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. — a year 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. — 3 years ago

Fred Calatayud

9.4

Served two bottles of this 2008 Reserve last night - both were exceptional. I have opened this wine over the years, and it never tasted as good. I think it is reaching its peak or is at peak. My suggestion is to drink them now if you are sitting on some in your cellar. Dark berry fruit, dark chocolate, leather, a little tobacco all coming together nicely. — 3 years 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. — a year ago

Fred Calatayud

8.7

Well, it's Napa and it's Cabernet so it already has cred. It's good, but not great, ok for the money. It got better in the glass after an hour. — 3 years ago

Fred Calatayud

9.0

Nice way to finish the chicken Marsala dinner. Sweet as it should be, with very strong and enjoyable cherry overtones — 3 years ago

Fred Calatayud

9.6

Visited Mo at his kitchen tasting room on his vineyard property this spring. What an experience and what a wine this is. 2013 Willamette at its very finest. Pinot, Pinot, Pinot. — 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. — 2 years 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. — 2 years ago

Fred Calatayud

9.0

Willamette Pinot. Consistently good across vintages. Cherry, spice, nice body. Beautiful balance. — 3 years ago