Sommelier
94 that leans into 95.
42% Grenache, 24% Mourvedre, 21% Syrah, 8% Coundise & 3% Roussanne. 15.8% ABV but drinks like 14.5-14.9. Pairing is Allen Brother’s Cowgirls.
This has nice evolution & integration.
It is ripe, juicy, lush grapey, very Grenache style with a bit of funk-gym locker. Blackberries, black raspberries, stewed plum, spiced dark cherries, cherries, deep, dark spices, black pepper, tary notes, steeped fruit tea, dry leaves, cigar with ash, dry, crushed rocks, dry river stone, limestone minerals, clove, dark spice, cinnamon stick, mid berry cola, liquid violets, lavender with dark & red flowers, excellent waterfall acidity. Balanced, excellent tension, richness, elegance and refined polish. — 13 days ago
I have really come to embrace this producer since my October 22 visit to the property. Beautiful champagne that is generally fermented in neutral small & large barrels/vats.
Starts w/ lemon, pineapple, lime, kiwi, white stone fruits, green apple, touch of tangerine & grapefruit w/ light sprinkle of sugar, cream, light white spice, crushed limestone w/ chalk, sea fossils, saline, light yeastiness, bread dough, sprinkle of dry herbs, spring flowers, jasmine, spring flowers & a touch of yellow lilies, nice crisp acidity with a structured backbone, nice tension, very well balanced and an elegant polished finish that lasts just under 90 seconds. — 14 days ago
Hints of Maple Syrup in the nose.
This is still very fresh. Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, black plum pudding, strawberries, notes of blue fruits, dark spice, black licorice, mid berry cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, anise, cedar to sandalwood, dry herbs, mint/eucalyptus, used leather, dry, crushed, rock powder, notes of maple syrup, caramel, dark, red withering rose petals with violets, waterfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, softly tensioned, well knitted, smartly polished finish that lasts minutes.
Color is still dark. Cork came out whole with a Durand but was completely soaked.
What a treat to drink well stored old Napa Cabernet. Will hold another 3-5 years.
Bottle semi-recently acquired from the property via a Somm buddy. — 18 days ago
Simply stunning! Especially, for a Sonoma, not a Napa Cabernet. 😳
Follow up AB Cowgirl wine after the Saxum. If ever you thought a Sonoma Cabernet could not stand tall with a great Napa Cabernet, have a well aged good vintage of A. Raf..
4 hour decant.
Still medium plus, round, velvety tannins. Lush, rich, ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, ripe strawberries, hints of heavenly raspberries, plum, dark, rich forest floor w/ dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mid/dark berry cola, dark, dry Indian/Asian spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon to stick, caramel notes, malt balls, dark chocolate baking bar, black licorice to anise, dry, crushed limestone powder, soft, fresh tobacco, dry, used leather, softened tarry notes, some dry herbs-bay leaf sprinkled with sage, dry crushed rocks/river stone, dry top soil, candied & withering, dark, red, blue flowers framed in violets & lavender, crazy, round, excellent acidity, well structured & balanced for days, elegant, polished and an endless finish. Harmony on the palate.
Find an 07, you’ll thank me later. My highest recommendation for Napa/Sonoma Cabernets.
10-15 years of good drinking left in this 07. — 13 days ago
Lovely to finish a long evening.
Paired w/ shortbread w/ Macadamia nuts.
I like their craft. This is good but will ascend for 10 years.
Reductive in style. Pineapple, lemon, grapefruit, lime zest, white peach, light tropical melons, cheese cloth, cream, some mint, bread dough, yeast, limestone alluvials, sandstone, light white spice, sea fossils, baguette crust, yeastiness, bread dough, yellow lilies, jasmine, Spring flowers, round crisp acidity, well balanced, nicely knitted, with a smartly polished, elegant finish that’s lasts two-minutes. — 18 days ago
Excellent integration & evolution. Still ascending.
As one/me might have imagined, dry, sour dark, red, cherries, baked to dried rhubarb, dry blackberries, cedar to sandalwood, dry tobacco, lightly crushed rocks, limestone, dry leaves, sun tea, sandstone, dry florals that are dark, red with violets, excellent acidity and a medium tension, nicely balanced & beautifully knitted , smartly polished finish that lasts nearly two/minutes. — 13 days ago
Simply great with this age for $45.
2008 was a Sonoma fire year and while this has some smokiness it does seems that it’s from smoke taint.
Ruby, dark, slightly, sour cherries, blackberries, black plum pudding, black raspberries, dry cranberries, blueberry hue’s, touch of baked rhubarb, moist clay with grey volcanics, alluvial limestone, dry rock powder, red licorice/cola, steeped tea, some dry herbs, lightly grilled meats, dark spice w/ a touch of heat, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanillin, dry twigs, fall leaves, withering; dark, red, blue florals framed in violets with hints of lavender, summer rainfall acidity with a lush, elegant, well balanced, mid tensioned/structured, two- minute finish, that falls on earthiness. — 13 days ago
Some days are better than others to pop a bottle of champagne and drink a toast. Today is one of those better days! Cheers! 🍾🥂
Excellent with roasted chicken & mash potatoes.
Meyer lemon, lemon meringue, lime w/ zest, red & green apples, hints of apple cider, kiwi, green melon, ginger ale, whipped cream, caramel notes, bread dough, yeasty notes, vanillin, alluvial limestone, sea spray, refined chalkiness, yellow lilies, spring flowers, round yet crisp acidity, well; balanced structured & tensioned. Elegant and smartly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds. From 375ml. — 15 days ago
David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Excellent w/ short ribs. Still early & acceding. 10-15 years ahead. — 6 days ago