Oak Ranch Estate

Vine Hill Ranch

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Big polished and showing a hint of heat. Happily the oak isn’t too pronounced. For me this baby needs time. — 8 days ago

Tom, Joel and 2 others liked this

Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023

Pear, apple, lemon, and light oak. Crisp but full. — a month ago

"Odedi", Sagee and 4 others liked this

Arnot-Roberts

Watson Ranch Chardonnay 2024

Like a fine burgundy, delicious — 2 months ago

Arnot-Roberts

Clary Ranch Syrah 2017

A bit of the old house style, not as focused as the recent 2013. Still a reference in balance for CA. — 3 months ago

Austin, Tom and 6 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.4

I have written a few times regarding my tale of Caymus & Caymus Classic. Their vintages post 2011 and their vintages pre 2011.

I have at event tastings that Caymus was pouring, encouraged their staff to talk with Chuck to make both Caymus & Caymus Classic. Recently, I emailed them to pass on my thoughts to Chuck asking him to make both. If you liked Caymus the way it was, I encourage you to do the same. There is a dwelling amount of older, well preserved Caymus Classic vintages. info@wagnerfamilyofwine.com should you be so inclined.

Their post 2011 Caymus Cabernets are picked at higher brix and syrupy sweet. I get why Chuck changed. Many like sweeter Cabernets that drink easy young. That is not my wheelhouse.

In my intermediate wine days, I aged and enjoyed many pre 2012 vintages. This perfect bottle bought on the secondary market at around $70 is extremely well stored. The cork when I cut the foil looked slightly depressed, when I pulled it with an Ah-so was next to new.

I enjoyed this with a Ribcap, not the best wine for that steak but, ok. This 07 is more filet or NY Strip.

The nose shows; a very dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush-blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, mellow dark spices, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry tobacco, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender.

This bottle now nearly 18 years in bottle has not faded. It is at its precipice and will hold a few yrs. 2007 a grand Napa vintage. Decanted a little over an hour and enjoyed over the next 90-120 minutes. With this experience, another hour in the decanter is even better.

M-M+ velvety, rounded, tannins. The palate is round, ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush; blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, stewed plum, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries with notes of liqueur overtones, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, black licorice, dark berry cola, distinct dark, Caynus Classic spices w/ palate heat, herbaceous notes, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone/rock, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry river stone, charcoal, notes of menthol, dry tobacco, leather, dry oak barrel shavings, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender, perfect, round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted-toned-structured, elegantly/smartly polished finish that goes on and on and long sets on beautiful earth & spice.

94+ This experience is becoming rarer & rarer.
— 4 months ago

Andrew, Rick and 9 others liked this
Joe DAscoli

Joe DAscoli Premium Badge

The 07 such a great wine

Nickel & Nickel

C.C. Ranch Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Happy Birthday Heather — 6 months ago

Brian BroxsonHeather Rostker
with Brian and Heather
Bobbi Jo, Heather and 2 others liked this
Heather Rostker

Heather Rostker

That was so good!

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

Over 30 years old. Has aged quite well. Did not have a decanter to deal with the sediment, but still a great wine to experience. Would be curious to see how this bottle compares to its counterpart from Alexander Valley. — a month ago

Ridge Vineyards

Pagani Ranch Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Blend 2023

Found it! This is a light-handed Zin, and very delicious. Thanks for the recommendation! @Doug Powers @Anthony De Blasi
Listening to a little Depeche Mode!!
— 2 months ago

Ray, Tom and 15 others liked this
Anthony De Blasi

Anthony De Blasi

@Dave sorry, today is the first time in weeks that Delectable kind of works again…it’s a pleasure to see that you play Depeche Mode at one of my recommendations 🤩

Etude

Estate Grown Grace Benoist Ranch Pinot Noir 2011

A gift from a friend, this is lovely, with a bit of tobacco on the nose and lively cherry and strawberry flavors on the palate. The finish goes on and on. — 3 months ago

Pax Mahle Wines

Castelli-Knight Ranch Syrah 2005

Perfectly balanced, no browning on the edges, long finish — 4 months ago

Nickel & Nickel

State Ranch Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Fruity beginning that opens up to a peppery finish. Very smooth. A bit over priced at $109. Didn’t see the complexity at that price point. — 4 months ago

Rombauer Vineyards

Carneros Chardonnay 2024

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

Paul, Andrew and 2 others liked this

Jamieson Ranch Vineyards

Double Lariat Limited Production Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

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

Tammy de Weerd
with Tammy
Andrew, Jan and 4 others liked this

Abreu Vineyards

Madrona Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

+1 hour decant(lots of fine/cloudy sediment). A splendid still inky dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: expressive notes of dark red fruit, currants, smoked meat, tobacco leaf, scorched earth, nutmeg. Taste: silky, layered, rich wine with ripe blackberry/blueberry, earth, baking spice, chocolate, and a long minerally espresso never-ending finish. YUM!! — 2 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Joe and 15 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Yummy, smooth, flavorful, and not too heavy. Had at Josh's — 2 months ago

Iwan, "Odedi" and 1 other liked this

Failla

Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2023

Very nice and truly enjoyed. — 2 months ago

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Oak Knoll District Cabernet Sauvignon

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

Oak Ridge Winery

OZV Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2022

Wow, so big, so fruity, a bit sugary. It’s old school cool, like a true OG CA Zinfandel. — 4 months ago

Dutton-Goldfield

Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir 2023

2023 vintage. Medium body. Well-made and solid with some complexities evident currently. Not dynamic or life-altering but a very, very excellent example of what has been, what is and what will be from this specific designation. 1.23.26. — 5 months ago

"Odedi", Bob and 14 others liked this