Cabernet

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2014

Broke out one of my cellared Raffaults for my homeboy who graced me with a home cooked Tuscan styled flank steak w rosemary & arugula, as well as Israeli cous cous w chickpeas, charred tomatoes, feta, & herbs. Light Cadmium red hued & strong color though ( good cork- not a guarantee w Raffault!); dense Hibiscus, fresh raspberry & some bramble on nose; on palate very clean & smooth mouthfeel, with the initial flavors repeated but a deeper blend of red fruits & a stronger presence of under brush. Super fresh & integrated. Elegant, & the Burgundy echo was hard to ignore. Not Uber complex but not monolithic either, which this line of Raffault can be in its youth ( or as it ages). Very impressive, & accessible now. Curious how my ‘02 & 07s will fare… — 4 days ago

Owen Mazon
with Owen
Ira, Pinotman and 8 others liked this
Ira Schwartz

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@Peter Sultan I am always surprised this is not on more restaurant wine-lists given the price to quality ratio.
Peter Sultan

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I have no evidence other than anecdotal but I suspect bottle variability- both from my experience and from what wine stores have told me. I imagine too it’s a tricky wine to sell given it can really shut down for periods. But all guesses @Ira Schwartz …..

Far Niente Winery

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

2018 Far Niente Cabernet. Love this vineyard and their signature cab is outstanding! Very nice bouquet, rich with dark fruits, blackberry, plum and light earth notes. Thick long lasting legs. Very smooth on the palette. Rich ripe fruit at the start with blackberry. Finish is smooth with light berry notes. Very low tannins. Love it! Paired well with a big Italian meal with lasagna and sausage. — 19 days ago

Douglas, Joseph and 3 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

305 group annual 10 yr Napa cab retrospective — 23 days ago

Jose, Martijn and 6 others liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1980

David T
9.4

There are worse ways to start a Saturday then tasting & talking wine with Tor Kenward & Andy Beskstoffer having the 1980 BV George Latour Private Reserve & multiple vintages of Tor. Wine 94 technically but age & style 96. The overall experience is a 10.

These bottles came from his cellar so they are perfect. So silky smooth elegant. Beautifully ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, understated baking spices, fresh & used tobacco, sandalwood, raspberry, limestone powder, fine, dark spice, bright, withering dark & red florals, excellent acidity, sheer, balance, elegance and perfect finish that lasts a full minute.

Andy Beckstoffer sold fruit for $150 a ton in the late 1970’s, early 80’s. Today, $50,000 plus a ton and a percentage of the producers bottle price.
— 14 days ago

Ira, Scott@Mister and 10 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

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I've not tasted the '80 BV GdL, you're a lucky man.

Austin Hope

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Wow. Very subtle? Not.
As stated on the backside of the bottle, all the expressions of the region are in the bottle. Included the warmth. It's al lot of wine.
— 10 days ago

Martijn, Peter and 3 others liked this

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 1975

Took about 90 minutes to open up, but it was worth it. Still in its prime and drinking great. — 14 days ago

Joe, Tom and 6 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2015

85% Cab Sauv and 15% Cab Franc from Italy. Drinks on the more mellow side compared to a big California Cab. — 12 days ago

Shay, Juan and 14 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

David T
9.2

Had to try it. Used to love their work prior to 2012. After that, their style changed to picking at higher brix levels thus creating a much sweeter profile. SS was one I’d hoped they’d left alone and they did not. Not quite as sweet as their regular Cabernet but sweeter than before. I made the pitch to the property to make Caymus Classic along side their new sweeter style wines. The 94 Special Selection was one of their best. — 14 days ago

Ming, Tom and 6 others liked this

Chappellet

Signature Donn Chappellet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

2021 vintage. Classic Napa Cab without all the current bells and whistles. Eye on the prize. Medium body with balanced bouquet and shows across the entire palate. It’s Cabernet like this that built Napa into the 800 lb gorilla that it is. 79% Cab, 8% PV, 7% Malbec, 6% Merlot. 4.3.24. — 16 days ago

Ted, Jan and 9 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1975

This had the classic LB nose showing mostly black fruits with currant, cedar, leather, menthol, spice box, cigar ash & tobacco leaf. — 7 days ago

Aravind, David and 19 others liked this