Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I used to drink this producer in the late 90’s & early 2000’s. I’ve been revisiting older vintages based on recent price points. I think they sold a bunch of their cellar for revenue. It is out of need after the Glass Fires. They were somewhat consumed by it. The winery & part of their vineyards. Unfortunate!!!

Decanted an hour and enjoyed over 2-3 hours.

I was further inspired to acquire the 2006 by @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego who posted more than respectful thoughts of the 2006 not long ago. So, I acquired some winery stored bottles at $39. A more than fair price point. The cork had a millimeter or less along its side. The bottle neck showed trapped tannins. Extremely solid.

The nose is inviting. Slightly smoky & nicely ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries and pomegranate. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola/licorice-red vines, soft dry tobacco, used leather, very soft graphite, graceful herbaceous notes, whiff with black & white pepper, dark, rich soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms.

The entry is elegant, ripe, slightly rich with nothing bitty. Medium, softened, mushy tannins. It shows nearly perfect elegance at or just and I mean just the other side of its peak. Ripe; dark core of blackberries, dark cherries, poached/baked strawberries, plum, blueberries, raspberries and pomegranate hues. Slate, gentle, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, mid & light berry cola, soft dry, used tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, herbaceous notes, stem inclusion, some black & white pepper, dark spice box with mid intensity palate heat, layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & understated vanillin, dark chocolate, caramel, steeped teas, moist to dry volcanic clays, rich, dark, almost sweet soils, mix of limestone/sandstone, red florals/roses, dark florals and purple lily blossoms, very nice acidity, evolved, well-knitted, balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant finish that lasts nearly two-minutes and long sets on spice and beautiful earthiness. This will drink nicely for another 5+ yrs.

A good revisit and perhaps the most elegant Cain Five I’ve had.

Photos of; the Cain Five vineyards, Chris Howell-Winemaker, pressed grapes and the somewhat unglamorous cleaning out of stainless steel tanks after initial fermentation. — 3 months ago

ESF

9.0

took a flyer on this based on @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego review and I agree - charming little wine, great QPR, balanced, plenty of stuffing & some polish. Legit southern FR blend, generous smooth well-knit — a year ago

Ericsson

9.6

As my friend @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego just said. It’s like The Holy Grail. Cheers. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1986 vintage. Tasted through 5 bottles at a 1986 BDX dinner at Mister A's-San Diego. Double decanted and tasted over 5 hours. Tremendous bottle variation in the nose. That expected, light Beychevelle body (similar to L'Evangile in Pomerol) aping Burgundy. Bouquet was all over the place but the five bottles consistently sung. Yes, there was brett here and there. Did it DQ any particular bottle(s)? Not from my perch. Better than anticipated. Can see this going steady in this phase for another 4-5 years before dropping down a notch. 3.14.24. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

1986 vintage. Ripped through six bottles (one corked) for a 1986 BDX dinner @ Mister A's-San Diego. All bottles appropriately aged fill and decent+ corks. Double decanted and tasted over the course of 5 hours. Mix of powdery and stubborn (non-chunky) sed amongst the 6 bottles. Light-medium body throughout. Somewhat muted experience overall. None of the bottles (with variation) shone/sung. Wine is firmly on the downside of the bell curve with best days behind it (based on the 5 + corked bottle examples). There was none of the usual P-L flavor markers but the body hung in there. Pains me to say this but drink up now unless you've got a larger format bottle. Maggie (+) would probably yield a higher score. 3.14.24. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2015 vintage. Nicolas Jay 10th Anniversary wine dinner @Mister A’s Restaurant-San Diego. 4.12.26. — 3 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

What can I say great juice / and such an unexpected gift from Scott over lunch (he is special the best som i ever met). If you happen to be in San Diego stop by at Mister A’s it’s a classy place / bring a jacket wear a nice shirt. Spectacular views. I expect the rating to go up with time: — 5 months ago

romo

9.4

Awesome selection from @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego with forward aromatics of black tea and soil. Firm palate with elegant lift and spice finish. Wow. — 6 months ago

Ericsson

9.1

Poured by the man himself. @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego. Cheers. — a year ago

Paul K

9.2

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego great minds! — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1986 vintage. 5 bottles tasted for a 1986 vintage BDX dinner @ Mister A's-San Diego. This was up against other 1986's Pichon-Lalande, Beychevelle, Gruaud-Larose, Montrose and Cos. Double decanted and tasted over 5 hours. Respectable sed. Effin pop and pour now. Right right now. The clear winner. So good with balance and enough fruit without having to reach or rationalize. If you're not able to access for 7-10 years, you should be okay. Delicious. 3.14.24. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

1986 vintage. Sampled five bottles for a 1986 BDX tasting @ Mister A's in San Diego. Double decanted and tasted over four hours. Medium body. Pretty rustic early on and that stayed consistent till the end. Opened up a little later with a splash of bright cherry fruit. Should stay the course for another 5-6 years. 3.14.24 — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2020 vintage. @ Mister A's Restaurant-San Diego-Les Caves de St. Charles CDP dinner. Medium body. Leaner and meaner flavors with a hefty dollop of cracked black pepper on the finish. 11.16.23. — 3 years ago

Dave

9.1

Really dark fruit and a splash of mint. To quote Led Zeppelin and the legendary @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego , you gotta whole lotta oak, you gotta whole lotta oak 🎶
Listening to Supersuckers — 3 months ago

Paul K

9.5

Loved this! 3/4 WOTN. For review see @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego!!! Much better than I would do for this beautiful wine. — 5 months ago

Dave

8.9

A very happy find, this grenache/syrah blend. It's heavy on the cassis, licorice, and stone. Some blood orange on the bitter-ish finish. But, not unpleasant in any way. I agree with Scott's note: This wine does go down softer than most CDR's. @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
Listening to Vince Guaraldi (Peanuts Christmas) — 8 months ago

Ericsson

9.2

Perfect wine to open the palate and the appetite. Compliments of @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego. Cheers to drinking with friends I’ve made on @Bev Delectable. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

1986 vintage. Tasted through 5 bottles for a Mister A's 1986 BDX dinner. Double decanted and tasted over the spell of 5 hours. Light-medium body. G-L always on the subtle side of things. All 5 bottles fairly light sediment. The mid-palate really shone throughout. No exemplary notes other than performing as G-L do. Cedar, Dust, Mushrooms. Dry Earth. Will likely hang out here for another 4-5 years. 3.14.24. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2022 vintage. @ Mister A’s Restaurant, San Diego-Les Caves de St. Charles CDP dinner. 100% Roussanne-driven. Initial mineral indication of interest, broad mid-palate transition, yang-styled, white grape “fat” on the judiciously-honeyed finish. Wowzers. Grab you some if you can find it. 95 cases produced. Good luck with that. 11.16.23. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2017 vintage. Mount Eden Vineyards wine dinner @Mister A’s Restaurant-San Diego. Orange oil, crème brûlée and pear in the nose. Some overripe, red delicious apple joins in with those impressions on the flavor side of things. Heavy body and somewhat unctuous. Just enough acidity to maintain order and stay out of Flabbytown. 4.20.23. — 3 years ago