This was opened and allowed to slowly oxidize for 12 hours prior to serving, but that was not enough. It needed more air/time. It took over night to really open and was better on day 2. Despite this being a Robert Parker 100 point wine, this is not what people think of when talking about "Parkerized" wines.
What a beautiful showing for this red wine. This has aged beautifully despite having 15.5% abv. Another in a long line of high alcohol Napa Wines that have stood the test of time. It is a blend of 75% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, and 1% of each cabernet franc, petit verdot and malbec. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, black cherries, leather, spice and slight cedar. Full bodied. On the palate, this is vibrant with layers of fruit over a nice earthy/leathery base. Cassis and black cherries. Medium tannins. This is mature but not old by any means. This sho
I am a huge fans of the many wineries that Thomas Rivers Brown makes wine from and this is one more. A delicious, modern but not over the top Napa Cabernet. Purple in color with a thin ruby rim. Opaque and bright. The nose is great with cassis, slight char, and baking spices. Full bodied. Nice acidity. Lively energy. The palate has a very nice cassis with underlying char. Long finish.
One of my favorite Zinfandels. This is a robust Zin, but not over the top. It is quite concentrated and delicious. Purple in color with some ruby swirls. The nose has black raspberries, bramble, and slight pepper. Full bodied. Great, almost silky texture. On the palate, juicy black raspberries, black cherries over a slight gravel base. A bit candied but very concentrated. Long finish. This is so good now, but will continue to evolve a bit. It depends on what you like in Zins as to how long to hold. This should drink well for at least fifteen years, but that energy and robust qua
This is a blend of 72% Cabernet Franc and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is really in a nice place right now. Purple/ruby in color. The nose has black cherries, cherries, slight tobacco, spices and slight dried floral notes. Full bodied. On the palate, this has a nice backbone of acidity. Cherries and black cherries with some underlying forest floor/tobacco. It unwinds in the glass to show a nice complexity. Good finish. This won't get better but should be outstanding drinking for the next ten to fifteen years. It drinks well on its own but is better with food. Roasted poultry would
This is one wine that I almost never open this young. But, you know what? It was great! Sure, it might improve. Probably will, but this is delicious right now. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with boysenberries, slight black raspberries, slight floral notes, and a bit of asphalt. Full bodied with firm tannins. That said, they are a great example of polished tannins despite being mouth coating, they are inviting. Layers of boysenberry fruit over gravel with slight crushed fall leaves. Long finish. This probably will continue to develop over the next ten
Dunn wines have a reputation for taking a long time to come around. This one is just getting there. The cork crumbled on opening. Decanted for sediment (and cork bits) and served. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is very nice with leather, cassis, slight tobacco and earthiness. The nose is mature but not past. On the palate, this has a wonderful texture. Lush but silky. The palate tastes great, not young but not quite at maturity. Cassis with underlying tobacco and earth. Deep. Great balance. Nice finish. Delicious. This drinks great on its own and should work wel
Another consistent vintage for this wine. It is one of those wines that wine snobs love to bash but wine drinkers enjoy very much. It is big and fresh and exuberant and delicious. Inky purple in color, magenta at the rim. Opaque and bright. The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, baking spices and slight bramble notes. Full bodied with a juicy texture. Medium tannins. On the palate, the black raspberries come thru along with some char and anise on the finish. Long finish that does have some warmth to it. This drinks great on its own and will work well with big foods. It s
Certainly one of the more iconic names in Cabernet and in Napa. And, 2018 was a stellar vintage in Napa. This Cab proves you don't need to spend a ton of money to get a high quality Cab if you buy from good producers and in good vintages. Purple in color with some ruby hues, opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, cedar, spic and chocolate. Full bodied. On the palate, cassis, black raspberries and oak. This is young and the oak will integrate with time. It is ripe but not overdone. The bottle list 14.5% but some promotional information lists 15.1% abv. Firm tannins. Nice finish.
One typically doesn't think of Pinot Noir and Napa, but the district of Carneros spans into both Napa and Sonoma and is the home of many excellent Pinot Noirs. This is a very pretty, elegantly styled Pinot. Ruby in color, clear and bright and a touch lighter. The nose is nice with bright cherries, macerated cherries, sandalwood and a touch of chervil. Medium bodied. On the palate, this has cherries and cherry cough drop notes with a touch of anise. Light tannins. Very smooth and easy to sip. Nice finish. This drinks great on its own and would work well with salmon or roasted fowl.
