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Of course, this is the "It" wine right now as it was just named the Wine Spectator Wine of the Year.  It proved to be love or hate at a recent tasting with many rating it as their favorite and a few putting it closer to the bottom.  Of course, even the later voters thought it was a fine wine overall.  It also proved pretty easy to pick out blind as most or the group was able to.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has a strong cotton candy note (others said sweet tarts or "Smarties) along with some cassis.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palat

This wine was originally released in the 1969 vintage and then not again until 2016.  It appears to be more consistent since then.  It is made to be a more ageable wine than their basic Napa Cab utilizing grapes from different areas in Napa.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black cherries, slight cassis, cedar and minerality.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, cassis with good acidity.  Some underlying smoked earth.  Long finish.  Drinking well now and should drink well for another ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with roasted

Very nice showing for this wine.  It has long been a steakhouse restaurant favorite yet its fans remain consistent and loyal.  It was a pleasure to drink this and it had been some time since enjoying this wine.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is nice with cassis, cherries, cedar and spice.  It has a nice sinewy texture.  Softer with light tannins.  On the palate, there is some depth/complexity with cassis and char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue to drink well for another eight to twelve years.  It drinks well on its own, and would certainly work we

Very nice showing for this Cab.  This is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% each of Malbec and Petite Verdot.  Deep purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, plums, chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cassis, plums, and black cherries.  Good balance.  Long finish.  This is drinking well although it may still improve a bit.  Drink over the next fifteen years.  Great on its own but will work well with bigger foods.  It should be great with a really good burger.

This is the base wine for this winery.  Only 44 cases produced.  Inky purple, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight on opening but after an hour or so, this opens nicely to show cassis, char and slight cedar notes.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cassis, blueberries, and cedar.  A long finish  with some cola notes.  This is delicious.  Still young, it needs a couple more years in the cellar and then should drink well for ten to fifteen more.  Great on its own, it will need big food at this point.  Perhaps slow braised beef short ribs would be nice.  

This is a wine from star winemaker Andy Erikson and comes from vineyards on Atlas Peak and Soda Canyon.  First time trying this wine and it was excellent.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with cassis, chocolate, blueberries and cedar.  Lush texture.  Very tannic at this point.  On the palate, cassis, cedar and char.  Long finish that goes forever.  This is, of course, young, but already performing great.  Still, a few more years in the cellar and then drink for twenty to twenty five after that.  Better on its own right now but once it settles down, this would be

The grapes sourced for the Cabernet is like a who’s who of exceptional areas: Pritchard Hill, Howell Mountain, Calistoga – all definitive Cabernet growing areas. This wine offers rich and deep blackberry, black cherry, boysenberry with back notes of plum, macerated black currant, red raspberry and cocoa powder. Though the oak influence is evident  (aged 22 months in 82% new French oak) it is not overwhelming. This drinks beautifully - the kind of pure enjoyment you want in a Napa Cabernet. 663 cases. ORIGIN: Napa Valley. ALCOHOL: 14.5%

A delicious cooler climate Syrah.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight bacon fat and black olives.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is going strong.  Lots of black raspberry fruit with some black pepper.  Good balance.  Long finish.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  Nice on its own, but works well with food.  It went well with a vegetarian sausage casserole.  

Pallisades is one of the great Petite Sirah vineyards and Carlisle really nailed it with the 2016 vintage.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with boysenberries, gravel, blueberries and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Boysenberries, black cherries, blueberries with underlying gravel.  Clean.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now but still young and may improve.  Drink over the next fifteen years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with grilled meats.

This is a blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Syrah, 19% Tannat, and 4% Grenache.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, blueberries, spice and slight black cherries.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Tight but deep.  Blueberries, raspberries, with some cedar and spice.  Long finish.  This is a big wine but it is deft as well.  Drink over the next twelve to fifteen years.  This is great on its own and will need big food to stand up to it.  A nice match would be spicy Indian foods.