Beaulieu Vineyard
Reserve Tapestry Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
Surprisingly beautiful. Great bottles. Tannins smooth — enough for structure but not in the way. Dark fruit. Great.
Surprisingly beautiful. Great bottles. Tannins smooth — enough for structure but not in the way. Dark fruit. Great.
Apr 1st, 2024
1998 | Red Blend
Quite vegetal and austere after a few hours of decant, couldn't drink it. Shuffled aside, after almost two weeks it finally shed its mortal coil and reminded us of the beauty of Tapestry. Our finale of the BV 1998's in the cellar.
1998 | Red Blend
Quite vegetal and austere after a few hours of decant, couldn't drink it. Shuffled aside, after almost two weeks it finally shed its mortal coil and reminded us of the beauty of Tapestry. Our finale of the BV 1998's in the cellar.
The follow up to the 03 Brane-Cantenac. So good but still youthful now as I mentioned this 97 still is in @Paul T- Huntington Beach recent post of his 2013.
The tannins are round, softened but still meaty & somewhat tarry.
The nose is still brooding. Ripe lush, ruby, fruits of, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked to poached strawberries. Dark, rich, sweet forest floor, mix of Indian & Asian spice with palate piercing heat, notes of Cognac, steeped tea, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, black licorice, tarry notes, day crushed rocks, limestone minerals, grey volcanic minerals, light tobacco with ash, used leather, sandalwood, bright, fresh; dark, red, blue florals with violets.
The palate is ripe, lush, juicy & floral fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked to poached strawberries, raspberry highlights & pomegranate. Dark, rich, sweet forest floor, mix of Indian & Asian spice, notes of Cognac, steeped tea, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, black licorice, tarry notes, day crushed rocks, limestone minerals, grey volcanic minerals/ash, moist, grey clay, light tobacco with ash, used leather, sandalwood, bright, fresh; dark, red, blue florals with violets, insane, waterfall acidity, woven, layered, structured, nicely tensioned with great length and a incredibly balanced, well polished finish that goes on for two to three minutes.
If you are 15-20 years plus patient w/ these bottling’s, they are one of the very best values in Napa Valley.
The follow up to the 03 Brane-Cantenac. So good but still youthful now as I mentioned this 97 still is in @Paul T- Huntington Beach recent post of his 2013.
The tannins are round, softened but still meaty & somewhat tarry.
The nose is still brooding. Ripe lush, ruby, fruits of, blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked to poached strawberries. Dark, rich, sweet forest floor, mix of Indian & Asian spice with palate piercing heat, notes of Cognac, steeped tea, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, black licorice, tarry notes, day crushed rocks, limestone minerals, grey volcanic minerals, light tobacco with ash, used leather, sandalwood, bright, fresh; dark, red, blue florals with violets.
The palate is ripe, lush, juicy & floral fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, baked to poached strawberries, raspberry highlights & pomegranate. Dark, rich, sweet forest floor, mix of Indian & Asian spice, notes of Cognac, steeped tea, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, black licorice, tarry notes, day crushed rocks, limestone minerals, grey volcanic minerals/ash, moist, grey clay, light tobacco with ash, used leather, sandalwood, bright, fresh; dark, red, blue florals with violets, insane, waterfall acidity, woven, layered, structured, nicely tensioned with great length and a incredibly balanced, well polished finish that goes on for two to three minutes.
If you are 15-20 years plus patient w/ these bottling’s, they are one of the very best values in Napa Valley.
Annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine.
(Notes this year were avoided, but scores are honest.)
Not as good as other bottles of the same vintage, solid though.
Annual Fall seclusion at our cabin in the Rangeley lakes region of Maine.
(Notes this year were avoided, but scores are honest.)
Not as good as other bottles of the same vintage, solid though.
More advanced than other 97’s I’ve had. Still grit with flowers. Always get a touch of Cognac from the mid 90’s BV Tapestry’s. Less on the 97. Beautiful, ripe, foral fruits with spice, barrel toast with evolution & integration. Incredible structure, balance. Violets for days. Still has 5-8 years.
This bottle on auction are more advanced than my bottles or others bought at auction. This is just around it’s precipice where other bottles I’ve had required more time. Another 8 years. This is more within 3 years. I would add that a 1997 94 points rating greatly over shadows a young(ish) vintage of the same. Just gets better and better with each sip.
1997 the vintage of our modern times. This wine was about $25 on release, give or take. Today, it drinks like a $100 plus bottle of Napa Cabernet.
More advanced than other 97’s I’ve had. Still grit with flowers. Always get a touch of Cognac from the mid 90’s BV Tapestry’s. Less on the 97. Beautiful, ripe, foral fruits with spice, barrel toast with evolution & integration. Incredible structure, balance. Violets for days. Still has 5-8 years.
This bottle on auction are more advanced than my bottles or others bought at auction. This is just around it’s precipice where other bottles I’ve had required more time. Another 8 years. This is more within 3 years. I would add that a 1997 94 points rating greatly over shadows a young(ish) vintage of the same. Just gets better and better with each sip.
1997 the vintage of our modern times. This wine was about $25 on release, give or take. Today, it drinks like a $100 plus bottle of Napa Cabernet.
Lots of funk. Didn’t fully blow off.
Lots of funk. Didn’t fully blow off.
Dec 4th, 2022Nose has ripe plum, crushed dark chocolate, moist fig, slight vanilla and dried violets.
Palate has dried blackberry, eucalyptus, ripe plum, blueberry/cinnamon, dehydrated cherry with mostly resolved tannins. Long finish.
Decanted +4H at the time of notes, but improving with more time...a delicious bottle still.
Paired with Chuck Eye steaks from Kinderhook Farm (Valatie, NY); honestly the best (local) beef source in the Berkshire (MA) / Columbia (NY) County areas. Grilled in a mere 12m to perfect 135° centers. I think the Chuck cut for a steak is quite under rated; it's incredibly moist and tender with it's incorporated fats that just fall apart under high heat.
I fell to the same fate on this bottle as the prior a few years back, perfectly clean cork but extracted in 3/4 & 1/4 status. Should use the Durand for subsequent bottles.
Nose has ripe plum, crushed dark chocolate, moist fig, slight vanilla and dried violets.
Palate has dried blackberry, eucalyptus, ripe plum, blueberry/cinnamon, dehydrated cherry with mostly resolved tannins. Long finish.
Decanted +4H at the time of notes, but improving with more time...a delicious bottle still.
Paired with Chuck Eye steaks from Kinderhook Farm (Valatie, NY); honestly the best (local) beef source in the Berkshire (MA) / Columbia (NY) County areas. Grilled in a mere 12m to perfect 135° centers. I think the Chuck cut for a steak is quite under rated; it's incredibly moist and tender with it's incorporated fats that just fall apart under high heat.
I fell to the same fate on this bottle as the prior a few years back, perfectly clean cork but extracted in 3/4 & 1/4 status. Should use the Durand for subsequent bottles.
Hints of green pepper black cherries black plum and dark chocolate tannin is soft and supple
Hints of green pepper black cherries black plum and dark chocolate tannin is soft and supple
Jul 17th, 2021
Lots of vanilla and coconut on the nose. Sweet and classic cabernet qualities on the palate. Gentle tannins, very harmonious. If I’m being picky it could use a touch more acid, but no real complaints; this delivered exactly what I wanted it to.
Lots of vanilla and coconut on the nose. Sweet and classic cabernet qualities on the palate. Gentle tannins, very harmonious. If I’m being picky it could use a touch more acid, but no real complaints; this delivered exactly what I wanted it to.
Jul 1st, 2021The finish to opening night always results in either new or old world Cabernet. 2019 is no exception!
The nose reveals, ripe, ruby, slightly stewed & candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, blueberries, baked rhubarb, strawberries and dry cranberries. Dark & milk chocolate, mocha, caramel, light vanilla, anise, dry crushed rocks, dark rich, moist soil, steeped tea leaves, dark fruit cola/liqueur, mint, dry herbaceous, bay leaf with fresh, dark, red, blue flowers with violets and hints of lavender.
The body is full and lush. Tannins are well resolved, dark, tarry soft and still has 5-7 plus years of life ahead. The structure, tension, length and balance have hit harmony. She’s an elegant beauty. Ripe, ruby, slightly stewed & candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, blueberries, baked rhubarb, Thompson raisins, strawberries and dry cranberries. Dark & milk chocolate, mocha, salted caramel, light vanilla, anise, medium, dark spice, dry underbrush, dry crushed rocks, used expresso grounds, cognac notes, brunt creme brûlée, dark rich, moist soil, limestone, volcanic minerals, steeped tea leaves, dark fruit cola/liqueur, mint, dry herbaceous, bay leaf with fresh, dark, red, blue flowers with violets and hints of lavender. The acidity is excellent. The finish is, elegant, polished, well balanced, harmony fruit & earth, polish and persists on and on.
The right 20 year old BV Tapestries are such a pleasure to sip!
Photos of, night shot of our candle lit backyard, rose bushes and Sofia soaking up the late afternoon sun under our mushroom shaped Japanese Maple.
The finish to opening night always results in either new or old world Cabernet. 2019 is no exception!
The nose reveals, ripe, ruby, slightly stewed & candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, blueberries, baked rhubarb, strawberries and dry cranberries. Dark & milk chocolate, mocha, caramel, light vanilla, anise, dry crushed rocks, dark rich, moist soil, steeped tea leaves, dark fruit cola/liqueur, mint, dry herbaceous, bay leaf with fresh, dark, red, blue flowers with violets and hints of lavender.
The body is full and lush. Tannins are well resolved, dark, tarry soft and still has 5-7 plus years of life ahead. The structure, tension, length and balance have hit harmony. She’s an elegant beauty. Ripe, ruby, slightly stewed & candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, blueberries, baked rhubarb, Thompson raisins, strawberries and dry cranberries. Dark & milk chocolate, mocha, salted caramel, light vanilla, anise, medium, dark spice, dry underbrush, dry crushed rocks, used expresso grounds, cognac notes, brunt creme brûlée, dark rich, moist soil, limestone, volcanic minerals, steeped tea leaves, dark fruit cola/liqueur, mint, dry herbaceous, bay leaf with fresh, dark, red, blue flowers with violets and hints of lavender. The acidity is excellent. The finish is, elegant, polished, well balanced, harmony fruit & earth, polish and persists on and on.
The right 20 year old BV Tapestries are such a pleasure to sip!
Photos of, night shot of our candle lit backyard, rose bushes and Sofia soaking up the late afternoon sun under our mushroom shaped Japanese Maple.