Rob Brobst III

9.8

2013 Ontogeny Proprietary Red is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, coming from some of Russell Bevan’s favorite vineyard sources – Sugarloaf Mountain, Two Dogs, Tin Box and Tench. Quite flavorful, it is exhibiting slightly more new oak than some of the other cuvées, but is still sexy and opulent, with voluptuous texture, low acidity, and oodles of juicy, succulent black and red fruits, licorice, underbrush and a touch of vanillin. An already irresistible beauty, it can be drunk over the next 20 years. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.7

Bevan Cellars Ontogeny
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A powerhouse Bordeaux-style blend from Russell Bevan, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, with fruit sourced from elite Napa sites such as Tench Vineyard (Oakville, next to Screaming Eagle), Sugarloaf Mountain, and Sage Ridge. This is the estate’s flagship red that over-delivers compared to other triple-digit Napa wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Opulent nose of cassis, blackberries, and graphite, with layers of tobacco leaf, cedar, and baking spices.
On the palate: dense and multi-layered, offering ripe black cherry, plum, cocoa, and licorice, evolving into earthy and savory undertones.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with velvety tannins and extraordinary structure. Rich and ripe, yet beautifully balanced, finishing with a long, polished, lingering finish.

Winemaking Notes
Russell Bevan’s hallmark style—precision, power, and elegance—delivers a wine meant to impress now but with serious aging potential (10+ years).

Food Pairing
Best with grilled ribeye, braised short ribs, lamb chops, or truffle risotto. A showpiece bottle for fine dining.

Verdict
A monster Napa blend that’s lush, powerful, and complex—yet still refined. Truly a collectible wine, and if you can get it before prices climb, it’s a steal compared to Bevan’s other labels. — 3 months ago

Brian Reedy

9.7

Gorgeous wine. Deep and dark. Elegant nose. Wonderful blend. Not a classic Bordeaux blend, a very Cab forward “Cali” blend — 2 years ago

with Sarah

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2016 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 1.5 hours. Throwing a small amount of clumpy sed. Medium/medium-heavy body. Graphite/lead + just dampened earth in the nose. Well-framed tannins balanced nicely with chocolate, plum, cherry, cassis notes. Tasted the 2023 Bevan Cellars Tench a few days ago (9.4) and it added an unnecessary voluptuous layer/weight. This was intrinsically more satisfying and perceived pure. Still on the ascent to the top of the slide. Yes she is. Yes she is. Look out cause here she comes. Hehe. 08.24.25. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.7

Bevan Cellars EE Red Wine 2019
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A flagship cuvée from the East/East blocks of Tench Vineyard in Oakville (next to Screaming Eagle), the 2019 EE is Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant with supporting Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. This bottling represents one of Bevan’s most terroir-driven wines, showcasing Oakville’s volcanic, iron-rich soils.

Aromas & Flavors
Intense and concentrated, with dark blackberry, cassis, black plum, and graphite at its core. Layers of violets, pencil shavings, and espresso build complexity, while subtle tobacco and spice notes reveal the vintage’s structure.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied, muscular, and powerful, yet polished. The tannins are ripe and firm, giving the wine backbone, while the mid-palate is lush and layered. Long, mineral-driven finish with savory depth.

Winemaking Notes
Aged ~20 months in French oak (around 80% new), the 2019 vintage benefitted from Napa’s ideal growing season: long hang times, cooler evenings, and steady ripening — a classic recipe for age-worthy balance.

Food Pairing
Think porterhouse steak, braised short ribs, or rosemary lamb chops — bold dishes that match its power and finesse.

Verdict
The 2019 EE is a monumental wine — expressive now with air (best after decanting), but with the structure to age 15–20 years. A truly collector-worthy Napa red that balances terroir expression with Bevan’s signature opulence. — 2 months ago

Laith A

9.6

Fantastic wine.. fruit forward.. easy to drink on pop n pour .. crowd pleaser — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2023 vintage. Medium heavy body. Brooding and petulant while hiding behind a forced smile. This has power and plenty of alcohol but camouflaged tannins. Oodles of blue fruit with hints of milk chocolate-covered cherry, hot maple syrup, ripe plum and graphite. 08.22.25. — 2 months ago

Michael Walker

9.7

4th of the K Laz tasting - this is the Lillian John blend - maybe it’s too young but find it very thin - apparently next door to Screaming Eagle but pretty sure this is a very pale imitation - nose is slightly off, good fruit but again on the sour side — a year ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Shelby papa luis — a year ago

Eric L.

9.4

Lovely Merlot-based blend. — 4 years ago