Ron R

9.4

We drank this 3 months ago - absolutely no change. At $60 this is a criminal value as it presents at twice the price. — a month ago

with Anne-marie

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.5

Incredible #napavalleycabernet #napavalleycab aged for 25 months in 100% new French oak barriques (Darnajou and Taransaud) only 103 cases. From Lewelling Ranch fruit #sthelena — 4 years ago

with Ron

Jason and Jennie

9.5

This is the st. Helena (lewelling vineyard). Not as opulent as the ehrlich single vineyard. Dark fruit with a touch of licorice. Very smooth. Table guests actually thought the macauley pinot was more tannic and not as integrated. — 6 years ago

Sean Genn

9.4

Rich ripe blackberries, cassis, violets and cocoa leap from the glass. Big but not overripe. Toasty oak on the finish should integrate better with time. — 8 years ago

Ron R

9.3

Arguably our favorite US cab. A little more relaxed on the nose and palate. While still very enjoyable, I felt this has begun its decent. It’s subtle, even though the fruits and wood treatment are still evident, alcohol plays a much more prominent role. I need to try the same vintage once more, but I’m thinking that these wines may not have longevity beyond seven or so years. — 2 months ago

with Anne-marie

Jason and Jennie

9.4

94+. Lewelling vineyard — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The second vintage of Beau Vigne. On the nose; dark currants, burnt ambers, blend of blue fruits; blueberries, boysenberries, huckleberries & olallieberries. Dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, dry brown soil, dark minerals, anise, dark fruit liqueur notes, cinnamon, clove, tree sap, a whiff of mint, herbaceous characteristics and decayed dark flowers. The body is medium full and rich. Tannins are 65-70% resolved. The structure is not their best, but, the length, tension and balance are quite nice. The blue fruits explode onto the palate. Blueberries, boysenberries, huckleberries & Olallieberries. They set a little syrupy. Dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries/cola, raspberries come on late, dry brown top soil, palate grippy dark minerality, graphite, dark fruit liqueur notes, soft, medium, dark spice, mocha powder, cinnamon, clove, light vanilla, tree sap, a whiff of mint, herbaceous (bay leaf) characteristics, lilacs, violets and decayed dark flowers. The acidity is round and nicely managed. The long finish is velvety, ruby, rich and beautiful. Shows a little alcohol but it’s tamed from the tiger I bet it was young. Still has another 5-7 years of good drinking ahead. Photos of; their vineyard and antique truck, Yountville tasting room, Owners/Winemaker Ed Snider and wife Trish. Producer notes and history...Beau Vigne was founded by Ed Snider in 2002. They are a small, family winery with a production of about 4,000 cases annually vintage dependent. They are primarily known for their Cabernets. Their vineyard goes by the name of Stags Ridge and is the benchmark and centerpiece of Beau Vigne. Stags Ridge Vineyard & Ranch are located on the Eastern edge of Napa, situated in appellation of Atlas Peak at the very top of Soda Canyon Road overlooking Pritchard Gap, Haystack, and Stagecoach Vineyards. They began with only a few acres in 2002. Stag’s Ridge is now comprised of nine acres, eight of Cabernet Sauvignon and one of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot. As the Beau Vigne brand has grown, they’ve sourced from some of the best vineyards on the North Coast and Napa Valley such as Bacigalupi, Dutton Ranch, and Lewelling. Beau Vigne’s philosophy to winemaking hasn’t changed since their beginning. They are a boutique winery; which is generally a good idea to maintain very high quality. The family roots run deep in the Napa Valley. Martin Garzoli, Ed’s grandfather, arrived in the Valley in 1913. He was a Swiss Italian who, learned winemaking in Italy. Martin worked the Hayfields of Napa and Sonoma during the day and made wine in an old barn at night. Nearly 100 years later, Beau Vigne Family is still carrying on in the family tradition. — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.5

Outstanding example of Cali Pinot. Even more so since this is 2012 vintage. Overripe cherries and coffee notes explode on the nose. The palate displays crunchy black fruits along with syrop de cassis. Superb grainy tannins combine with bright acidity. A reference point in Sonoma/Cali.

Here are my top 2023 tastings by type. Let me know what your favorites are…

2023 Wines of my Year
Sauvignon Blanc - Modus Operandi (2021) - $45
Chablis - Domaine Genot-Boulanger Puligny Montrachet (2020) - $85
Chardonnay - Kongsgaard (2020) - $120
Pinot - Aston Estate (2012) - $70
Cabernet - Sinegal (2019) - $75 &
Cabernet - Lewelling (2019) - $59 — 4 months ago

with Anne-marie

Jason and Jennie

9.6

Lewelling vineyard. Really in a nice spot. Good aromatics for a higher alcoholic wine. Mostly Dark berry and slight black cherry, graphite, spice, generous tannins. Glad we have one more. — 6 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.0

Fully opaque violet in the glass. Blackberry jam, cocoa, vanilla, and hints of tobacco leaf on the nose. Full bodied with very dense, concentrated black fruit on the palate rounded out by sweet tannins, medium + acidity, and good length. Crafted by winemaker Charles Hendricks from 100% Cabernet from Lewelling Ranch in St. Helena at the base of Spring Mountain aged 24 months in French oak. 14.4% alcohol. $85. — 7 years ago

with Kelly