Moone. Tsai Wines

Black List XXXIV Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

9.3

Moone Tsai Black List XXXIV Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Napa Valley, California

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep inky in color with a short neon red rim.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, espresso, light earth, dark chocolates, herbs and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 4 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is still very young, but already drinking beautifully. Complex and interesting.

A different kind of Napa Cabernet. Fruit forward, but not 'in your face' kind of wine. Elegant and restrained.

I gave it 3 hours in the decanter, but it might not been enough. The high alcohol is nicely integrated already.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 7 years and see how it evolves. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in (65% new) French Oak barrels for 18 months. A tiny production of only 5 barrels.

15.4% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$330. — 15 days ago

Bob, Paul and 12 others liked this

"Odedi"

@Delectable Wine

Moone. Tsai Wines

Paige Cuvée Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2014

Mike R

9.1

Surprising complex and interesting - still smiling — 3 years ago

Mike, Daniel P. and 30 others liked this

Fontanella Family Wines

Premiere Napa Valley Auction 17 Moone-Tsai Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Steve Belmonte

9.3

Took a while to settle. A black berry aftertaste. Very nice vino — 4 years ago

Rob liked this

Moone. Tsai Wines

Hillside Blend Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

Paul K

9.4

79% Merlot and 21% cab. This wine is amazing and ready now but I’m sure time will only enhance. The 2016 is more tight/tannic than this and not ready yet. This is prettier, but still powerful. Loving this and gonna pick up more. — 3 months ago

Tom, James and 15 others liked this

Moone. Tsai Wines

Paige Cuvée Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay

Scott E. Becker

9.4

[Tasted on September 16, 2023 at Home with Joel]

Wine is 2019 Paige Cuvee Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Purchased during September 2022 visit. Pear, grapefruit, apple and melon with a hints of banana and ginger, oaky vanilla, minerality and spice. Beautiful wine. — a year ago

Calera Wine Company

Mt. Harlan Chardonnay 2017

Shay A

9.2

This was one of my wines from my annual WWC hosting. The other whites were Bereche Brut Reserve for the champagne, a 2015 Bongran EJ Thevent (burgundy) Chardonnay and a 2017 Moone-Tsai Ritchie Chardonnay.

Color me impressed. I have enjoyed Calera’s pinots quite a bit, but I haven’t had as much experience with the Chardonnay’s. It was almost like a Aubert Larry Hyde “lite”. As this was tasted blind, most guessed this was Chardonnay, but lots of back and forth on where it would be from. Initially, this toed the line between steely and slightly oaked with bright citrus, lemon, clean aromatics…but after an hour in the glass, this really bulked up and sported a down-the-middle type medium bodied profile. Not lean, not powerful. The tart lemon turned to a more lemon cream profile with lots of floral/honeysuckle notes, alongside herb crusted yellow fruits. No problem opening now, but I’d love to try another one of these in a few years. 92+ — 3 years ago

Jason, Tom and 30 others liked this

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

My general impressions with this vintage as well. Hadn't tasted this wine going back to 2012 but had consistently back to the early 90's. Usually on the leaner fruit side with a big mineral focus paired with a "hot"/high alcohol oomph. Sounds weird but it worked most of the time. This vintage much less "hot" and more balanced but less intense. Miss the old style because it was the only chard from CA that brought that particular vibe.

Shay A

@Scott Rose : Good to know. I was really impressed with the balance here.