Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Family-owned winery, founded by the Williams Family in 1981, devoted to sustainable principles and producing wines with respect for terroir. Fermented in new French oak barrels, usually four to five days then racked to concrete vessels to complete fermentation sur lie for 10 months. Pale light gold with medium+ aromas of floral, stone and citrus fruits. On the palate this full-bodied wine shows flavors of peach, tart apple and lemon peel flavors. Long finish with generous acidity ending with an earthy nutty wet stone character. Nice! Tasting Sample. — 5 days ago

Shay A

9.6

Yesterday’s Wednesday Wine Committee lunch. Normal format of 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine. All tasted blind.

Magical. Pristine. Jaw dropping how this is drinking now at 41yrs. So much life left here and the fruit is still so clean and vibrant. Soft black cherries, plum, fig, Andes mint and sweet tobacco aromatics. Dusty to the core with more Andes chocolate mint, sandalwood, and underripe red fruits. Screams Bordeaux except for the finish showing a touch of sweetness. Incredible stuff. I called this late ‘80s Napa Cab. — 14 days ago

with Dan, Will and 2 others

Mark Flesher

9.0

Overall I was quite disappointed by this wine. For 120+, you expect some balance even when youth and restraint are present. I knew this was going to be a little tight. The nose was actually rather actually pleasing and probably was the best characteristic of this wine. White flowers, red cherry, raspberry, oak. Entry is red fruit dominant. Herbal influence, wildflowers. Middle is very restrained but carries more of that red fruit profile. A dustiness on the finish that went through the nose as if you were about to eject splinters through your nares. I know this one will probably appreciate somewhat, but I really expected more here. QPR not that great. — 22 days ago

Miriam De Lyon

9.1

Nice way to start the weekend! Good memories of a visit to Napa. Balanced, not very tannic, fruit undertones — 20 days ago

Tom Garland

9.2

In magnum..luv the foil cap..."it goes to eleven". 1 hour decant (little sediment). A transfixing inky red color. On the nose: blue fruit, floral, cassis, black fruit. Taste: BlackBerry, graphite, minerals, smoke..semi firm tannins and a plush mouthfeel lead to a med- long finish...has more time to go. From the Rock Block series..names diff blocks for his favorite songs or albums. — 12 days ago

with Brenda

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Established in 1980 and located on Silverado Trail in the Stags Leap District. A blend of 77% Merlot, 13% Cabernet, 6% Cab Franc & 4% Petit Verdot. Deep Ruby, purple edges, with aromas of berry fruits, floral spice and earthy tones. Big ripe berry flavors with great mouthfeel on fine grippy tannins, great balance, some vanilla oak on finish lingering ending with earthy character. Outstanding, — 13 days ago

Steve Haro

9.1

Big, jammy, lots of black fruit. Supple tannins with a raspberry and good acid finish. — 25 days ago

Bill Bymel

9.0

At Chamberlin’s steak house in Dallas, Note Expo — 20 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

A blend of 92% Cab Sauv, 6% Petite Sirah & 2% Petit Verdot, aged in 50% new French oak for 20 months. Deep Garnet with purple edges, aromas of dark fruits, oak and spice. On the palate plum, blackberry, currants, cacao and sweet spice. Full-bodied, tight with layers of fine soft tannins on a long finish ending with fruit and oak, very pleasant. — 12 days ago

William Feinstein

9.2

Blueberry and tobacco on the nose. Extremely well balanced with blue fruits, pencil lead and black tea on the palate. Slightly vegetal finish with some heat from the firm tannins and milk chocolate notes. Not a fruit bomb but definitely new world style. Enjoyable and interesting. — 6 days ago