Cape Spring

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Elivette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

Great. But the fruit dissipated quickly (30 minutes). Still solid tertiary structure, but it’s a drink in the next 1-2 years for peak experience. You have been notified, @Paul K — 8 days ago

Dave, Rick and 2 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Thanks @James K Do you have any left? I have found SMV wines to have quite a bit of bottle variation when you get > 10 years. I have loved the ‘12s and been just meh about them at times. I don’t know if it’s the size and quantity of production or style? Anyway, I hope you have another and try in a year or so. Would love to see if you have a different experience.

Ken Forrester

The FMC Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2024

I love Chenin Blanc. And South Africa is a master of Chenin Blanc. The FMC never disappoints. Vanilla a cream and passion fruit. Complex. — 11 hours ago

Barny and Tom liked this

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1992

1992 vintage. 6.24.26. — 24 days ago

"Odedi", Ted and 7 others liked this
ESF

ESF

👀

Philip Togni Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.6

This is a producer that should be more revered than it is. His 90’s were amongst my favorite Napa Cabernets. Especially, the 94, which is exceptional and I’ve had on 3-4 occasions.

2007 is a grand vintage but this one needs more cellaring. It is still in its adolescence. I would like to try this in another 8-10 yrs. Don’t get me wrong, this drinks nicely now but it’s best is still ahead.

I coravined & decanted this in a big Bordeaux glass for an hour and it is still a 1/2 monster.

The nose shows; dark currents/cassis, blackberries, black plum w/ skin, very black cherries, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries with understated raspberries in the glass edges, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mocha powder, caramel, chocolate baking bar, understated baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, both black & red licorice/cola, moist herbs, tree sap, limestone, dry top soils-river stone and beautiful, withering/candied dark & red florals framed in candied violets.

The M+ tannins are round, velvety, dusty and still meaty. Dark currents/cassis, blackberries, black plum w/ skin, very black cherries, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, liqueur cherries with understated, hovering raspberries. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mocha powder, caramel, chocolate baking bar, understated baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, both black & red licorice/cola, moist herbs, tree sap, soft, moist cigar box, leather, anise, rounded very dark spices, moist clays, limestone, dry top soils-river stone and beautiful, withering/candied dark & red florals framed in candied violets, very round, pleasant acidity with balance for days, still pronounced structure/tension, great length and a smartly, polished, ruby two-minute finish that long sets on on deep, dark spice, earthiness & ruby, dark currents.

Right now a Filet steak, not a fatty steak, Ribeye or Ribcap.

Still so youthful! Add a point or two in 7-10 yrs. .

Philip is in his 90’s and still involved in the winemaking. He walks the property daily.
— 3 months ago

Jeroen, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this
Jeroen Koenen

Jeroen Koenen

A personal favorite! The 1997 iteration of this wine converted me, being a classic Bordeauxphile, into American wines some 20 years ago. Thank you for that, Mr. Togni.

Mullineux Family Wines

Swartland Syrah 2023

Deep cherry red with violet. Black pepper. Blueberry blackberry leather nutmeg clove
Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M Acidity M Tannin M+ Soft Bitterness M Body M+ Finish M 14% Elegant but Concentrated Robust Mullineux Family Wines Swartland Syrah 23 @6160, AD, 251225
— 7 months ago

A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines

Secateurs Swartland Chenin Blanc

This was fantastic honey, apple, waxy, and mineral all for less than 20 dollars — 8 months ago

Smith Madrone

Estate Bottled Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Earthy nose with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, chocolates, Indian spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, earth, dark chocolates, green vegetables and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cherries, oak, dark chocolates, coffee, spices, earth, black tea, light green vegetables and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a young Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley. Elegant and nicely balanced. Fruit forward and complex, with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Left Bank Bordeaux.

Needed 3 hours in the decanter to open up properly, so be patient.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

I've had a few different vintages of this wine and this vintage seems to be more approachable at this young age.

Delicious by itself, and paired beautifully with the beef brisket.

A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels for 18 months.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70.
— 22 days ago

Tom, Dave and 8 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Always a (relatively) good value for Napa Cab.

Meerlust

Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2006

Wine 1500 🙈 ; opened for World Cup starting 2026 Mexico and South Africa; The cork popped off…; but still managed to get the fine juice out 😉; Vintage 2006, just like the „Summer Fairy Tale“ of the World Cup in Germany; and the wine leaves you wanting more „mehr Lust“, beautifully aged, fine fruit 😋 Wishing everyone a wonderful and peaceful World Cup — a month ago

Dave, Angelo and 2 others liked this

Rustenberg

Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2025

3/19/26 - Boma African buffet - 2025 vintage - really solid chard — 4 months ago

Boekenhoutskloof

The Chocolate Block Cinsault Blend 2023

Light fruity aroma, dark red, medium body, dry and succulent, dark fruit flavor, paired nicely with venison. — 5 months ago

Sadie Family

Palladius Swartland White Blend 2011

Vintage 2018 | paired with turkey cream sauce — 7 months ago

Rob, Tom and 6 others liked this

Cain Vineyard & Winery

Cain Five Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

2015 vintage. Sampled from Coravin. Medium body. The monstrous tannins tamed somewhat...as they meet a decade+. Absolutely, top-notch nose. If you both respect the exuberance of youth and celebrate the wisdom of age, this is for you. A fascinating, case study currently. 6.24.26. — 24 days ago

Somm, Doug and 6 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Own this $39 recent purchase
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Somm David T Picked up a case.. Gotta dig out the invoice but resto cost was in the $30's. Do recall the 1987 vintage being $13.33 a bottle before the brand decided to make this the benchmark it is.

Klein Constantia

Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Muscat à Petits Grains 2018

Mary H
9.3

An explosion of apricot flavor. Round and smooth, heavy weight, with sufficient but not overt acidity. A beautiful sweet wine. — 8 days ago

Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir 2022

High acidity and light bodied with bright red fruit flavors — a month ago

Joel, Ira and 1 other liked this

Kanonkop Estate

Simonsberg Stellenbosch Pinotage 2015

Vintage 2015 | dark colour, morello cherries, sweet smoked bell pepper, sweetness and elegance — 4 months ago

Dave, Doug and 8 others liked this
Jan de Weerd

Jan de Weerd

That’s great. What is the age ability of Pinotage?
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

@Jan de Weerd 8 to 15 years (and longer) for quality wines

Robert Keenan Winery

Reserve Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Inky beast. I’m probably in the Epstein files now. 2030+ for next bottle — 6 months ago

Jenks, Tom and 1 other liked this

Smith Madrone

Spring Mountain District Riesling 2017

Ming L
9.4

The petrol note is pronounced, yet beautifully integrated. Citrus and tropical tones emerge on the nose, joined by a faint wisp of smoke. The palate has Viognier-like texture, lending weight and shape, while bright, clean-cut acidity is balanced by just a touch of residual sweetness.

It’s puzzling that Napa Valley can produce Riesling of this caliber!
— 7 months ago

Severn and Tom liked this