Santa Helena

Realm Cellars

Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Shay A
9.5

One of the wines I supplied for an annual lunch hosting (co-host this time). I was really hesitant to open this given the fanfare of this specific wine, but also how DrCrane can be an in-between wine for me (so explosive young, shut down at 5-10yrs, re-open 10+). Decanted two-three hours.

Classic deep purple-black DrCrane in the glass. Aromatics are immediate with ripe blue and black fruits, baking spices, mocha and graphite. Just a little bit of high-toned EA to make it pop, along with this roasted character I always get from DrCrane wines. Opulent and polished in every way on the palate, this is a tidal wave of flavor with no hard edges. It’s a towering wine in the sense of so much concentration and depth on the mid-palate, but it’s so incredibly polished at the finish…almost shockingly so. The ripe fruits and the dark chocolate linger longer than any Napa cab I can remember. Iron first in a velvet glove.

No need to worry, these are open for business. Plenty of structure to carry a while, but this window seems like it was made for how this wine is drinking now.
— 2 days ago

Norman, Doug and 14 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

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I need to get on this invite!!! Great show
Shay A

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If you are ever in the Fort Worth area, reach out!
Deborah M

Deborah M

Wow. Nice!

Au Bon Climat

Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2023

If only this was available for a few € less it would be a perfect house chard for me. Very solid. — 10 days ago

Ron and Andrew liked this

Domaine Eden

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

2019. At Kuumbwa Jazz enjoying a Christian McBride concert — 3 days ago

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

A crowd pleaser. A touch of Cali cab sweetness A no send crushed rose petals and blackberry. A scintilla of tobacco and lavender. A little wood on the palate. Well restrained. Drinking well - with lots of life left. NI’m brush on this one — 7 days ago

David Stein
with David
Jan, Tyler and 3 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Somm David T
9.5

From 375ml. @Lira Restaurant The Chef is the Gordon Ramsey winner.

Resolved, velvety M+ tannins. Ruby fruits of; blackberry pie, black raspberries, blueberries, both plums, dark cherries & raspberries. Dark chocolate bar, slightly moist tobacco, sandalwood to barrel shavings, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry herbs, light cinnamon, clove, vanillin, mocha, dry, volcanic clay, dark, withering flowers, some lavender framed in violets, excellent round acidity with incredible, balance, perfectly tensioned, softly structured, elegance finish that lasts a full minute.
— 6 days ago

Tom, Joe and 14 others liked this

Sandhi Wines

Santa Barbara County Chardonnay

Light gold, citrus notes are strong and the finish is pleasant — 9 days ago

Au Bon Climat

Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2006

Took a bit of time for the funk to blow off but once it did it was drinking nicely. Not much life left though, but amazing a California Pinot could last this long. — 4 days ago

Paul, Shay and 5 others liked this

Belle Glos

Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

Crafted by Joseph J. Wagner, 4th generation winemaker, with winemaking roots in the Napa Valley since 1906. Deep Ruby with red berry fruit aromas, tea and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of jammy blackberry and cherry with pronounced sweet vanilla oak, cacao and pepper spice notes. Soft tannins and bright acidity, well balanced, with mineral tones on a long finish ending with toasty spice! Nice! — 15 days ago

Rob, Jonathan and 3 others liked this

Kosta Browne

Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2014

Tasting really good right now. Less sweet than a non single vintage — 7 days ago

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot Blend 2021

Medium body, dark chocolate, light acidity, black plum — 7 days ago