Nathan Renfro

9.8

Nice ripe black fruit on the nose. Dense plush yet supple tannins hold together a gorgeous black fruit forward taste with an incredibly plush mouthfeel. Crème de cassis, lead, graphite, dark chocolate. Big and bold, incredibly structured. Finish that lingers for 45+ seconds. Drinking fantastic pnp now. Could have decades left, but I doubt my last few bottles will make it that long. Amazing wine from Andy Erickson that JD gave a 99, and is tasting almost perfect now. — a year ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.7

Nice 👍🏼, definitely a 4 hour decant or 5-10 year hold $150. 00 on release but it has the stuffing of a $250.00 bottle, Parker 98 + review This is the second vintage from Seven Apart—a blend coming from Stag's Ridge vineyard, located up on Atlas Peak, and Base Camp vineyard, located seven miles down the mountain (hence the name). The winemaker here is Andy Erickson, formerly at Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate and currently also consulting winemaker at Dalla Valle (among others). The upper vineyard (Stag's Ridge) is planted to mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Seven miles down the road, where Soda Canyon Road meets the Silverado Trail, is the four-acre Base Camp vineyard, planted in the mid-1990s to Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Base Camp was planted in 1994 and 1998. Opaque purple-black in color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Expedition erupts from the glass with explosive scents of boysenberry preserves, blueberry pie and Black Forest cake, plus suggestions of molten chocolate, licorice, tar and violets, with a waft of sandalwood. The full-bodied palate is full-on rich and decadent, exuding layer upon layer of opulent black and blue fruit preserves with bags of exotic spice accents and a long, fragrant finish. Pure hedonism. It is tantalizingly delicious right now, but give it 3-4 years in bottle to blow off that puppy fat, and drink it over the next 25 years+. — 2 years ago

Dimes

9.0

Yeah one of the best cabs I’ve ever bought for less than $15 bucks hit it with that pesto and some big city blues — 4 years ago

David Shaw

9.2

Mexican-Style Chocolate Stout. 8.1% alc/vol Foamy brown on pour, slightly syrupy mouthfeel, slight sweetness. Smell of hops, vanilla, cinnamon, flavor of chocolate, hop bitterness, hints of nutmeg and Padilla chili pepper. I suspect it’s all chocolate malt here, and nary a cacao nib. Still, very well crafted and tasty — 2 years ago

Allison Brookins

10

Erickson fine wines Recommendation — 3 years ago

Mike R

9.5

I love cab franc dominant Napa valley wines - I love Andy Erickson wines - I was not planning multiple bottle Friday but the bottles were going down so smoothly and night was young we just had to do it - going to make my golf tournament today a little tougher but it was worth it

This wine was speaking clearly and loudly - man did this wine have gorgeous legs - and it was such a vibrant color in the decanter and the glass - deep ruby red - then a small whiff and man did I get excited - caramel mixed with red and blue fruits - tasting was mind blowing - I mean we tasted after drinking a great bottle previously and it was able to stand out - and it got better as the glasses were being poured - I wish this could go for years but fear based on this bottle will have five more years but it is drinking perfectly - all smiles on a Friday night — 4 years ago

Ignacio Sarmiento

9.1

Deer Vallley - Stein Erickson — 4 years ago

Martinez

9.4

Vega Sicilia’s entry-level red, 100% Tempranillo from 30 years old vineyards in Padilla, Valbuena de Duero y Pesquera de Duero. Modern-style Ribera del Duero. Aged in French oak barrels for 12-14 months. Dark ruby color. Complex nose with aromas of red and dark fruit (dark cherry, ripe blackberries), smoke, mint, sweet spices and a whiff of vanilla. Pure, fresh and juicy. Medium to full bodied, silky, very elegant, balanced. Good acidity — 2 years ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.8

Thats some great juice @Benoit Touquette wine.👍🏼
Winery notes

STORY

Benoit Touquette has continued to serve as winemaker since 2006.

The first vines the family planted were one acre of Bosche clone Cabernet Sauvignon grafted to budwood provided by Dick Grace of Grace Family Vineyards. The first few vintages were also made at Grace Family Vineyards, until the winery on the estate was completed, with Andy Erickson as winemaker. The winery's first release was an estate Cabernet Sauvignon in 1990, which sold out immediately, and with subsequent vintages, Hartwell established a reputation for fine Cabernet Sauvignon.

Over the years, other parcels of the property were planted, allowing the winery to produce other Cabernet Sauvignons, as well as Merlot, a red dessert wine, and a red wine blend. In 2006, the Hartwells purchased a 4.5-acre vineyard in Carneros from which they produce a Bordeaux-inspired Sauvignon Blanc, and brought acclaimed winemaker Benoit Touquette on board to oversee production.


Hartwell Vineyards was founded in 1986 when Bob Hartwell purchased 90 acres of Wappo Hill—the half of Wappo Hill not owned by Robert Mondavi—in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.

The fruit for the T5 Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the highest point on the Hartwell estate, blocks 14 and 15, which were planted to Bosche clone 30 years ago. The 100% Cabernet wine ages for two years in T5 barriques, rare and prized barrels from famed French cooperage house, Taransaud. These barrels are toasted and crafted from five-year seasoned staves by coopers who have been awarded the title of “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (Best Craftsman in France). Much like some of the finest wines, they are available only to a select list of customers due to their limited availability.

Each year, a mere 100 cases of Hartwell T5 are produced, available only by allocation to members of the T5 Cabernet Sauvignon wine club. — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Arietta Wines lunch with owner Fritz. We were able to taste through some current releases as well as some reserve wines Fritz brought with him personally. A treat to enjoy these Andy Erickson wines!

Definitely the most fun wine on the table. Merlot and Syrah blend. I believe this is around the time John Kongsgaard was leaving and Andy Erickson was arriving. Quite wild, and both sweet and savory. Black cherry tart, peppercorn crusted rhubarb, red licorice, and a sweet smoke to the nose. Tangy red fruits, espresso and cocoa bits on the palate with a finish that shows tea leaf and fig. Delicious! — 4 years ago