Fred Calatayud

9.4

Better on day two - living up to its Mt Veeder heritage. Bold, dark fruit abound, hint of vanilla and caramel, layers of flavor throughout. Sterling did a nice job with the bounty from Yates Vineyard. This can continue to evolve in the cellar for quite some time. — 2 months ago

Fred Calatayud

9.2

Reviewed this back in 2016, and wasn’t impressed, but clearly was drinking it too early. Having this at 2021 New Years, and it has evolved wonderfully. Tart black cherry, cranberry and leather , with hints of black pepper - acidity much more balanced than my tasting in 2016. Ruby red and medium bodied, it has matured nicely. If you have the 2013 hanging around, give it a try. It has more years to run, so no rush, but worthy of tasting now. — 7 months ago

Fred Calatayud

9.8

This ‘97 Reserve is fabulous - in the glass for an hour and it delivers so many flavors - mocha, deep plum, leather, soft tobacco, a tiny pinch of pepper just to make it perfect, and so much more; tannins that are velvety smooth and support the structure of the wine at this age. If you are sitting on this one, enjoy it now. Spend the money on the aged, prime steak, grill it to perfection, and have a great summer dinner. Arguably the best vintage in the last three decades for California Cab, and this one is firing on all cylinders. — 3 years ago

Fred Calatayud

9.0

The first thing I tasted was salt, and that was: uh oh. But after 20 minutes, cranberry, nutmeg, a little mint, raspberry, definitely not as meaty as other Aussie Shiraz and not what I expected, but very enjoyable once my expectations were reset. — 3 months ago

Fred Calatayud

9.3

Thinking I should be drinking my 2012s, I opened this up. After giving it 2 hours alone, I realized I’ve opened it too soon. Even next day, it remains tight. It is deep, dark opaque red, tons of blackberry and dark cherry, licorice, leather, but it is still “packed too tight.” If you are holding these, hold them another 5 years. You will be well rewarded, IMO. — 6 months ago

Fred Calatayud

9.4

Been away from Delectable for a while, still drinking wine, but took a break from writing about. When I had this Innisfree tonight, I thought I owed it to Joseph Phelps to remark about it. I wrote about this vintage 2 years ago, and this wine tonight is even better. It is right in its sweet spot, reflecting an openness on par with its maturity. 20 minutes in the glass, paired with a grilled NY Strip, it led the way for this meal. Strong nose of deep, dark fruit, a hint of licorice and leather, but a balanced finesse of dark chocolate and the slightest touch of earth. A couple of bottles of this vintage left, but no need to let it rest any longer. If you have ‘em, drink ’em - you won’t be disappointed, and you’ll taste the readiness of the wine. It’s why we let them rest until they are ready. — 4 years ago

Fred Calatayud

9.3

Lots of muscle left in the 2005 Merlot - much to my pleasant surprise! Deep, dark opaque color, plenty on the nose, nothing thin about this wine. Flavors of dark fruits, leather, licorice, pepper all balanced nicely against the softened tannins. Bigger than most Merlots I’ve had, and bigger than many Cabernets. Let it open up for a good hour in the glass and your patience will be well rewarded. Very tight out of the bottle, and it needs an hour or more to find itself. Yes, I will have this with my steak tonight - no need to go to the Cabernets! — 4 months ago

Fred Calatayud

9.6

Oh my, that was worth waiting for. Dark fruit forward, but perfectly balanced, tannins in check, so very flavorful. A finish that just goes on and on and on. My notes indicate I purchased this for about $40 in late 2011 - this easily drinks like a wine three, four or five times that amount. Napa Valley at its finest. — 3 years ago

Fred Calatayud

9.1

GSM mix from McClaren Vale. Dark cherries, pencil lead, black pepper, plum. Very happy with it after letting it mellow since 2006. Very smooth and enjoyable now. — 4 years ago

Fred Calatayud

9.4

Thankfully, sitting on another half case of this. It was worth the wait to let it rest all these years. Wonderfully balanced Cabernet, with deep, dark fruit, mocha, and a long expressive finish. Love Whitehall Lane. — 5 years ago