Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2005 vintage. Decanted and tasted immediately and through 3 hours. Great fill/appropriate aging cork. Medium sed. Noticeably dark color. Any trace of the usual Cos baby fat for the first decade+ after release long gone geek. Interesting. This was a lean, mean, street-fighting machine with "minerality" to spare. Intense. Compact. Unsure if it will continue to menace in the next decade of life or retreat into a reclusive, "turtling" period. Best guess? Street-fighter par excellence. Regardless of taking the high or low road, it's not devolving into a drink 'em if you got 'em any time soon scenario. Thanksgiving 11.23.23. — 18 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez & his “relentless” pursuit of quality. A blend of 76% Syrah & 24% Petite Sirah, shows a lush & rich wine. Aged for 30 months, 100% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruit, smoke and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum & blueberry with notes of vanilla, licorice and smoke. Fine silky tannins, long finish, great mouthfeel ending with fruit, herbs and spice. One of the best Syrah’s tasted. Will age well! — 20 hours ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Champagne has gotten expensive lately. This is no different. But, it is my go to N/V Rosé. Seems I’m still willing to pay the large increase for it.

Tis the season for garden tomatoes. So great with Burrata topped with olive oil & Tondo balsamic, (find it, the best), basil, served on olive oil brushed, broiled crostini’s made from Simple Sourdough made by Companion Bakery. From 375ml. — 3 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

From brine to seasoned to cooked bird.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Gotta have two glasses with Thanksgiving Turkey, one for dark & white meat.

Nicely, ripe blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, medium intensity, dark spice, cinnamon stick, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, dark & red fresh and withering florals, near perfect acidity and a lush, balanced, long finish. At it peaks. — 18 days ago

Anthony Cammarata Jr.

9.3

Decanted for 2 hours. This dark colored Cabernet has a beautiful bouquet and is full of heavy flavors including oak, spice, tobacco, black cherry and plenty more. The more it sits the bigger the flavors become. A good Thanksgiving dinner choice. — 18 days ago

with Daniel

Ron R

9.5

Not ready for prime-time just yet, but that didn’t prevent us from committing the felony.
Pale straw color in the glass links up with lemon curd and a hint of gooseberries. Robust acidity frames this up nicely. Finishes taught and with urgency. Drinking the best wines in the world can be a little like fumbling around in the dark. But with this, I can see in the dark. — 2 months ago

with Anne-marie

Ericsson

9.4

Probably said this before: pound for pound this is the best Napa Cab out there. This vintage specifically is riveting: bright dark fruit with incredible acidity and depth on the palate. Balanced, round tannins, medium alcohol and notes of fig and cedar on the medium plus finish. Yup, hats of to this pretty little dear in 2020. — 6 months ago

Paul K

9.4

Thanksgiving tradition with 2013 Heitz continues. Now doing every other year instead of every year to stretch it out. Love what time is doing for the complexity of the wine. Happy Turkeyday to you and yours! — 18 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured from magnum; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2 as the wine came into better balance. The 2015 “Caravina” pours a deep ruby with a nearly opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. One the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, brambles, tobacco, violets, herbs, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine with dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the acid plays a significant role, giving some real lift to the lush fruit. And while we’re on the topic, I’ll just share an observation that the acid is a significant characteristic for Seavey. In their youth, they are somewhat tough to fully appreciate (Ridge also has this reputation). I’m not suggesting Seavey is an analogue to Monte Bello, rather just stating they seem to be playing the long game…and I’m here for that. That being said, these are good now but will be more pleasurable in another couple years (at least in this format) and should be lovely through 2035. — 13 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

From magnum. No formal notes. The fill was top-shoulder. Underneath the capsule, the top of the cork looked nasty which I wiped down as best I could. About four hours before service, using a Durand (which is almost essential with old bottles) I was able to pull the cork completely intact and decant for sediment. The cork was completely saturated but appeared to have done its job! At this stage in its life, the 1990 Chateau Mouton Rothschild pours a garnet color but it doesn’t appear particularly tired and the nose supports that. While it’s certainly a vinous wine, there is a lot to like: a mix of red and black cassis, rip and desiccated cherries, tobacco leaf, cedar box, old leather, damp earth, some mushrooms and baking spices. The structure is still sound and while the tannins have integrated and the acid is keeping this very much alive. In fact, this seemed to brighten with air and almost get a second wind! As I find with all great Bordeaux wines once they enter this stage, they seem to live forever. This was a lovely pairing with a Prime, Niman Ranch porterhouse served with corn, squash and porcini. This is squarely in the “drink now” window, not that it will be falling off a cliff anytime soon. Decant for sediment and enjoy through 2030+ — 5 months ago