Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

So, this had nice fruit but it lacked depth & character. Especially, for a 2019. Most 19 Napa Cabernets or blends have shown me more. Also, would have expected to see more integration of what is there.

On a another note, I took the top right picture of their estate Merlot on 7/11/26. This is the furthest advancement of veraison in early July of Merlot in all my yrs. Or, in July period. This is what happens when you have a very warm tail-end of winter and warm Spring. It was 95 for many days in March while it was technically still Winter. 👀 😳. I have lived in Ca a long time and have never seen 95 in mid March. Climate change is real. It is likely they pick this August 10-15. Do not recall that ever happening either. — 6 days ago

John Harding

9.2

Smooth slight pineapple but not too tart. Buttery, but not too sweet. Refined. — 24 days ago

with Jenny

KP

9.4

I would absolutely buy this one again! Especially at the $20-$25 price point.
Delicious blueberry and rhubarb pie on the nose. Silky tannins with low acidity, and a long vanilla finish with mild oak. Well balanced and very enjoyable. — 3 months ago

Jason Phillips

9.3

Fabulous nose. Hints of dark fruit with extreme oak. Even better on the palate. Bold but smooth with great balance. Wonderful wine. — 4 months ago

Richard Adams

9.4

Special name, special occasion. Love ‘12 CA Cabs and this one especially. Surreal power for age 14. Still dense fruit, good balance but still more tilt and less finesse. Maybe better in 3-5 years but shows the heft of a well made Napa Cab. — 5 months ago

Anthony Kluska

9.2

This is what new world should be. Pepper fruit oak. — 5 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.3

Roasted pineapple, hazelnut, and a hint of citrus delivers a rebound of acidity within a rich palate. Creamy and broad with well integrated oak. — 6 months ago

with Angelina

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Beautiful nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, chocolates, black tea, mediterranean spices, eucalyptus, peppercorn, earth, herbs and light green vegetables.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with cooked red cherries, plums, red currants, earth, light cedar, herbs, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, light vegetables, green tea and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 9 year old Merlot from Napa Valley is still drinking very nicely, but will not get any better from this point on. Drank from a 375ml bottle, so it probably aged much faster. Tangy and spicy.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 45 minutes of airtime.

Showing lots of earth notes at this point, and fully resolved. Rich and engaging. Complex and interesting. Feels like a Right Bank Bordeaux.

Loved the nose here, and a good sipping wine that paired nicely with food too.

A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.

15.1% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$30. — 11 days ago

Marc Melser

9.2

We had the 2018 Vintage on 6/1-2/26. A terrific PN. Nice mouthfeel. New World. Black fruit and baking spice on the bouquet. Black cherry, black raspberry, candied apple and mild spice on the palate. Smooth finish. Good wine, from a good wine maker from a good vineyard — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Medium lemon color with aromas of fresh ripe stone fruits and floral notes. On the palate fresh fruit flavors of apple, peach, citrus and pineapple with honey and savory toasty oak tones. Long finish ends with tangy citrus, biscuit and mineral notes. — 3 months ago

Chris Coulombe

9.2

Outstanding. Very fruit forward but excellent balance. Medium body. — 4 months ago

Patrick Litle

9.2

Great flavor, spice, smooth — 5 months ago

joe mama

9.4

Weeknight treat. Medium body, creme brulee on nose and some custardy finish but great acid. Just so many great things to love in this chardonnay. I still prefer Ma Belle Fille — 6 months ago

Norman

9.5

Always solid — 18 days ago

Ron Kyle

9.0

Another great vintage.
— 14 days ago

with Amy

Pam Schrand

9.5

Very smooth — 2 months ago

Adam

9.0

My review may not be beneficial to all because of my drinking style. I drink the bottle myself over the course of a week. With this Freakshow Cab Sauv, my review changed from the first to last glass. The first glass was strong, thin, and barely enjoyable. With subsequent glasses tasted a developing sweetness and thickness. I realize this is counter intuitive to wines normally being best when being allowed to breathe a bit after opening. Just wasn’t the case for me with this one. Rating was a 6.5 to start and a 9.5 at the end I’m grading with a curve to give it an overall 9. Will buy again based on Freakshow reputation and hope for a better early result. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

2024 vintage. Slightly sweet. 3.11.26. — 4 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

2/2026. Good fruit and finish. Medium boldness. Very good for the price point. — 6 months ago

Paul J

9.0

Can’t rate. Maybe the wine is in a weird spot or my palate was affected by the 4 sessions of snow shoveling, but if I had a blindfold on I would have thought this was a red. Somewhat restrained on the palate with lots of steel elements and some earth. Color was great, as was the cork, so must be me. Usually one of my favorites! — 6 months ago

with Brooke