Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.

2021 Fairchild Estate Sigaro Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$300.00USD

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Pritchard Hill in Napa.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has cassis, clay and spice.  With air a bit of espresso comes out.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, very light char, cinammon and bit of coffee bean.  Plenty of depth.  Good finish.  This is young and should improve a couple points.  It can be drunk now with some air but better to cellar for five to seven years and drink for ten after that.  Great on its own, this would work well with grilled meats or mushrooms.  6000 bottles produced.

2013 Torrin Syrah Shadow Canyon Vineyard, USA, Califormia, Central Coast, Paso Robles, York Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This is 100% from the tiny appelation, York Mountain, in Paso Robles.  Like most Torrin wines, this is a delicious, full throttle wine.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black rasperries, black pepper, roasted meat and a slight floral note.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is big with loads of black raspberries with some black pepper and char.  At age 11, it is still youhtful and should go another decade.  Its grea on its own and would work well with big meat dishes but also Stuffed Vegetarian style peppers.  

Lyndenhurst 2021Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$110.00USD

2024 marks the 20th vintage for Spottswoode’s Lyndenhurst label. The original goal is still the same: use all five Bordeaux varietals and pull fruit from the estate as well as other exceptional Napa vineyards, all of which are organically grown. In doing so this wine allows for, “a broader expression of Napa Valley, while applying the same philosophy that shapes our Estate Cabernet,” says winemaker Aron Weinkauf.

Spottswoode, Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Peter Michael Au Paradis, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$155.00USD

This is a blend of 76% Cabernet sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc from Napa.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with cassis, cedar, slight cigar box and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is young and delicious.  Flavors of cassis, spice, slight mocha and char.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work with most food (not seafood).  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  

2016 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

Another big name for Napa's past that probably doesn't get the attention it deserves compared to the "latest-greatest" but still provides a lot of quality.  This is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon with 9% Merlot.  Deep garnet in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, tobacco, and spice (cloves?).  Full bodied.  Silky tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, cassis, slight black cherries and spice.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own but is better with food.  This would be great with a Beef Stew.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.

2019 Odette Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, USA, California, Napa, Stags Leap, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$155.00USD

This is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot.  Inky purple, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens a bit with some air.  Cassis, dust, oak and cumin.  Firm tannins.  Lots of energy.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, cassis and spice with plenty of depth.  Good finish.  This needs time for my tastes.  There is a lot here but it seems a bit shut down.  I would hold for five and then drink for ten to fifteen after that.  If drinking soon, it will need a steak or Prime Rib to stand up to the tannins.  The score should go up a few poi

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