Tom Casagrande

9.3

I took the photo outside, and it’s very warm, thus the condensation on the glass. But I quickly brought it inside. Deep, saturated color, youthful still. Nose is gorgeous, with deep cassis, dark minerally gravel, a bit of high-quality oak treatment. Intense and rich in the mouth, but more in a lean and clingy sense than in a fat fruit bomb way, thankfully. Tannins are prominently there, particularly in the tail end of the finish, where they cling to the side of the mouth, but they’re balanced with the richness of the wine. Finish is very long. Terrific wine. Will age (and likely improve) several more years. — 3 days ago

John Harding

9.6

Cherry and berry nose. Fruit forward with a distinctive spice. Tannins and acidity have mellowed. Easily my favorite. Easy to drink. Drank this 2009 in 2026. Probably my favorite vintage. I save it for special occasions, but it’s time to drink it. Bottom of the cork was getting crumbly. — 19 days ago

with Jenny

Christian Fischer

9.4

Smooth and well-balanced. Nice ending of the evening — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

1973 vintage. Okay fill. Opened with a Durand. Cork 80% saturated. Musty, hot, slightly “raisined” nose. Light medium body. Drank more like a Burgundy at this stage of life. Amplifying savory aspects currently. Definitely instructive and an absolute blast to hit the FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) with. These formative, ancient Napa Cabs always so revealing, primal and archival. The 1973 cork a little longer than those short stuff 1968 and 1969 ones. 6.12.26. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

I have said before, they farm some of the best Napa Bordeaux blended fruits. There are likely different opinions on what happens in the winemakers process after harvest. But on pure fruit, yeah they do. This 23 is no exception.

The fruits are ripe, lush, ruby; blackberries, black raspberry w/ awesome purple & blue fruits. It is round, elegant, very balanced. Softly layered baking spices with candied red, dark flowers with violets, rainfall acidity with a finish that lasts two-minutes and lands on moist clay & fruit.

Tasted at Roy Estates. The view from Roy Estate is one of the very best, if not the best view of Napa rolling vineyards. — 4 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Deep ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of black fruit, iron and wet soil. Flavors of blackberry, black plum, dark chocolate and baking spices. Noticeable “Rutherford Dust” on the long, earthy and savory finish. Soft tannins. Alcohol and acidity are quite abundant and noticeable. Lower (more Medium) bodied then I expected. Well balanced and quite interesting. — 7 months ago

Pooneet K

9.3

It’s always easy to be biased for a wine you had some small part in contributing to (I worked at the vineyard right before this harvest) but this is authentically excellent. Has aged extremely well. With a 1.5 hour decant and a slight chill, the classic dusty Rutherford fruit with very nice acid on the finish comes through in spades. Very long finish and quite in balance. Perfect pairing with some beautiful dry aged strip steaks to round out Thanksgiving weekend. — 9 months ago

Tom Garland

9.0

1 hour decant (decent sediment). A splendid inky purplish garnet color. On the nose: notes of black and blue fruit, forest floor, truffles, mint, pencil shavings, black olives. Taste: blackberry/plum, cocoa, cedar, minerals, and a spiced oaky/graphite medium plus slightly astringent finish with some still there kicken tannins. — 2 days ago

with Brenda

Ming L

9.3

The nose bursts with aromas of blackberry, cassis, violet, cocoa, dry herbs, a distinct iron-like minerality. The palate is rich and composed, with a vibrant streak of acidity. Velvety tannins frame the fruit without heaviness. The finish lingers long with subtle spices.

A powerful Rutherford cab with lots of finesses. Long life ahead. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Dry-Farmed, a bit of Cabernet Franc in mix, aged 20 months in mostly neutral French oak barrels. Dark Ruby red color with aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs and floral spice. On the palate flavors of ripe black cherry, raspberry and cassis with espresso, cinnamon and earthy spice notes. Nice balance, lively acidity, fine tannins, long ending with fruit, cacao and tobacco spice! Nice! — a month ago

Michael Patrone

9.7

Dinner with Anu/David. Wonderfully integrated. Still has tons of fruit, ready for another decade or two. — 2 months ago

with Meghana

Jay Kline

9.4

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of very fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe with some tart and drying fruits: cassis, blackberries, pipe tobacco, Serrano pepper, purple flowers, leather, and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the alcohol is medium+. FWIW, this is an impressive wine on the nose and the palate.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend there of) or Sangiovese-blend, or Tempranillo (or blend) from the United States, France, Italy or Spain. However, the shear generosity of fruit and lavish oak treatment leads me to Napa. Additionally, there’s a structure that gives me mountain fruit vibes. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, 2015. Perhaps I was trying to be a bit too clever but scoring lots of points nonetheless. Probably one of the more memorable, contemporary Freemark Abbey’s I’ve had. Really impressive. Drink now through 2050. — 4 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1.5 hour decant(some chunky sediment). A remarkable inky purplish garnet color with some bricking. On the nose: exquisite notes of ripe dark berries, cassis, smoked meat, floral, black olives, mint. Taste: velvety, elegant, structured mouthcoating wine with blackberry, cassis, earth, licorice, crushed stone, and a spiced-mineral-dark chocolate espresso long finish. YUM!! — 6 months ago

with Brenda

Rick Phillips

9.8

Pure Silk! Subtle fruit! Hints of chocolate, cherry, plums. Notes of old leather and tobacco. I would love to say enjoyed with an aged prime rib, but have to admit was enjoyed with our last quart of chile we made in Dec. I could drink this with a PBJ sandwich. Really don’t think it’s hit it peak yet! — 9 days ago

with Letha

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Deep purple color. Aromas of baked berries, dried lavender and peppery notes. Plum and blackberry on the palate, leather and oak finish. — a month ago

Andrea Watt

9.0

Brioche upfront with pear, then almonds and a touch of citrus, mineral, and peach. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Opened with the assistance of a Durand and decanted about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1981 Rubicon pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a combination of dried, ripe and tart, red and black fruits: mixed brambles, red and black currants, black cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, old leather, dried flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, minerals and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+ and sanguine. A rather remarkable ‘81 that seems almost evergreen when considering the color and condition of the fruit. In fact, it seemed to gain energy with air. Impressive. Drink now with a short decant and through 2041. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Pale straw lemon color with aromas of tropical fruit, lime citrus and grassy aromas. On the palate flavors of pear and grapefruit with herb notes, vivid acidity. Medium+ finish, ending with fruit, grassy noted and mineral tones. — 5 months ago

Walter Fahr

9.3

Excellent Pine Ridge Cabernet from Rutherford region. Fruit forward of course, deep ruby in color with great texture. Smooth, Great with a variety of red meat and pastas. Drank January 2026 — 8 months ago

Mark Osmers

9.2

The Rutherford Hill Napa Merlot (2021) reveals a deep ruby core with subtle garnet reflections, suggesting youthful vibrancy with potential for short-term development. The nose is precise and layered, offering blackberry and raspberry fruit interwoven with cedar nuances, indicative of measured oak influence.

On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, with light acidity that enlivens the fruit profile while maintaining balance.

Tannins are fine-grained and unobtrusive, supporting a bright structural framework that lends clarity and poise.

The finish is clean and persistent, marked by freshness rather than weight, making this a versatile companion to dishes such as roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or semi-hard cheeses. — 10 months ago