"Odedi"

9.2

Pretty salmon in color, with a peach/ neon hue.

Fruity nose of currants, strawberries, apples, light herbs, limes and spices.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, cherries, red currants, peaches, apples, citrus, spices and herbs.

Long finish with limes.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé from Oak Knoll District in Napa Valley. Rich and elegant, fruity and nicely balanced. Complex and interesting.

Feels like a light red wine, so interesting and yummy.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent.

A great sipping wine that will pair nicely with food too.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in stainless steel vats for 6 months. A tiny production of less than 1,000 bottles.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$38. — 10 days ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark garnet purple. Funkily inviting nose of brambly montmorency cherry, dark cranberry, and currant (red & black). Echoed on the medium full palate which adds dark raspberry and a hint of patent leather. All supported by medium plus acidity and wrapped in velvety medium plus tannins. Finish is long and continues the entire palate along with those tannins. Rustic without the earth best describes this affordable and food-friendly Lebanese red. Rustic-inspired (I chose shepherd's pie) or Mediterranean fare will naturally pair. Drink now through 2030. — 2 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark, glass-clinging amethyst purple with opaque black core. Initially shy but inviting nose of blackberry, echoed on the medium full plate which adds notes of licorice, dark plum, and patent leather. Juicy, medium plus acidity enhancers the fruit and, paired with medium tannins, yields a very food-friendly Syrah that's a natural for steaks, roasts, or grilled fare. Try it with black olive pizza! Drink now through 2028. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark purple with near black core. Abundant nose of brambly blackberry. Juicy, medium palate conforms the nose adding peppery red apple and new patent leather. Medium plus acidity and medium tannins make the wine lighter on its feet than the color and nose portend. Finish is moderately short and continues the palate. A grape not often heard from on its own takes center stage as a lithe Spanish red with complexity for meals with complex flavors from hearty meats and stews to salmon and paella. Drink now through 2028. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

This is a very enjoyable Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley.

Medium bodied with high acidity.

Dry on the palate, crisp and refreshing.

Showing limes, grapefruits, vegetables, earth, green apples, light tropical fruits, spices and herbs.

Tangy finish with limes and spices.

Feels very much like one from New Zealand. Spicy and interesting.

I paired it with a lump crab and cheese appetizer.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$33. — 4 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark garnet with blackish purple core. Inviting nose of black cherry, red apple, and cola. Full-bodied palate yields black cherry, raspberry, red apple peel, anise, and light patent leather. Supple medium plus tannins mid-palate to finish. Medium plus acidity. An excellent Rhône red that’s ready for any “red wine” situation from American steak dinners to medium and hard cheeses to cigars. Drinking wonderfully now, but will satisfy and develop through at least 2030. — 5 years ago

Christy

9.5

Somm - patent pending celebration. One of my favs — 6 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark purple. Blackberries and patent leather on the inviting nose. Full-bodied palate echoes the nose adding, in addition, blackberry, cassis, and a hint of dark chocolate. Medium acidity. Medium tannins, mostly on the finish. A classic Argentine Malbec that checks off all the boxes. Enjoy with beef (of course), lamb, or hearty root vegetable dishes. Drink now through 2027. — 4 months ago

Peter Sultan

9.4

What a fascinating Rhone blend, from a far south appellation and vigneron I’ve never encountered. Given the 18years of bottle age plus pre release, some serious stuffing- especially at 15% abv- but really presents more like a fresh, slightly funky northern Rhone, ie, Syrah. Like George Clooney in ballet shoes, but truly graceful. Deep black fruits, some gaminess & feral qualities. Apparently the maker subscribes to such a higher order of biodynamics that he holds a patent on it. Finish fairly long & satisfying. Paired with the main courses of a modern Korean tasting menu, including roast duck. Doesn’t have to be a unicorn to be enjoyed, but this one is. Very special. Rosenthal book. — 2 years ago

with Owen

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Transparent garnet red. Violets and black cherries on the abundant nose. Medium full palate confirms the nose, adding hints of patent leather and medium light dusty tannins. Medium acidity from entry to moderate finish. Easy-drinking entry point into Barolo's less assertive twin. Take it anywhere you'd take a midrange Burgundy or premium Tuscan. Drink now through 2028. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Bright and deep ruby purple with quickly dissipating magenta mousse. Black cherry and tarry patent leather on the inviting nose and medium full palate. Medium acidity and medium tannins. Finish is lengthy and continues the palate and extends the tannins. Wonderful dry red sparkler suitable for brunch, dinner, or just sipping (though the tannins do call for food of some type). Drink it when you buy it. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark red purple. Inviting nose of black berry and black currant. Echoed on the medium full palate with hints of graphite and patent leather. Medium non-assertive tannins most present on the back palate leads to the medium long finish. Medium acidity and silky oak makes this second label a nice entry point into Bordeaux for the New World enthusiast. Fine cuts of beef with Bordelaise is a natural of course. Drink now through 2028 while waiting for Calon-Segur to ripen. — 4 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark red purple. Inviting nose of black cranberry and patent leather. Medium full palate echoes the nose adding a hintnn by of black olive and licorice on the finish. Medium plus tannins. Medium plus acidity. Classic Rhône with a slightly New World sheen. Great with beef or rustic pork dishes. — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Douro Reserva Port Barrel finish. Deep, near black hazy purple. Abundant, port-like nose of dark berries and patent leather. Dark fruit, vanilla, and patent leather reign on the full-bodied palate. Medium tannins. Medium minus acidity. Tastes like a light Port, which is understandable given the varieties and production method. Best with hearty neat stews or roasts, but a nice lighter cigar will work, too. Drink now through 2030. Yes, that’s what I wrote. — 6 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Patent Wines – Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Oak Knoll District AVA, Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Oak Knoll District, one of Napa Valley’s cooler AVAs. This sub-AVA is often called the “sweet spot” for Cabernet because of its moderate climate, producing wines that balance ripe fruit with elegance and freshness. Patent Wines focuses on small-lot production, emphasizing purity of varietal character and terroir-driven expression.

Aromas & Flavors
The nose bursts with ripe blackcurrant, blackberry compote, and dark cherry, layered with cocoa, cedar, and graphite. Subtle hints of violet, dried sage, and vanilla spice add complexity. On the palate, the wine delivers lush cassis, plum, and black cherry, framed by espresso and tobacco accents.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and lively acidity. The structure is firm yet refined, leading into a long, balanced finish of dark fruit, oak spice, and a whisper of minerality.

Winemaking Notes
Hand-harvested fruit from carefully chosen Oak Knoll vineyard blocks. Aged in French oak barrels (with a balanced mix of new and neutral) for 18–20 months to refine texture and integrate flavors while preserving vibrancy.

Food Pairing
A natural partner for grilled ribeye, lamb chops with rosemary, or braised short ribs. For a simpler pairing, aged cheddar or mushroom risotto work beautifully.

Verdict
A thoughtful Napa Cabernet that combines ripeness with restraint — Oak Knoll’s signature style. The 2022 vintage drinks well now after a decant but shows the structure to develop gracefully over the next decade. Cheers! — 10 months ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark garnet. Inviting nose and medium full palate of black currant, black cherry, and a hint of patent leather mid palate to finish. Solid, medium plus acidity. Medium tannins. And that finish is fairly long, even cutting through pasta with tomato sauce. An excellent entree into Bolgheri: Cabernet-led but still squarely in the Italian mold. Drink now through 2030 with classic Cabernet or Italian fare. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.2

100% Mourvèdre. Dark, glass clinging purple red with opaque black core. Big, bosomy nose of patent leather. Dark, full-bodied palate yields all of that patent leather plus slightly tart black fruit (my dinner partner says blackberry). Assertive but supple tannins from entry. Long, dreamy finish. French and Mediterranean fare are naturals. Drink now through 2047. — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark glass-clinging purple. Dark fruit and patent leather on the blousy nose, echoed on the medium full palate. Medium plus acidity and medium plus tannins mark this as an archetypical Washington Syrah, with full, New World fruit buttressed by structure that calls to mind the Northern Rhône. Medium long finish continues the palate. An excellent NW US Syrah that will represent Yakima well on the dinner table with roasted or grilled meats and accompanying fall/winter fare. Drink now through 2027 or so. — 4 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.0

Dark but clear ruby. Black cherry and patent leather nose portends the medium full, leathery black cherry palate. Medium acidity from entry wrapped in supple medium tannins. Finish is lengthy and continues the palate. Rosso di Montalcino — the “Prince” red of Tuscany — is the bellwether for Brunello and Val di Suga’s entry predicts great things for the “King” in the 2019 vintage. Enjoy this with all classic fare from pizza to pork loin to Osso Bucco. Drink now and imagine what’s four years down the line. — 5 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Dark, glass-clinging red purple. Abundant and inviting nose yields blackberry, cassis, and birch. Full palate gives up blackberry cobbler and patent leather wrapped in firm, dusty tannins (decanting recommended). Medium acidity. Lengthy dark finish. A great intro to Bolgheri in this blend of the Cabernets. Serve with hearty meat dishes. Drink now through 2025. — 5 years ago