Michael Shaps

Broc Cellars

Michael Mara Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Broc is really great at Chardonnay! Bright and acidic. Elegantly balanced. Nowhere near your typical old school oaky Cali chard — 9 days ago

Ted, Juan and 4 others liked this

Michael David Winery

Freakshow Lodi Red Blend 2020

The 2020 vintage of Michael David Freak Show is a blend for everyday drinking. A blend of Syrah (appx 54%), Petite Sirah (appx 42%) and Souzao (appx 4%), it is a balanced, fruit-forward red wine with notes of dark berries and plum. Although it does not provide the complexity and tannic structure of a Napa or Sonoma Cabernet, neither does it come with the same price tag.

I recommend this wine, but just find the circus-themed bottle label a little freaky.
— 11 days ago

Michael David Winery

Inkblot Lodi Cabernet Franc 2022

Melting Pot 11/22/2025 — 2 months ago

Dave liked this

Peter Michael Winery

Estate Vineyards Les Pavots Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim. Not showing age at all.

Beautiful nose of black currants, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, light eucalyptus and licorice.

Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, black pepper, spices and cola.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Knights Valley in Sonoma County. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and very complex.

Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Napa Cabernet based Bordeaux blend.

Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 45 minutes in the decanter. Really gorgeous once it opens up.

Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Wine Advocate 95 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

Great by itself as a sipping wine or with food, like a big piece of steak.

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$175.
— 10 days ago

Ron, Jose and 14 others liked this

Peter Michael Winery

Belle Côte Chardonnay 2014

Really nice starting to get some secondary flavors. Overall enjoyed it. — 25 days ago

Scott@Mister and Tom liked this

Matthiasson

Michael Mara Vineyard Chardonnay

Superb Chardonnay — a month ago

Tom liked this

Michael Shaps

Monticello Petit Manseng 2022

Pristine balance - A deft touch in tempering acid and monitoring sugars. This version was very oriented towards a broader spectrum of entrées. In other words, the big fruit acids were lowered, and the intense sugary mouth feel was more elegant. — a month ago

Michael David Winery

Earthquake Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

I didn’t have expectations when I opened this bottle, but Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon proved to be a nice discovery. This 2021 Lodi cab delivers beyond its modest price point, opening with an assertive nose that hints at the intensity to come.

The first taste reveals bold, concentrated dark fruit that dominates the palate—ripe blackberry takes center stage, supported by layers of black cherry that add depth and complexity. There’s a jammy richness here that speaks to Lodi’s warm climate and the wine’s full ripeness at harvest. What genuinely surprised me was the balance. Despite the fruit-forward intensity, there’s nothing cloying or one-dimensional about this Cabernet.

The oak integration is particularly well-handled, providing a smooth, vanilla-tinged backdrop that rounds out the wine’s edges without overwhelming the fruit. The finish lingers pleasantly, carrying those dark berry notes through with a silky texture that makes this remarkably easy to drink.

Rating: recommend for every day drinking 
— 17 days ago

Justin ScarboroughDaniel HaassChris Smith
with Justin, Daniel and 1 other