Very light, smooth — 7 months ago
Mina Mesa – Cabernet Sauvignon Hazeline Reserve 2021
Paso Robles AVA – California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
A family-owned project led by Troy Javadi in Paso Robles’ Tin City, Mina Mesa crafts approachable, fruit-driven wines that celebrate California’s Central Coast terroir. This bottling is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Hazeline Reserve vineyards.
Aromas & Flavors
Dark concentrated berries, ripe black currant, and plum layered with subtle hints of vanilla and spice.
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and generous with smooth tannins and a long, juicy finish. Bold yet crafted to remain approachable and balanced.
Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, smoky BBQ, or a hearty mushroom risotto.
Verdict
A Paso Cab that overdelivers—lush, bold fruit meets structure, showing both richness and easy drinkability. A true expression of the Central Coast spirit. Cheers!
Did You Know?
Paso Robles has more than 60 different soil types, ranging from calcareous limestone to sandy loam, giving winemakers a wide canvas for bold, fruit-forward Cabernets. — 10 months ago
Excellent — 2 years ago
Excellent. Big wine, balanced and flavorful — 5 years ago

Crisp nose of unripe pear, honey and lime on the nose. Baked honey crisp apple, white flower, slight petrol on the palate. Lovely minerality and sense of terroir in this wine. — 6 years ago
Another Costco one. It’s good, I would get again. — 2 months ago
Linda Lista Chard. Genius — 5 months ago
Nickel & Nickel – Vaca Vista Vineyard – Cab Sauv– 2022
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸
Overview
A single-vineyard Napa Cabernet sourced from the cool and elegant Oak Knoll District. Fermented and aged with the classic Nickel & Nickel precision, this expression favors balance, red-to-dark fruit purity, and structure over sheer power. A modern Napa style that emphasizes approachability without sacrificing depth.
Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, and violet, with cedar, vanilla, graphite, and a touch of baking spice. Subtle oak integration allows the fruit and minerality to shine.
Mouthfeel
Medium-plus in body, polished, and cohesive. Fresh acidity, supple tannins, and a graceful arc from entry to finish. Not a bruiser — a refined, cooler-climate profile that stays lively and lifted.
Food Pairings
Flat iron steak, short ribs, mushroom risotto, grilled lamb chops, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, or aged cheeses.
Verdict
A beautifully balanced, site-driven Napa Cabernet that delivers both sophistication and drinkability. Finessed rather than forceful, and a strong example of why Oak Knoll continues to be one of Napa’s most exciting AVAs for Cabernet.
Did You Know?
Nickel & Nickel was founded by the Far Niente family with a mission to produce 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines, showcasing Napa’s terroir with clarity. Oak Knoll is one of Napa Valley’s coolest sub-AVAs, producing elegant, aromatic reds with natural acidity and restraint.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Oak Knoll being a single-vineyard expression from this sub-AVA makes it one of the easiest, most easygoing Cabernets from the Napa floor, and I always like to have it as an opener when pouring more intense Napa reds. A perfect warm-up that sets the stage beautifully. — 8 months ago
Costco $14.99, nice. Buymore — 4 years ago
Does not taste like a Pinot. But it is delicious. Hefty, but not tannic or spicy. Dark berry flavor, but not super earthy — 5 years ago
Super versatile Pinot! Nice acidity, very balanced. Great table wine — 6 years ago
The 2023 is a ruby red, full bodied Pinot with a smooth silky finish. Paired with a salad and grilled salmon. — 2 months ago
Very smooth.
Buttery, begging for a bite of steak. Lighter on the tannins than many Malbecs, slight acidity softens it and masks the high proof. — 6 months ago
13.5% abv. Little viognier. Label says “ savor it over the next ten years”. We sure did. Even more tasty in 2025. — 10 months ago
drinking excellent right now but has years of life left — a year ago
Pretty deep , almost opaque , thin rim . Quite wild , dried herbs , touch of rounded red fruits . More fruit on the palate , quite ripe red fruits , quite soft but fine , nice balanced acidity . Slightly warm. Quite good length though quite dry finish . Nice now , wouldn’t want to leave this too much longer however . — 4 years ago
Really lovely. Fallon visit sumer 2020. — 6 years ago
Tree Kilpatrick
Had this again. Label is hint classy. Rustic. Color is lighter with a slight rust to the edge. Smells like rocks in the sun and flint. Berries too. Flavors are juicy, fruity and balanced. Zippy. This is a lighter styled GSM with a classy elegance to it. — 2 months ago