Shay A

9.4

Knowing this was 2013 + mountain fruit, I knew even at 8yrs this was going to be young, so I hoped an hour and a half double decant would help. It did, as this wine came and went in waves, but this really blossomed on day two. To me, these wines consistently show a red clay type character to them. It’s very dark fruit dominant on the nose, with charcoal, mocha, and herbal spice. On the palate the red clay comes out with added notes of char-grilled black cherry pie, dark chocolate, mineral core, and a savory tobacco leaf finish that popped up on day two. Dense on the mid palate but the finish has so much going on here. I’d hold for another 3yrs, but it’s pretty solid now if you can double decant for a few hours. — 2 days ago

Shay A

9.4

I’m between a 94-95 here. Not sure why I don’t buy more of these, especially at the price. Wow.

I poured this in a decanter upon opening, but it actually was quite nice at pop…then changed an hour later, and after corking to finish the remaining third later in the evening, it was even more of a beast. Bit of a chameleon, this one, in regards to its approachability. 100% cab. Dark royal purple in the glass. Aromatically it sports a lot of graphite, blackberries, black currant, mulberries, and espresso. Structure here is compact and big in style, but it’s so beautifully integrated. Palate shows the same type of dusty/graphite influence alongside the darker berry profile, with dark cocoa, and a streak of black cherry and mineral at the core that gives it some spice and lift. Good to open today if you can give it a 1-2hr decant, but easily cruises for the next few years.

This was poured alongside a 2013 Hidden Ridge 55degree slope and the 2014 Immortal (formerly Hidden Ridge). Since all three sported a good bit of Sonoma fruit, it was a cool experiment. The Kamen seemed the most balanced and structured, whereas the 2014 Immortal was the most extracted and over the top. The 2013 HR was in the middle. — 4 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Blend of 90% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot & 5% Tannat, aged 20 mos French oak. LaJota has deep roots in Napa, in 1888, wine pioneer W.S. Keyes planted the first vines on Howell Mountain, 10 years later LaJota Vineyard established, named for location on Mexican parcel Rancho La Jota. Deep Ruby, rich berry fruit aromas & herb spice. On the palate blackberry & cherry flavors with sweet spice, licorice & cacao notes, rich & tangy. Soft full tannins, long finish ending with oak & earthy herbs. Just starting to drink now, will cellar for a decade. — 18 days ago

Vanessa

9.2

2012!! 🕰 A marvelous year; the year @deked1 and I reconnected. Two years later we exchanged vows and began our adventure in life together. Tonight, we’re celebrating our seventh wedding anniversary. 💕💕 The honeymoon vibes are still going strong! 🙌

We’re excited about this 2012 Cade that was bottled on June 13th, 2014, just over a month before our wedding. It’s comprised of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Merlot. It comes from Howell Mountain AVA in Napa Valley, California. ⛰ 🇺🇸

Howell Mountain AVA is known for producing fuller-bodied and well-structured wines with vines planted at an elevation ranging from 1600 to 2200 ft above sea level and good sun exposure. ☀️ This wine is no exception with its firm tannins, medium acidity, and high alcohol (15.2%); also, its opulent, ripe black fruits such as juicy blackberry bramble, black cherry, crème de cassis, also black licorice, pepper, nutmeg, vanilla, dark chocolate, espresso, clove, and forest floor. It has a long, elegant finish. 👌👌👌

It also underwent 20 months of barrel aging in 100% French Oak 80% of which was new, which explains the noteworthy secondary aromas and flavors that add to the complexity of this wine.👏👏👏👏

Here’s to cherishing the moment with the people you love. Cheers! — 11 days ago

with Deked1

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.1

Red and black jelly beans! 70 merlot, 26 Syrah, 4 cab franc. — 14 days ago

"Odedi"

9.4

It's definitely time for a great Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Great nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, peppercorn, pencil lead and earth.

Full bodied with medium acidity and elegant.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, earth, peppercorn and leather.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot based blend from Napa Valley. Rich, yet elegant. Fruit forward with nice complexity.

This 8 year old Magnum is drinking very nicely now. The fact that it is from a great vintage doesn't hurt it either.

Delicious right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.

Excellent quality. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Thank you Barry for sharing this with me.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with delicious lamb chops.

Grapes are grown at 2,100 feet of elevation. A blend of 71% Merlot and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in French oak barrels (31% new) for 25 months. A small production of 579 cases. Made by Philippe Melka.

15.1% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$350 (Magnum) — 21 days ago

Paul Jakubowski

9.3

Signed Magnum! 1hr plus decant. Dark red color. Very fruit forward with red and black fruit. Modest oak. Medium depth. More sweet than tannic. Paired perfectly with smoked short ribs. Would have loved other elements than just fruit, but it worked nicely! — 4 days ago

with Brooke

Byron Hewett

9.3

100% Petite Sirah. Deep and complex. Has a kind of chocolate mole note to it. Really good. Another great match with smoked bbq ribs. — 3 days ago

Aravind A

9.5

Wow. This was an absolutely stunning btl of Syrah. On the nose: violets, olive brine, bacon, soft vanilla cream, blackberry, dried blackberry, soft leather...amazing complexity. On the palate: fantastic acidity and density, pure syrah fruit, and very soft tannin on the finish. — 5 days ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim, and medium plus intensity.

Fruity nose of bing cherries, strawberries, raspberries, spices, oak, light barnyard, earth, vegetables, herbs and tobacco leaf.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, cherries, oak, spices, chocolates, vegetables, bitter herbs and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very enjoyable Pinot Noir from Sonoma. Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Spicy and fruit forward.

Would be nice to revisit it in a couple of years.

Good right out of the bottle and gets earthier as it opens up. A good wine to sip on by the porch.

I paired it with cheeses, nuts and olives.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$40. — 19 days ago