Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.3

It’s great to see the historic and influential Robert Mondavi Winery return to excellence. Napa Bordeaux blend with 85% #cabernetsauvignon 6% #cabernetfranc 6% #petitverdot 2% #malbec 1% #merlot. This wine shines with generous decanting. Elegant, memorable ripe bramble fruit and black plum, sweet baking spices on the nose. Juicy tartness underlays a bold wave of fruit on the palate with silken tannins on the finish. I definitely plan on laying down my other bottle for at least half a decade. #oakville — 2 years ago

David S. Lopez

8.8

This wine pours a purpleish red. It has a modest but very fragrant nose. It has flavors of some vanilla, oak, herbs, and then fresh red fruits like strawberries and raspberries. It has outstanding tannins and a little bit of acidity. As such, it went perfectly with the grass fed ribeye steaks, we paired it with. Being a “diamond reserve“ from Trader Joe’s, this was much anticipated. It didn’t disappoint. I have a second bottle that I’ll open in a few months and see how it goes. I probably will go back and get a few more bottles for the future. #traderjoes #cabernet #oakville — 3 years ago

David Kline

9.4

Unbending purple-black. Lovely nose of lavender and thyme, dusty black cherry, dried blackberry and ripe black currant, as well as a lovely mint moment of varietal introspection. Vanilla and cedar remain in check, as oak bolsters without overwhelming. A thing of beauty. Intense black cherry and currant wash over a scree of firm tannins. Great backbone, stellar integration. Strangely, I’m drinking it, but looking forward to the next bottle? Hmm. The purity of the fruit shines through with raspberry and dried strawberry notes making spirit cameos alongside Connecticut tobacco, plum and Roobios tea, but also an unusual citrus and leather-pepper. I wasn’t expecting so many differing fruit profiles , and such un-manipulated purity of grape expression. Great job! No need for makeup and plastic surgery for this action star! #schrader #doublediamond #schradercellars #napacab #napawine #napawinning #oakville #cabernetsauvignon #cabsauv #schraderdoublediamond — 5 years ago

with Courtney and

David Kline

9.4

Soft, lovely, bread-y nose of black currant fur, licorice, light mint forcing upward, sprouting through potting soil. Cinnamon and blueberry warmly embraced by dark bread and small specks of black pepper. Fruit tannins thickly house-painted across your front teeth in a real sense. Muscle. Licorice-charcoal, bitters, blackberry, black currant, graphite-smoke halo, black cherry, oak and cedar, wound up and closed in places, but powerhouse lurking in the shadows.



#lajota #lajotavineyardco #lajotahowellmountainestate
#howellmountain #oakville #napa #napavalley #cab #cabernetsaugvinon — 2 years ago

with Courtney

David Kline

9.1

Warm nose with chocolate notes, clove, nutmeg, and coffee. Hazelnut brownie; earthy mushroom. Tart raspberry surprise inside, with licorice, cedar, bitter arabica and sharp tobacco notes, rosemary, tart bing and rich, ripe black cherry. Oak adding cinnamon and a ghost of vanilla. Peppercorn.
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#scottpalazzo #palazzo #napa #napavalley #napared #oakville #redwine #rosso #rouge — 4 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Still has everything it needs to age further! Toasty, herbaceous nose of baker’s chocolate, rosemary, oregano, dried black currant, graphite-infused plum bordering on prune, dried blackberry, Madura tobacco, licorice and dark cedar notes. Elegant mouthfeel with chewy tannins, tarragon, cigar, black currant, bramble, graphite shades, dark minerality, blackberry. Cinnamon bark, black cherry, figs, and more for a long and satisfyingly complex finish.#Teaderman #Napa #NapaCab #cab #oakville #TeadermanVineyards #wine #napawine #finesse #depth — 7 years ago

David Kline

9.0

Another young one. Chocolate brownie and s’mores, with a coffee marshmallow. Rich vanilla bean creeps in, and warm plum jam that mysteriouslypowders atop pumpkin bread full of the usual spices aromatically. Grape-y, with grainy tannins, first skin of a dark red apple, red incense, cherry skins, lipstick with crispy beef and black soils. The final notes boast oak and blackberry, with cinnamon stick. The middle and finish give you an idea of the depth and breadth that the first aromas belie. #ToKalon #mondavi #robertmondavi #Napa #napavalley2013 #singlevineyard #Oakville #reserve #cabernetday #californiacab #cab — 7 years ago

with Courtney

David Kline

9.7

Lovely, smoky, mushroom-funk with ethereal violet perfume emanating from lemon madeleines. Perfect expression of cassis and blackberries and black cherry, touches of sweet tobacco reveal a jungle of verdant herbs. Amazing cab franc with the full spectrum of textures.



#lajota #lajotavineyardco #lajotahowellmountainestate #howellmountain #napa #napavalley #cabernetfranc #cabfranc #oakville — 2 years ago

with Courtney

David Kline

9.0

2012 vintage. Chocolate brownie with dried raspberries and tie red cherries. Baked black currant, dried blueberry, moist banana bread, violet in bloom, blackberry, vanilla, cinnamon.
Nice entry weight gives way to rich dark chocolate, dried strawberry, Cuban coffee, blackberry reduction, dark baked blueberries, grippy tannins, big fruit and density with a lingering depth.

#opusone #napavalley #napavalley2012 #Napa #robertmondavi #baronphilippederothschild #oakville #napared — 3 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.4

One if the best lots and best wines I tasted at #pnv20 #pnv2020 #oakville #napa Only 10 cases produced. 100% Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Aging in 100% new French oak for 22 months
Sourced from the Vyborny Vineyard in southern Oakville and Bonny’s Vineyard to the north of this nested appellation
This balanced wine provides structured, dusty tannins and lush, rich blue fruits

Winemaker Stacy Vogel achieves a supremely balanced 100 percent Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from two remarkable and distinct vineyards. The Vyborny Vineyard lends structured, dusty tannins and plenty of dark fruit from this rocky site on the southern border of Oakville. The lush, rich blue fruits in the blend come from Bonny’s Vineyard on the northern border of the Oakville nested appellation, nestled next to the Napa River. To bring these characteristics together, the wine is aged in 100 percent new French oak for 22 months.

— 4 years ago

with Ron