Ron from VA

8.9

For what it set out to accomplish, this 6 varietal blend (incl PM) is quite tasty :) full bodied with medium weight acid and softer tannin, this is a solid A for weekday utility red :) — 10 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. — 6 days ago

Shay A

9.4

Not surprising for the vintage, I found the 2014 version of this to be much more accessible and plush than the 2015, but at the end of the night, it showed a glimpse of that profile.

This was poured in to a decanter and then consumed over the next three hours. These wines are always so Bevan-esque, in that they are richly textured and hedonistic. Aromatically, lots of baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and sweet espresso, with fresh out of the oven mixed berry pie. On the palate it’s filled with black cherry infused dark chocolate, graham cracker sweetness, and freshly squeezed blueberries. Initially it was sporting a classically Howell Mtn tannic finish, but it softened at the end of the night. The 2014 didn’t have a hard edge from day one. This seems to have more aging potential. — 13 days ago

Rob N

9.4

I really enjoy this cab, a classic Napa example. However, it’s a but young here — lots of grippy tannins. — 3 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) — 9 days ago

Heather Rostker

9.0

Surprisingly good VA rose wine! Great find at Arrow Wine. — 14 days ago

with Dave

David Kline

9.3

Strong earthy nose of oak bark and loam. Black cherry, blackberry and currant reduction, cinnamon sticks and clove inform the nose. Plums of red and black just underripe, tart cherry, dried raspberry, tarragon, rosemary, dried violets and graphite shimmers. Young and juicy, much more to give! .
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#andrewwill #washingtonwine #cielducheval #singlevineyard #redmountain #wawinr #cabfranc #merlot #redblend — 14 days ago

with Courtney, Emily and 1 other

"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. — 7 days ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Light yellow in color with a golden hue.

Fruity nose with gooseberries, grapefruits, lemons, limes, light spices and minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with grapefruit juice, lemons, citrus, apples, spices and white pepper.

Spicy finish with tangy limes.

This is a very enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma Mountain. Easy drinking, crisp and refreshing. Fruit-forward and enjoyable by itself, with nice length on the finish.

A great porch wine. Nicely balanced with a touch of RS to balance the acidity.

13.7% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$30. — 12 days ago

Brandon T

9.3

One of the few Cab Francs I’ve ever had, but always an enjoyable wine. Still behind the petite Verdot and merlot from Barnett for me. Big, but coming together nicely. — 4 days ago