Moone-Tsai Vineyards
Black List XVIII Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.
It was my first time trying Moone-Tsai wines aside from their widely distributed Napa Valley Cab, so some of these were totally brand new to me. Melka is the winemaker.
This was my wine of the lineup for both now and possibly down the road. A great blend of the Howell (massive structure, chalky/dusty, big and ripe fruit) with the Cor Leonis (slightly savory, inky, herbal). This has velvet like tannins right now but they are really persistent. Plum, nutmeg, creme de cassis, heady display of the entire fruit spectrum (red, blue and black) jump from the glass. Slight addition of graphite, black licorice, and currant on the palate. Juicy, savory, decadent. Lots going on here. Very good.
Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.
It was my first time trying Moone-Tsai wines aside from their widely distributed Napa Valley Cab, so some of these were totally brand new to me. Melka is the winemaker.
This was my wine of the lineup for both now and possibly down the road. A great blend of the Howell (massive structure, chalky/dusty, big and ripe fruit) with the Cor Leonis (slightly savory, inky, herbal). This has velvet like tannins right now but they are really persistent. Plum, nutmeg, creme de cassis, heady display of the entire fruit spectrum (red, blue and black) jump from the glass. Slight addition of graphite, black licorice, and currant on the palate. Juicy, savory, decadent. Lots going on here. Very good.
Moone Tsai Black List XXVI Vintage 2018. Fruit sourced from Pritchard Hill/Younthill/Stags Leap. Medium+/High integrated acidity, gummy velvety and fine-grained smooth tannins. Pure black fruits, black pepper, eucalyptus, cigar box, allspice, stalky/stemmy characters. Opened with whiffs of reduction (gun flint). Moone Tsai uses ~7 different coopers...
Moone Tsai Black List XXVI Vintage 2018. Fruit sourced from Pritchard Hill/Younthill/Stags Leap. Medium+/High integrated acidity, gummy velvety and fine-grained smooth tannins. Pure black fruits, black pepper, eucalyptus, cigar box, allspice, stalky/stemmy characters. Opened with whiffs of reduction (gun flint). Moone Tsai uses ~7 different coopers...
Aug 6th, 2022
Privileged and honored by our friends Elliot and Stephen (and wives), my wife and I were able to share a lovely dinner along this superb bottle. Notes of dark berries and cedar. Amarena , plum and earth on the palate this wine gives a delightful finish with perfect acidity. It fitted perfectly with our dinner and lovely company.
Privileged and honored by our friends Elliot and Stephen (and wives), my wife and I were able to share a lovely dinner along this superb bottle. Notes of dark berries and cedar. Amarena , plum and earth on the palate this wine gives a delightful finish with perfect acidity. It fitted perfectly with our dinner and lovely company.
Nov 13th, 2019
100% Cabernet Sauvignon primarily sourced from Caldwell Block 16 in Coombsville, St. Helena, and Soda Canyon. Aged 22 months in 85% New French Oak. Super velvety, thick, blackberry, black cherries, blueberry jam notes, vanilla, hint of spice, and a long finish. One of my favorite Black Lists by far.
100% Cabernet Sauvignon primarily sourced from Caldwell Block 16 in Coombsville, St. Helena, and Soda Canyon. Aged 22 months in 85% New French Oak. Super velvety, thick, blackberry, black cherries, blueberry jam notes, vanilla, hint of spice, and a long finish. One of my favorite Black Lists by far.
Sep 30th, 2019