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

2017 Castiel Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$160.00USD

This is the first time trying a wine from this winery.  Impressive.  100% Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, graphite, dark chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Nice acidity.  On the palate, this is tasty with flavors of cassis, black cherries, spice, and slight dark chocolate.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should have another eight to twelve years left, at least.  very nice on its own, this will work well with many foods.  Braised Lamb shanks should work very well.  

2016 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five, USA, California, Napa, Stags Leap, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is the "signature" Cabernet from Shafer.  It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, char, graphite, slight blueberries and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Nice texture.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Flavors of cassis, slight blueberries with a touch of tobacco, spice and char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well if not yet at peak.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  It is great on its own and would work well with foods.  A nice choice with a slow cooked Pot Roast.   

2009 Kapcsándy Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Grand Vin) State Lane Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Yountville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$300.00USD

Great showing for this bottle.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with cassis, black cherries, graphite, baking spice, and cigar box.  Full bodied.  Medium to firm tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is intense, deep and delicious.  Almost seamless texture.  Flavors of cassis, tobacco, spice and char.  Long finish.  Delicious on its own, this will work with a lot of foods.  Of course, fatty meats but how about Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms.  This is not yet at peak but getting close.  Drink  over the next twenty years.  

2006 Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2006
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$350.00USD

Beautiful wine.  It has just about reached maturity but still has plenty of life left.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  Great nose of cassis, cedar, graphite and char.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Flavors of cassis, chocolate, slight blueberries, spice and char.  Complex and deep.  Long finish.  This should drink well for another ten years before starting a slow decay.  It is great on its own and would work nicely with grilled meat dishes. 

2020 Bedrock Wine Co. Syrah T 'n' S Blocks Hudson Vineyard South, USA, California, Carneros, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$51.00USD

Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with black raspberries, bacon fat, char, spice and slight floral tones.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is a big wine but not over blown.  Flavors of black raspberries, roasted meats and slight herbal notes.  Long finish.  This is still on the young side, so give it air if drinking now.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  This would work well with Indian cuisine.  

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