Bevan Cellars
Tench Vineyard EE Red Blend
Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA
See my prior notes. This won’t further improve from where it is today.
See my prior notes. This won’t further improve from where it is today.
Feb 26th, 2023A lumpy vintage yields an acceptable example. Bevan did the right thing on price, so no complaints from me. I’d like to compare this against the 18.
A lumpy vintage yields an acceptable example. Bevan did the right thing on price, so no complaints from me. I’d like to compare this against the 18.
Aug 20th, 2022
Richest beast of a Bevan I’ve ever tried. Glorious, powerful nose of dark earth and blackberry compote. Syrah-like. Tooth-staining and viscous this was a bounty of dark black and red fruit, sweet tobacco notes and black olive tapenade. Fine but firm tannins round this out. Strongly suggest waiting this out several years as it feels like it will be even better when more resolved, though a treat today after an hour of air.
Richest beast of a Bevan I’ve ever tried. Glorious, powerful nose of dark earth and blackberry compote. Syrah-like. Tooth-staining and viscous this was a bounty of dark black and red fruit, sweet tobacco notes and black olive tapenade. Fine but firm tannins round this out. Strongly suggest waiting this out several years as it feels like it will be even better when more resolved, though a treat today after an hour of air.
Mar 30th, 2022
The 2018 Red Wine EE Tench Vineyard is even better in bottle than it was in barrel. This blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc soars out of the glass with stunning aromatic intensity and tons of textural depth. Ample and beautifully resonant on the palate, the Red Wine is a total stunner. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and menthol build into the racy, sumptuous finish. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
The 2018 Red Wine EE Tench Vineyard is even better in bottle than it was in barrel. This blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc soars out of the glass with stunning aromatic intensity and tons of textural depth. Ample and beautifully resonant on the palate, the Red Wine is a total stunner. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and menthol build into the racy, sumptuous finish. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
Needs a healthy decanting...Sensational.
Needs a healthy decanting...Sensational.
Dec 18th, 2020
Heck of a hosting by @Weston Eidson last night for the City Club wine group. All wines were tasted blind.
When tasting next to the MacDonald, it was incredible how much more ripe fruit was present here. I mean, straight up oozing blackberries and blueberries. I pondered if there could even be Malbec in this based on how inky and juicy it was at the core. I went back and forth between calling this Australian Cabernet or Howell Mountain Zinfandel. There was Andes mint and fig with a rich finish. I had the ‘16 during my visit earlier this year and found it to have a touch more savory notes.
Heck of a hosting by @Weston Eidson last night for the City Club wine group. All wines were tasted blind.
When tasting next to the MacDonald, it was incredible how much more ripe fruit was present here. I mean, straight up oozing blackberries and blueberries. I pondered if there could even be Malbec in this based on how inky and juicy it was at the core. I went back and forth between calling this Australian Cabernet or Howell Mountain Zinfandel. There was Andes mint and fig with a rich finish. I had the ‘16 during my visit earlier this year and found it to have a touch more savory notes.
Dense and luxurious with some floral tones and top notes for balance.
Dense and luxurious with some floral tones and top notes for balance.
Jan 1st, 2019Victoria from Bevan Cellars came to town and put on a wonderful tasting of some current releases.
Tasting this side by side to the Sugarloaf was a fun way to see the different site expressions. I preferred this over the Sugarloaf at first pour (but the Sugarloaf barely inched it out in the end). Lovely aromatics kudos to the CF. Dusty fruit with lavender and fresh squeezed blackberries. These cabs were only bottled in April and even with a 4-hr decant, they drank well (Bevan signature style).
Victoria from Bevan Cellars came to town and put on a wonderful tasting of some current releases.
Tasting this side by side to the Sugarloaf was a fun way to see the different site expressions. I preferred this over the Sugarloaf at first pour (but the Sugarloaf barely inched it out in the end). Lovely aromatics kudos to the CF. Dusty fruit with lavender and fresh squeezed blackberries. These cabs were only bottled in April and even with a 4-hr decant, they drank well (Bevan signature style).
Holy crap this is a serious bottle of Cabernet. Rich and thick. Very full bodied but almost built like a ripe vintage bordeaux (think 03 cos or 03 ducru)... this is suave silky and seductive. Amazing amounts of extract but seamless in every way... shit this is good when you're craving a big juicy and complex cab.
Holy crap this is a serious bottle of Cabernet. Rich and thick. Very full bodied but almost built like a ripe vintage bordeaux (think 03 cos or 03 ducru)... this is suave silky and seductive. Amazing amounts of extract but seamless in every way... shit this is good when you're craving a big juicy and complex cab.
Sep 19th, 2018