Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Most of the wines I open tell me a story w/ each sip. Most tied to my late wife Sofia. My memories of this producer precedes her.

This is a producer that flashed early in my wine journey. Generally, one you have moved on from today. That’s until, their 2013 is offered at $39 recently. A grand vintage. For me, I wanted to see the wineries progression and experience earlier memories that flood back w/ each sip. It has done that.

I have a Napa history infatuation. This one is kinda of a pleasure-pain thing. While I enjoyed this producer many years ago, the 2020 Glass Fires destroyed 90% of their vineyards, almost all their structures & their 19 & 20 vintages. I can’t express enough what a gut punch that is for its owners & staff. It is an insurance nightmare and let’s not forget that after all the time it takes to re-plant vines, it takes at least 7 years before you get useable fruit to make wine. So…a ten yr plus setback w/ nearly no revenue stream.

The wine tonight w/o a ribeye, showed excellent fruits that the 13 growing season brought. But what followed was a lean mid plate and finish. With the steak, not so.

The palate shows M+ velvety, dry tannins. Ripe, rich, lush, ruby fruits of: blackberries, black plum, baked plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, poached & fresh strawberries & an understated array of purple fruits. Moist, grey, volcanic clays, moist tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, dry, crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, dry brush, dark cola, black licorice to anise, dry herbs-bay leaf, sage, dark, mid spice with some palate heat, sweet tarriness, dark, fresh, candied & withering red roses, lavender & dry violets, excellent acidity with a well balanced-knitted, nicely structured & tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on dry earth & spice.

This is nice on its own but so much better with a ribeye. 92 on its own with a hour decant. 92-93+ with an hour decant plus a juicy, well seasoned MR ribeye. — 9 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2005 vintage. Nice fill. Opened with a Durand. Perfect cork. Decanted and tasted after one hour and 2 hours. Respectable amount of sed. Barely medium body. Magical. That twenty-year spell that Spring Mountain casts found this casually tossing out espresso crema, grilled dark plum, cassis and sandalwood. Can't see this improving but can it hold steady for a gauntlet of 7-10 years? Hell yes. Contribution to the FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch). 2.13.26. — 23 days ago

Paul J

9.4

PnP. This was great! Drove by the winery on Spring Mountain last week! Dark red color with dark, candied fruit on the nose. Classic Napa cab with nice terroir elements. Great depth and awesome texture. Another excellent Wine Spectator recommendation. — 2 days ago

with Brooke

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2022 vintage. One of the better Napa cab 2022's I've had. That Cade style...2.18.26. — 18 days ago

Robert Henalt

9.3

Delicious blend Super treat for a glass with friends Red berries, smooth tannins — 5 days ago

Frank B

9.3

Really like this one. Not to oaked or buttered. — 22 days ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.3

Out of coravin…it needs to be decanted to show properly. — 2 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2013 vintage. Captures more than a bit of that old-school, 80's-90's Laurel Glen magic and oomph. Firing right now and for the foreseeable future. Medium/medium-heavy body. 2.18.26. — 18 days ago

Dave

9.2

This really is delicious, and well worth the $21 I paid for it. Tons of berries, blue and red. Excellent structure with a firm finish that becomes so nice after a bit of airing. Making birria, which will be very good with this wine. Last time I had this I gave it 8.9 but today it's more deserving.
Listening to Hole — 3 days ago

Heather Rostker

9.6

Excellent — 15 days ago

with Emmett and Brian