Kelley Raymond

9.0

Reliably good Cabernet at a reasonable price — 6 months ago

Michelle Rupp

9.0

Really good, easy to drink, nice buttery note at the end. — 2 years ago

Michael G

8.9

Some peach and other tree fruit, but also some lemon. It’s balanced. Sweet, but not so sweet. Off dry blend. Seems like it’d be good would with spicy food. — 3 years ago

Ming L

9.3

The 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel from Tablas Creek was a tough act to follow, but this elegant Rhône blend from Sonoma just did that.

The nose was quite similar with aroma of blue fruits and earthy elements with hint of violet, it was the palate that set it apart: soft, complex and deep, with great texture and beautiful acidity that adds the tension. Elegant and seamless.

Kale Anderson was the long time wine maker at Pahlmeyer, and Kale wines are all vineyard-specific. Worth seeking out. — 5 years ago

Ed Chin

9.4

I didn’t expect how much I enjoyed this. On release it was a disjointed oak beast. Today it showed me Bevan can age at least for the short run. Hopefully it can make it for another 10. Fingers crossed. — 7 months ago

Jerry Raphael

9.2

What a wine and did not show it’s 43 year age at all. The color was very dark with no brick edge. The nose was a bit subdued but had the typical berries, herbs and meat notes that carried over to a very tasty wine. The finish was okay not super long but long enough.

I started buying Beaucastel maybe a few years before this 1978 vintage and in Parker’s reviews of the 1978 vintage was a consistent hold but he did change his mind years down the road and said it was over the hill; well not by a long shot. I constantly purchased 2 or 3 bottle of every vintage till the price was out on my reach in 2001. I also had visited the winery in about 1990. The real kicker with this vintage is the current price estimates of $150 to about $250, current vintages run $80+ and I purchased this bottle for $11.99.
— 2 years ago

with Matt and Barbara

Jason Brater

9.1

Lovely petit Verdot. Drinking nicely but ending it’s run, I think. Maybe a few more years. Cocoa powder and Deep red cherry and a touch of plum. White pepper in the middle and nice punch of black pepper and light tannins at the finish. — 5 years ago

with Heather

Chris Zitzman

9.0

Loads of plum on the nose that lead to a surprisingly lush-but-defined approach and mid-palate. The finish lingers in a delightful way and reminds me of the Cab quite a bit. — 9 months ago

with Beth

Francisco Tezen

9.5

Run this all summer long. Terrific ripe peach on the nose with pink grapefruit at first sip and a nice lime finish. — 3 years ago

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9.4

Ric Forman's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is all class. The 2016 won't be ready to drink for at least another few years, but it is already super attractive, and also very typical of Ric Forman's style. Lavender, spice, and red cherry run through this wine made in a mid-weight, translucent style that is all class and finesse. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2020)
— 4 years ago