Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Most of the wines I open tell me a story w/ each sip. Most tied to my late wife Sofia. My memories of this producer precedes her.

This is a producer that flashed early in my wine journey. Generally, one you have moved on from today. That’s until, their 2013 is offered at $39 recently. A grand vintage. For me, I wanted to see the wineries progression and experience earlier memories that flood back w/ each sip. It has done that.

I have a Napa history infatuation. This one is kinda of a pleasure-pain thing. While I enjoyed this producer many years ago, the 2020 Glass Fires destroyed 90% of their vineyards, almost all their structures & their 19 & 20 vintages. I can’t express enough what a gut punch that is for its owners & staff. It is an insurance nightmare and let’s not forget that after all the time it takes to re-plant vines, it takes at least 7 years before you get useable fruit to make wine. So…a ten yr plus setback w/ nearly no revenue stream.

The wine tonight w/o a ribeye, showed excellent fruits that the 13 growing season brought. But what followed was a lean mid plate and finish. With the steak, not so.

The palate shows M+ velvety, dry tannins. Ripe, rich, lush, ruby fruits of: blackberries, black plum, baked plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, poached & fresh strawberries & an understated array of purple fruits. Moist, grey, volcanic clays, moist tobacco w/ ash, used leather, graphite, dry, crushed rocks/limestone-sandstone, dry brush, dark cola, black licorice to anise, dry herbs-bay leaf, sage, dark, mid spice with some palate heat, sweet tarriness, dark, fresh, candied & withering red roses, lavender & dry violets, excellent acidity with a well balanced-knitted, nicely structured & tensioned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and long sets on dry earth & spice.

This is nice on its own but so much better with a ribeye. 92 on its own with a hour decant. 92-93+ with an hour decant plus a juicy, well seasoned MR ribeye. — 7 hours ago

Frank B

9.3

Really like this one. Not to oaked or buttered. — 13 days ago

Charlie Frago

9.0

Overall nice red blend. Well balanced, moderate fruit. Enjoyed — 15 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Fairly consistent throughout. The 2004 pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and slightly desiccated, black and red fruits: black currants, blackberries, black cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, pencil shavings, purple flowers, dry rocky earth, a touch of leather, and a combination of cool and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (that is well integrated), and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. Showing really well and squarely in the zone. Drink now through 2034. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2022 vintage. One of the better Napa cab 2022's I've had. That Cade style...2.18.26. — 10 days ago

Rob N

9.3

Great balanced full fruit low tannin Napa cab. $130? — 18 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2005 vintage. Nice fill. Opened with a Durand. Perfect cork. Decanted and tasted after one hour and 2 hours. Respectable amount of sed. Barely medium body. Magical. That twenty-year spell that Spring Mountain casts found this casually tossing out espresso crema, grilled dark plum, cassis and sandalwood. Can't see this improving but can it hold steady for a gauntlet of 7-10 years? Hell yes. Contribution to the FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch). 2.13.26. — 14 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2013 vintage. Captures more than a bit of that old-school, 80's-90's Laurel Glen magic and oomph. Firing right now and for the foreseeable future. Medium/medium-heavy body. 2.18.26. — 10 days ago

Scott Rapacki

9.3

Happy Valentine’s Day!! — 13 days ago

with Adrienne

Heather Rostker

9.6

Excellent — 6 days ago

with Emmett and Brian