The Valley

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1986

Poured into a decanter to remove sediment prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 1986 pours a garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of cassis, dried blackberries, green bell pepper, tobacco, dried purple flowers, earth and fine cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium (integrated) tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A solid but somewhat demure showing, particularly in the midpalate. Drink now. — 12 days ago

Tom, Jan and 6 others liked this

Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2014

The color has darkened but it’s still vibrant. The oak is stronger but the lemon isn’t gone and it’s got notes of pear and toast. — 18 days ago

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

When I’m not drinking a Napa Cab, and I’m having a fillet mignon, I reach for a Jordon. Blend of 87% Cab Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot & 1% Malbec, aged 13 months in 100% French oak (35% new). Deep Ruby red color with aromas of red fruit, floral and an array of herb spices. On the palate flavors of blackberry and raspberry with oak, vanilla spice, leather and cacao notes. Rich fine tannins, well balanced and integrated with fruit and oak. Very Nice! Will age well. Just had this at a chophouse, Nice! — 23 days ago

jesus, Sagee and 6 others liked this

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1994

Over 30 years old. Has aged quite well. Did not have a decanter to deal with the sediment, but still a great wine to experience. Would be curious to see how this bottle compares to its counterpart from Alexander Valley. — 25 days ago

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

2023 Vintage. A very pleasant and easy drinking Napa Cab up front. Decent aroma on the nose, vibrant notes of cherry and blackberry, delicately structured tannins, with a very smooth finish. Not chewy or viscous, but still a bold Cab flavor that resonates with the right amount of spice. Would gladly enjoy again. — a month ago

Tom, Robin and 2 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 2010

Ming L
9.4

The nose bursts with ripe yellow peach, mandarin, and dried pineapple, layered with brioche and a hint of white flowers. The palate is plush yet electric, with creamy texture quickly cut by vibrant lemon zest and a light salinity. The finish is precise and long. — an hour ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1999

1999 vintage. Nice fill. Used a Durand. Solid cork with approx 50% saturation. Decanted and tasted after two hours. That decided Lynch-Bages medium heavy bod. Has dropped some, not all, of the overt primary fruit load. Pleasant spices and feminine characteristics easily noted and cataloged. Pretty harmonious now tho with a little chunkiness/tannic blessing as more of a fleeting kiss vs a big hug. Could easily go another decade in this ensemble. 6.14.26. — 4 days ago

Daniel, Jeroen and 6 others liked this

Stags' Leap Winery

Napa Valley Petite Sirah 2020

This is a full bodied wine providing intense, concentrated flavors of blueberries, raspberries, violets, and cassis, with an underlying layer of dried herbs. It has quite high tannins that provide a chalky mouthfeel, but it’s balanced nicely by med/high acidity. On the finish, notes of earthy bitter chocolate accompany the fruit and violets, and the tannins provide just a slightly drying mouthfeel. I think this wine would go well with something robust like ribeye, lamb, or smoked ribs/brisket. I had it with sausage and mushroom pizza, and after the first glass it became a bit too much. — 7 days ago

Tom, Matt and 2 others liked this

Beringer Vineyards

Private Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

This is aging well. Less fruit forward than I remember. Mellowed tartness from tannins, red and dark fruits and still a bit high on the alcohol content — 17 days ago

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2022

Day 1 of this year's Smallmouth Smackdown has begun. After 7 hours on the boat, and a dozen bass, it's time to crack into some libations (had a few PBR's on the boat).
This is a lush Zin. Concentrated fruit, but savory and chewy. Blackberry, blood orange, cigar box, and enough structure to age much longer. This is my 3rd Ridge Zin, and I'd have to say I still favor the Pagani Ranch.
Listening to Chris Stapleton
— a month ago

Pooneet, Somm and 22 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Dave, bravo my man!! The other advice you received is also great!! I think Pagani vs. Lytton Springs vs. Geyserville vs. any other Ridge Zin is often vintage, since they’re all blends!! (In fact, Geyserville never (mostly?) never says Zinfandel on the label since it very rarely (never?) is at least 75% Zinfandel, which is the CA requirement for varietal name on the label.
Dave

Dave

Thanks for the education! @Doug Powers

Mount Veeder Winery

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

A cab that is meant to be on the young side for most flavor. — a month ago

Tom, Dave and 2 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Nice one

Merry Edwards

Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Crisp, peach and pineapple with a creamy finish. — 16 days ago

Connor Kanen
with Connor
Connor, Neil and 1 other liked this

Chappellet

Signature Donn Chappellet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Oak and leather with plum. Rich and bold. — 19 days ago

Harlan Estate

Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 2019

Wow! Almost hated to drink because the bouquet was stupendous. Rich fruit, earth, leather, and a hint of spice. This wine made Napa famous! The finish just lasted and lasted. Made every thing I said after finishing the glass sound witty and profound 😄 — 13 days ago

Naveen Chopra
with Naveen
Somm, Ira and 8 others liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Dark fruit in the nose with plums, black cherries, leather and blackberries in the palate. Paired well with steak au poivre. Drank in 2026, could use aeration to fully enjoy the wine. — 20 days ago

Joel, Somm and 7 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Their 2023 Artemis took a nice step up in quality. Fruit now comes from the estate.

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1999

Jan A
9.9

Peak, flirting with perfection. Others called out farm/barnyard notes, I thought it was more hansaplast plasters. Anyways, this was very Bordeaux for a napa wine and very napa for a Bordeaux blend. Catching the perfect balance between sweet napa generosity and cooler bdx notes. — 25 days ago

Peter, Sharon and 11 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Yah...jelly. Always wondered about how those completely sealed wax tops fared as the wines aged. I suspect we are finding out exactly noww...such a favored producer.

Duckhorn Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Blackberry , black current. lots of fruit in the nose,; made for grilled steak. Tannins are there but pretty mellow. Very enjoyable wine with a great dinner. — a month ago

Dave, Barny and 2 others liked this

Château Mouton Rothschild

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1978

A touch dusty on the nose with gnarly dark fruit and some spices and wood notes. Soft on the palate and fully resolved. Pretty and lightly inky — 15 days ago

Paul WoollsAra Aslanian
with Paul and Ara
Shay, Jay and 6 others liked this

Pine Ridge Vineyards

Clarksburg Chenin Blanc + Viognier Blend 2022

Our distinctive white blend marries the crisp honeyed citrus fruit of Chenin Blanc (80%) with the plush body, soft floral and juicy peach notes of Voignier (20%) for a lush, versatile and delicious wine. — a month ago

Quintessa

Rutherford Red Blend

Peppery for me. I liked it. Bunny thought too grainy. Didn’t Ike it. At Atlas ATL — a month ago

Guisela Inga
with Guisela