Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Best valve at the duty free shop. This over the 2013 Altagracia that was twice the price.

While this is showing some nice evolution, if I had others, I would wait another 3-5 yrs…I’m leaning 5 yrs as this still has some astringency and has earthy dominance.

The nose reveals wild, dusty blackberries, black currants, black cherries, poached & backed strawberries, some slightly, stewy plums, leathery, dry tobacco, graphite, loamy earth, subtle baking spices, dark spices that show intensity and yet some restraint, dark chocolate baking bar, dry herbs, withering to dry dark flowers and floral violets.

The fruits are ripe but have a dusty coating. Wild blackberries, black currants, black cherries, poached & backed strawberries, black plum skin, plums, notes of boysenberries as it lingers, leathery, dry tobacco, oak barrel to cedar, string graphite, loamy earth, subtle baking spices, soft caramel chews, dark spices, dark chocolate baking bar, dry herbs, sage brush, withering to dry dark flowers and floral violets, good acidity, well made for a selection second, the balance isn’t quite there and still shows big structure/tension, dry, powdery M+ tannins that finishes with dry earth tones and ripe fruits over the top and lasts nearly 90 seconds.

If you have this vintage, it is a hold for another 5 yrs and has 15 yrs ahead. — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

At the end of the Last Bottle Marathon a few weeks ago, I am surmising they cleared out the remaining Spring Mtn. Inventory. So, I bought this 2012 & a mag of 2007. Pretty good decision at $29 on the 2012 and $79 on the 2007 magnum. The 2012 is over delivering at $29.

Interesting story with this winery that closed in 2019. An investment fund bought the property & two others Spring Mtn. wineries and started investing to build them into something better. As bad luck goes sometimes, the Glass Fires followed in 2020. That was a big setback and they’re still in the process of regrouping.

The nose has a dark currents, red, blue & some purple fruits in its core. Hints of smoke, dark, sharpish spices, baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, soft used leather, fresh tobacco, barrel shavings, fresh & withering red & dark florals.

The palate shows dry, velvety, dark medium to plus tannins. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, hovering raspberries dark cherries with notes of strawberries & blueberries. Dark spices that press the palate with heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick shavings, vanillin, dark chocolate, warm caramel, some black licorice, dry herbaceous tones, moist to dryish grey volcanics/clay, crushed dry rocks, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, dry tobacco with ash, dry; dark, red, florals with withering violets, very nice acidity. The finish is long almost two-minutes, it’s well structured/tensioned for a 2012, balanced with elegance & smartly polished settling on earthiness & spice on the long set.

Has another 10-15 yrs ahead of it. — a month ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (72%), Merlot (19%), Cabernet Franc (6%) and Petite Verdot (3%). Dark garnet/ruby/purple/black color. Aromas of ripe black fruit, rose petals, cigar box and smoked meat. Flavors of blackberry, black currant and black plum fruit with additional hints of tobacco, black olives and cloves. Long lasting velvety finish. Full bodied with noticeable (but well integrated) tannins. Beautiful freshness. Rich and powerful but so well balanced. Consistently Outstanding vintage after vintage. Could continue to age for decades! — 4 days ago

Ericsson

9.2

Current release. Still need much time in the bottle, but will show well in about a decade. — 13 days ago

Nathan Renfro

9.6

Drinking very well now. Black fruit, great mouthfeel. — 9 days ago

Rick Phillips

9.4

Bold earthy notes with just a hint of tobacco. Great example of the Mondavi collaboration. The last bottle of a case I purchased in 2003. Just as delicious now as it was then! — 10 days ago

with Letha

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2014 vintage. Last tasted 07.04.25 (9.3) and 01.30.25 (9.3). Decanted with some sed and tasted after 30 mins. Consistent with previous tastings in 2025. Hint of richness up front, then very businesslike afterwards. Fairly dry but began to fold a modicum of fruit into the proceedings a spell ago. Quintessential, affordable BDX with a decade of service tendered out in the boonies but back in town again and starting to hit the hot spots. Lean but not mean. Strike up the conversation in the next year or so and you two just might hit it off. 09.25.25. — 8 days ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Very fruity and complex on the nose.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, toast, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, herbs, licorice, light earth, light black tea and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Paso Robles. Elegant and rich. Fruit forward and bold.

This 11 year old is peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Nicely Balanced, soft and complex. Spicy and entertaining.

A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec. Unfiltered.

16% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$120. — 6 days ago

Dave

8.9

Wanted something to go with carnitas tonight. Not sure if this will pair well, but it is very tasty. I stole a premature sip while the meat cooks. Lots and lots of berries, tart, blue and red. I smell Syrah. Bright acidity, medium tannins. Terroir, stone. It feels a little Old World.
Listening to The B52s — 13 days ago

Ericsson

9.1

Opening my first Jeroboam for twenty guests. Cheers. — 13 days ago