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This was an outstanding Napa Cabernet.  It might be hard to find, but this bottle was purchased recently for $53 and it's a shame we didn't buy more.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is classic with cassis, slight blueberries, dust and cedar.  On the palate, this has silky tannins.  It is young but delicious.  Cassis fruit mostly but some blueberries.  Nice ripeness without being over the top.  Good balance.  This should continue to get better over the next five to seven years and be good for at least a decade after that.  It will need bigger and heavier foods or drink on

Always a pleasure to try on of the older stalwarts of Napa Valley.  While this might not have the cache it had 30 years ago, it still is one of the best wineries in Napa.  And this is one of the better values for Napa Cabernet.  Purple in color.  The nose is lovely with cassis, dust, slight tobacco and spice.  On the palate, this is full bodied with nice lush fruit.  Firm tannins still, this probably could have used a decant.  Nice cassis fruit over spice and slight charred earth on the palate.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  Will work with bigger or bolder foods.  Perhaps some upside to cell

Purple in color.  The nose has nice cassis, dust, cherries and slight green bell pepper.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Good cassis fruit over a dry earthiness.  Light tannins.  The bell pepper is only on the nose.  This has some complexity at this point.  Good finish.  Not uber ripe but certainly not under ripe either.  Drinking well, it may possibly still improve with further cellaring.  Will work better with bigger or spicy foods but is ok on its own.  64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot, 5% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot

This is the "second" label for Scarecrow wine.   It is a blend of blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec and 3% Merlot.  What a fabulous wine.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, some tobacco and slight graphite.  This is young of course but already delicious.  It kept opening all night but even the first sip was delicious.  Full bodied.  14.9% Alc.  Not a fruit bomb but lots of California sunshine and ripeness.  On the palate, cassis and black cherries with firm tannins.  An underlying forest floor quality.  It coats the mouth but has the acidi

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

This bottle is doing well and while not quite up to the level of a bottle a couple years ago, that seems more bottle variation or just a different day.  Purple in color.  The nose is deep with cassis, and spice.  Perhaps a bit more air would have allowed the wine to open more.  On the palate, this has a nice energy.  Cassis, a roasted herbal note and slight tannins.  Worked well with food.  This still seems like it easily could coast for another decade.  A nice way to get a great Cab in the house style without paying for the Monte Bello.  

This is from the Cortina vineyard which is older low yielding vines.  It is a bit pricier but still a nice value in the red wine world and an outstanding wine.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  Clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, baking spice and black pepper.  On the palate, this has a wonderful texture.  Rich and velvety yet the wine is concentrated.  Lots of depth and complexity as well.  Black cherries, earth, bramble and slight pepper.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  A very pretty wine that was better on Day 2.  This should easily last a decade although for th

This drinks like an old school Zinfandel.  It took some time to open and then drank quite well.  It is not a fruit bomb.  Deep ruby in color.  Really a very interesting color for a Zinfandel.  On the nose this has nice cherries with a peppery quality to it.  Very concentrated.  On the palate, this is also concentrated.  Layers of cherries, black cherries and warm earth.  Some pepper on the finish.  This is great on its own or with food as well.  Seems like it should last a decade as its "claret" qualities come out.  A pleasure to taste.  Better on day 2.  

Boy, this is in a nice place right now.  Delicious and enjoyable and seems to have put on a bit of weight and showing more complexity than it did on release.  Purple in color, clear and dark.  The nose has nice black cherry fruit with a bit of dust and a bit of bramble.  Slight tannins.  The black cherry fruit continues to the palate.  There is some depth here along with a bit of warm gravelly notes.  Long finish.  This makes easy drinking and was just as good on Day 2.  It is great on its own and will go well with BBQ and other hearty or spicy foods.  Great value!

Copper/salmon pink in color.  The nose is very clean with watermelons.  On the palate, this is light in style with cherry fruit.  Clean and refreshing with a long finish.  Served to a group of our friends, it was very popular.  This is better with food.  It has a nice acidity and works well with almost all foods.  Made from "traditional Rose" varietals according to the back label.