Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon gives a deep garnet-purple color and leaps from the glass with notes of warm black currants and red currants preserves plus touches of sandalwood, cigar box, spice... Read More

Accendo Cellars is Bart and Daphne Araujo’s new project, following the incredible success and eventual sale of Araujo Estate, now known as Eisele Vineyard after the property’s jewel vineyard that dates back to the... Read More

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is blended of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot and was bottled in August 2018. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts out of the glass with exotic spice notes of star anise,... Read More

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from Vine Hill Ranch and Sleeping Lady vineyards, the Cabernet Franc came from Diamond... Read More

A big, juicy red with lots to love, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up both red and black fruits interwoven with spicy oak, minty herbs, and sandalwood-like aromas and flavors. It's nicely balanced, has soft, fine tannins,... Read More

Black currants, grilled sage and crushed stone form a darkly enticing bouquet as the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon opens in the glass. This is surprisingly juicy and energetic in character, with racy wild berry fruits offset by a tinge... Read More

TASTING NOTES

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with expressive aromas of plum, boysenberry, red currant, black olive, caramel and toasted oak. Broad, chewy textures deliver layered impressions of blueberry, cherry, cassis and... Read More

The wines from the extremely hot drought year, 2014, were just bottled prior to my visit. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the vintage’s precociousness and front-end loaded, flattering style. It is medium to full-bodied,... Read More

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is a relatively powerful statement from the new owners. Dense ruby/purple in color, with an exceptional nose of crème de cassis, a touch of mulberry... Read More

Jazzy, smoky oak flavor plays a prominent role ...adding to the candied red berry, anise and underbrush notes. Ends clean and long. Best from 2020 through 2027. 447 cases made. —JL... Read More

The 2023 Chardonnay Lauren is the quintessential Mark Aubert wine. Rich, layered and wonderfully dynamic in the glass, the 2023 is another super-complete wine. The Lauren is marked by strong mineral, earthy and savory notes that... Read More

From a somewhat warmer site on thin, volcanic soils overlooking the Russian River, Eastside—originally a collaboration between Ulises Valdez and Mark Aubert—features a Montrachet selection planted on riparia rootstock.... Read More

The 2023 Chardonnay Sugar Shack is a wine of textural density and opulence. Tangerine oil, chamomile, pastry and lightly buttered notes all meld together. In this tasting, the Sugar Shack is marked by its viscosity, a signature... Read More

The 2022 Bedrock Vineyard Heritage comes from a vineyard planted in 1888 to 29 different grape varieties. It has slowly unfurling scents of blueberry, red cherry and apricot with nuances of pepper, earth and floral potpourri.... Read More

The 2023 Malvasia Bianca is a highly appealing and refreshing take on this grape, floral and steely, crisp and clean, with lasting layers of jasmine, lime, and salt. Effusively drinkable, it has light-bodied length and breadth... Read More

This is an orange wine done right, starting with aromas of lime tonic, jasmine and tuberose that emerge from the lightly hazed glass. The palate shows a rich mouthfeel and ample weight, carrying orange-blossom flavors. Serve with... Read More

Aroma: Ripe red cherries, raspberries, baking spices, and a hint of forest floor.
Palate: Lively acidity and red fruit notes of cherry and cranberry from grapes sourced from cooler climates. Richness and depth with notes of ripe... Read More

Bottled in early 2018, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Quella gives aromas of blackcurrants, black cherries and mulberries with touches of tobacco, new leather, iron ore and truffles plus a hint of tree back. The palate is... Read More

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Quella slips seductively out of the glass with notes of warm black plums, blueberry preserves, licorice and crème de cassis with suggestions of wild sage, pencil lead, camphor and Marmite... Read More

The 2016 St. Eden has a deep garnet-purple color and gives up vivacious notes of crushed blackberries, warm plums and cassis plus hints of dried leaves, forest floor, tapenade and truffles with a touch of unsmoked cigars. Medium... Read More

Each year, this vineyard begins in its own rhythm and ends on a similar note; 2016 is no exception. Early in the ripening, the balance of flavor and quality of tannin were impressive. In September, we received much-needed fog... Read More

Apricot, peach, marmalade and candied ginger flavors are plump and juicy on an appealingly fleshy texture. Grace notes of Meyer lemon, satsuma tangerine and lemon oil add wonderful layers of complexity. Drink now. 666 cases made.... Read More

Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the 2018 Cardinale was aged in French oak barrels for 22 months, 81% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it prances out of the glass with gregarious notions of warm cassis, black... Read More

Tasting Note:

Medium-dark to dark ruby-garnet. An intense, brooding nose of red and black fruits with blood orange, clove, and a hint of framboise liqueur. On the palate, full-bodied, verging on muscular, with flavors of red cherry,... Read More

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant black cherries, warm cassis, chocolate pie and blackberry preserves notes plus nuances of wild sage, forest... Read More

Embodying the essence of great mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, and the majestic terroir of Pritchard Hill, this wine displays epic depth and complexity. Pure, intense aromas of blackberry, cassis, perfumed violets, graphite,... Read More

Embodying the essence of great mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and the majestic terroir or Pritchard Hill, this wine is gloriously opulent and elegant, immediately demanding attention with aromas of violet, black currant, cassis,... Read More

Wine Spectator #5 Wine Of the Year!

Supremely rich and concentrated, Colgin's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill Vineyard nevertheless remains vibrant and energetic. Hints of bay leaf perk up scents of dark chocolate and black cherries on the nose, while the... Read More

Colgin's 2021 Cariad is explosive, effusive and all charm. All the elements are so well put together. Deep, sweet floral and savory spice nuances lift a core of red/purplish fruit, all wrapped together with broad, chocolatey... Read More

2019 was a late-ripening vintage at Colgin’s IX Estate on Pritchard Hill. Much was picked during the third week of October, allowing winemaker Allison Tauzier to perform a little more co-fermentation. The 2019 IX Estate... Read More

The 2021 IX Estate is such an elegant wine. Sleek, aromatic and refined, the 2021 is one of the most polished young wines I have tasted from this site. Red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal and mint abound. Silky and delineated,... Read More

Classic balance and a little restraint characterize this firmly structured, deeply flavored wine that brings black cherries, cranberries and black pepper to the front, backed by slightly tangy acidity and texturizing tannins that... Read More

With a much higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (91%, with 9% Cabernet Franc), the Dalla Valle 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is less floral than the Maya but more obviously fruity and up front. Bold black cherries and cassis... Read More

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is a blend of 78.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.4% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 5.1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slips effortlessly from the glass, singing of ripe black cherries,... Read More

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 4.5% Malbec and 4.5% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of cassis, plum preserves,... Read More

A Cabernet Sauvignon-driven blend, Napanook is made solely from grapes grown at the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, Napa Valley. The wine is blended from blocks in the vineyard that were carefully selected for their... Read More

The historic Napanook Vineyard, a 124-acre site west of Yountville, was planted in 1838. This vineyard was the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines. Estate-bottled in the spirit of the Bordeaux châteaux,... Read More

This shows density on par with the ’18, with a core of cassis and plum notes still tucked away a bit behind a wall of structure, while singed toast and licorice hints peek in throughout. The youthfully backward aspect shows... Read More

The 2023 Fumé Blanc emanates the classic Dry Creek Vineyard “house” style of Sauvignon Blanc. Aromatics of lemon, lime and grapefruit leap forward from the glass with both fruit and floral nuances of tangerine,... Read More

The greatest vineyards always rise to the occasion and so it was at Heintz in 2022. In this early season, the fruit wasn’t quite ready before the heat arrived, but it only took two hot days to find the maturity and expression... Read More

#6, Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2023!

This dark, brooding and full-bodied wine includes a nice percentage of Merlot and Petit Verdot. Supple, well-integrated tannins give it a burly sensibility that evolves and softens into earthy notes of dried herb, tobacco and... Read More

Wine Spectator #4 Wine Of the Year!

A wine with all the hallmarks of the legendary Cabernets of Rutherford: deep, cassis-currant aromas, the classic notes of Rutherford Dust, earthen flavors of cedar and black olive, and a velvety, plush mouthfeel.

The 2021 Pinot Noir San Andreas Fault has very pure scents of blueberries, pomegranate, mushroom, damp earth and aniseed. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated, spicy flavors. It has a chalky texture, bright, gently tangy... Read More

Marked by black cherries and cassis aromas, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a fairly muscular effort—not that it's big or bulky, but it shows plenty of tannic depth and a crisply acidic spine. It should be capable of... Read More

The 2020 Fenix, nearly all Merlot for the very first time, is one of the finest wines I have ever tasted from Jonata. Dark, rich and bursting with pure unbridled energy, the Fenix is shaping up to be tremendous. Black cherry,... Read More

One of the most balanced Jordan Chardonnays to date. Flavors of juicy citrus, Asian pear and lemon peel balance seamlessly with the subtle French oak notes. The cooler-climate vineyard sourcing this year brings even more lively... Read More

The 2021 Estate Cuvée (a 20th-anniversary edition) is composed of 50% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petit Verdot. Its aromas are highly complex and pure! Chocolate-covered cherry and crushed blueberry scents are... Read More

Optimus is the perfect introduction to the L'Aventure lineup. Also known as our “crazy” Paso blend, Optimus is beautifully balanced with a lot of freshness. This wine is approachable young but can be enjoyed for... Read More

The 2019 J. Daniel Cuvée Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel sample with a deep garnet-purple color. It needs a little coaxing to unlock pronounced blackcurrant preserves, Black Forest cake and stewed plums scents with hints... Read More

“I was raised by my dad. John Daniel, Jr., in the grand family tradition of Inglenook. He was, like Gustave Niebaum before him, a leader, an innovator, and the producer of legendary wines. Our flagship wine at Lail Vineyards,... Read More

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain was aged for 22 months in French oak, 93% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose explodes with profound cassis, black plums and blackberries scents... Read More

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain was aged in French oak barrels for 22 months, 97% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it rolls effortlessly out of the glass with notes of warm cassis,... Read More

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder was aged in French oak barrels for 22 months, 94% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it soars out of the glass with vivacious scents of black cherries,... Read More

Pinot Noir clusters are de-stemmed, cold soaked with one pump over per day. Using natural yeasts, and mostly new oak, the wines are left on the lees after fermentation. No fining, filtering or cold stabilization is done, so the... Read More

A true performer: balance, finesse, charisma, and grace. More rose petals and just-ripened cherries than earthy, and lighter on its feet than von der Mehden’s more dramatic selections. But this juicy – almost sweet... Read More

Sourced from sites in the Santa Maria Valley and aged 18 months in 40% new barrels, the 2016 Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley has slightly more density and depth in its black cherry, toasted spices, crushed flowers, and vanilla bean... Read More

The 2021 Palomino Lopez Vineyard is an unusual, oxidatively styled wine made in the style of Sherry, though without fortification. One-third of the Palomino received two weeks of skin contact, and the final blend was matured in... Read More

#22, Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025

Even better than the 2013 (and this is probably the only cuvée about which I can say that when it comes to Bordeaux varietals), the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Estate is super-dense, displaying sweet crème... Read More

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Estate sports a very deep purple-black color and is scented of bright red and black currants notes with an earthy undercurrent of underbrush, mossy bark and damp soil, plus suggestions... Read More

The 2013 Chardonnay La Carrière is unbelievable. Production was almost 900 cases less than in 2014, and you can see it in the concentration of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, white currant, white peach and mineral notes.... Read More

The signature of this vineyard remains its terroir-driven minerality.The nose is dominated by aromas of brioche, toasted almond, dry honey, Mirabelle plum, vine blossom, jasmine, hazelnut and William pear. Accents of Mandarin... Read More

VINTAGE NOTES

The drier conditions and earlier budbreak were followed by more variable weather during the Chardonnay blooming period resulting in less fruit setting and low yields. Moderate summer temperatures allowed for a long,... Read More

95 Points Wine Spectator, Top 100 Wines of 2014

Bursting forth with extravagant tropical and floral notes, the 2015 Chardonnay Ma Belle Fille has nuances of honey-nut pastry (baklava), ginger, cedar and spice cake. Medium-bodied, the pineapple and passionfruit flavor layers... Read More

#27, Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025

Sometimes, a great winemaker and a Master Sommelier can create something unique. This selection does not disappoint—opulent aromas of blackberry, cassis, dried thyme, and notes of Tahitian vanilla grace the nose, trembling... Read More

The 2021 Merlot is packed with dark blue/purplish fruit, new leather, spice, tobacco, mocha and licorice. Juicy and enveloping, with terrific energy, the Merlot is absolutely delicious. The brighter style here is so compelling.... Read More

The 2015 Promontory has recently been released in the domestic market and is due for international release in spring 2021. Deep garnet-purple in color, it has sprung to life since I last tasted it, prancing out of the glass with... Read More

full bodied, intensely flavored (blueberry, raspberry, rose petal, cherry, black tea, white pepper, clove, oak), lightly tannic, and very long on the finish. Warrants further aging. Great value.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Sea Field is a powerful, intensely mineral wine. Iron, gravel, red-toned fruit and rose petal are all finely sculpted. Salivating acids and a spine of searing tannins give the Sea Field its shape and insistent,... Read More

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard from Oakville is blended with 15% Petit Verdot and offers the power and elegance of the best Cabernets from the 2016 vintage. Deep ruby in color, its aromas slowly unfurl from a core... Read More

Rhys Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir (750 ml): The Rhys Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir is a testament to the exceptional quality of California's Santa Cruz Mountains. This wine displays layers of complexity... Read More

#3 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2025

Supreme concentration and great depth characterize this powerful, structured and age-worthy wine. It boasts luscious dried plums and dried blueberries, plus plenty of black pepper and light wood-smoke accents, all backed by firm... Read More

98 Points, The Somm Journal

98 Points, Wine & Spirits

#20, Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2024!

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Syrah, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a solid effort, redolent of black cherries and baking spices, with hints of cinnamon, sage and dusty earth. After spending... Read More

Scarecrow's 2022 M. Étain is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% each Merlot and Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. Scents of cedar, cherries and dusty earth mark the nose, while there's a nice tension to this wine's... Read More

Schrader’s CCS comes from Beckstoffer’s To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, produced from clone 4 grown on the C1 block. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 100% new Darnajou and Taransaud French oak barrels for 18 months.... Read More

This wine is lush and lively, with aromas of Yellow plum, Pink Lady apple, cinnamon, and notes of Jasmine tea on the nose. The flavors on the palate are fresh, crisp, Yellow apple, White peach, Pink grapefruit, fine mousse mid-palate,... Read More

The 2019 Screaming Eagle is a wine of mind-blowing elegance and finesse that stand apart from the generally more potent style of so many wines in this vintage. Deep, sensual and beautifully layered, the 2019 is simply magnificent... Read More

The 2021 Screaming Eagle captivates the senses with its remarkable depth and complexity. Gleaming in the glass with an intense, opaque hue, it entices with a seductive aroma that unfolds layers of dark cherries, ripe plums, and... Read More

The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select performed even better this year than it did in 2007. It possesses an inky/ruby/purple color, a juicy perfume of black currants, black cherries, graphite, charcoal, and toasty oak, superb... Read More

Like with the 2013 Grenache, I was thrilled to be able to taste the 2013 Syrah Male again (twist my arm), and it continues to impress. Giving up fabulous blackberry, bouquet garni, peppery herbs and minerality, this full-bodied,... Read More

Like with the 2013 Grenache, I was thrilled to be able to taste the 2013 Syrah Male again (twist my arm), and it continues to impress. Giving up fabulous blackberry, bouquet garni, peppery herbs and minerality, this full-bodied,... Read More

The 2007 Grenache Dangerous Birds, from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard, is a big, huge wine loaded with dark cherries, plums, licorice and smoke, all of which come together in a sensual, captivating wine of the highest level.... Read More

In addition to these new releases, I was also able to taste through a number of older vintages, including the 2001 Albino, 2006 Hoodoo Man, 2003 The Inaugural, 2004 Ode to E, 1998 E Raised, 2001 On Your Toes, 2005 Nail in My Cranium... Read More

The 2011 Syrah Dark Blossom showed even better from bottle than barrel. A blend of 84% Syrah, 8% Grenache, 4% Petite Sirah and the rest Roussanne and Petite Manseng, this beauty was fermented with 17% whole clusters and aged in... Read More