2016 Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C-91, USA, California, Napa,

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$72.00USD

This wine was originally released in the 1969 vintage and then not again until 2016.  It appears to be more consistent since then.  It is made to be a more ageable wine than their basic Napa Cab utilizing grapes from different areas in Napa.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight cassis, cedar and minerality.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cassis with good acidity.  Some underlying smoked earth.  Long finish.  Drinking well now and should drink well for another ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with roasted

2016 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$72.00USD

Very nice showing for this Cab.  This is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% each of Malbec and Petite Verdot.  Deep purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, plums, chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, plums, and black cherries.  Good balance.  Long finish.  This is drinking well although it may still improve a bit.  Drink over the next fifteen years.  Great on its own but will work well with bigger foods.  It should be great with a really good burger.

2019 William & Mary Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is the base wine for this winery.  Only 44 cases produced.  Inky purple, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight on opening but after an hour or so, this opens nicely to show cassis, char and slight cedar notes.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cassis, blueberries, and cedar.  A long finish  with some cola notes.  This is delicious.  Still young, it needs a couple more years in the cellar and then should drink well for ten to fifteen more.  Great on its own, it will need big food at this point.  Perhaps slow braised beef short ribs would be nice.  

2019 Seven Apart Cabernet Sauvignon Expedition, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$189.00USD

This is a wine from star winemaker Andy Erikson and comes from vineyards on Atlas Peak and Soda Canyon.  First time trying this wine and it was excellent.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with cassis, chocolate, blueberries and cedar.  Lush texture.  Very tannic at this point.  On the palate, cassis, cedar and char.  Long finish that goes forever.  This is, of course, young, but already performing great.  Still, a few more years in the cellar and then drink for twenty to twenty five after that.  Better on its own right now but once it settles down, this would be

Ladera 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$89.00USD

The grapes sourced for the Cabernet is like a who’s who of exceptional areas: Pritchard Hill, Howell Mountain, Calistoga – all definitive Cabernet growing areas. This wine offers rich and deep blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry with back notes of plum, macerated black currant, red raspberry and cocoa powder. Though the oak influence is evident  (aged 22 months in 82% new French oak) it is not overwhelming. This drinks beautifully - the kind of pure enjoyment you want in a Napa Cabernet. 663 cases. ORIGIN: Napa Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.5%

2016 Carlisle Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Pallisades is one of the great Petite Sirah vineyards and Carlisle really nailed it with the 2016 vintage.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with boysenberries, gravel, blueberries and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Boysenberries, black cherries, blueberries with underlying gravel.  Clean.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now but still young and may improve.  Drink over the next fifteen years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with grilled meats.

2016 Nine Suns Grenache, USA, California, Napa, Pritchard Hill, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This property has since been purchased by Realm Cellars.  Only five cases of this 100% Grenache wine were produced.  Inky Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, clay and chocolate.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries with underlying char.  Plenty of depth and complexity.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another ten to fifteen years. It is great on its own and would work very well with a hearty meat or vegetarian chili.  

2012 Kapcsándy Family Winery Estate Cuvée State Lane Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Yountville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2012
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$150.00USD

This is their middle level Cabernet.  Purple in color, some ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, coffee, graphite, dark chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is seriously good.  Lush cassis, graphite and spice.  This drinking great and should continue for ten to fifteen more years.  Great on its own, it will work great with Prime Rib.  

2017 Detert Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Detert is more known for it Cab Franc, but this was excellent as well.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, spice, coffee, and slight earthiness.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  good balance.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Cassis, baking spice and slight tobacco.  Deep.  Long finish.  Ripe but not a fruit bomb.  Drinking well now, it will get better over the next five years.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with pork chops.

2018 Luna Vineyards Merlot Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

Luna made some nice wines.  This was certainly one.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, milk chocolate, spice, and slight plums.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this is easy drinking but also has some depth.  Chocolate covered cherries with a slight bit of undergrowth.  Good finish.  Nice on its own, this is a classic burger wine as well.  Drink over the next ten years.  

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