Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

First time having this producer.

It was extremely elegant, smooth and dare I say sexy. Perhaps, the most brilliant mid red fruit led Cabernet I’ve had. Well managed tannins & really good oak application. Wire to wire beautiful.

Could make a case for 94 with a few more years of aging.
— 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Nickel & Nickel – Vaca Vista Vineyard – Cab Sauv– 2022
Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A single-vineyard Napa Cabernet sourced from the cool and elegant Oak Knoll District. Fermented and aged with the classic Nickel & Nickel precision, this expression favors balance, red-to-dark fruit purity, and structure over sheer power. A modern Napa style that emphasizes approachability without sacrificing depth.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, cassis, plum, and violet, with cedar, vanilla, graphite, and a touch of baking spice. Subtle oak integration allows the fruit and minerality to shine.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus in body, polished, and cohesive. Fresh acidity, supple tannins, and a graceful arc from entry to finish. Not a bruiser — a refined, cooler-climate profile that stays lively and lifted.

Food Pairings
Flat iron steak, short ribs, mushroom risotto, grilled lamb chops, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced, site-driven Napa Cabernet that delivers both sophistication and drinkability. Finessed rather than forceful, and a strong example of why Oak Knoll continues to be one of Napa’s most exciting AVAs for Cabernet.

Did You Know?
Nickel & Nickel was founded by the Far Niente family with a mission to produce 100% varietal, single-vineyard wines, showcasing Napa’s terroir with clarity. Oak Knoll is one of Napa Valley’s coolest sub-AVAs, producing elegant, aromatic reds with natural acidity and restraint.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Oak Knoll being a single-vineyard expression from this sub-AVA makes it one of the easiest, most easygoing Cabernets from the Napa floor, and I always like to have it as an opener when pouring more intense Napa reds. A perfect warm-up that sets the stage beautifully. — 7 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

N: Cherry. Spice.

P: soft plum. Juicy.

Mosaic $16.50 btg — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and nutty scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. — a year ago

Anthony Auger

9.4

Long and slow legs with a iridescent maroon color. Huge bouquet on the nose with a tiny hint of cardamom. I will admit that I was cutting garlic so the florals might have been more dramatic ha! Burst of juiciness upfront that tapers into a tea-like body with the perfect amount of dryness on the finish. Prominent tasting notes I get are strawberry and wildflower honey. Honey stays on the finish with a mild heat that dissipates pretty quickly. One of the better Pinots I’ve had in quite some time! — 3 years ago

Mickenzi Schank

9.0

Lots of forward fruit, red currant and blackberry. Subtle mid palate. Just a nip of tannins on the finish. Overall smooth and easy drinking. — 6 years ago

Kate

9.4

Celebrating a special holiday today. Enjoying this wonderful bottle of wine now. Could save it for another occasion. But not — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Founded in 1982 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer and sits on a tree covered knoll overlooking the Napa Valley, with caves that extend for over a mile. Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruit, sweet oak, spice and floral scents. On the palate flavors of ripe peach, melon and apple, with vanilla spice, creamy texture. Medium+ finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with mineral notes. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

10

Ridge Vineyards – Zinfandel – 2023
Benito Dusi Ranch – Paso Robles – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
An extraordinary single-vineyard Zinfandel from one of the most historic and consistent sites in Paso Robles. The 2023 vintage delivers depth, purity, and that unmistakable Dusi Ranch character—old-vine concentration wrapped in Ridge’s signature balance and finesse. This bottling remains one of the benchmark Zinfandels in California.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry compote, ripe plum, and raspberry preserve with accents of warm spice, licorice, dried herbs, and a touch of cracked pepper. Subtle cocoa and cedar from restrained oak play in the background.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and richly textured, yet never heavy. Juicy acidity energizes the palate while fine, structured tannins keep everything focused. Long, plush, and satisfyingly powerful.

Food Pairings
BBQ ribs, grilled lamb chops, wood-fired pizza, smoky brisket, or aged Gouda.

Verdict
A stellar expression of old-vine Paso Robles Zinfandel, opulent, balanced, and deeply flavorful. A true standout in Ridge’s portfolio.

Did You Know?
The Dusi family has farmed this vineyard for generations, and Ridge has made wine from the site since 1967. These old vines consistently produce some of the most character-rich Zinfandel in the state, making Benito Dusi one of Ridge’s most iconic single-vineyard bottlings.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This sits at the very top of my favorite Zinfandels, extraordinary from start to finish, and a reminder of why Ridge continues to define the category. — 7 months ago

Mark

9.3

Deepest of Ruby color. Amazing nose with a hint of cinnamon. I’m a big fan of Malbec but the petit Verdot really balances this wine out. Great legs and deep color make a visually appealing drink. Tons of fruit and mild tannins to balance the fruit out. Drinking this wine on Christmas Eve and I feel a little guilty like I opened a present early. Trefethen never disappoints. — 2 years ago

Nathan Renfro

9.2

Black cherry, dark chocolate, cloves, oak, the Rutherford dust. Smooth tannins. Solid backbone. Earthy. Needs some time to open up, but drinking well now. — 4 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Tried several bottles, all great! Founded by Cody and Marque Wright, yes that family of the great Ken Wright Pinot’s very nice small production Pinot, 1700 cases, sourced from 8 vineyards. Ruby, purple hues with aromas of blue and red fruits with an array of spices. On the palate youthful flavors of cherry and fresh strawberry, licorice notes with elegant spice. Fine tannins, long ending with fruit and tangy spice and mineral notes. Great now but a few years will bring out more of the wines complexity. — 5 years ago

Wulf Losee

9.4

This is the 2022 Block 296 version of this vintage. Truly excellent. Sour cherries and oregano on the nose. Spicy! Sour cherries on the front. Medium to heavy tannic structure. Tangy on the mid palate. Long finish. Not your typical overpowering Napa Cab. — 3 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.2

We have been drinking this wine for 10 years now. As the fruit drops out it becomes more stringent with strong oak tannins, losing some of its depth and ease of drinking. — 6 months ago

with Tammy

Kate

9.2

Happy Veterans Day! Thank you all who served. Cheers. — 7 months ago

Kristen Grimes

9.8

Cork pull from the WCO fundraising event, and definitely a good win! Classic cali chard... Apple and pear, a bit of citrus, and a good amount of oak without overpowering butteriness. The kind of chard that helped me fall in love with wine 💕 — 8 months ago

Pamela Gibbs

9.0

Nice fragrance, and great long finish. — 10 months ago

Amy Evans

9.9

Amazing. 2006 Trefethen Oak Knoll Cab purchased on out honeymoon in March 2011. Enjoyed on our 20 year dating anniversary. Well worth the wait! — 2 years ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

Bright blackberry fruit jumps out of the glass from this inky purple colored wine. It’s smooth and robust with a touch of sweetness from the oak. — 5 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.3

Striking! This wine smells like Spring. Nose is candied lemon, ripe tropical fruits, sweet apples, white flowers, wet stones. I expected this to be very tart, like Chablis, but was happily surprised to get a rounder presentation with a kiss of oak. This is drinking very well at this stage. — 6 years ago