Bob McDonald

9.3

See previous Delectable notes - white florals with Pyrazines (kerosene/petrol) starting to develop. Also toast and honey starting to develop. Tim Kirk the winemaker said this could go for 15 years in the cellar. Will probably have my last bottle in 2023 when 10 years old. Had my last bottle on 18th August and it was sublime. Absolutely worth the patience to cellar it for 11 years. More fulsome with less citric acid as it aged. More mandarin and a little white peach. Not a hint of petrol/kerosene. — 4 years ago

Barry Morgan

9.6

The Canberra district's best red wine. Opulent with a heady perfume of raspberries and cassis. A smooth palate with dark plum, cherry and berry flavours. Tim Kirk is an impressive winemaker. — 6 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.7

My favorite non-beckstoffer wine ever made by kirk venge. This is plush. — 6 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.4

Just so good. Petite sirah might be kirk venge’s best non-bordeaux varietal. — 6 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.6

Kirk Venge pouring the 2016 Oakville Cab barrel sample. This was neck and neck with the stagecoach. Less fruit forward with nice cherry and olive. Fine tannins. Really a wonderful wine. Girlfriend rated it 96-98 barrel sample. — 8 years ago

darling girl

9.8

Big fruit and long finish. Been drinking this big full-bodied red blend for years, and this vintage doesn't disappoint! Winemaker Kirk Venge is taking Dad Nils' abilities onward. The base of this wine is single-sourced old vine zin, and the Charbono, Petite Sirah and Syrah are similarly sourced. — 8 years ago

Mike R

9.5

Even four days after opening still singing / God Bless USA and great French wine @Kirk Alexander - thank you — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Ravensworth is the private venture of Bryan Martin who is the winemaker together with Tim Kirk, at the nearby and famous Clonakilla - arguably the benchmark for Shiraz Viognier in Australia. Wonderful spicy scents together with a floral note from the Viognier. Medium weight with meaty, savoury spicy flavours on the palate. My kind of Shiraz blend and in the frame of Clonakilla with better QPR. — 5 years ago

Eric

9.6

17 Family Reserve is a beautifully woven expression of power, finesse and sexy. Kirk is quite talented. Oak, fruit, acid and tannins are tight and expressive. — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.4

This is a new one for me, which was suggest by @Paul T- Huntington Beach - thanks bud.
This is a great Russian River example from Kirk Venge. Beautiful, vibrant nose of roasted almonds and honey. Palate is textured and focused. I’m serious when I say this mirrors aspects of Aubert’s appellation bottlings. Give this stunner a whirl. Sourced from Last Bottle at a competitive price. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Follow up wine to our 07 Bartolo Mascarello on Friday night. Vacuum sealed and re-stored enough to write notes today as we had friends for dinner.

The nose reveals, floral, slightly creamy, candied with hints of stewed fruits; blackberries, blueberries, black plum, dark cherries, plum, boysenberries and dark cherries. There is a little smoke here but, if they named this wine and vineyard because their is ash on the nose and palate, it wouldn’t surprise me. Soft volcanic minerals, some anise, dark rich, turned earth, vanilla, cinnamon, hints if clove, dark spice, limestone, sweet tarriness, used leather, wood shavings, light peppery notes, light mintiness with dark red, fresh & withering dark floral and violets.

The body is full. The tannins are soft, round and velvety. The structure, tension, length and balance have hit a high point but, there is 8-10 years of life ahead. ripe; blackberries, blueberries, black plum, dark cherries, plum, boysenberries and dark cherries. Some smoke, cigar ash, soft volcanic minerals, some anise, dark rich, turned earth, vanilla, cinnamon, hints of clove, very dark spice with palate heat, limestone, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, sweet tarriness, used leather, wood shavings, light peppery notes, light mintiness with dark red, fresh & withering dark floral and violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is rich, lush, ripe, well balanced and persists a very longtime.

Photos of, The Venge with Estate vines, inside their tasting room, Winemaker-Owner Kirk Venge and their Bone Ash Vineyard in late Winter or for us in CA, more like Springtime on a non rainy day. — 7 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.2

Kirk venge — 8 years ago

Bill Bender

9.6

@Kirk Alexander going ham. Soft inviting tannins, Merlot is shining through and an altogether harmonious classy wine. Cigar, ripe plum and cedar chips. — 9 years ago

Elese Coit

9.5

Simply fabulous. We loved the '14. Special mention for the rich Pinot - judged by all as one of the best we've had. Too busy tasting to get pics of all but hats off to Kirk and the Venge family — 9 years ago

Sean Smith

9.3

Kirk Venge 🙌 — 5 years ago

Mark Turner

9.2

Dark fruit on the nose, soft supple tannins mid palate and a pleasant fruity / spicy finish that lingers. Consistent throughout. Great value for the price by Kirk Venge. — 5 years ago

Mike R

9.5

Thank you @Jason and Jennie / amazing wine and Kirk Venge is making delicious wine - RP scored this 97 and I was just not willing to go that far but one of the best Napa cabs in awhile for me - this was consumed during the WNH Sunday virtual zoom tasting and to share virtually with Jason and Jennie was even more amazing - wine had legs forever - deep ruby color - smell of dark red cherries and raspberries and coco - taste and finish incredible - fruit forward delicious smooth - all of the above help create big bold beautiful in a bottle and left me with a huge smile — 6 years ago

James T Elliott

9.4

With Jimmy, Jenna, Jeanne, Jayne and Jeff at Home Port. Have to have a name that starts with a J. Excellent 15–spicy and smooth at the same time. — 7 years ago

with Jenna and Jimmy

Tom Heckert

9.0

Took a chance because I liked the label. Lush fruit with a good dose of spice. Long lingering finish. — 8 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.2

Under their Janzen label, Bacio Divino produces three vineyard-designate Cabernet Sauvignons from the Cloudy’s Vineyard, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, and Beckstoffer To Kalon. They also produce this Napa Cab which blends fruit from these vineyards with other select Napa vineyards. Kirk Venge is the consulting winemaker and viticulturist. Parker nails it with “intense notes of crushed plums, black cherries and mulberries plus notions of cedar chest, dried Provence herbs, underbrush and black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the palate gives a very refreshing acid line, lifting the youthful black fruit, finishing long and chewy.” While the fruit is immediately evident and approachable, there’s still a fair amount of tannin. The acid provides an impression of citrus brightness atypical of many of its peers. And while I prefer Venge’s Silencieux, I’m not sure a comparison is relevant as this is completely different stylistically, and quite enjoyable because of that. — 9 years ago