Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

So, this had nice fruit but it lacked depth & character. Especially, for a 2019. Most 19 Napa Cabernets or blends have shown me more. Also, would have expected to see more integration of what is there.

On a another note, I took the top right picture of their estate Merlot on 7/11/26. This is the furthest advancement of veraison in early July of Merlot in all my yrs. Or, in July period. This is what happens when you have a very warm tail-end of winter and warm Spring. It was 95 for many days in March while it was technically still Winter. 👀 😳. I have lived in Ca a long time and have never seen 95 in mid March. Climate change is real. It is likely they pick this August 10-15. Do not recall that ever happening either. — 8 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service. The 2005 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: black and red brambles, cassis, tobacco, green pepper, graphite, espresso, earth and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is silky. For what it’s worth, there were a number of nice wines at the table and I kept coming back to this which, now that I think about it, also Léoville-Poyferré seems to always deliver more than expected. The 2005 is in the zone and I don’t expect it fall off anytime soon. Drink through 2045. — 2 years ago

Brooke Gannon

9.2

Steely, mineral driven, some apple, lemon zest, a nice long finish. — 3 years ago

with Joseph

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, 4% Malbec & 2% Petite Sirah. Deep Ruby with dark fruit aromas and herb spice. On the palate black cherry, raspberry and blackberry flavors with underlying sweetness, notes of cacao, forest floor and oaky notes. Fine tannins, good structure and balance, long finish ending with espresso and earthy notes. Nice — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Mostly Cab with 8% Merlot. The fruit comes from Sacrashe and Hall's vineyards on Diamond Mountain and Atlas Peak. An absolute favorite, complex red/black fruit aromas, herb and sweet notes. On the palate full ripe rich fruit, raspberry and blackberry with a smoky savory character, adding leather and cacao notes. Dusty full tannins, more time will benefit however drinking well now, on long finish ending with complex earthy spices. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Classic Bordeaux style blend from several estate vineyards. Aged for 19 months in French Oak. Deep Ruby with purple edges, aromas of fresh berry fruits with cedar and spice. On the palate sweet cherry, blackberry and blueberry fruit, with savory oak & cacao notes. Tannins were smooth but tight, with an earthy herb touch on the long finish. Faust wines do not disappoint, even when young. Nice! A Fav! Great Value! — 6 years ago

Lorry Henny

9.0

A very pleasant well balanced wine that displays subtle fruit and mild tannins.
— 6 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1 hour decant(lots of sediment). A wonderful inky dark purplish garnet color. On the nose: Intense notes of black and blue fruit, herbaceous, tobacco leaf, pencil shavings, forest floor. Taste: rich, velvety, harmonious mouthcoating wine with blackberry, currants, chocolate espresso, graphite, and a spiced-charred wood- dark cherry long finish. YUM!! — 2 months ago

with Brenda

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Blend of Syrah (36%), Grenache (21%), Mourvèdre (17%), Tempranillo (14%), Zinfandel (8%) and Carignan (4%). Dark purple color. Aromas of dark berry fruit, lavender and roasted meat. Flavors of jammy boysenberries, black cherry, black raspberry, black licorice and roasted herbs. Slight hint of vanilla on the long and lingering finish. Well balanced acidity. Medium-plus body. Rich and plush but not over the top. Beautifully integrated and perfectly aged. Thanks for sharing, John S! — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Served double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. No signs of sediment or gas. On the nose, the wine is clean, developing and very expressive. Very attractive notes of dark and red fruits: cassis, ripe plums, dark brambles, dark cherries, leaf tobacco, cedar box, cocoa, Flintstones vitamins, a touch of eucalyptus and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long with lovely texture and some crushed gravel minerals. Alcohol is medium+. This is a very easy wine to like. It’s beautifully balanced but it leans more towards the fruit rather than the structure. The fruit is just so lush that it’s very hard to me to place this in the Old World. I called Cabernet Sauvignon (and blends), from California, from Napa Valley from 2017. Close! Wow…my first Tor and what a generous contribution to Tasting Group! Obviously, I'm not complaining. This is drinking very well in its youth but considering the undeniable balance and quality of the fruit, I think this will continue to be awesome through 2039. — 3 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

8.9

Leather, blackberries, earth, spice, lavender. Black cherries. Long. Balancing bitterness. — 5 years ago

Chris

9.1

Took 2 hours to open, but it did. Raspberry and cherry and raisin, long finish. — 6 years ago

Ken Z

9.0

Drank 9\20\20. Nice with a bacon cheeseburger.

Medium nose of black and blue fruits with some spice and a bit of herbaceousness as well. Big, but balanced with cassis, blueberry, and a bit of spice all backed by medium plus tannins. Long finish and great balance. I can't think of too many good cabs for under $20, and this one delivers for closer to $10. Incredible value.

3\21\8\4\4 +50 = 90 pts. — 6 years ago

Dave Auerbach

9.4

2014 Reserve Merlot. Cutchogue NY. Dense and balanced. 2014 was a standout year for LI merlot and this puts an exclamation point on it. Fresh black berries, a hint of mint, and a slightly herbal finish. Well balanced and aging beautifully. Pretty close to it’s peak. — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Dark Ruby red color with aromas of ripe dark fruits and an array of spices from cigar box to spice cake. On the palate flavors of black cherry preserves and blackberry jam, layering in some licorice, leather, tobacco and black pepper spice. Savory tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy character. Nice! — 4 months ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Medium-dark purple color, dark berry and mulberry aromas and flavors, some tannins, nice weight and balance, medium-long finish, solid Margaret River Cabernet!! — 2 years ago

with Jim

Adam Louis

9.1

Deep ruby color and long legs. Nose of fresh strawberries and a bit floral. Smooth and pretty sweet considering the alcohol content 15%. — 3 years ago

Eric

9.4

Much better than the last bottle I had (separate auction buys). Pretty amazing that 15.5 alcohol can go this long. Underripe black cherry, and meat. — 4 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Mixed pepper, mixed red and black fruit. Was tart to open and then evolved beautifully. This will age! Rated 2016 last night 2018 tonight (feb)... Update, (2nd bottle of 2018, now late may): Those tart aromatics are piercing, rose water, lavender. It’s an intense wine. Medium bodied with light tannins. Very little oak influence. I think the cranberry and subtle white pepper will age and this wine will be nice for a long time. — 5 years ago

Nancy Pan

9.1

Nutty and citrus, buttery, mineral and stone fruit, long finish — 6 years ago