My Quivet syrahs don’t usually make it long enough to have this kind of bottle age, but I may need to hold a few back going forward. Tremendous effort here and an easy 3-5 years ahead of it. — a month ago

with Sam and JRM

Sam, Shay and 7 others liked this

Rivers-Marie

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Brandon Thurber

9.3

Enjoyable after a 2 hour decant, but still a bit tight. The ‘16 I had a few weeks ago was more ready to go. Plums and darker fruits here. Solid, but won’t revisit for a few years. Still a great value cab, IMO. — 12 days ago

Shay, Daniel and 6 others liked this

Nickel & Nickel

John C. Sullenger Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Brandon Thurber

9.3

Hour decant and boom goes the dynamite. Balanced cab with loads of milk chocolate on the finish. — a month ago

Mike and David liked this

Booker Vineyard

Fulldraw Syrah Blend 2016

Brandon Thurber

9.1

Underwhelmed by this, especially vs. the rest of the night’s lineup. A bit one dimensional and not what I expect from Booker. Admittedly drank it too early, so I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. — a month ago

with Sam and JRM

Sam, Shay and 4 others liked this

Rivers-Marie

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Brandon Thurber

9.4

Remains one of the better value cabs out there in the $60 area. Was pleasantly surprised with how quickly this opened up. Feel like these are in a better spot than the 15’s at present. — a month ago

with Sam and JRM

Sam, Shay and 19 others liked this

Walter Hansel Winery

The North Slope Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016

Brandon Thurber

9.3

A go-to Pinot for me. Great value at around $40. — 24 days ago

Shay, Jonathan and 7 others liked this

Shay A

Totally agree

David T

Really good producer and still amazingly priced.

Bodega Catena Zapata

Catena Alta Historic Rows Malbec 2012

Brandon Thurber

9.2

Solid, spicy Malbec. A long life ahead of it. — a month ago

Kimberly, Keith and 7 others liked this

Clarendon Hills

Hickinbotham Syrah 2008

Brandon Thurber

9.3

Solid, but feel like we still drank it too early. Would like to try this again in 5 years or so as I suspect it will be a real stunner by then. — a month ago

with Sam and JRM

Sam, Shay and 6 others liked this

David T

Really great producer.

David T

And, yes, they do take a long time to flush out. In good vintages, they will last 30 years and not show its full beauty for 15 plus years.

Brandon Thurber

Good to know @David T - thanks. Don’t drink much Australian Syrah, but had heard this was a great producer and was stoked to try it. My education continues!