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

2004 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Forman Cabs often fly under the radar for some reason.  This was quite good.  At 13 years from vintage, it still has a long life left.  The bottle was opened and allowed to breath for ten hours.  It was decanted for sediment and served.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, char, slight spice and a bit of plums and tobacco.  With air, a bit of anise emerged.  On the palate, this is, at this stage, neither powerful nor elegant but somewhere in the middle.  Really good cassis and dark cherry fruit layered with tobacco and slight tannins.  Decent acidity.  Nice finish.  It is certainly from

2017 Chandon Brut XO Rebecca Minkoff Limited Edition, USA, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

A very nice dometicc sparkling wine.  Honestly, i have no idea who Rebecca Minkoff is, but congrats to her.  The packaging on this bottle is very pretty and it would make a welcome and tasty Holiday or Host gift.  Light golden in color, lots of small bubble.  On the nose, there is some yeast and some citrus.  On the palate, this is tsaty and would work well with a variety of foods.  I would drink this up sooner than later but it is easy to drink. At under $30, this is a nice value for a bit of a more serious sparkler.  

2015 Paul Dolan Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, USA, California, Mendocino - Wine Review

Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

An under $20 California Sauvignon Blanc that is respectable and a little bit more.  Gold/green in color.  The nose is slightly grassy but also has some nice tropical fruit (mango?) notes.  On the palate, this has a slightly oily, fuller texture that is very nice.  Don't serve it too cold as the fruit gets masked.  At cellar temp (60F), this has nice fruit and works well with lighter foods.  Very nice on its own as well.  It drinks dry but there may be just a touch of residual sugar to give it body and take away any bitterness.  Nice value.  

2015 Cline Cellars Cashmere Black Magic

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

I really liked this wine and find it to be an exceptional value.  While the exact cepage is unknown to me, there is some Syrah and other Rhone varietals (and perhaps some Petite Sirah), which I love.  YMMV.  For under $20, however, it is hard to argue the QPR.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, a bit of black pepper, some dark cherries with a bit spice.  On the palate, this falls just short of being jammy.  It is deep with good acidity.  A delicious wine that is great for a BBQ or holiday party.  I wouldn't age it for more than a few years, but I would be curious about it. 

2014 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, USA, California - Wine Review

Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

There was a time that I drank a lot of this wine (back in the early parts of this century).  It had been a while but this seemed to still have that level of quality.  At under $20, this is a very nice value for people who like ripe California Cabs with a bit of oak and lots of fruit.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, fresh cut lumber, spice and cherries.  On the palate, the juicy red fruit takes a more predominant roll with just a touch of oak in the background.  Mild tannins.  Nice finish.  All in all, easy drinking wine made to share with lots of friends.  

Red 2014 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+

This is not the greatest Napa Cab on the market.  It also costs around $20, so it doesn't have to be.  It certainly presents a nice value and is just fine for parties.  Purple in color.  The nose has dark cherries, cedar, baking spices and dust.  On the palate, this is a bit generic; dark cherries with slight earth.  Very tasty and goes well with party appetizers and main dishes.  A nice value.  

2014 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
99
Grade: 
A

Another stellar wine from one of the best producers in Napa.  This is still quite tight but with air opened up beautifully.  That said, this still needs time.  Inky purple in color.  The nose is classic, old school Napa cabernet.  Cassis, slight pencil lead, and a slight violet notes on the nose.  On the palate, this has a great juicy texture.  Almost seamless.  Again, give this a few years and this probably merits a perfect score.  Cassis, graphite and cedar notes.  Long finish.  

2012 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+

Wow.  An amazing wine.  Like many 2012's, this is accessible now, but still has a long life left.  This is just incredible.  From the first sip, this is special.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, pencil lead/gravel and floral notes.  On the palate, this is seamless.  Juicy acidity.  Firm but manageable tannins.  Layers of gravel, cassis and graphite.  Long finish.  So delicious too.  About as good as Napa Cabernet gets.  And you know what, with some age, it might even get better.  

2008 Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+

Stunning Wine.  Still quite youthful at this point.  It needs cellar time or a good decant.  Purple in color.  The nose has cassis, pencil lead and cedar.  On the palate. it has firm tannins.  Nice balance.  It opens in the glass with plenty of cassis fruit, a mineral base and streaks of graphite.  Long finish.  Drinking on the more elegant side of Napa Cabs.  Built to last another 30 years.  

2014 MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Napa - Wine Review

Score: 
100
Grade: 
A+

OK.  My first 100 point review for Intowine.com.  And it deserves it.  This bottle was opened about 7 hours prior to consuming and decanted about an hour prior.  That seemed about right but it could probably have taken a lot more air.  The thing I loved about it was how smooth and elegant it is while a the same time not being in any way shy or reserved or even feminine.  Think Cary Grant.  Purple in color.  The nose is great with cassis, slight dark chocolate, slight coffee grounds.  Also some cedar and spice.  On the palate, this is seamless.  Juicy.  deep and layers of tight complexity un

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