Panek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

This was given a short 30min decant before being consumed over the next two days.

My note is likely going to be reminiscent of my experience with the 2015 Panek I opened 3yrs ago. Out of the RM Cabernet lineup, Panek is the pleasure bomb. One of the signature traits I get from some of TRBs cabs is his ability to pull the entire fruit spectrum (entry of bright red fruits, mid palate of fresh and sweet blue fruits before a commanding and juicy black fruit finish). From the start, this was uber concentrated, but in an elegant way (not brawny). 2hrs later, this smoothed out and channeled a silky profile. This leans to a more floral, dark cherry, mocha fruit flavor profile up front before an inky, juicy, dark chocolate covered black cherry with mint and savory notes. Still on the upswing. Decant 2hrs or hold another 2-3yrs. However, it’s in a hedonistic stage now with minimal air.

One of the 2015s I opened to celebrate my 5yr wedding anniversary. In these early years, fruit forward/approachable wines from Napa are ideal while the other wines from the vintage rest and approach maturity.

After having the 2017 with Will at Mending Wall earlier this year (totally open and accessible), I expected this to be similar, but true to 2015 cabs, this was crazy coiled and tightly compact. The mid palate here is really dense with an extremely gripping and tannic finish. As I find a signature of TRB’s winemaking style, when the site allows it, he has a way of pulling the entire fruit spectrum...this wine showed red (black cherries) blue (crisp blueberries) and black fruits (tart blackberries and currant). The fruit is amazingly fresh, as though it was freshly squeezed. Oak is noticeable but definitely not a detractor. Floral, baking spices like cinnamon and vanilla, sandalwood, and a homemade mixed berry pie straight out of the oven. There is a lasting herbal/graphite type note toward the finish. I followed this over two days and it stayed strong. I’d hold for another 2-3yrs and see if it unfurls further.

dark ruby violet, fully opaque, prominent glass staining tears; black cherry, blackberry, cassis, lavender, graphite; dark fruits, dense and powerful but with surprising freshness; full bodied, medium+ acidity, fine tannings, 14.7% ABV; $95

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.

Really enjoyed my visiting with Will at Mending Wall where he poured Rivers-Marie as well as his personal label William & Mary.

Not quite pop and pour, but close! Will poured this as we walked around the facility and it rapidly evolved, showing baking spices (lots of cinnamon), sweet mixed berry pie, with a touch of graphite...profile had very fine grained tannins, lush and balanced, finishing more to the red fruit dominated side of the spectrum. Nice.

@Mark Flesher and I decided to do a 2014 Napa Cab battle from two of Napa’s top winemakers...TRB and Mike Smith.

At pop and pour, the aromatics here were absolutely wonderful. There was a sweet/ripe dark fruit core to this wine. Very youthful with some cedar and cocoa. Stylistically I view TRB as a red and black fruit Cab winemaker and I found the nose to be on the darker side. BUT. The raspberry, vanilla pipe tobacco, dark chocolate and dates on the palate showed TRB in every way. There was an elegance with power here. In a few years, this will undoubtedly be stellar. Great bottle @Mark Flesher

The 2016 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard lasted 10 days before I finally gave in. My weakness was rooted more in curiosity than hedonism. Albeit much of that curiosity had to do with how hedonistic it was. After 30 minutes I was concerned that I might have killed a baby. After 45 mins it turned on a dime, and after another 30 minutes it came into focus and you realize all’s right with the world. There’s a seamless swath of minerality and savoriness that spans from wet gravel to dark chocolate cocoa powder while also revealing a bridge of cedar, cassis, underbrush, grilled meat, and espresso. Once again, this makes an excellent argument for being my favorite wine in the valley.

When I last opened a bottle of Rivers-Marie’s 2014 Panek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a couple months back, I called it a “spectacular Saturday night wine” and “deserved of the spotlight and worthy of much anticipation.” I still believe that to be true, which makes opening it spontaneously on a Monday night all the better. And now that I think about it, that’s not a bad philosophy to live by: Life is better when you open Saturday night wine on Monday night.

It’s common to hear wine drinkers use the colloquialisms like “a good Tuesday night bottle” or “an excellent everyday drinker.” Well, this is a spectacular Saturday night wine; deserved of the spotlight and worthy of much anticipation.

Blue and black fruit compete for who’s more pure, while the savory creosote and cedar intertwine, and the acid and tannin do their dance. There’s timing and choreography... it’s wine in HD and Surround Sound. Extraordinary.

Panek Vineyard is situated in St. Helena on the east side of Highway 29 just north of Turley Winery, adjacent to Aida Vineyard, and about 3 miles up Highway 29 from where I’m situated this evening... making it all the more special... The 2010 from Rivers-Marie is straight fire, sporting a plum red velvet smoking jacket, and a potent perfume of spicy Mexican cocoa powder. Stunning.

Aromas of red/blue fruit, freshly lit cigar, , hints of violet and mint. Typical 2011 in weight but still luscious and well balanced, showing the marksmanship of TRB.