Black Ranch

Vine Hill Ranch

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Big polished and showing a hint of heat. Happily the oak isn’t too pronounced. For me this baby needs time. — 9 days ago

Tom, Joel and 2 others liked this

Abreu Vineyards

Madrona Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

+1 hour decant(lots of fine/cloudy sediment). A splendid still inky dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: expressive notes of dark red fruit, currants, smoked meat, tobacco leaf, scorched earth, nutmeg. Taste: silky, layered, rich wine with ripe blackberry/blueberry, earth, baking spice, chocolate, and a long minerally espresso never-ending finish. YUM!! — 2 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Joe and 15 others liked this

Arnot-Roberts

Watson Ranch Chardonnay 2024

Like a fine burgundy, delicious — 2 months ago

Etude

Estate Grown Grace Benoist Ranch Pinot Noir 2011

A gift from a friend, this is lovely, with a bit of tobacco on the nose and lively cherry and strawberry flavors on the palate. The finish goes on and on. — 3 months ago

Arnot-Roberts

Clary Ranch Syrah 2017

A bit of the old house style, not as focused as the recent 2013. Still a reference in balance for CA. — 3 months ago

Austin, Tom and 6 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1984

This bottle of the 1984 Insignia was opened about 30min before service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The wine pours a deep garnet with a slightly browning rim and an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and plenty of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of desiccated black fruits: blackberries, black cherry, Chunky beef stew, mushroom, eucalyptus, leather, organic earth and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A mature wine what’s still lovely; full of secondary and tertiary notes. Drink now. — 3 months ago

Tom, Daniel and 9 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Cool 😎

Pax Mahle Wines

Castelli-Knight Ranch Syrah 2005

Perfectly balanced, no browning on the edges, long finish — 4 months ago

Robert Biale Vineyards

Black Chicken Napa Valley Zinfandel 2023

Tao Las Vegas — a month ago

Tommy HadleyJim Hadley
with Tommy and Jim
Shay, Neil and 3 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Pagani Ranch Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Blend 2023

Found it! This is a light-handed Zin, and very delicious. Thanks for the recommendation! @Doug Powers @Anthony De Blasi
Listening to a little Depeche Mode!!
— 2 months ago

Ray, Tom and 15 others liked this
Anthony De Blasi

Anthony De Blasi

@Dave sorry, today is the first time in weeks that Delectable kind of works again…it’s a pleasure to see that you play Depeche Mode at one of my recommendations 🤩

Failla

Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2023

Very nice and truly enjoyed. — 2 months ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1988

More of a suave & polished version of LB that is showing well at 38 yrs. Notes of red & black fruits, spice box, earth, cedar, floral, leather & tobacco — 2 months ago

Rob, Tom and 8 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

I’ll just commence this tasting note to see if it is accepted. Dense Ruby in colour. Blackcurrant and tobacco notes - ripe blue and black fruits - luscious texture. Anytime I’ve had a Napa (or Washington State) Cabernet I have always been impressed - probably better than most good Aussie Cabernets (and more expensive). Has a good future but irresistible right now. Have the last bottle in a year or two. Interestingly reverse osmosis was used to reduce the alcohol. Now at 13.9%. — 2 months ago

Jeroen, "Odedi" and 12 others liked this
Jose Lorenzo

Jose Lorenzo

One of the finest California vineyards. Especially to sit on for a while. Cheers
Joshua Fisher

Joshua Fisher Influencer Badge

This is a top producer for Napa Valley.

Château Pontet-Canet

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

Still youthful showing red & black fruits, cedar, leather, graphite, spice & tobacco — 4 months ago

David, Dave and 17 others liked this
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Nice age here

Château Cos d'Estournel

Saint-Estèphe Red Bordeaux Blend 2008

This was showing beautifully with good richness, balance, red & black fruits, earth, spice box, cedar, leather & tobacco notes — 9 days ago

Jean-Philip, Joel and 8 others liked this

Château Montrose

Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2008

Mostly black fruits, cedar, leather, sweet spices, mocha & tobacco — a month ago

Jeroen, Jan and 6 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

Inspire Napa...Best of Oakville wine tasting
Moderated by Antonio Galloni, founder Vinous

WINES
2023 Favia cabernet
2016 Dalla Valle Maya
2013 Opus One
2023 Gamble estates cab
2023 Vine Hill Ranch cab
2023 Keplinger cab franc Detert vineyard

PANEL
Tom Gamble...Gamble estates
Ray Isle...wine editor,  Food and Wine
Bruce Phillips...owner Vine Hill Ranch
Michael Silacca...winemaker, Opus One
Maya  Dalla Valle...winemaker Dalla Valle
— 2 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Brenda and 12 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Nice line up. Particularly fond of Helen‘s work. 
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

@Somm David T Agree, especially her GSM blends. This is her first vintage(not even released yet) working with the Detert vineyard
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

I tasted her 23 cabs with her husband DJ not long ago.

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

[Tasted on March 19, 2026 at Home]

Blackberry and black cherry fruit, with vanilla, chocolate and licorice notes. Plush wine which has aged well.
— 3 months ago

Château Léoville-Las Cases

Grand Vin de Leoville du Marquis de las Cases Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Youthful, structured with red & black fruits, currant, cedar, spice & tobacco — 4 months ago

Joel, Tom and 10 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2017

Deep cherry red. Oak+ vanilla clove nutmeg. Black currant++ blueberry black cherry and berry. Leather+ meat. Elegancy more than complexity. It changed a lot over time. 30 min the started feeling the value of this. Compared with the last one, it has big potential, though it has already been ready to drink, since it is 2017 vintage. Fruitiness M Sweetness M+ Acidity M Silky Tannin M+ Bitterness M Body M++ Finish M++ 13.5% Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 17 @110000, AD, 250226 — 4 months ago

Sagee and "Odedi" liked this