Vineyard Creek

A. Rafanelli

Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Better on Day 2. The 2023 pours a deep garnet/purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, black cherry, tobacco, Serrano pepper, purple flowers, cocoa, and fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Tremendous balance. These will surely enjoy a long life. Drink now with patience through 2053. — 17 days ago

Tom, Daniel and 2 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

That had to be very big day 1.
Jay Kline

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@Somm David T yes, but the balance and complexity made it much more approachable in its youth than other recent vintages.

Aubert

Lauren Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Absolutely delicious. — 9 days ago

Serge, Dave and 3 others liked this

Realm Cellars

Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Needed way more air and I’m going to say another 5 years in bottle. — 15 days ago

Dave, Billy and 6 others liked this

Realm Cellars

Farella Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

This week I’ll do a Realm tasting of different wines. — a month ago

Rob, Jan and 2 others liked this

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Estate Bottled Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Very tasty Napa cab from Spring Mountain. Mature enough at 8 years to lay down nicely. Paired well with steak. Drank in June 2026 — 17 days ago

Diamond Creek Vineyards

Red Rock Terrace Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Side by side Gravelly better — a month ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 2 others liked this

Kosta Browne

Gap's Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

BlackBerry, toast, and cherry, and oak with bold notes. — a month ago

Becky Linnett
with Becky

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2018

Drinking great. Never over the top type Zin. But complex and very enjoyable — a month ago

Cain Vineyard & Winery

Cain Five Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

2015 vintage. Sampled from Coravin. Medium body. The monstrous tannins tamed somewhat...as they meet a decade+. Absolutely, top-notch nose. If you both respect the exuberance of youth and celebrate the wisdom of age, this is for you. A fascinating, case study currently. 6.24.26. — 4 days ago

Somm, Doug and 3 others liked this
Somm David T

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Own this $39 recent purchase

Araujo Estate

Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Still really young for 14 yrs old — a day ago

Sea Smoke

Southing Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir

Solid non-California-tasting California Pinot Noir. Fruit and earth. Had a nice pop of fruit in the glass but lingers with some earthy aftertaste. — 22 days ago

Diamond Creek Vineyards

Volcanic Hill Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1998

Decant and pour. An amazing still dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: subtle notes of dark fruit, worn leather, herbaceous, pencil shavings, mint. Taste: savory, silky, elegant wine with some dried cherry/red plum, currants, tobacco, spice, earth, coffee grounds and a medium plus finish. YUM!!! Drinking beautifully for its age on this rain for an hour cool afternoon in Napa. — a month ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Dave and 10 others liked this

La Jota Vineyard Co.

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Black and blue fruit, coffee, black rock, dried herb, mint, dark chocolate and tobacco. — 2 months ago

Joel, Bob and 8 others liked this
Brian S

Brian S Influencer Badge

Black and blue fruit, coffee, black rock, dried herb, mint, dark chocolate and tobacco.

Corison Winery

Kronos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

2nd vintage from the Kronos vineyard

Decant and pour(lots of sediment). A medium tawny red color. On the nose: very expressive port like sweet notes with dried cherry, stewed meat, eucalyptus, cedar, herbs. Taste: silky, still fresh for its age, amazing acid wine with sour cherry, loamy soil, licorice and a peppery espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Sure, on the downside, but holds it own tonight.
— 2 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Tom, Tom and 8 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Wow!

Heitz Cellar

Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1986

40 years birthday crazy party. So many 1986’s. No formal notes. This was bright and surprisingly fresh. My favorite of the evening. — a day ago

Quilceda Creek

Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Initially a strange aspect to the nose which hopefully will blow off. An oxidised note which is not apparent on the palate. Last time I tasted this wine 5 years ago I raved and gave it a 98 point score. This time that slightly irritating note on the nose but that same gorgeous palate. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot. I imported several vintages of Quilceda Creek from an outlet in San Francisco (Vinfolio) many years ago and this was my last bottle. Have never seen it offered in Australia but back in the day I was mightily impressed. 100 💯 points from Robert Parker. — a month ago

Ray, Tom and 17 others liked this
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Fantastic! Cheers!
Jamie Lauder

Jamie Lauder

This is top tier from Washington State.
Freddy R. Troya

Freddy R. Troya

Awesome 👏

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

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! — a month ago

jesus, Sagee and 6 others liked this

Diamond Creek Vineyards

Gravelly Meadow Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Spectacular. Not enough. — a month ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 3 others liked this

Duckhorn Vineyards

Three Palms Vineyard Merlot 2015

Very good, nice balance, good finish, nice oak and vanilla, had a little trouble with spicy pepperoni on pizza. But, not really a fault of the wine. — 2 months ago

Jeannie Epps
with Jeannie