Road To Cali

Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Shay A
9.2

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

A treat to try this next to the ‘88, and also against a mini-flight of Leoville Barton. This ‘14 was shockingly odd…unbelievably high toned, sharp, and bing cherry driven aromatically. It actually has this weird cherry reduction profile but also a malic/butter note that needs time to blow off. Crème de cassis and red licorice on the palate with a small amount of graphite. A lot of Calistoga cabs for me show the warmth of the region and this evidently is in that vein, but it’s very Montelena-esque at the end of the day. I’d hold another 5-7yrs.
— 13 days ago

Tom, Bob and 22 others liked this

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Close to perfect, granted don't know what that is, but this is near... — 10 days ago

David, Eric and 12 others liked this

Joel Gott Wines

815 California Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Deep ruby in color; cassis, black plum, and black pepper on the nose; medium acidity; high tannins; tastes like blackberries, black cherries, and eucalyptus with a long finish. It's better after decanting for about 30 minutes. I like it, and Nellie likes it with food. — 9 days ago

Nellie Bauman
with Nellie

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010

In Magnum. Excellent balance of fruit and acid. Many years to go. — 9 days ago

Rob, Jay and 1 other liked this

Apothic

Winemaker's Blend California Red Blend

Drank on Marmon. Sat well with me and easy to drink — 15 days ago

Ridge Vineyards

Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2021

Ted
9.1

I don’t think I have ever had anything made by ridge until a few weeks ago. Mighty tasty stuff. Went well with the pasta dish I made for dinner — 19 hours ago

Jeni
with Jeni
Tom, David and 6 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Ridge is so consistently good-to-great. A go-to for me.

Cakebread Cellars

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Petite Verdot, 1% Syrah, 1% Malbec & 2% Cabernet Franc, aged for 17 months in 48% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, oak and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cherry and currants with tobacco and herb spice. Fine smooth tannins, approachable, long finish ending with fruit, oak, spice and herb mineral character. Nice! — 3 days ago

Juan and Tom liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

David T
9.6

This was a nice pour out of 9L served up by their Winemaker, Trevor Durling. He and his team are a great group of people.

Really excellent evolution. Classic Private Reserve George Latour style. Fine, dark tarry tannins, dark cassis, wet clay, sandalwood, used tobacco, light herbaceous notes, understated lead pencil, some baking spices, dark spice, withering dark & red flowers, excellent round acidity, balance for days, soft structure & tension and an elegant, round, plush, velvety finish that close to two-minutes.
— 25 days ago

Shay, Ira and 16 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

David T
9.2

Had to try it. Used to love their work prior to 2012. After that, their style changed to picking at higher brix levels thus creating a much sweeter profile. SS was one I’d hoped they’d left alone and they did not. Not quite as sweet as their regular Cabernet but sweeter than before. I made the pitch to the property to make Caymus Classic along side their new sweeter style wines. The 94 Special Selection was one of their best. — a month ago

Ming, Tom and 6 others liked this

Austin Hope

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Ted
9.2

Same restaurant almost a year later. New vintage. Delicious. Ready to roll. — 19 days ago

Jeni
with Jeni
Jose, Tom and 11 others liked this