Rivers-Marie
Panek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
St. Helena, Napa Valley, California, USA
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.
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
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
Apr 13th, 2020
Holy shit this is good! Will only get better with time. Last of the four blind wines!....forgot to add my review...
Deep and dark purplish red. Layered and complex nose with notes of gunpowder, cedar, black fruits, a little blue and spices. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. A bit perfumey on the attack with tons of dark berries, dark gravel, oak and tons of structure. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2040.
Holy shit this is good! Will only get better with time. Last of the four blind wines!....forgot to add my review...
Deep and dark purplish red. Layered and complex nose with notes of gunpowder, cedar, black fruits, a little blue and spices. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. A bit perfumey on the attack with tons of dark berries, dark gravel, oak and tons of structure. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2040.
A step down from the Lore to be sure but still a solid cab with loads of red fruit.
A step down from the Lore to be sure but still a solid cab with loads of red fruit.
Jan 19th, 2024
Awesome purity, classical quality Napa Cab... a lot of life left.
Awesome purity, classical quality Napa Cab... a lot of life left.
Apr 4th, 2020
Time to drink up the good stuff? Possibly But this young lass has entered a slumber and should be held.
Time to drink up the good stuff? Possibly But this young lass has entered a slumber and should be held.
Mar 21st, 2020Merry Christmas!
Decanted 2 hours. Still restrained at that point. Enjoyed over next 7 hours and it peaked right at the end. Excellent!
Merry Christmas!
Decanted 2 hours. Still restrained at that point. Enjoyed over next 7 hours and it peaked right at the end. Excellent!
2104 Rivers-Marie Panek Vineyards
Smooth & silky, classy Cab!
Thanks TRB
2104 Rivers-Marie Panek Vineyards
Smooth & silky, classy Cab!
Thanks TRB
2 hour decant and it started to open up - was singing after 3. Beautiful cab with power and finesse. Plan to give it another couple years before opening another.
2 hour decant and it started to open up - was singing after 3. Beautiful cab with power and finesse. Plan to give it another couple years before opening another.
Jul 20th, 2019