Rich Huber

9.4

This is the 2022 vintage. Dark ink color. The wine has an amazing balance of fruit. One of the best Syrah’s from the region. The wine has a velvety mouth feel but finishes slightly dry. — a year ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2016 vintage. Nose has waves of ink, dark cherry, mushrooms, incense cedar and earth. Light-medium body. Pretties up on a dry but gilded tobacco, plum and spicy boysenberry finish. Brickish tannins smooth out fairly quickly. Classy and with plenty of staying power. — 5 years ago

David D

9.0

Had the same vintage a year ago and the age has served it well. Not so alcohol-forward as before. Ripe berry, a little ink, pepper, stained leather, raisins. From Amaro Spirits and Wines. — 6 years ago

John Stephens

9.5

Great depth....loves this wine — 6 years ago

Miranda H

9.0

Bold but inviting. Sweet cherries and melting chocolate. — 7 years ago

*Gregory*

9.5

Deep ruby.
Pronounced intensity youthful aromas of wild fruit, blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry, dark cherry, ink, liquorice, cedar, fresh spices, pepper, violet.
Explosive dry concentrated palate, high acidity, high smoothened tannins, high alcohol-no overtone, full body, pronounced intensity.
Long fresh fruit and spicy finish.
Outstanding wine, great vintage, literally a newborn baby with great mouth concentration, can be aged for 2 decades at least. Accessible to drink, suitable for further aging.
— 7 years ago

Ken Venezio

9.0

Ink like out of the bottle. Black fruits, plums and black cherry. Wine offers a nice cinnamon and clove spice, with an ample finish. Balanced tannins. 2015 vintage, but could easily age nicely. — 8 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

8.9

I like this vintage of SB more than the 18. — 3 years ago

Matt

9.3

Warm and inviting black/purple berry fruit, woodsmoke, resinous herbs, granite, iron, taffy and apricot pit, ink. The front in is classic CH with the rich and voluptuous fruit character, but the finish departs with a serious edge of minerality and coarse tannin, reminiscent of classic Cornas. The vintage evident in the dry extract and ripening profile. — 4 years ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.2

Lovely. Just lovely.
This is drinking great right now.
Surprisingly soft and open, beautifully balanced. In the mouth it showed dollops of dark cherry cobbler, forestfloor and clay, graphite and tobacco, ink and autumn leaves.
A very good wine from “the last affordable vintage in Bordeaux”.
— 6 years ago

Jessica Harvey

8.9

Like the pinot grigio — 7 years ago

Roy Nichol

9.7

Nice surprise! — 7 years ago

Ichiro Kawachi

9.4

1999 vintage been sitting in my cellar (from holiday on Waiheke island). Bordeaux blend. Deep garnet color still on this claret; earthy nose, plum/cassis, velvety tannins, Squid ink, star anise, impressions changing with every mouthful/ paired with Xmas roast prime rib — 8 years ago

Matt Mason

9.0

C ink; blackberry, black currant, smooth — 8 years ago

Kevin C Reimer

8.9

Chocolate is really pronounced in this one, has a fruity sweetness that lingers. Chocolate covered strawberries dipped in wine. — 3 years ago

Mariana Jauregui

10

Vintage 2009, opened in 2022. So rich and powerful. Absolutely amazing example of Tannat! Red fruits, blueberries, Blackberry, liquorice, cassis, spices, thym, herbs, cedar, cigar box, leather, ink. Velvety tannins in huge concentration. Seductive — 4 years ago

Vanessa

9.2

Cimarossa, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rive di Cimarossa. Vintage 2011. ABV 14.20%.

This wine is deep ruby with garnet secondary hues. On the nose this wine has medium(+) intensity of developing aromas. Aromas include blackberry preserves, black cherry, dried prune, fig, also black pepper, molasses, cedar, tobacco, mocha, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, earth, and wet moss. On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium acidity, a full body, high alcohol, firm (high) tannins, and medium(+) intensity of flavors consistent with the nose but with delicate vegetal notes. The baking spice is also very prominent. The finish is long.

The 2011 vintage in Napa Valley was on the wetter and cooler side, which offered an extended growing season allowing the grapes to ripen and develop slowly. This wine comes from a vineyard located in Howell Mountain, on the Northeastern side of the Vaca Mountains, which afforded it additional exposure to winds that kept the vines dry and sunshine which aided in the ripening process.

Fun fact! Howell Mountain legally became its own appellation in 1983, the year of my birth, making this Howell Mountain Cab a fine choice for a Birthday weekend (there’s always a connection).

In addition to owning this spectacular winery, owners Corry Dekker and Dino Dina both come from an impressive background in medicine and biotechnology and have left, and continue to leave, an indelible impact on the vaccine industry. Cheers to that!! And cheers to Mia Kline for her excellence in winemaking and fruit expression.

This label features an image of the yellow monkeyflower, a wild flower that grows along the edges of the vineyard from which this wine comes.
— 5 years ago

with Deked1

Jennifer Joyal

8.9

Loving the smooth chocolate taste. Was recommended by a gal at work and it did not disappoint. — 7 years ago

Jaan Natt

9.1

It’s good...discovered in Winnipeg — 8 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.9

2012 Cayuse "Bionic Frog" Walla Walla Valley Syrah. In honor of my finally having made the grade to be blessed to receive a Frog allocation from Mr. Baron, I thought I’d celebrate by pulling the cork on this beast which was gifted to me by the most generous and revered wine Connoisseur, the man with the palate I so very much respect, the Rake of the Left Coast, the right honorable Mr. Bill Bender (@Bill Bender) First off, I find the Bionic Frog in general to be one of the most hedonistic, completely over the top and playful expressions of Syrah on the planet which of course, places it squarely in my wheelhouse. Still the most unique wine in the Cayuse lineup, and arguably one of the most sought after Syrah’s around. And now on to this vintage in particular, which none other than the esteemed Jeb Dunnuck(the one reviewer who I find to have a palate most closely aligned with my own) described with the enticing phrase “flirts with perfection.” Opaque, impenetrable ink blue in the stem. Wild, typical stoney Cayuse aromatics of black olives, bacon fat and dark fruits with notes of violets and lavender. A combination savory/sweet palate with olive tapenade, mushrooms and tar combined with sweet black plums and blueberry compote. Super rich, lush mouth feel. Dense concentration. Amazingly pleasing salinity on the lengthy finish. A full-throttle Porsche Cup Car lap of Road America, complete with The Kink, wine experience. (A track day we need to reprise soon Chuck). Sensory overload in the best way possible! The Frog knows! — 8 years ago