Conn Creek
Ava Series Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
2018 vintage. Medium heavy body. This is asleep at the switch. Really nice but needs to be shoved into action. Dunno how long it will be in a coma. Maybe another 2-3 years? It's gotta wake up at some point given the quality and pedigree. It's just gotta. Hello?! The ultimate sleeper agent. Moreso than Laurence Harvey in the og The Manchurian Candidate. — 3 days ago
Vérité
La Muse Sonoma County Merlot Blend 2019
2019 vintage. From a 375ml btl Coravin sample. Absolutely rocking. Shredding on both lead and rhythm guitar. And then the bass and drums with a vintage electric violin flourish. Not the cheapest Merlot expression from Sonoma but likely the best. Built to last. 06.18.25. — 3 days ago
Calistoga Ranch
Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
2014 vintage. Tasted alongside the 2015 self same version/model/release (9.3). 2014 with a tad more complexity but slightly less oomph. Bringing in 3 cases of this at $40.10 a bottle resto cost. Can't wait to have those conversations with guests about the "incorrect pricing" for Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard juice. It will be a less than a third (or fourth or eighth) of the pricing for the usual suspects hailing from that zip code/plot/terroir. 06.18.25. — 3 days ago
Vérité
Le Désir Sonoma County Cabernet Franc Blend 2019
2019 vintage. Sampled from 375ml bottle via Coravin. Going to start this full disclosure by saying I’m not the biggest Cabernet Franc (or Malbec or Beaujolais) guy. Would generally rather leave it than take it. That said, this is phenomenal. Depth. Structure. Fruit. Potential. 06.18.25. — 3 days ago
Calistoga Ranch
Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
2015 vintage. Medium-heavy body. Coffee grounds/mocha nose. Deep color. enuff grip and plenty of chonk. Ridiculous pricing for this vineyard/these grapes. Noticeably without the over the top, reductive flavors espoused by Napa's "finest" re: this vineyard the last decade+. Not exactly a declaration of independence but definitely passive-aggressive and non-compliant. Doubt you'll find it but if you do, worth a flirtatious comment and a wink. 06.18.25. — 3 days ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2019 vintage. From a 375ml btl Coravin sample. Slightly discombobulated. Obvious pedigree but wandering about aimlessly currently. 06.18.25. — 3 days ago