David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

One of our last Heitz Bella Oaks bottling’s.

Heitz no longer leases the vineyard. The fruit from the Bella Oaks Vineyard is now bottled by Quintessa at $200 a bottle when Heitz sold it at around $70 or less when they leased the terroir.

The better pair with the end cut of the Prime Rib with creamy, horse radish.

Floral, candied, spice driven fruit of; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plums with tough skins, plums, dark cherries and deep, juicy strawberries. Dark tarriness, steeped black tea, incense, burnt amber, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, dark chocolate bar, mocha powder, moist clay, dry, crushed rocks, dry, twig, eucalyptus, sage, bay leaf, dry top soil, tobacco, leather, cedar, grainy limestone with dark, red, purple, candied withering florals that dark & candied. The acidity is perfect. The structure, tension, balance and length still need 6–10 years. The finish is; rich, beauty, elegant that starts, fresh, juicy falling on to earth & spice that persist until you have something bigger.

Plated with very cheesy Au Gratins & caramelized carrots.

Still an adolescent with 15-20 years of good sipping ahead of it.

The most flavorful piece of beef I’ve ever had. Had more tender Wagyu Ribcaps, just not this much flavor.

Happy New Year! 🥳🎉🍷🎊

12.31.2020 — 19 days ago

David White

9.1

Perfect summer’s afternoon Chenin honey coloured with fragrant sweet nose with stone fruits on palate well balanced with acidity
Good length and aftertaste
I like South African Chenin👍 — 24 days ago

Susan Hanners

9.1

Cranberry/currant on the nose, bizzare color, 1st sip raspberrish second taste apricot yet tart — a month ago

Mike Gibbs

9.2

this was honestly one of the best Pinot Noirs I have had. With all the Forge hype these days i didn’t want to like this as much as i did - trying to adjust for the hype bias, but I couldn’t stop drinking it - beautifully fruit forward with soft cherries and perfect tannins. Young but meant to drink young in my humble opinion. — 23 days ago

Lee Lightfoot

9.4

Complex melon grapefruit honey pink lady apple acid and mineral explosion. Second time crushing a bottle, one of my favorites this year. — a month ago

with Alex

Jay Kline

8.9

By the glass with lunch, no formal notes. First time ever trying Khikhvi and I can imagine this is how wine was made 1000 years ago. Obviously extended skin contact with a copper salmon color. Funky fresh nose and complex on the palate with all sorts of interesting fruit and non-fruit things going on. Acid and tannin providing good structure. Certainly a change of pace and quite enjoyable actually. — a month ago

William Feinstein

9.4

Really good showing. — 13 days ago

Tom Garland

9.2

Always enjoy the savory character of Cain Five!

1 hour decant (little sediment). An incredible dark purplish crimson color with little bricking. On the nose: great savory nose of forest floor, green vegi, barnyard leather, sweet black fruit and milk chocolate. Taste: very smooth, juicy medium body wine with plum, cassis, chocolate, earth, and a peppery leather medium plus finish with resolved tannins. Drink em if you got em...Cheers! — 20 days ago

with Brenda

John Malcolm

9.5

Outstanding. Full-bodied, yet silky smooth. Cassis, dark chocolate, currants, plums, and other dark fruits. Paired with venison. Drinking exceptionally well now. — 8 days ago

Katelyn Elizabeth

9.0

Juicy without being too sweet - a fun drinking wine — 14 days ago