Eric Jasso

9.2

It grows on you; sour thick and crisply refreshing- dried flowers and lemon herby nose with thick pear and almond taste and mild lingering finish — 6 months ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.3

Intressant uttryck, inte speciellt burgundisk utan mer jordig och riktigt aromatisk. Runt 90% hela klasar, mycket lite fatinblandning. Bra struktur och potent utan att ha vare sig mycket frukt eller alkohol. Bär, kaffe, blöta löv, saltlakrits, eukalyptus. De hela klasarna har inte gett någon grön smak alls men väldigt mycket aromatiskt. Lite så att smaken inte är i samma höga nivå som doften. Gynnas massa av luft och tid. — 4 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.4

Single barrel, bottled only in Magnum. Delish. Pre-Falltacular dinner in the OC. — 6 years ago

romo

9.0

A disappointment from the recent library offer. Not oxed, but close. No acid, no energy. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

My first experience with the 2015 “Vare Vineyard” and the first of my three allocated bottles. Ketan mentioned this was his best “Vare” bottling to-date and while I can’t speak to that (since all of my previous experiences with Beta have been the Montecillo Vineyard in Sonoma), I can verify that it has Ketan’s signature all over it. I did not decant this bottle though, it probably would have benefited from it. Never the less, the bouquet was bursting with character: predominately black fruits, anise, eucalyptus, coniferous forest floor, Anaheim pepper…the overwhelming message of freshness and one of the most unique noses I’ve ever encountered from a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate, things were a little more subdued with black currants, tart black cherry and black bramble fruit with a little hint of baking spices. It seemed a touch green, to be completely honest. Bone dry and endowed with substantial structure; medium+ tannin, medium+ acid, all the while framed by a medium- body; a welter weight of a wine.

This seems right in-line with what I have come to expect from Ketan Mody’s approach and, while I don’t expect anyone to peg this as Bordeaux in a blind tasting, it certainly has some Old World sensibilities and reminds me of the way Cabernet Sauvignon was made in California 40+ years ago. And, after drinking a few 40 year old Napa Cabernet’s this past week plus the aforementioned balance of fruit/structure, I believe this has a long life ahead of it with a rather exciting upside. Drink with patience or cellar. FWIW, I don’t have any immediate plans to open my second bottle before 2025. — 3 years ago

Phil Stice

9.1

Seriously tasty. Dried apricot and pineapple. Had a little funk upon opening but blew off in about 30 minutes. Really evolved in the glass as the temperature rose. — 8 years ago

with Lauren

Maggie Thomer

9.6

Very dry and crisp without puckering. Exceptionally clean finish. Minerally, mild salinity. “Like you licked a rock out of the ocean,” says the waitress at the Catbird seat. — 2 years ago

Erik Longabardi

9.4

Had this beside the Vare Vineyard RG. Both stunningly delicious — 3 years ago

Tetsu Nakazawa

9.0

Ha unatacco sofice primo e dopo viene il gusto complicato piu. Molto minerale. Vare la pene di comprare di nuovo se la enoteca hanno delle botteglie ancora. Mia moglie e daccorda. — 4 years ago

Christian Bronstein

9.1

Fruit from legendary Vare Vineyard and respectful stewardship by Grassi. Great aromatics, fleshier than I thought it would be, refreshing leading into some weight. Well balanced citrus, floral and light touch of lemon cream. Great accompaniment with burrata/olive oil/lemon flakes — 8 years ago