Oak Spring

Smith Madrone

Estate Bottled Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Earthy nose with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, chocolates, Indian spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, earth, dark chocolates, green vegetables and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cherries, oak, dark chocolates, coffee, spices, earth, black tea, light green vegetables and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a young Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley. Elegant and nicely balanced. Fruit forward and complex, with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Left Bank Bordeaux.

Needed 3 hours in the decanter to open up properly, so be patient.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

I've had a few different vintages of this wine and this vintage seems to be more approachable at this young age.

Delicious by itself, and paired beautifully with the beef brisket.

A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels for 18 months.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70.
— 25 days ago

Tom, Dave and 8 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Always a (relatively) good value for Napa Cab.

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1992

1992 vintage. 6.24.26. — a month ago

"Odedi", Ted and 7 others liked this
ESF

ESF

👀

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. — 2 months ago

Far Niente Winery

Napa Valley Chardonnay

Butter, oak, lime? — 3 months ago

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Reserve Oak Knoll District Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Celebrating a special holiday today. Enjoying this wonderful bottle of wine now. Could save it for another occasion. But not — 4 months ago

Rob and Laura liked this

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. — 4 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. — 5 months ago

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Elivette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

Great. But the fruit dissipated quickly (30 minutes). Still solid tertiary structure, but it’s a drink in the next 1-2 years for peak experience. You have been notified, @Paul K — 11 days ago

Dave, Rick and 2 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Thanks @James K Do you have any left? I have found SMV wines to have quite a bit of bottle variation when you get > 10 years. I have loved the ‘12s and been just meh about them at times. I don’t know if it’s the size and quantity of production or style? Anyway, I hope you have another and try in a year or so. Would love to see if you have a different experience.

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Oak Knoll District Chardonnay

Buttery, creamy, and exactly what I look for in a cali Chard. Yum. — 19 days ago

Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023

Paradigmatic California Chardonnay. Oak and butter and vanilla. Extraordinary. — 17 days ago

Tom liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Yummy, smooth, flavorful, and not too heavy. Had at Josh's — 3 months ago

Iwan, "Odedi" and 1 other liked this

Philip Togni Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.6

This is a producer that should be more revered than it is. His 90’s were amongst my favorite Napa Cabernets. Especially, the 94, which is exceptional and I’ve had on 3-4 occasions.

2007 is a grand vintage but this one needs more cellaring. It is still in its adolescence. I would like to try this in another 8-10 yrs. Don’t get me wrong, this drinks nicely now but it’s best is still ahead.

I coravined & decanted this in a big Bordeaux glass for an hour and it is still a 1/2 monster.

The nose shows; dark currents/cassis, blackberries, black plum w/ skin, very black cherries, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries with understated raspberries in the glass edges, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mocha powder, caramel, chocolate baking bar, understated baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, both black & red licorice/cola, moist herbs, tree sap, limestone, dry top soils-river stone and beautiful, withering/candied dark & red florals framed in candied violets.

The M+ tannins are round, velvety, dusty and still meaty. Dark currents/cassis, blackberries, black plum w/ skin, very black cherries, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, liqueur cherries with understated, hovering raspberries. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mocha powder, caramel, chocolate baking bar, understated baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, both black & red licorice/cola, moist herbs, tree sap, soft, moist cigar box, leather, anise, rounded very dark spices, moist clays, limestone, dry top soils-river stone and beautiful, withering/candied dark & red florals framed in candied violets, very round, pleasant acidity with balance for days, still pronounced structure/tension, great length and a smartly, polished, ruby two-minute finish that long sets on on deep, dark spice, earthiness & ruby, dark currents.

Right now a Filet steak, not a fatty steak, Ribeye or Ribcap.

Still so youthful! Add a point or two in 7-10 yrs. .

Philip is in his 90’s and still involved in the winemaking. He walks the property daily.
— 3 months ago

Jeroen, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this
Jeroen Koenen

Jeroen Koenen

A personal favorite! The 1997 iteration of this wine converted me, being a classic Bordeauxphile, into American wines some 20 years ago. Thank you for that, Mr. Togni.

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

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The 07 such a great wine

Cain Vineyard & Winery

Cain Five Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

2015 vintage. Sampled from Coravin. Medium body. The monstrous tannins tamed somewhat...as they meet a decade+. Absolutely, top-notch nose. If you both respect the exuberance of youth and celebrate the wisdom of age, this is for you. A fascinating, case study currently. 6.24.26. — a month ago

Somm, Doug and 6 others liked this
Somm David T

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Own this $39 recent purchase
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Somm David T Picked up a case.. Gotta dig out the invoice but resto cost was in the $30's. Do recall the 1987 vintage being $13.33 a bottle before the brand decided to make this the benchmark it is.

Grgich Hills Estate

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023

2023 vintage. Crisp apricot and pear aromas on the nose, light oak taste on the palette, decent finish. Great afternoon wine with cheese, salami, and hummus. — 2 months ago

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

Inky in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, plums, licorice, light cedar, earth, cola, herbs, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, black tea and light garigge notes.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black plums, currants, oak, light licorice, spices, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, cola, herbs, peppercorn and light vegetables.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is already drinking beautifully. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with a smooth mouthfeel. Elegant and complex, spicy and tangy.

Delicious now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

The alcohol is nicely integrated already, although not as high as typically from this region.

Robert Parker 95 points. Wine Spectator 92 points.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and this is not my favorite, by far.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 1% Malbec.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$450.
— 3 months ago

Jay, Stephen and 9 others liked this
Jay Kline

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These wines, to my palate, are not particularly interesting this young. After 15+ years from vintage? Way more interesting.
"Odedi"

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@Jay Kline not a great vintage too
Jay Kline

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Personally, I think many have overreacted regarding 2022. Yes, Mother Nature threw some challenges late in the harvest but some made outstanding wines and when you consider the fruit source for Opus One, I’m sure they were on the winning side.

Cakebread Cellars

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2023

Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and spice 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. Pair this with a tuna steak. — 3 months ago

Paul, Juan and 6 others liked this