose has black raspberries, black olives, charcoal and black pepper.  On the palate, this is clean with black raspberry fruit.  Some depth and complexity.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This won't get better but should hold for a decade more.  It goes great with food or on its own.  

This is a blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 34% Grenache, and 26% Syrah.  It is a big wine that is ripe and delicious.  The nose has black raspberries, blue berries, roasted meat and herbs, black pepper and some cherries.  On the palate, this is big.  Firm tannins.  Juicy black raspberry and blueberry fruit with an underlying minerality.  It softens a bit in the glass.  It is great on its own but a difficult food match at present.  It will most certainly evolve and gain integration over the next five to ten years at which time it will be great with cassoulets and roasted foods.  No regrets about open

Conn Valley is slightly out of the way in the Napa Valley, but this winery continues to make great wines at fair prices.  It was nice to be able to try one with a bit of age on it.  I had last tried this wine on release and from Magnum when it was more about potential.  That potential has been (mostly) realized.  There will be further development but it is close to maturity.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, slight black raspberries, a bit of cedar and spice.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  Not a fruit bomb, but certainly of Napa.  Lots of cassis and black raspberries over