Vineyard

Marcassin

Marcassin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007

2007 vintage. Perfect fill and excellent cork. Used a Durand. Decanted with some expected unfined/unfiltered sed that was the size/texture of Ovaltine or Folger’s, freeze-dried, coffee crystals. Gamey, meaty nose mated with cranberry. Tasted after 45 minutes open. Still medium-heavy body although another few years of aging will drop it to medium body. The cranberry and gamey/meaty impressions remained intact in the flavors and some pomegranate spritz and blood orange notes came along for the ride. Complex and impressive. No rush to crush. 1.9.26. — 11 days ago

Jonathan, ESF and 17 others liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Private Reserve Georges de Latour Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1975

Very pretty. Faded with a touch of balsamic. Poised and pretty. Very light but complete. Pristine for a 50 year old cab — 3 days ago

Naoko Dalla VallePaul Woolls
with Naoko and Paul
Matt, Juan and 13 others liked this
ESF

ESF

historic bottle - 👍

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

Yes—exactly that kind of wine: timeless, composed, and quietly authoritative.

It smells so good on first pour. Damp pine forest floor and clean mountain air register immediately. Everything else unravels from there; but that initial pop-and-pour sniff is pure magic.

On the palate, blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and dried herbs unfold with control, carried by freshness and finely etched tannins in a medium body.

So classic, so intellectual, and deeply mesmerizing. Drink now or age.
— 24 days ago

Ted, Sagee and 9 others liked this

Realm Cellars

Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Every bit as good as the last btl — 18 days ago

Joe, Jan and 1 other liked this

Bodegas Volver

Single Vineyard Tempranillo 2018

Single Vineyard Tempranillo from Central Spain. Dark ruby/purple color. Aromas of ripe black fruit, tobacco, wet soil and anise seed. Flavors of cooked black cherries, currants and plums, dark cocoa powder, black olives and vanilla. Nicely integrated toasty oak on the long and plush finish. Full bodied. Extremely complex and nicely balanced. Well integrated and very smooth tannins. Bold and very well structured. Quite satisfying. Outstanding quality for the price. Great pick, Petey! — 11 days ago

Bob, ESF and 2 others liked this

Matthiasson

Linda Vista Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

Very easy gulping. Well balanced although I was expecting a bit more grip and verve. — 10 days ago

Sarah Bignami
with Sarah
Pinotman, Tom and 5 others liked this

Realm Cellars

Farella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Realm Cellars – Farella Vineyard – Red– 2021
Coombsville AVA – Napa Valley – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A site-driven, estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Realm Cellars’ Farella Vineyard in the cool-climate Coombsville AVA. The 2021 vintage is composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from a high-elevation block within the vineyard known as the “rockpile,” named for its dense concentration of stone and gravel soils. This unique position in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains delivers natural freshness, complexity, and refined structure.

Aromas & Flavors
Layered aromas of red and black cherry, cassis, and ripe plum unfold alongside graphite, crushed stone, subtle floral tones, and hints of cedar. As the wine opens, nuanced notes of spice, earth, and mineral depth continue to build, revealing impressive complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full bodied with a remarkably polished and silky texture. The tannins are refined and seamless, offering structure without weight. Fresh acidity from the cool Coombsville site carries the wine effortlessly through a long, graceful finish.

Food Pairings
Herb-crusted lamb, grilled filet mignon, roasted duck breast, mushroom-forward dishes, or aged hard cheeses.

Verdict
A beautifully composed Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that emphasizes elegance over brute force. Complex, multi-layered, and progressively expressive, this is a refined interpretation of mountain-influenced Coombsville Cabernet.

Did You Know?
Coombsville is one of Napa Valley’s coolest AVAs, influenced by morning fog and volcanic soils from the Vaca Mountain range, often producing Cabernets with heightened aromatic complexity and natural acidity.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
I was genuinely surprised by how smooth and delicate this wine is for a site of such intensity. Multi-layered, graceful, and beautifully balanced, it’s an exceptional Cabernet that showcases finesse as much as depth.
— a month ago

Tom, Andrew and 1 other liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Backus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

1hour decant(some chunky/fine sediment). A striking still dark magenta color with little bricking. On the nose: Inviting notes of sweet red/blue fruit, smoked meat, floral, worn leather, nutmeg, wet forest floor. Taste: velvety, smooth, elegant, savory mature wine with dried cherries, cocoa, leather, scorched earth, and a minerally mocha long lingering finish. YUM!! — 17 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Paul and 15 others liked this
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

I had a 1997 just over 2 years ago. Even with a 4 hour decant it wouldn’t budge. Still have a mag of 97, I don’t know when to even think about opening that one.
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

@Paul T HB Nice. The 05 still looked young and had such a classic feel to it. But, its peak has past....still drank well, and has more years of savory pleasure to go.

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Last had 4 years ago and was excited to check in - this didn’t disappoint. That perfect ridge mix of old world sensibility and composition with new world fruit and character. 13.8%. Finish is long with nice acid. Great pairing with steaks. Nice wine.

Happy New Year!
— 19 days ago

Jay, Ira and 7 others liked this

Philip Togni Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1990

Well, here we are two years later, back at the same BYOB for New Year’s Eve with the same wine. I figured 35 years was enough—it was time to drink it.
Same treatment as in 2024: opened and decanted, then poured about two hours later. This time the nose offered noticeably more—cedar, a touch of vegetal character, and dark berries. On the palate, dark berries again took the lead. The finish was good, but at the very end it seemed to stop just a bit short but still giving it a 95. At Anthony’s
— 19 days ago

Somm liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

His wines from the 90’s are amongst my favorite in Napa. He is 99 now and is retired but he still involved to a lesser degree. We should all be that lucky.