2022 Kinsman Eades Chenin Blanc Aberro, USA, California, Napa, Diamond Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$229.00USD

My understanding is this is a one off bottling.  The winery had issues from the Glass Mountain fire and they really needed to source grapes for some cash flow until they could get on their feet again.  Hopefully, they will make it again as Chenin is such an under rated grape.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with apples, slight honey note and a bit of orange peel.  Full bodied.  Enough acidity but  not pronounced.  On the palate, this is dry.  Big and deep.  Apples, green apples but also some citrus and wax.  Long finish.  This was an excellent pairing with a sa

2013 Theorem Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Voir Dire, USA, California, Napa, Diamond Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

Another wine made by Thomas Rivers Brown, this was the first time trying this one, and it is awesome.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with cassis, slight blueberries, cedar, slight dark chocolate and baking spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is concentrated.  Medium tannins.  Flavors of cassis, black cherries, slight licorice with some oak and a bit of minerality.  Great balance.  Delicious.  Long finish.  This drinks well with some decanting now, but may yet improve over the next five to seven years.  Either way, this should drink well for th

2014 Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon Agira Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Diamond Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Great showing for this wine.  Young, but tasty.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, graphite, and spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is a big wine.  It is jammy and full of fruit, so make sure you share it with people who like that style.  I did, and they loved it.  Lots of cassis, some blueberries with some spice and graphite as well.  This is still primary with a lovely texture.  Delicious.  Long finish.  This probably drinks better on its own right now but would work with a grilled steak.  Drink over the next ten years or so.  

2014 Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Vineyard Diamond Mountain, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

A really nice showing for this wine and above my high expectations.  It is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, and 5% Petit Verdot.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, cedar, plums, graphite and char.  On the palate, this is full bodied with medium tannins.  Lots of cassis fruit intertwined with char and oak.  Good length on the finish.  This is still on the young side of mature but drinks like a classic Napa Cabernet.  That is great fruit with some oak and plenty of depth.  This should continue to mature for another seve to ten years and be good for ten to

2017 Seaver Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon GTS, USA, California, Napa, Diamond Mountain District, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+

This is former baseball great Tom Seaver's wine project.  He may be a celebrity but this is a serious project with the wines being made by Thomas Rivers Brown.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is great with minerals, cassis, roasted herbs and a slight minty note.  On the palate, this is concentrated.  Black raspberry fruit over a dry forest floor.  The roasted herbs carry thru to the finish.  Firm tannins.  This needs five to seven more years to really open and then it should be good for another twelve to twenty.  A delicious wine on its own, with air or cellaring this will work