Raun Kupiec

9.5

Deep smooth fruits, chocolate covered cherries, plum? Very, very smooth. Acidity and balance. Tannins are completely integrated. Was concerned it could have been too young, but no. Very very good. — 2 years ago

with Barbara

David Cox

9.4

Right bank, cab franc forward. Chocolate covered cherry. Mouth drying tannic structure. Great value. — 4 years ago

Jeff Hasmann

9.7

For the fifth and sixth wines of the week, it’s time to raid the cellar. Drinking the ‘05 Cos d’Estournel next to the ‘05 Montrose. For me, aged Cos d’Estournel is the ultimate expression of Bordeaux. Big, tannic, and layered - a wine you don’t think about touching for 15 years. Perhaps because it was my first introduction to fine wine way back in the early ‘90s, Cos has always held a special place for me and, my oh my, the ‘05 does not disappoint. At 78 Cab / 19 Merlot, the wine has the highest proportion of Cabernet in recent memory and is just now entering its ideal drinking window. Deep ruby in color with a bit of bricking, the bouquet opens after a bit of air. Ripe black currants, plum, tobacco leaf, cedar box, and leather on the nose. Also noticeable are prominent hints of incense, a characteristic that is unique to Cos in the best vintages. The entry on the palate is rich and layered evolving with each sip. Layers of ripe black fruit, black tea, graphite, chocolate-covered cherries, and graphite are evident. The tannins are strong but smooth, and hold the layers together in beautiful harmony.. The finish is long and pervasive with strong notes of cassis lingering. Honestly, St Estephe doesn’t get any better than this. A wine to savor over many hours. It has a long life ahead and will improve further with proper cellaring. 2005 vintage on April 20, 2020 — 4 years ago

E & K G

9.3

Light apricot with a dash of pears covered in honey. Brimming with energy and power. Can’t have enough.. — 4 years ago

J. Kim

9.0

Covered with coffee oak but intensely silvery mineral aroma matches it well. — 2 years ago

Bill Bender

9.3

The Beringer Private Reserve Cab is always so dependably solid. This was chock full of fleshy blackberry and bruised plum, a dash of dark chocolate covered tobacco leaf, mature tannins and a smooth persistent finish. Drinking age daughter approved. She said it was nice to finally get a chance to taste alcohol 🤣😉 — 3 years ago

Brandon Boesch

10

Wow! Singing. Menthol, berries, hint of cream, herbs, cassis. I am influenced by drinking with the guy who made this wine while listening to him play songs from the album! Still excellent for an almost 20 year old wine. — 4 years ago

with Randy

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

You should never drink & drive but, it’s ok when it’s Santa’s magical sleigh.

The nose broods; dark cassis & some currants, candied, dark chocolate, covered cherries, blackberries, stewed plum, baked strawberries, sweet tarriness, black licorice, very, dark spices, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon and vanillin notes, wet clay, dry, crushed rocks, limestone minerals, hints graphite, very dark cola to liqueur characteristics, whiff of white pepper, some dry herbs-Rosemary dominant with slight candied, bright, fresh, dark, red florals.

The body is thick, rich & full. I thought this would be near or at its peak but, there is another 3-5 years before it gets there. The structure & tension are still quite powerful. The tannins are round but, thick, tarry, chewy and still well pronounced. It’s good but, lacks a little depth, complexity & character for me. Dark cassis & some currants, candied, dark chocolate, covered cherries, blackberries, stewed plum, baked strawberries, raspberries playing hide & go seek, sweet tarriness, black licorice, strong dark spices with plenty of palate heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick and vanillin notes, wet clay forest floor, shades of mushroom pop up, dry, crushed rocks, limestone minerals, hints graphite, dry tobacco with ash, leathery, very dark cola to liqueur characteristics, white pepper, some dry herbs-Rosemary dominant with slight candied, bright, fresh, dark, red, blue & purple florals. The acidity is like a gentle spring. The long finish is, ripe, ruby, slightly candied, juicy and elegant that falls into seriously pronounced dark spices. Especially, for Merlot.

Good wine...it’s just lacks the depth I look for in a 10 year old red. And, not sure it delivers it down the road. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

The somewhat lesser known “second” wine of Screaming Eagle is actually a much different wine than its big brother as it includes a lot more Merlot in the blend. In fact, the 2011 vintage contained more Merlot (54%) than Cabernet Sauvignon (42%) with the balance covered by Cabernet Franc. However, they still spare no expense in making the wine the very best it can be and, despite being known as the second wine, it’s actually more limited in production than Screagle. This particular bottle was shared by a very generous friend and decanted about 30 minutes before service.

The 2011 Second Flight pours a dark garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity. On the nose, medium+ intensity with pronounced pyrazines imparting green bell pepper along with with tobacco, black bramble fruit, black currants, rich earth, crushed rock, semi-sweet chocolate, dried herbs, purple flowers, baking cocoa, and espresso. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannins (which are very rich and very fine) and medium+ acid. The wine finishes forever long with tobacco, dark fruits, earth, nutmeg other baking spices. I have to admit, this was a killer bottle and probably the best 2011’s I’ve yet to enjoy from Napa. Whoa. — 2 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.6

Happy Father's Day 2020 to all; I'm posting pictures of our fur-kids, an independent and somewhat self-interested bunch. Two boys (9) and two girls (3), all rescued from various locations across the East Coast of the US. They generally bring the utmost of joy to my life on a daily basis.

Nose has blackberry jam on moist leather, minor cedar, very light barnyard notes, grilled blackberry,
blueberry compote, brewed dark roasted coffee, wet garden soil, chocolate vines candy and dried orange peel.

Palate has over-ripe blackberry, wet tanned leather, dark chocolate syrup, dehydrated black cherry, chocolate covered blueberry and moist cedar.

Silky smooth, intense finish running +2m, still showing tannins. Expect this bottle to easily hold another 10+ years without concern, in proper storage.

Decanted ~5h. Paired with well salted (in advance), medium-rare, grilled NY strip steaks from my favorite, local farmer in Columbia Co. NY (Kinderhook Farm) and sauted, early season, baby squash in ozro with our garden herbs.

INAUGURAL vintage on this wine, I certainly didn't realize that fact when we bought it in September 2005! This has been in storage for the prior 15 years, just coming back home in January 2020.

Merlot 50% / Cabernet Sauvignon 40% / Petit Verdot 10% — 4 years ago