Checkerboard Vineyards

Kings Row Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

9.4226 ratings
9.428 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy, Salami & Prosciutto, Exotic Spices, Baking Spices, Herbs, Chicken, Pungent Cheese, Turkey, Soft Cheese, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Duck, Onion
Top Notes For
Roy Goble

Yum

Yum

Aug 3rd, 2019
Mike R
9.6

Big bold beautiful and a great 2007 vintage

Big bold beautiful and a great 2007 vintage

Nov 14th, 2017
Eric

First Checkerboard. Holy shit!

First Checkerboard. Holy shit!

1 person found it helpfulOct 8th, 2021
Soek Yie Phan

Soek had this 12 years ago

Soek had this 12 years ago

1 person found it helpfulApr 7th, 2013
Shay A
9.5

A picture that doesn't do the experience justice. What a phenomenal weekend at the Côtes du Coeur. My last two wines I posted were from the event Friday night. This picture contains what was consumed at the private lunch and the big main event last night. I'm not going to post every wine separately as I'd be on here for hours, but I'll highlight below my favorites.

-2010 Williams Selyem "Allen Vineyard" Chardonnay...drinking excellent. Gorgeous restraint. Crisp and semi-tropical
-2007 Viader Red Blend...wasn't surprised I enjoyed this as it's a blend of cab Sauv and cab franc. Toasted almonds, chocolate and blackberries
-2005 Inglenook Rubicon...this sucker has a few more years to hit its peak. Monstrous. Red and black fruit and earthy.
-2012 Gandona...this wine was excellent. My wife claimed it was her favorite. Never had it before but it was well crafted...Oak, blueberries and plum.
-2008 Paul Lato "Larner Vineyard" Syrah...sneaky good. Smoky, meaty, and lots of lush fruit.
-2013 Checkerboard "King's Row"...pop and pour goodness. Lovely blueberry pie, toasted oak, excellent texture
-2013 Stewart...great representation of classic Napa cab. Checks all the boxes of fruit, structure and finish.
-1983 Fonseca's Vintage Port...strong! Pretty astringent on the nose. Another 10 years will probably have this caramel-y brown sugar port in a good spot

A picture that doesn't do the experience justice. What a phenomenal weekend at the Côtes du Coeur. My last two wines I posted were from the event Friday night. This picture contains what was consumed at the private lunch and the big main event last night. I'm not going to post every wine separately as I'd be on here for hours, but I'll highlight below my favorites.

-2010 Williams Selyem "Allen Vineyard" Chardonnay...drinking excellent. Gorgeous restraint. Crisp and semi-tropical
-2007 Viader Red Blend...wasn't surprised I enjoyed this as it's a blend of cab Sauv and cab franc. Toasted almonds, chocolate and blackberries
-2005 Inglenook Rubicon...this sucker has a few more years to hit its peak. Monstrous. Red and black fruit and earthy.
-2012 Gandona...this wine was excellent. My wife claimed it was her favorite. Never had it before but it was well crafted...Oak, blueberries and plum.
-2008 Paul Lato "Larner Vineyard" Syrah...sneaky good. Smoky, meaty, and lots of lush fruit.
-2013 Checkerboard "King's Row"...pop and pour goodness. Lovely blueberry pie, toasted oak, excellent texture
-2013 Stewart...great representation of classic Napa cab. Checks all the boxes of fruit, structure and finish.
-1983 Fonseca's Vintage Port...strong! Pretty astringent on the nose. Another 10 years will probably have this caramel-y brown sugar port in a good spot

Apr 23rd, 2017
Will Burkholder

Owner Fine Wine Dump

9.7

Big black fruits, dense, balanced with integrated tannins. Long, lingering finish. Excellent! I think this is the best 2012 Napa Cab I've tasted to date.

Big black fruits, dense, balanced with integrated tannins. Long, lingering finish. Excellent! I think this is the best 2012 Napa Cab I've tasted to date.

Mar 6th, 2017
Martin G Rivard

Awesome 08 Rudd!!!

Awesome 08 Rudd!!!

Nov 24th, 2016
Jason Chang

Proprietor NINE SUNS Winery, HOUYI Vineyard

9.2

Out of mag!

Out of mag!

Nov 24th, 2016
Roy Goble

Such a smooth wine

Such a smooth wine

Jun 2nd, 2016
Mark Blatty

Solid

Solid

Apr 22nd, 2016