David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Many of you that read my notes know I am not a fan of young Cabernet. However, this is special stuff and drinking nicely tonight. As well as it drinks, it not complex...yet! When its 10-15 years old, it had superstar potential. It’s ruby, gorgeous fruits of cassis. Blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, loads of baking spices, spice, leather, velvety strong tannins, dry crushed rocks, graphite, dry crushed rocks and lavender and violets for days. A really big finish but it’s elegant, rich and very long. Thanks to @Jason Oliver for bringing this wine. — 6 years ago

Mike R

9.6

Oh yeah - expectations were subdued even though I really like Kirk Venge (winemaker) and Justin Stephens who learned his craft from one of my favorite wineries DR Stephens

That said, this blew me away - like a spectator at gran prix race as race flies by at 200+ mph and you say wow

what is there not to like

Just beautiful deep purplish red color - rich deep with texture you tell is there but cannot really see - decanted for two hours but seriously great first sip - really tasty - made your entire mouth feel special - later the taste just got better and better - just taste and you say awe - full of supple bright cherries and blueberries which go from front to mid palate with tannins that just balance the fruit nicely - nice structure and balance - the finish was special and loooooong

Then let's not forget the smell - I really need to describe as best I can - notes of berries and dark cassis dance all in the glass with layers of complexities that my nose was smiling as well as my mouth - but make no mistake - there a big bold beautiful beast within this bottle

Drink now and for 10 plus years as it will get better - end of bottle smiles were noticeable and not hard to see - really think this is special and highly recommended — 7 years ago

Frank Bragg

9.3

DeKalb Farmers Market find - really love it! Great with roasted chicken last night and filet tonight. Going back for more. — 8 years ago

Rebecca Fletcher

9.1

Cranberry, strawberry, raspberry, earth, mushroom, spice and pine needles. M+ acid, m body, m- tannin. Lean, red fruit, but creamy. Balanced. M/long finish. — 8 years ago

Steve Garrity

9.3

Dinner with Stephens team — 9 years ago

Sue Mohle

9.1

Prunes, figs and wild strawberries — 9 years ago

Brooke Kettler

9.1

Delicious — 9 years ago

Steve Gerths

9.0

Found an aged 2006 Stephen's Pinot Noir in my cellar. Templeton Gap in Paso Robles is the location. Nice cherry and vanilla caramel spice — 9 years ago

Adam Cotugno

8.9

Buttery, light, good mouth feel — 11 years ago

Jason and Jennie

9.0

Merlot monday. Solid 30 dollar wine from napa.

Preparing my wine contribution for saturday's festivities. Showing some friends around livermore wineries so picked out some wines to show the terroir. These are my top 5 livermore wineries. And a couple napa wines for dinner as well.

2001 Kalin Semillon
2001 Kalin Sauv blanc
2016 Nottingham Fraser Howard Chard
2016 Occasio Chard
2015 Murrieta's Well Chard
2015 Murrieta's Well tempranillo
2009 Steven Kent Premier cab

2014 hunnicutt cuvee equite
2014 d.r. Stephens collateral cabernet — 6 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.1

This is the "second" wine from Husic Vineyards but I struggle to call it a second wine. Made by Mike Hirby (Relic, Winter, D.R. Stephens), the wine is a deep red in the glass. The nose is full on raspberries and blackberries with baking spice. The palate delivers dark fruits, light oak, moderate tannins, light acidity. Heavy sediment. I think this could be laid down for another 5-7 years and still be strong. A very nice wine. — 7 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.3

Kirk Venge knows a thing or two about making Zinfandels. He also makes another of my favorites with Biale Vineyards, known as Black Chicken. For David and Monica Stephens, he partnered up to make this deep dark Zinfandel with a chewy fruit and a jammy texture (but not jammy sweetness). — 7 years ago

with Katherine

B

10

2013 Tyler Zotovich Family Vineyard Chardonnay. Drank at the D.R. concert. Interesting to try this alongside the Shafer Red Shoulder. This wine had beautiful apple and citrus on the nose and a pleasant acidity. Really nice. — 8 years ago

Conrad Kenley

9.0

Pair with fried chicken sandwich — 9 years ago

Jon Nadler

9.3

What do pros know? This is a great wine? 2009 vintage. Well balanced. Smooth with a nice zest. — 9 years ago

Jay Bone

9.1

Bad ass new find! Thx TW — 9 years ago

Chris Gillott

8.9

Mt Pleasant Elizabeth under another label... Delicious — 10 years ago

Kim Ginn

10

$29.99. From Hop City at Krog Street. Served chilled per Stephens recommendations. — 7 years ago

Rachel Moore

9.3

Easy drink with good flavors — 7 years ago

Steven Gullo

9.1

Ripe, almost jammy red cherry. High extraction, and generous use of new oak. — 7 years ago

Luke Tubergen

9.3

Great Chardonnay. Balanced and delicious. — 7 years ago

Rebecca Fletcher

9.7

Pears, apples, minerality. Not very citrusy. Nicely integrated m/l. M+ acid and m body. Yellow Apple, great minerality and a hint of tart lemon peel. Vibrant and lean. Fantastic Napa Chardonnay. — 8 years ago

Kyle D

9.2

Very enjoyable and perfect for pizza!! — 8 years ago

Cole Kleiman

9.2

Very rich. Almost Sauterne. — 9 years ago

with Mike and Joseph

Dustin Basil

9.0

Deep, dark, mineral and earth. Pairs well with Mama Zuma's Revenge habanero chips. — 9 years ago

Luca Pasquinelli

9.5

Exactly what she said last night!!! @Francine Stephens — 9 years ago

Lisa Lim

9.2

Clean, fruity, super sweet — 10 years ago