Bob McDonald

9.5

Dense Ruby with a Crimson rim. Aromas of red and black berries, chocolate, and smoked meat. Full bodied and muscular. From a single vineyard in McLaren Vale which was planted 124 years ago. Silky tannins. A great red on a cold night in Winter. Love the old fashioned label which probably hasn’t changed in 100 years showing the two Kay Brothers. Hope to have the patience to drink the last bottle in say 2028 to 2030. — 16 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

I’ll just commence this tasting note to see if it is accepted. Dense Ruby in colour. Blackcurrant and tobacco notes - ripe blue and black fruits - luscious texture. Anytime I’ve had a Napa (or Washington State) Cabernet I have always been impressed - probably better than most good Aussie Cabernets (and more expensive). Has a good future but irresistible right now. Have the last bottle in a year or two. Interestingly reverse osmosis was used to reduce the alcohol. Now at 13.9%. — 3 months ago

Diane Heyboer

8.9

Had the 2021 in February of 2026. Lots of blueberry and vanilla with some spice with this one. Enjoyed this one more with food rather than sipping alone. — 5 months ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

11/2025. A solid can. Good fruit and boldness. — 8 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Krupp Brothers – Cabernet Sauvignon “Veraison” 2009
Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley – USA 🇺🇸

Overview:
From the famed Stagecoach Vineyard, this 2009 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon shows why Krupp Brothers has earned a reputation for power and finesse. At nearly 15 years, it’s still on the ascent, with structure and depth that promise more evolution ahead.

Aromas & Flavors:
Layers of dark cassis, blackberry compote, and black cherry mingle with graphite, cedar, and espresso. Hints of dried violets and cocoa powder emerge with air, weaving a bouquet that is both bold and nuanced.

Mouthfeel:
Full-bodied and dense, yet polished. Firm tannins and vibrant acidity still hold the core tightly, making it feel youthful despite its age. The finish is long, savory, and mineral-driven, echoing dark fruit and spice.

Food Pairings:
A classic match for dry-aged ribeye, braised short ribs, or wild mushroom risotto.

Verdict:
An outstanding wine, multi-layered, complex, and still climbing toward its peak. A bottle to savor now with decanting, but also a treasure for collectors willing to wait.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight:
This vintage remains one of the standout expressions of Stagecoach Vineyard fruit, alongside 2010, it is a benchmark release. Collectors take note: the 2009 is still gaining complexity and shows remarkable staying power. — 9 months ago

Bryan Florendo

9.0

Kroger. Very good. Get more. — 4 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

8.9

@Delectable Wine oddly enough this is a Blanc de Cinsault, one of the silver linings of 2020.

When the fires hit early in harvest 2020, Will and Karen hedged their bets by pressing some of the 100+ year old vine Cinsault from the legendary Bechtold Vineyard immediately, and the result is a joy: pear, pomello, white grapefruit, some pith and white pepper on the finish. Fragrant and light.

In good news, the regular Cinsault from the vintage also turned out beautifully and isn’t showing a trace of smoke taint—or at least when I tried it a few months back. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried, mixed fruits: brambles, plum, blueberry, purple flowers, leather, earth and fine baking 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 rich. Alcohol is medium+. Pretty tasty stuff.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Merlot (or blend thereof), Cabernet Franc (or blend), Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend), Shiraz (or blend) Tempranillo or Syrah from the United States, France, Australia or Spain. The fruit is the star here so I’m taking this to the “new world”. Plus, there is a generosity and elevated alcohol that gives me Aussie vibes (though I find the wine balanced). I also think this has 15-20 years of age. Final conclusion: this is a Shiraz blend from Australia, Barossa, 2005. Daaaaaang. Andrew Will! I don’t hate my call but I should have probably done better with this one since I’m very familiar with these wines. Still much to learn. Drink now through 2037. — 2 months ago

Diane Heyboer

8.9

Had the 2022 in February of 2026. Blackberry and dark cherry with a barrel forward character on the nose. Not super tannic- berry/cherry throughout. Short finish with hints of tannin on the end. — 5 months ago

with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Pop n pour. Given that it’s 70% Mourvèdre, the color is surprisingly light. (There’s 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah too.) Medium color saturation. Inviting nose of a melange of ripe berries and a smoky embers note. Crushed rock behind that. Soft and intensely flavored in the mouth, with the berries less prominent, jousting with dark earthy and pleasantly vegetal notes. Soft but balanced acids and tannins almost silky. Really nice. Terrific value at $25 from WTSO. — 7 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of 69% Shiraz, 16% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from McLaren Vale, deep Ruby color with aromas of berry fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry with notes of vanilla, spice, licorice and tobacco. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, sweet spice and earthy notes. — 10 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

A Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend of all 5 Bordeaux varieties, aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, oak and cigar box spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cherry and currants with cacao and herb spice. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak, spice and earthy mineral character. Nice! — 2 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.0

2018 much more minerality on the nose! Not what Zin reminds you of. Red cherries blackberry black pepper spices licorice medium acidity long spicy finish moderate body dark. notes from visit to the winery.

Alexander Valley. Bright red volcanic soils, steep rocky slopes and western exposure. — 4 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

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. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Ruby red color with red fruit aromas and spicy floral notes, aged for 10 months in 40% new French oak. On the palate flavors of cherry, raspberry and strawberry with tea and earthy tones. Fine smooth tannins, well balanced with acidity, nice mouthfeel, long finish ending with earthy toasty oak character. Very fresh will continue to age! Nice! Pair with with a grilled chop! — 3 months ago

David Hale Smith

9.9

Lucky to sit with a friend who bright two bottles of this beauty to share at Bordeaux Fest Near perfection from a magnificent special bottle. The year the wall came down with label art that looks to the future. Believe the hype. — 4 months ago

romo

9.4

Bit volatile day one, all business day two. Big Xmas spice, feather light feel. Beware the bottle variation. — 7 months ago

Paul St Clair

9.0

Powerfull well rounded blueberry and black currants. Soft tannins carrying pepper leather and tobacco. Well balanced with acidity that rounds out the red fruit flavors the wine is abundant with. — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, cigar box and cedar scents. On the palate flavors of black cherry, plum and currants with cacao, floral and oaky notes. Fine dusty tannins, long finish ending with fruit, floral, oak and earthy mineral character. Very Nice! Good now. — a year ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, if you haven’t had this producers wines at 15-20 years of age, you’re missing some spectacular juice. I bought this at auction for $38-$40 a bottle and because I was unaware of its storage, I was prepared to short decant it. Well…until I pulled the cork, smelled it and saw the color. This nearly 20 year old bottling is still big but with nice integration & evolution. I would say it has another 5-8 years of good life in it.

The palate fruit is ruby, ripe and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum. Mid berry cola, dark chocolate to pudding, mocha powder, wet clay, light, black pepper, Asian spice, dry-ish tobacco, black licorice, some dry herbs-sage dominate, limestone, dry top soil, dry brush, used leather, sandlewood, fresh to slightly withering, dark, purple, red florals set/framed in violets and lavender. The acidity is near perfect. The well balanced, structured, knitted finish is excellent and lingers minutes. Steal for the price. Another excellent gourmet burger wine. Beef Patties from El Salchichero. — 3 years ago