Bevan Cellars
Ontogeny Oakville Red Wine
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
Drank 11/25/18. Tasting pour
Expressive nose of plums, ripe blackberry, and a hint of earth. Big palate of black fruit, and cherry. Seamless balance, with well integrated tannins. Long finish filled with black fruit.
4/23/8/5/4 + 50 = 94 pts
Drank 11/25/18. Tasting pour
Expressive nose of plums, ripe blackberry, and a hint of earth. Big palate of black fruit, and cherry. Seamless balance, with well integrated tannins. Long finish filled with black fruit.
4/23/8/5/4 + 50 = 94 pts
There is no issue at all with tasting the 2015 Ontogeny, Bevan's entry-level wine, after all the big guns. If anything, the tasting order simply shows what a great wine this. Expansive aromatics lead into a core of rich, pliant fruit in this sweeping, dramatic wine. Readers who don't want to splurge on the higher-priced offerings will do just fine with the Ontogeny. This is a tremendous showing. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018)
There is no issue at all with tasting the 2015 Ontogeny, Bevan's entry-level wine, after all the big guns. If anything, the tasting order simply shows what a great wine this. Expansive aromatics lead into a core of rich, pliant fruit in this sweeping, dramatic wine. Readers who don't want to splurge on the higher-priced offerings will do just fine with the Ontogeny. This is a tremendous showing. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2018)
Apr 13th, 2018Reminds me of an early on Harlan.
Reminds me of an early on Harlan.
Feb 6th, 2018
Wow... this has to be one of the best vintages of Ontogeny in years, if not ever. Higher concentration of Tench vineyard, used in the EE Red, than in any other vintage of this wine. Incredible nose of luxardo cherries, pencil box, leather, lavender syrup, and vanilla. The pallet is brick house! Tannins perfectly integrated, full throttle, exhibiting notes of smoked blackberry reduction, dark chocolate, red delicious apple skin, licorice, and a finish that lasts forever. I feel like there's no way this wine should score less than 97 on WA. In my top 10 wines I've had all year - I will gladly take a bottle of this for Christmas! ;)
Wow... this has to be one of the best vintages of Ontogeny in years, if not ever. Higher concentration of Tench vineyard, used in the EE Red, than in any other vintage of this wine. Incredible nose of luxardo cherries, pencil box, leather, lavender syrup, and vanilla. The pallet is brick house! Tannins perfectly integrated, full throttle, exhibiting notes of smoked blackberry reduction, dark chocolate, red delicious apple skin, licorice, and a finish that lasts forever. I feel like there's no way this wine should score less than 97 on WA. In my top 10 wines I've had all year - I will gladly take a bottle of this for Christmas! ;)
Nov 18th, 2017
One of my favorite entry level wines out there. Outstanding and in your face. Surprisingly open at the young age. Rush of all types of fruit. Sandalwood and bacon on the nose. Elegant on the palate actually... not as brash as previous vintages. Full bodied. Large and in charge with blueberry pie and fig. Bevan is in my top 3 of favorite winemakers.
One of my favorite entry level wines out there. Outstanding and in your face. Surprisingly open at the young age. Rush of all types of fruit. Sandalwood and bacon on the nose. Elegant on the palate actually... not as brash as previous vintages. Full bodied. Large and in charge with blueberry pie and fig. Bevan is in my top 3 of favorite winemakers.
1 person found it helpfulDec 22nd, 2017
Another Ontogeny right down the middle of the fairway. Tremendous concentration, fruit forward, great mouth feel laced with dark fruit and a long finish that shows some leather, earth, and blackberry. Very enjoyable.
Another Ontogeny right down the middle of the fairway. Tremendous concentration, fruit forward, great mouth feel laced with dark fruit and a long finish that shows some leather, earth, and blackberry. Very enjoyable.
Apr 18th, 2021
Just so completely delicious every time!
Just so completely delicious every time!
Mar 1st, 2018Wow, this is terrific. Perfectly seamless and layered with flavor.
Wow, this is terrific. Perfectly seamless and layered with flavor.
Dec 16th, 2017