Carter Cellars

The O.G. Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Wade Chambers

9.5

Fantastic. Not a rough edge to distract from the beautiful fruit. Amazing finish. — 3 years ago

with Janelle

Billy liked this

Domaine L'Enclos

Côtes de Gascogne Rosé Blend 2013

Severn Goodwin

9.2

Bin end rosé day, the final bottles on another of our longer term aging experiments on value wines.

Nose has Creamsicle orange sherbet, dried peach, dried raspberry, dried papaya, orange slices, white flowers and crushed granite in moist soil.

Palate has tangerine gummy bears, honey, fresh Clementine, fresh apricot, white flowers with perfect acidity, long finish, mild sweetness. A great bottle with life in the bottle still remaining!

(50% Merlot / 50% Cabernet Franc) — 4 years ago

Amr, Ian and 38 others liked this

Severn Goodwin

@Ian Staub I'd say it really depends, all these bottles were under $8 (just), and showed strong on release, which is likely the key. Not everything ends up a winner, we've had much better luck doing this same experiment on inexpensive German Riesling (sub-$15). The '12 & '13 are doing quite well today, so we are happy. You need to be able to appreciate the changes the wines will make, if you are patient and understand where they might go based on your experiences with aged wines, you will do ok to forget about some wines for a while. For my palate, I really appreciate rosé with a couple years age (min), current release stuff is nice but IMO the youthful acidity can cloud the structure. I like acidity, but like palate complexity more and that usually shows with 1-2Y of age on most rosé. There is always an exception, some are built for the long haul though, Cotat, Simone, RLD Heredia, Enderle & Moll, they will hold 8-10+ without concern.

Josh Morgenthau

Very cool. I’ve definitely forgotten about sub $20 bottles not normally considered age-worthy and found them to be magical on opening. ... never had the guts to do it intentionally though. Seems like a great way to learn more about bottle evolution in general.

Ian Staub

@Severn Goodwin well said, thank you.

Carter Cellars

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Stephen F Laga MD

This is the 2016 OG. One of the best wines I have ever tasted. Very smooth. Some hint of berries. — 5 years ago

Philip Carter

Corotoman Red Bordeaux Blend

Frank O

9.9

Our favorite Virginia winery! — 6 years ago

Clementine Carter Casa Dumetz

Grenache Rosé 2016

Rich Huber

9.5

An amazing Rose of Grenache it has a flavor unfamiliar to all Rose wines. Interestingly this finishes with a hint of vanilla oak!!! — 7 years ago

Domaine Berlancourt

Cuvée Les Champans Bourgogne Pinot Noir Rosé 2016

Severn Goodwin

9.2

Prior notes apply; fruit is lightly fading, but this is still an elegant and sophisticated lady.

Nose has strawberry, roses, cut tangerine, juiced Clementine and dry earth.
Palate is strawberry-tangerine (light), wet minerals, so much finesse, yet light in the mouth, just stunning.

Our final bottle of the vintage. — 3 years ago

Peter, Bob and 23 others liked this

Severn Goodwin

@Lyle Fass Thanks for bringing this one over, it was a revelatory rosé for me. ('18 is equal)

Lyle Fass

The best rose

Clementine Carter

Larner Grenache 2015

Doggfather

9.3

Drinking perfectly right now. Enjoyed with grilled pork chop and grilled veggies. — 4 years ago

Carter Cellars

The G.T.O. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2014 vintage. Good but underwhelmed. Needed structure on the finish. — 4 years ago

Mike, David and 5 others liked this

Clementine Carter Casa Dumetz

Grenache Blanc

Doggfather

8.9

Crisp flavorful wine. White wine for red wine lovers. — 5 years ago

Clos Solene

Sweet Clementine Syrah Grenache 2012

Sondra Bernstein

Owner of the girl & the fig, the fig cafe & winebar, Author of Plats du Jours, the girl & the fig's Journey through the Seasons in Wine Country and the girl & the fig Cookbook

9.4

Dessert wine, extraordinary 97% Grenache, 3% Syrah syrupy Sweet but not cloying, fruit leather with sophistication — 6 years ago

Panther Creek

Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Beau Carson

9.3

Delicious juice. — 7 years ago

Carter Cellars

Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Carter Nixon

9.3

The steak was as good as the wine was as good as the guy it's named for! Now we just need Florea! — 7 years ago

Adam and jesus liked this

Clementine Carter

Sta. Rita Hills Grenache 2015

Rich Huber

9.0

You would never know this is a Grenache by looking at it. The color of the wine is super light. But the flavor comes alive on the nose and palate. — 3 years ago