Ontogeny Napa Valley Red Blend

Don’t have a ton of appreciation for this producer because their alcohol ABV always shown so high, but they are better in their later vintages in that singular regard.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025.

Dark and dense, glass-clinging purple with near black opaque core even in a small tasting pour. Abundant nose yields toasted black fruit compote (yes, I know). Massive full-bodied palate echoes the nose adding marzipan, dried blackberries, and an almost savory Old World graphite note. Fuzzy medium tannins; medium acidity. Long, dark finish. A big red made for food, but heavy umami like steak or lamb is the order of the day. Drink now through maybe 2029.

I bought half a case of the 17, since the price and quality didn’t exceed my pain threshold. Very extracted and dense. You can certainly taste the fault lines in the vintage, but they are in the background.
Saluting those men and women who paid the ultimate price, and those who serve, or have served. Thank you one and all.

Broke our Sunday fast for this. It fell short…

Stood up to grilled ribeye with ease. Pretty dense and powerful. Better on day 2. Nice blend - a bit rough around the edges. CF offers nice spice on the palate.

I was throughly disappointed in this wine. Over extracted, too high alcohol %, not enough fruit and just too many secondary notes for a young wine. Yuck

Prior notes apply.
This is spinning off huge chunks of sediment!!!

Nose displays strawberries, cherries and autumn leaves. Palate is dense and structured. Loads of cinnamon and star anise on the mid palate. Good complexity with a long finish

Not too shabby...

Dark glass-clinging purple. Dark fruit and ash on the nose. Voluptuous full body on the palate which gives blackberry, tarry blueberry, and ashen vanilla. Fine medium tannins. Medium minus acidity. Serve with a a well rubbed steak and aromatic vegetables. This stuff sings. But drink by 2022.