David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

This is K&L Wine Merchants private label wine. Named after family, Kay & Linda.

It is always a mystery who’s juice they bottled or who they bought fruit to and made the wine. Regardless, it always over delivers at $21.99.

Might have waited a couple years too long to get its best. Need to let it settle on palate before sharing more thoughts. Starting a little lean on the palate but, what a floral nose. We’ll see what a longer decant and palate coating brings.

As I mentioned, the nose is singing with ruby, candied florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue. The fruits are a little stewed; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries and blueberries that hover. Mid, soft, dark spice, light baking spices of; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, steeped fruit tea, dark, rich, moist soil with dry leaves, older tobacco, soft leather, saddle-wood, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry, river stones, shades of dry herbs, ambers, touch of savory meats & black pepper, & tomatoes with leaf.

The nose is more captivating than the body. It’s complex but at the same time flatter. The palate shows; ripe, stewed & candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries, pomegranate and blueberries on the backend. Mid, soft, dark spice with just the right amount of heat, cherry kirsch, light baking spices of; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, steeped fruit tea, dark, rich, moist soil with dry leaves, older tobacco, soft leather, saddle-wood, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry, river stones, moist to dry clay, shades of dry herbs, ambers, touch of savory meats & black pepper, & tomatoes with leaf. The acidity is a cool Colorado stream. The finish is; well knitted, balanced fruit & earth elegant, lush, despite its complexity, a little hallow yet persisting minutes, falling onto dry soils & spice.

As I stated, still enjoyable but, at its peak two years ago from my secondary storage. However, the longer I sip it, it pushes 9.0 on the long set. Time to start drinking a number of wines I’ve stepped over for bigger experiences & more notable producers.

Photos of, the K&L store in SF, tasting bar & two different photos of K&L Bordeaux Dinners we’ve attended with Owner Clyde Beffa Jr. — 6 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Only 10 cases produced (best Pritchard Hill cabernet lots, 22 months new French oak). Premiere Napa Valley - auction of very unique small lot one-off wines from Napa.

1.5 hour decant (lots of chunky sediment). A stunning inky dark purplish garnet color with little signs of aging. On the nose: dark plum, currants, floral, spice, cherry, tobacco, creme de cassis. Taste: WOW, had to buckle my seat belt....soft, rich, juicy, elegant, and balanced wine with blackberry, minerals, cedar, red plum, crushed rocks, and a beautiful black licorice long finish. YUM. Cheers! — 3 days ago

"Odedi"

9.0

Nik Pegasus Winery Mystic Pearl Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Central Coast, California

Ruby in color with a wide cloudy, reddish rim.

Sweet nose of sweet cherries, blueberries, plums, light oak, licorice, vanilla, tobacco, chocolates, coffee and black pepper.

Full bodied and soft, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, tobacco, espresso and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins.

This is a very nice Cabernet Sauvignon from Central Coast in California. Showing mild complexity with a nice, soft mouthfeel. Nicely balanced and fruit forward.

Good right out of the bottle and better with some time. Tannins show up after 90 minutes, and even nicer after 3 hours of airtime.

Still young and would be better in a few years. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 to 5 years.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. Paired very nicely with the Prosciutto.

Aged for 19 months in French and American oak barrels.

13.8% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$43. — 11 days ago

Shay A

9.2

A bottle that I had forgotten about in my cellar. Curiosity got the best of me as I think 2012 Napa cabs are entering a sweet spot.

This deserved a decant, honestly. Consumed from the bottle over the course of an hour or so, and the last glass was the best. I wouldn’t say this is an old school cab (although their history is), I’d say this is more in between old school and modern. Something for everyone to enjoy here. Aromatically, this was very floral...potpourri, slight note of herbs and just starting to channel a bit of secondary notes (tobacco, bay leaf). It sports a beautiful red/purple/black color variation in the glass with some translucence. On the palate, very classic...tar, kirsch, black currant, mocha, dark chocolate covered black cherries, and some baking spices toward the finish. The finish here really is starting to integrate as there is no harsh tannin or overt oak. Not quite warm vintage left bank Bordeaux, but trending that direction style wise. If opening now, decant 2-3hrs, or hold for another 3-5yrs easily to enjoy this drinking window. — 16 hours ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Covenant Israel Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Israel

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is tasty one from Israel.

A very pretty color of ruby with a very wide reddish/ brick rim.

Fruity nose with blueberries, blackcurrants, black plums, oak, licorice, earth, cloves, spices, light alcohol, light vanilla, coffee, light vegetables, pencil lead, tobacco and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cherries, tobacco leaf, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth and light vegetables.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel. Nicely balanced with a nice, soft mouthfeel.

Still very young and would benefit from a few years in the bottle, although it doesn't drink like a young wine at all. Very interesting and very well put together. Feels like a Bordeaux with a new world twist.

Has good potential to become a great wine in 5 to 7 years. Would be interesting to check it out again then.

Showing nice complexity after 90 minutes of airtime, and good right out of the bottle, as well.

I paired it with cheeses and crackers.

Fermented with indigenous yeast, and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Kosher. Not Mevushal.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$90. — 8 days ago

Bruce Leboff

9.3

Big and bold. Huge wine with lots of tannins and structure took 90 minutes to soften and reigns iur the sharp edges. Years to go on this one. — a day ago

with Danielle and David

"Odedi"

9.3

We have a new president! Time for a Celebratory wine 🍷

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose with cedar, blackberries, vanilla, licorice, black plums, black currants, raisins, figs, chocolates, cola, earth, coffee, spices, violets and black pepper.

Full bodied, elegant and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, dark chocolates, peppercorn, tobacco and light herbs.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel.

Easy drinking and elegant. Nicely balanced, fruit forward and spicy.

Good right out of the bottle and better with some air time (90 minutes).

This 5 year old is still young, and will age nicely in the next 10 years.
Nice to see a Napa Cabernet that is not too high in alcohol.

Good by itself or with food. A great sipping wine by the porch, but will be great with a piece of steak too.

A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Aged for 27 months in French Oak barrels (50% new). A very small production of only 1,600 bottles.

14.1% alcohol by alcohol.

93 points

$120. — 4 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Time to add some Merlot to our life, on this #MerlotThursday. This Meritage blend will have to do.

This is a very tasty red blend from Sonoma County. Nicely balanced, spicy and tangy with a nice mouthfeel and nice complexity.

Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates, tobacco, peppercorn, graphite and dark coffee.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

Good by itself or with food. I let it open up in a decanter for 3 hours.

Should age nicely in the next 5 years.

Paired very nicely with the Camembert cheese.

A blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 6% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$38. — 3 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

A very nice Napa Cabernet Sauvignon from the great 2014 vintage.

Showing black plums, sweet cherries, coffee, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates and tobacco.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Good by itself or with food and a great sipping wine.

This 6 year old is drinking very nicely now. Tasty and delicious.

A blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$90 — 2 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

The 30th Anniversary of this signature wine grapes Puente Alto vineyard, deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits and espresso notes, a blend of 98% Cab Sauv & 2% aged for 15 month in French oak (66% new). On the palate flavors of black cherry and  blackberry with herb, tobacco and smoky oak spice notes. Firm tight tannins, long finish ending with fruit, cacao and toasty spice, needs time to develop, cellar a while! Tasting Sample! — 2 days ago