Nick Mau

9.6

Steps 2014 winemakers reserve blend is just magnificent. 150 case production. Phenomenal. I love this wine. — 4 years ago

with nachobiz

Shay A

9.4

Steve Distler, owner of Arnyca, is doing consulting for a few small labels out in Napa. As I've posted before, his Arnyca cab franc is my favorite out of Napa Valley. He was the former GM at O'Brien Estate and was able to add them to his portfolio, along with Cobden Wini (winemaker for Arnyca and winemaker at O'Brien), Frias Family and Jack Winery. Killer line-up of small production stuff. We hosted him for a wine dinner and all of it was stellar.

Jack Winery utilizes the talents of Aonair winemaker Grant Long Jr. Jack was started by Vernon Wells (former MLB player) and Chris Ianetta (current MLB player). This '14 cab is from Diamond mountain and drinking well at a young age. Not as monstrous as young Howell Mountain cabs. Red and black fruit dominant with a decent amount of espresso and pepper. Needs to rest for a few years but has very good potential to be extremely good. — 7 years ago

with Steve

Matt Brock

9.4

We had the pleasure of visiting this winery in Napa and visiting with the vintner, Grant Long Jr.. This is an amazing red blend that emits the perfect amount of bold elements and soft tannins. Well balanced and super delicious. — 8 years ago

with Jennifer

Ryan Bode

9.5

Lots of knives and texting back and forth to grant long jr to open the damn bottle but man this wine is good — 10 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

With friends in town during Thanksgiving, I hit up some wineries that I’ve been curious about. Super cool experience at Aonair. Grant Long, Jr has created something special there, and with David Yorgensen at the helm with the wines, it feels all dialed in. Their Grenache was a surprise to me. From El Dorado and there’s some initial funk, but it blows off and what’s left is a balanced, mineral driven, but kirsch laden, and yet still, a bright style wine that’s quite reminiscent of something from Chateauneuf du Pape. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Wow. I shouldn't be surprised that a wine made by Grant Long Jr is phenomenal, just like his Aonair Wines portfolio, but holy smokes this is so delicious. Beautiful royal purple color in the glass and it smells of boysenberry, licorice and blueberries. Lovely bit of vanilla, light oak and cassis on the tongue. For $55, not many out there can top this for the price. @Greg Ballington, you and I are in agreement about this wine...so good! — 7 years ago

Elizabeth Smith

9.8

A very impressive Cab from a wine club only producer in the Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley. The winemaker, Grant Long, Jr., only makes 600 cases total of all his wines. — 11 years ago

Shay A

9.4

My wife starts back to school tomorrow (she's a Kindergarten teacher...bless her soul), so I asked her to pick anything out of the cellar. Not in the least bit surprised at her selection as we both LOVE Aonair wines!

The Reserve cab is 100% Cabernet and 100% stellar. In comparison against the '14 Mountain Blend, this is more approachable. Not quite pop-and-pour, but close. Mix of red and purple in the glass. Lovely nose of violet, lavender, Graham cracker & crushed blackberries. Very balanced front and mid palate with a very clean and pure texture. Vanilla hits towards the back of the mid palate and then I get a brief sweet-tart/chalky finish. I enjoy every single wine that Grant Long Jr makes. (Not sure what the doggie model, Abbie, thinks of it) — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.2

This is the Cab Franc, not the CS. 100 cases produced, with Grant Long, Jr at the helm. Bombastically rich black fruit of plums and blackberry, with chocolate and chili pepper seasoning. Hedonistic. — 7 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

One of our favorite finds on our last trip out to Napa. Grant Long Jr. is making some fantastic wines and we cannot wait to visit his new estate location in Howell Mountain. Deep and dark ruby red with a purplish core. Dark sweet fruits on the nose, lots of baking spices and dark spices like vanilla and cinnamon. Dark black cherries and creme de cassis attack on the palate. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) with an almost cola like texture. Furry, thick, extracted and full bodied. Long and lingering finish with some red cherry undertones. Drink till 2028. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India