Chocolate Valley Vines

Noble Vines

337 Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Wood Ranch yummy dinner on a very windy night before NY Eve, almost the end of 2025. Thanks to Mitch and Krista for Xmas gift card here. — 5 months ago

Lois liked this

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

A good wine. Oak, a bit of chocolate, dark fruit and cherry. Pretty dry but smooth enough that easy to drink. — 8 months ago

Doug and "Odedi" liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

BlackBerry, Oak, Tobbaco aromas, chocolate, a bold Cabernet Sauvignon with really good quality — a year ago

"Odedi" liked this

Domaine Lafage

Tessellae Old Vines Côtes du Roussillon Red Rhone Blend

Nose is vanilla ice cream and and raspberries. Tastes beautiful at first with more fruity raspberry and vanilla cream goodness. As it develops it gets drier and more leathery. Delicious. — 4 years ago

Rivers-Marie

Summa Old Vines Pinot Noir

Sam T
9.3

Delicious. Perfect wine for a Happy Thanksgiving! — 6 years ago

Brandon and Kimberly liked this

Bodegas Volver

Tarima Hill Old Vines Alicante Monastrell

Really enjoying this wine. Very drinkable. Don’t know anything about Monastrell but would definitely drink more. For a $15 wine, this is great QPR! Drink this all day! — 7 years ago

Noble Vines

181 Lodi Merlot

Decent Merlot for its price range! An easy drink. — 8 years ago

Jesse liked this

St. Francis Winery

Sonoma County "Old Vines" Zinfandel 2021

Very dark with a robust taste. I would buy it again. — 7 months ago

Scherrer Winery

Scherrer Vineyard Old and Mature Vines Zinfandel 2002

ESF
9.8

Last bottle — opened for an old friend and like the PN alongside, this was a stunner, nearly flawless. Intact cork, bunch of sediment, and after only half hour in the decanter it was game time. Had PN and this alongside gorgeous ribeye — 8 months ago

Tom, Bob and 3 others liked this
Tom Elliot

Tom Elliot Influencer Badge

Spoken from first hand experience, Scherrer’s are one of the few good Zinfandel bets for extended aging into very special wine. Good young too.

Bodegas Volver

Tarima Hill Old Vines Monastrell

On s’en va là l’automne prochain! C’est un 2018, belle maturité- fruits murs et belle longueur d’un vin corsé et complexe. — 2 years ago

Bodegas Breca

Estate Bottled Old Vines Garnacha

M S
9.5

Rich, enjoyable, would buy again — 5 years ago

Chocolate Shop

The Chocolate Lover's Wine Red Blend

Not very good at rating wines flavors or essence or whatever it is wine people do! But this tasted like drinking dark chocolate and raspberry! — 6 years ago

Dry Creek Vineyard

Heritage Vines Sonoma County Zinfandel

M
9.0

Nice. Fruit forward. Great mouth feel. — 7 years ago

Bodegas Breca

Old Vines Garnacha

Rich, round fruit. Totally a big boy with polished red fruit and tannin. — 8 years ago

Penfolds

Bin 389 South Australia Cabernet Shiraz 2019

Deep, dense red-purple hue. licorice, toasty oak, and subtle mocha notes. Dark fruits like blackberry and plum are noticeable, but it's more restrained than overtly fruity.
full-bodied, with sultry dark fruits (black cherry, plum), dark chocolate, licorice, and spice. Can’t wait for at least another 5 years before I try this again. Didn’t feel too you but feels like it will be better with age.
— 8 months ago

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Caymus Vineyards – Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Caymus Special Selection is the flagship Cabernet, crafted only in exceptional years. The 2018 vintage stands tall among recent releases, showing why Chuck Wagner’s vision continues to shape Napa’s most recognized “luxury Cab.” 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from prime valley-floor vineyards, it strikes the perfect balance between Caymus’ signature ripe, fruit-forward style and an added layer of structure from a long, balanced growing season.

Aromas & Flavors
A powerful bouquet of ripe blackberries, cassis, and dark cherries, layered with cocoa nibs, espresso, and baking spices. Subtle hints of licorice, cedar, and vanilla lift the complexity, while a core of lush fruit drives the palate. The oak integration is seamless, giving a supple sweetness without overwhelming the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Rich, opulent, and velvety—yet with surprising finesse. The tannins are silky and well-structured, giving length without heaviness. The finish lingers on black fruit and mocha, balanced by just enough acidity to keep it vibrant.

Winemaking Notes
Meticulous fruit selection, long maceration for concentration, and extended aging in new French oak (18+ months). The Wagner hallmark: generous fruit expression wrapped in polished oak for immediate pleasure but with aging potential.

Food Pairing
An indulgent pairing with ribeye, prime rib, or braised short ribs. For a decadent twist, try it with dark chocolate truffles or roasted lamb with rosemary.

Verdict
One of the most impressive Caymus Special Selection vintages in recent memory—showing both lush Napa Valley opulence and refined elegance. A wine that thrills now but promises to shine for years.

Personal Pick Highlight
This 2018 stands as my favorite Caymus of the modern decade—a true benchmark that captures everything people love about Napa Cabernet at its richest and most expressive. Cheers!
— 9 months ago

Ted and Andrew liked this

Thymiopoulos Vineyards

Young Vines Xinomavro 2015

A little acidic but not bad with food — 7 years ago

Apothic

Dark California Red Blend

Great for dessert, chocolate. Somewhat sweet. — 7 years ago

Founder's

KBS Chocolate Coffee Stout 2015

2015 bottling. I don’t really drink stuff like this much anymore but this was very well made and delicious. — 8 years ago