Shawn R

9.5

Such an exotic nose. Even Melka is on the Paso wagon. Would like to compare this to the Arkenstone in a side by side Syrah showdown! Not a pop and pour. — 7 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.6

Nine Suns and their favorite son, Sam Kaplan!
Sam and his lovely wife, Nancy were kind enough to take time out of their Florida vacation and stop by our house for a great Tasting Event of his big 3 Wines,... Arkenstone, Memento Mori and Nine Suns. And then he pulled out his latest project, soon to be released in the fall, Maxem! (Named after his two children, Max and Emma.) Not to compete with his huge red blends, his Maxem line is Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, both from the famed UV Vineyard in Sonoma. (Think Aubert Pinot Noir😃). I will try to review the Maxem wines later, but back to the amazing Nine Suns red blend from Pritchard Hill. We had the 2012 recently and were blown away by how much it has improved in such a short time. The 2013 needed some more time, but you can already sense the greatness to come. Already balanced feel and long finish. I decanted it for 4 hours to ensure we were doing justice to this deep purple stunner. While I liked the 2012 better, this 2013 was still lush and had blueberries as the major fruit up front and dark cherries on the back end. Sam talked about Nine Sun's amazing Houyi Vineyard, calling it the Rodéo Drive of Napa with all of their big neighbors. 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. Robert Parker gave it a 96, and I am in full agreement! — 7 years ago

with Beth and Katherine

David L

9.0

15' Kind Howell MT SB. "Not found on delectables".Inviting floral nose to it. Palate- This is a high-toned SB driven by citrus, grapefruit, pineapple & pear. The fruits have light tones of minerality & acid to it. Reminds me of a combination between Arkenstone/Adamvs Howell MT SB's. — 7 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.5

Favorite Howell Mtn cab — 8 years ago

Mike Kovacs

9.2

2012 vintage — 9 years ago

Mike Van Camp

9.5

Really liked it — 10 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.7

Finally got Delectable to make an entry for this new one from Sam Kaplan. Much like his great Sauvignon Blancs from Arkenstone, this hardly tastes like a Chardonnay. Non-traditional in style, it coats the tongue with a richness that is not buttery. Just full bodied feel with amazing fruits. He is sourcing the fruit from the famous UV vineyard in Sonoma Coast. His first vintage is going to be historic as well. I am truly not a Chardonnay drinker, but this has converted me from the first sip. — 7 years ago

with Beth and Katherine

Ron R

9.4

Shakespeare describes the ignorance of youth as "salad days," when we are green in judgement. I feel the Wine Nerd Herd has certainly broadened my horizons, and not just from a wine perspective. I reflect on the uncommon generosity and hospitality, evidenced by our upcoming tasting in Florida, courtesy of @Martin G Rivard.
But at the heart of this event is wine and new friendships. Wine forms a bridge that connects people who were once strangers. For me, metaphorically, it's friendship in a bottle. That is also what this bottle represented to us - thank you Martin.

Another outstanding effort from BV. It's deep and rich, yet totally accessible. Very appealing. Along with Bevan, Arkenstone, Lail, Realm and others, BV has further opened our eyes to the world of wine, and our new friends. — 7 years ago

with Anne-marie

David L

9.3

13'Entre Nous SB 2013. This is quite the matchup both 13s. Arkenstone by a nose. Although I think the Entre Nous has some longevity in it. Both great wines! Arkenstone is a world class SB 94+ all day. Sam is making just an insane SB! Highly recommend. — 8 years ago

Kevin Schmitt

10

This winery can do no wrong! Rich, dark, slight peppery flavors with deep fruit undertones. Smooth as silk. — 9 years ago

Adrienne Stillman

10

PNV lot from Arkenstone. Bangin. — 10 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.9

Even up against the other two Sam Kaplan powerhouse wines (Nine Suns and Memento Mori), the Obsidian was my personal favorite. Maybe because it is his home field (Howell Mountain) advantage, having been there making wine with Ron and Susan Krausz for over 10 years. This Bordeaux blend spends 22 months in French Oak and another year in the bottle. Deep and brooding, complex and yet approachable, dense and balanced,...all the things I look for in a wine (and myself 😬). Robert Parker gave it a 98. While many of us don't always credit RP's scores, and as such, I am also going to have to disagree with him. I'm going for one of my all time high scores of 9.9. Again, personally to me, this wine is everything that I look for in a big Napa Cab expression. Sam Kaplan is doing great things up there in the hills! — 7 years ago

with Beth and Katherine

Shay A

9.5

Big Melka tasting tonight. Tasted, in order:
-2014 Melka CJ (more petit Verdot than usual. Can tell. Not a fruit bomb at all. Heavy on terroir emphasis)
-2013 Melka Majestique Syrah (really nice Syrah. Smoked game meat, espresso on the nose. Dark chocolate on the palate. Long finish)
-2014 Melka Mekerra Red (my favorite of the tasting as I dig Cab francs. So enjoyable now. Plum and more heavy than other Cab francs)
-2013 Melka Metisse Jumping Goat (seems more expressive than the '14, has more acidity to it)
-2014 Melka Metisse Jumping Goat (preferred this over the '13. Will age better. Plum and licorice heavy)
-2014 Melka Mekerra White
Highlights were the Mekerra Red (53% Cab franc, 47% merlot) and the outrageously expensive and textured Mekerra White. Who the heck serves a white last?! Reminds me of the Arkenstone Sauv blanc. For what it's worth, though splitting hairs, the Melka white is more Tropical and explosive out of the glass...the Arkenstone is more textured, heavy and has tons of earthy components to it as opposed to tropical. — 7 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.4

Delia Viader is making wonderful Bordeaux style wines up on Howell Mountain (which is quickly becoming my favorite region...Dunn, ADAMVS, Arkenstone, Outpost...what's not to love?). She is a great inspiration to us all, and as you taste her wines, you can taste the brilliant acidity, firm tanins and the fruit is a early season strawberry and cassis. — 8 years ago

with Joe, Lauren and 1 other

Barbie Fiallo

9.2

What a great Sauvignon blanc! Lovely fruit finish... Melon! — 9 years ago