Rob Brobst III

9.8

2013 Ontogeny Proprietary Red is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, coming from some of Russell Bevan’s favorite vineyard sources – Sugarloaf Mountain, Two Dogs, Tin Box and Tench. Quite flavorful, it is exhibiting slightly more new oak than some of the other cuvées, but is still sexy and opulent, with voluptuous texture, low acidity, and oodles of juicy, succulent black and red fruits, licorice, underbrush and a touch of vanillin. An already irresistible beauty, it can be drunk over the next 20 years. — a month ago

Joseph Barsky

9.6

2014 Vintage. Was a bit funky on opening but opens and lost that funk with air. Massive Syrah fruit and velvet mouthfeel. Great job Russell! — 8 months ago

Eric L.

10

Russell hit a home run with this 2011. Wow! — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.7

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A powerhouse Bordeaux-style blend from Russell Bevan, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, with fruit sourced from elite Napa sites such as Tench Vineyard (Oakville, next to Screaming Eagle), Sugarloaf Mountain, and Sage Ridge. This is the estate’s flagship red that over-delivers compared to other triple-digit Napa wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Opulent nose of cassis, blackberries, and graphite, with layers of tobacco leaf, cedar, and baking spices.
On the palate: dense and multi-layered, offering ripe black cherry, plum, cocoa, and licorice, evolving into earthy and savory undertones.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with velvety tannins and extraordinary structure. Rich and ripe, yet beautifully balanced, finishing with a long, polished, lingering finish.

Winemaking Notes
Russell Bevan’s hallmark style—precision, power, and elegance—delivers a wine meant to impress now but with serious aging potential (10+ years).

Food Pairing
Best with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, or truffle risotto. A showpiece bottle for fine dining.

Verdict
A monster Napa blend that’s lush, powerful, and complex—yet still refined. Truly a collectible wine, and if you can get it before prices climb, it’s a steal compared to Bevan’s other labels. — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Blend of Pinotage (84%) and Cinsault (16%). Interesting Garnet/Magenta/Ruby color. Aromas of sour berry/cherry fruit, wet stones and a funky (not unpleasant) musky note. Juicy red cherry, cranberry and pomegranate fruit on the palate with hints of mineral and earth. Very tangy on the medium finish. Fine tannins and soft texture. Quite fresh tasting and complex. No signs of oak aging. Two very complimentary blending partners. Interesting. — 8 months ago

Karilyn Lesassier-Van Oosten

9.3

Bright and crisp. — 4 years ago

Jeffrey Ritterson

9.4

Oh yea baby. Smokey, fruited, well aged. Big but not obnoxious. Complex. — 4 months ago

Joseph Barsky

9.5

2014 Vintage. SGM blend. Of Paso Robles fruit. Great nose, inky dark, velvet mouthfeel, great finish. Wow! — 7 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

Love the special character of these South African Chards — 9 months ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Slightly hazy (unfined?) gold. Abundant nose of honeyed tropical fruits, baked apple, and vanilla tinged orange crème. Full-bodied palate of cooked pineapple, baked apple, hint of orange, yellow lilies, and… how does one say “baseball bat” only subtly? Another quintessential Russell Bevan white that’s a monster in body, but velvet on the palate. A big wine that begs for big, complex dishes. My drinking partner (who suggested the wine was like an Adele song… you think it’s going to be a rustic stumble, but it clearly has much more going on) made an incredible pork loin, root vegetable, and apple entrée that was right where a dish should be to stand up to this wine. Similar dishes will work. Not your grandmother’s Chardonnay. Drink now through 2023. — 4 years ago