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

2021 Carlisle Zinfandel Sonoma County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is Carlisle's basic Zin. Unfortunately, they don't offer this in large allocations or I would buy even more. It is a fantastic value for a quality Zinfandel. It is a blend of 47% Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, Old Hill Ranch, 20% Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Teldeschi Ranch, 20% Sonoma Valley Zinfandel, Pagani Ranch, 10% Dry Creek Valley Petite Sirah, Mounts Ranch, and 3% Sonoma Valley Alicante Bouschet, Pagani Ranch. Purple in color with some ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is strong with bramble, red raspberries, some black cherries, char and spice. Full bodied.

2021 Sandlands Chenin Blanc Amador County, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Chenin Blanc is one of our favorite grapes and Sandlands arguably makes the best domestic Chenin Blanc wines.  Light gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with apples, apple cider, slight orange peel, and minerality.  Medium bodied.  Good balance.  On the palate, this is clean, crisp and refreshing.  Flavors of apples/apple cider with some minerals.  Dry.  Good finish.  This is very nice on its own and even better with food.  It would work well with grilled trout.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2019 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Spring Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

Made from estate grown fruit on Spring Mountain in Napa.  Togni is one of the "old school" producers still making great wines in Napa.  It is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color with some ruby hues, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but in the glass it opens to show cassis, dust, tobacco, cedar and vanilla.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Likewise, very tight on the palate.  Cassis, black cherries and spice.  Long finish.  This (no surprise for Togni) needs time.  Ideally, give this five to ten more years in a good cellar

2017 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard Steinhauer Ranch Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$119.00USD

This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain in Napa.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is deep and complex with cassis, cedar, spice, slight chocolate, cigar box and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Great balance and energy.  On the palate, this seems mature but just barely.  Layers of cassis, spice, slight chocolate and a lovely herbal note on the finish.  Good finish.  Really classic in profile. This should go another ten to fifteen years. Great on its own, this will work well with food as well.  A nice match with Prime Rib.  

2019 Boich Family Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$195.00USD

Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries tobacco and char.  Nice, semi-plush texture.  Good balance.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has some depth and complexity.  Flavors of cassis, slight chocolate, spice and char.  Good finish.  This is drinking well now and should have another ten to twelve years left.  Great on its own, this will work well with Lamb Chops.  

Paraduxx 2021 Proprietary Napa Valley Red Wine

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$56.00USD

Since the early 1990s, Paraduxx has created blended red wine to show off the Napa Valley. A bit larger and more macerated than previous vintages, it is still nonetheless an enjoyable, solid wine. The tannins are a little more aggressive here with the fruit being both expressive but still subdued. The more noticeable element is the oak; an 18-month program of both French and Hungarian, with 40% of the barrels being brand new. The composition is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, then diminishing proportions of Zinfandel, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Sirah, in that order.

2019 Boich Family Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$250.00USD

This was my personal favorite in the excellent Boich collection of Cabernets. Inky purple in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has cassis, coffee, black cherries, tobacco and spice. Good acidity and balance. Wonderful plush texture. Firm tannins. On the palate, this is deep and complex despite being so young. Lots of cassis and black cherries with some spice and slight char and just a hint of menthol on the finish. Delicious. This needs another five years minimum in the cellar but should drink well for twenty years after that.

2015 Boich Family Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Wall Road, USA, California, Napa, Mt. Veeder, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$250.00USD

Inky purple, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is powerful and concentrated with cassis, spice, cedar and slight char.  Semi-lush texture.  Medium tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, this has cassis, chocolate, slight chalky note (which is interesting) along with some forest floor notes and a touch of char.  Long finish.  This seems to be drinking well now and although it likely won't improve, should drink at peak for another ten to fifteen years.  Very nice on its own, this should work well with many dishes (except sea food).  It would be nice with Cassoulet.  

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