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

2013 Torrin Syrah Shadow Canyon Vineyard, USA, Califormia, Central Coast, Paso Robles, York Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

This is 100% from the tiny appelation, York Mountain, in Paso Robles.  Like most Torrin wines, this is a delicious, full throttle wine.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black rasperries, black pepper, roasted meat and a slight floral note.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is big with loads of black raspberries with some black pepper and char.  At age 11, it is still youhtful and should go another decade.  Its grea on its own and would work well with big meat dishes but also Stuffed Vegetarian style peppers.  

Lyndenhurst 2021Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$110.00USD

2024 marks the 20th vintage for Spottswoode’s Lyndenhurst label. The original goal is still the same: use all five Bordeaux varietals and pull fruit from the estate as well as other exceptional Napa vineyards, all of which are organically grown. In doing so this wine allows for, “a broader expression of Napa Valley, while applying the same philosophy that shapes our Estate Cabernet,” says winemaker Aron Weinkauf.

Spottswoode, Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Peter Michael Au Paradis, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$155.00USD

This is a blend of 76% Cabernet sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Franc from Napa.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with cassis, cedar, slight cigar box and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is young and delicious.  Flavors of cassis, spice, slight mocha and char.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own and will work with most food (not seafood).  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  

2016 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$130.00USD

Another big name for Napa's past that probably doesn't get the attention it deserves compared to the "latest-greatest" but still provides a lot of quality.  This is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon with 9% Merlot.  Deep garnet in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, tobacco, and spice (cloves?).  Full bodied.  Silky tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, cassis, slight black cherries and spice.  Long finish.  This drinks great on its own but is better with food.  This would be great with a Beef Stew.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.

2019 Odette Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, USA, California, Napa, Stags Leap, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$155.00USD

This is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot.  Inky purple, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens a bit with some air.  Cassis, dust, oak and cumin.  Firm tannins.  Lots of energy.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, cassis and spice with plenty of depth.  Good finish.  This needs time for my tastes.  There is a lot here but it seems a bit shut down.  I would hold for five and then drink for ten to fifteen after that.  If drinking soon, it will need a steak or Prime Rib to stand up to the tannins.  The score should go up a few poi

2018 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$105.00USD

This venerable old label used to be one of the most talked about wines from Napa.  Today, it seems to barely get a mention yet the quality is still top notch.  Fame is fickle.  This vintage is 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Verdot and 3% Malbec.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is classic Napa which is also to say very Bordeaux-like in a ripe year.  Black cherries, some cassis, earthy, cigar box and slight graphite.  Great texture.  Firm tannins.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cassis, earthiness and spice.  Long finish.  This is outstanding.  Great on its own but better with

2018 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

Another great wine from Fait-Mail.  These wine get some buzz but deserve even more.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, slight graphite, cedar, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great energy and balance.  On the palate, this is concentrated, intense and delicious.  Flavors of cassis, slight dark chocolate, spice and char.  Long finish.  This is still quite young and won't hit peak for at least a decade.  That said, it provides a lot of pleasure right now.  Drink over the next twenty years.  Fantastic on its own, this would work with big meat

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