Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2021 vintage. Tasted via Coravin. So the deals definitely afoot in Napa (and elsewhere in CA) currently. This was light-medium/medium body. Not the biggest Cabernet footprint on the delicate palate. But wow...immediately engaging and intimate simultaneously. Having tasted the late 60's, some 70's, most of the 80's, and nearly all of the 90's-2010's vintages of this at some point...actually feel like this is the wine this property has always wanted to make since inception. It's pure, authentic, and pared to the bone. Zen-like. No fluff, no fat. Tasting a Cabernet like this reminds me (yet again) how bastardized things have truly gotten along CA Hwy 29. Picked up two 6-packs and we'll see how it does. Leaner and biting-playfully. So unlike nearly all Napa cabs these days so it comes across as a huge palate/Napa Cab market reset now. Have been able to take or leave BV over the decades compared to Phelps, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Dunn, Diamond Creek, Mondavi, Mayacamas, Heitz and the rest of the really old guard but blind taste this against any 2020 or newer Napa Cab and/or Bordeaux and see where it slots for you. 8.5.26. — 10 days ago

Paul K

9.0

I love this producer (we actually got engaged here) and the recent fire sale was an opportunity to pick up quite a few back vintages of what I’d call their previous style for incredibly low prices. Let’s not get into how that made me feel about being a member for quite a long time and paying much more, but I do understand it from the perspective that their library size and go to market strategy of previous owner didn’t quite add up. Anyway, this bottle was a little tired and didn’t hold up as well as some of the older vintages I’ve had. Still had good fruit, balance but structure and tension wasn’t what it is on other vintages. I haven’t had any from the new group. I hope they find the soul of this appellation and place.
— 14 days ago

Brian Kostreba

9.0

Very good wine just not for me, I normally drink a lot of Napa valley wine and French wine. I’m not saying it’s a bad wine I’m just saying I guess I have a profile I enjoy more. I held the wine for 10 years, chilled and decanted for 1 hr, 1.5 hr, and then 2 hrs. I never experienced the normal oak, cigar, leather. You know all the taste profiles the pros mention. I enjoyed it but was still disappointed. I have one more bottle 2015 that I will drink in 2030. Maybe I’ll love it. I drank a younger bottle and really enjoyed it. It was almost overwhelming and hard to finish of course I was in las Vegas at a hotel enjoying the view from my hotel of the Bellagio fountains which made this spectacular both the wine and the view. Which was years ago but a special wine and a memory goes a long way. Especially when you get up in age. — 22 days ago

D W

8.9

long black currant compote with charcoal, mostly integrated tannins — 12 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a purple rim.

Beautiful nose and medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, light earth, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and light green vegetables.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This iconic Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Santa Cruz Mountains in California is still very young, but already delicious, even by itself.

Needs a few hours to open up properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 30 years. Showing good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that paired beautifully with my Lamb chops.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in American oak barrels for 20 months.

13.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2014 vintage. 6.24.26. — 2 months ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.2

2022. Full bodied. Great but not too opulent nose. Lovely acidity and balanced. Macadamia nuts, lemon and something else I can’t name. Love. — 2 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2005 vintage. From magnum. Decanted and tasted after one hour and 2 hours. Fairly, old-school, Napa nose (trail dust, black olive, grilled dark plum, pinch of eucalyptus). Medium body. Harmonious and smooth with lots of dark cherry and an über-thin substrate of milk chocolate. Less dominant/aggressive/pushy/concentrated than previous vintages going back to the inaugural vintage but dismissing that a bit out of maggie and only a few samples over the span of two hours. Wine did not gain weight, strength, depth or intensity over those 2 hours tho. Stayed consistent. 7.24.26. — 21 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2015 “Southing” pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and bruised strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, red flowers, mushroom and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. Drink now through 2035. — a month ago

Christian Fischer

9.6

So we are tasting the 2005 side by side with the 2007. Both decanted and both are singing. This is a difficult call and I am giving both a 9.6 rating, not willing to rank one above the other. Deep and complex flavor profile. Incredibly smooth. Fantastic wine. — 21 days ago

K Brooks

9.1

Still quite nice with roasted chicken breast. — 8 days ago

John Malcolm

9.4

Sticking with my rating from two years ago, but I would add tasting lavender and plum. Delicious! — 18 days ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

40 years birthday crazy party. So many 1986’s. No formal notes. This was bright and surprisingly fresh. My favorite of the evening. — 2 months ago

Ming L

9.3

The nose bursts with aromas of blackberry, cassis, violet, cocoa, dry herbs, a distinct iron-like minerality. The palate is rich and composed, with a vibrant streak of acidity. Velvety tannins frame the fruit without heaviness. The finish lingers long with subtle spices.

A powerful Rutherford cab with lots of finesses. Long life ahead. — 14 days ago

Joe Fischer

9.2

Dark ruby with aromas of dark red stewed fruits, blackberries, baking spices, and red currants. On the bud, it’s smooth and delicious with more stewed fruits and spices. Excellent with our aged ribeye and baked potato. — 6 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.4

Really nice, good fruit and acidity. Strawberries, herbal quality, other good fruits. — 5 days ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Decant for sediment(minimal) and pour. An amazing still deep dark purplish magenta with a little bricking. On the nose: Intoxicating perfumed notes of dark fruit, herbaceous, sandalwood, menthol, forest floor, smokey cedar. Taste: silky, classic, delicious wine with blackberry, dusty earth, charcoal, saline, and a spiced vanilla cedar long finish. YUM!! It's what's you want in a aged Napa cab with time to go. — 24 days ago

with Brenda

Christian Fischer

9.6

So we are tasting the 2007 side by side with the 2005. Both decanted and both are singing. This is a difficult call and I am giving both a 9.6 rating, not willing to rank one above the other. Deep and complex flavor profile. Incredibly smooth. Fantastic wine — 21 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

This was the best Farella I’ve had from them. Almost as good as The Absurd w/o all the magic but roughly half the price of The Absurd. — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2015 vintage. Sampled from Coravin. Medium body. The monstrous tannins tamed somewhat...as they meet a decade+. Absolutely, top-notch nose. If you both respect the exuberance of youth and celebrate the wisdom of age, this is for you. A fascinating, case study currently. 6.24.26. — 2 months ago