Deborah M

9.4

Friday wine. This was a easy choice for National Women’s History month. An iconic winemaker. A true trailblazer. Exceptional wines. An endless amount of superlatives that can go with Cathy Corison. Her wines are described as having both elegance and power.

2013 Corison Cabernet was perfection in my glass last night. Winemaker notes describe the wine as having aromas and flavors tend toward the dark end of the Cabernet fruit spectrum with blueberries, black cherries, blackberries and dark plums all singing in close harmony. Complexing notes include tobacco, baking spices, chocolate, and savory herbs including sage, thyme and basil. Floral notes of violets and rose petals play with a notable stony minerality in the aromas and long finish. 13.5%ABV. I described this wine as being both elegant and stunning.

Grateful for the women who busted through those glass ceilings. Grateful for the trailblazers. — 6 days ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.1

Not what I was hoping for,
Gave it some air but not too much so that we didn’t lose the sweet spot. Didn’t touch the Shafer until this was finished. Just a typical older Bordeaux blend from Napa but very ordinary considering the price point. Secondary market purchase so who knows prior storage. — 20 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (88%) with small amounts of Merlot, Petite Verdot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc. Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate and pleasant oak. Bold dark fruits fill the pallet along with hints of coffee and a touch of minerality on the long and luxurious finish. Fresh acidity and lush tannins. Approachable now, but will continue to further develop with additional bottle age. Quite good. — 7 days ago

Brian Hearty

9.1

2008. Phinney-era Prisoner. Aged extremely well, which in this case means it maintained its big fruit up front while the tannins and booziness have disappeared. Our guests enjoyed the Barbaresco with dinner, but really liked the dark sweet fruits in this wine. — 9 days ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Tasted blind. Dark, dark black scarlet color. Opaque times 2. Notes of black cherry, licorice, herbs and violets. Some menthol too. Big and strong in the mouth. Monolithic and still a bit harsh despite being open all day. Not as big a fan of this as others, at least at this point in its evolution. — 20 days ago

Marc Chiapperino

9.0

very soft drinking Cab and probably should have waited a few years to open a 2020 vintage. Nice flavor profile but was expecting a bolder finish. lets see how it opens up. Very Good but not the powerhouse I was hoping for. — 5 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Nice Napa Cab. Blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petite Verdot. Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of dark cherry compote, baking spices, violets, caramel and fresh herbs. The lush pallet also features cooked dark berry fruit, cocoa and baking spices along with a very nice mineral note. Hint of vanilla and oak on the very lengthy finish. Beautifully rich and complex. Mouth drying tannins and a firm structure. Lovely balance. Elegant. — 12 days ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind. Dark reddish tawny, almost opaque. "Wild ass nose" my notes say. Notes of red fruit, plums, spice, moist earth, a little mocha and some old leather. Lively fruit matched with a nice structure. I'm in old Bordeaux land with my guess of 61 Mouton. Table talk points out how ultra rare this bottle is, with those in the know viewing it as one of the best CA cabs ever made. Hard for me to argue that as it sits next to the 74 Heitz MV and goes toe to toe with it all night. — 20 days ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

Tasted blind. Dark tawny color, mostly opaque. Eucalyptus nose. Also notes of black fruit, dusty earth, some wood and sweet spice. Well balanced in the mouth, with fruit and structure in harmony. I guess 78 HMV. Great wine! One of the best Cal Cabs I've had. — 20 days ago

Steve Ramee

9.2

We had a 3L 2004 bottle with beautiful gold etching for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners 2022. Excellent fruit and no tannins. Complexity of an aged Bordeaux style Napa Cab. Great nose and long finish. Couldn’t have wanted anything better. — 7 days ago