Cabernet Sauvignon

Yes, this was too young to drink such a rare bottle, but so it goes...  Pop and pour, I did revisit it after a few hours.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, spice and a slight mineral backbone.  On the palate, this is really elegant.  Silky texture with sinewy tannins.  Great acidity makes it lively and energetic.  Cassis and dark chocolate shavings on the palate with again, a mineral backbone.  Long finish.  This obviously needs 5 to 10 more years before it should be opened, but it was great to get a glimpse into it now.  Hopefully, my friends that i s

My first time trying this wine made by Russell Bevan.  I love Russell's wines but I struggle with this one.  Purple to the rim.  On the nose, this had that aquarium note that I sometimes find in poorly handled wines.  I know this came from an excellent cellar but perhaps along the way somewhere?  I tried other glasses and it was consistent.  It did blow off a bit with air, but a taste at the end of the night, freshly poured, still had some.  There was some cassis underneath but hard to get to.  On the palate, its a bit better with coffee, cassis, slight graphite.  It also has a tingly acidi

I tried this a couple of years ago and thought it needed 10 more years.  Now, we are down to 8 I guess.  At least.  This is a spectacular wine but it needs time (think Latour).  While it showed well, it just felt like we there is more to come.  Indeed, if one has the patience to wait, this is probably a 100 point wine.  Today, its close but not quite.  Purple in color, magenta at the rim.  The nose has cassis.  Its dusty with iodine.  With air some dark cherries emerge.  On the palate, this is juicy with bright acidity.  Firm tannins that strengthen in the glass.  Black raspberries, blue be

My first time trying this vintage and only second time trying the winery.  Spectacular showing.  This wine was allowed to breathe for about 8 hours and still needed more air.  Some vigorous swirling in the glass allowed it to open, but it really needs more cellar time.  Purple in color, magenta at the rim.  The nose has cassis, blueberries, iodine and sandalwood.  Beautiful.  On the palate, there is some initial warmth but that disappears with air.  Very smooth.  Balance.  medium tannins.

My first time trying this that I can recall.  Very impressed.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is great with cassis, and slight graphite.  This bottle had been allowed to breathe for the better part of the day and still took some time to open.  It opened nicely in the glass though.  Bright acidity.  Cassis and slight cough drop note especially on the finish where it was joined with a bit of menthol.  Firm tannins.  Probably best to hold these or decant for a few hours at this point.  Some upside here for sure.  

This is a Cab made especially for Flaming's Steak House.  It is solid if a bit generic.  Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries and some cassis.  On the palate, this drinks easy.  Light tannins.  Not a lot of complexity.  Cassis fruit.  Slight earth.  

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has cassis and dust with a bit of spice.  Warm.  On the palate, this has cassis, tart cherries, a bit of baking spice and slight herbal notes.  It drinks like pretty classic Napa Cab.  Not super ripe but not under ripe either.  I can see this being a bit divisive for those who want a fruit bomb.  This is not that.  Showing a tight layering, it unwinds in the glass.  Has a nice complexity but there is some upside to come.  It was popular at the dinner table with our friends.  

Wow.  Yes, this is expensive but this is truly an amazing wine.  Purple in color.  The nose is just amazing.  Cassis, blueberries, slight spice and sandalwood, some cedar.  Deep and complex.  On the palate, open for business.  Bevan wines drink better younger than any luxury wines I know of.  Cassis, blueberries, slight earth/minerals.  Deep and complex.  Great mouthfeel.  Damn delicious.  One of those wines where each sip leaving you wanting another one.  Then the bottle is drained.  Hard to say if this will get better, maybe so with some maturity.  

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is slightly earthy with black raspberries.  Light tannins mostly resolved.  Very smooth.  Some layering as it unwinds in the glass.  Cassis, earth.  Finishes with a bit of menthol.  This is showing gorgeously and I think probably at peak right now.  No hurry but I would drink in the next decade and maybe a bit sooner.  It won't get better.  Groth is a wine that is maybe not as trendy as it used to be, but that is not because of any lack of quality.  They still consistently put out top notch Napa Cabs.  

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose has dark cherries and spice.  On the palate, the dark cherries follow.  Cooler climate Cab in style.  A bit under ripe.  Some heat on the finish.  Overall, it is a decent but not great cab.  Around $45.