Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

92 is rounding up a bit.

A couple things before notes. I have had other Heidi wines but not hers & Bo’s. Just wasn’t feeling retail-ish on the B&B, nor had anyone open one for me. This surfaced at just under half price. So, time to check this Heidi box.

This is a 2017; which many shied away from. Hence, the buy at half price. I would have said in my two coravined previous tastings on different nights, the fruit was nice and it still is nice. However, in getting to the bottom 1/3 of the bottle, it has taken on some additional depth & character. I imagine still not as much depth & character as their better vintages.

The nose shows some nice candied florals and mid fruits with a dark core. Some smoke (it is not smoke taint as they finished harvesting on 10/3 and the Tubbs & Atlas fires started 10/8) dry tobacco, new leather, oak, dry herbs, darker cola, moist volcanics & clay, withering dark & red flowers.

The palate is definitely one of the drier Napa Cabernets I’ve had lately. Feels like it leaves dry oak powder all over your mouth. M+ dry tannins. The fruits are bright & ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, some purple fruits, lean strawberries & cherries. Smoke, dry tobacco, new leather, oak, dark spice, leaner baking spices profile, a bit of dark chocolate baking bar, dry herbs, darker cola, moist volcanics & clay, dry topsoil, dry limestone powder, black tea, dry tree bark w/ a touch of sap, withering dark & red flowers, acidity is sound-ish, it just ticks the box of balanced, tension & structure is solid, finishes short-under a minute and a little thin in the mid palate, some elegance and lands on oak, earthiness & spice.

It’s still early on this and there is room for improvement with some more evolution & integration but don’t believe this 2017 will ever live up to its winery price point. — 2 months ago

John Roselli

9.3

Earthy, not heavy. A prototypical field blend, this one is well-integrated (had the’15) with dark berry, spice, and leather. Looks like it should be a heavy-duty blockbuster, but is medium-bodied, almost silky, and quaffable. — 2 years ago

K Brooks

8.9

Quite nice Syrah with Swedish meatballs & cream sauce ($13) — 4 years ago

Jay Conway

9.0

Nice, but too extracted and syrupy for the big rating hype. — 4 months ago

Jan A

9.4

Field blend of 85% Mencia and rest other local varieties from 100+yo pre phylloxera vines. From the bearded Bierzo wizard Raoul Perez. Violets on the nose, and a fresh spicy pinot noir ish palate. — 4 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.7

Deep ruby color. Aromas of black and blue fruit, leather, peppermint and earth. Stunning wine! Sweet toffee, caramel, blueberry and herbs on the palate.

2021 🏅99 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
2021 🏅96 Points - James Suckling
— 7 months ago

with Dr.

Ryan Carver

9.0

95’ in 2023. Was incredibly good especially for the price. Needed to stand open for an hour~ish — 3 years ago

Dave

8.9

Haters gon' hate. This is one of my go-to grocery store picks. It's super cheap ($12), and it tastes like Merlot.
Smashing some burgers and listening to the Cranberries. — 4 months ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.3

Pale ruby in color; stewed strawberries, hibiscus, and raspberries on the nose; medium plus acidity; medium tannins; tastes like raspberry sauce, red currants, eucalyptus, and crushed gravel with a long finish. Nellie and I like it. — 5 months ago

with Nellie

ESF

9.0

So consistent - found this on closeout for $6.99 if you can believe it! Gold-ish, gorgeous darkened by age but nose was fresh w/ripe yellow orchard fruit, minerals & stones, bit of citrus. Smooth a bit fattened up on palate, angular firm acidic backbone w/flavors confirmed from nose. Just delicious — 3 years ago