Dona Helena

Favia

La Magdalena Napa Valley Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Lovely wine. Sad it was my last bottle of the 16s. Lovely fruit, great minerality, drinking so well now. I’d give it a taste on the open, then let it sit for an hour and then really enjoy it. It needs an hour decant and it just sings. Go ahead and open it up, ya drinking wonderful! — 6 months ago

Joe and Paul liked this

Elyse

Korte Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel 2014

A beautiful dark ruby robe in the glass. The nose is lush and decadent immediately with blackberry and black cherry aromas. There’s a nice bit of earth and vanilla happening here along with black pepper. Cocoa and old leather are really nice here.

Napa Zinfandel can be many different things to many different people. For me, it’s typically overblown, overdone, and overwrought. Not so this! Smooth with a dash of elegance. There’s a restraint shown here that is uncommon and very welcome. Still quite intense but not overblown with nice balance and weight.

The palate shines with black fruit and more leather. An inherent spiciness kicks up after some time along with tobacco and a touch of oak. A nice, long finish with just a tad of smoke. A very nice wine.
— 7 months ago

Neil, Tom and 2 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Elyse is one of the top-5 Zin producers but never seems to get the press of the others.
Willie Carter

Willie Carter

@Tom Casagrande You are correct about that!

Ehlers Estate

St. Helena Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Ehlers is a perennial winner with me. The Sauv B brings white flowers and orange marmalade on the nose, with a passion fruited palate that is luxurious as can be. One of my faves. — 2 years ago

"Odedi", Severn and 4 others liked this

Ehlers Estate

One Twenty Over Eighty St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010

2010 vintage with plum, black currants, green olive, eucalyptus mint black cherry. Delicious!! — 5 years ago

Ehlers Estate

1886 Estate St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Ehlers estates 1886
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
KAPOW! Perfection in California Cabernet Sauvignon. Sometimes you get what you pay for. This is one of those times. The bouquet is fantastic blackberry rhubarb pie. The huge dark berries upfront are fantastic. The chocolate and vanilla on the bed ballad are like velvet on the tongue. Then that beautiful Okey finish with minimal dryness and a wonderful sweet ending but absolutely no sugar if that makes any sense. This is the after taste that all Cabernet producers try to achieve.  well Ehlers have done it. 
— 5 years ago

Steve, Shay and 10 others liked this

Crocker & Starr

St. Helena Cabernet Franc

Great with vegan food. — 6 years ago

Revana Family Vineyard

St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon

2006 drinking great. Black fruit with soft cocoa notes on the finish — 10 years ago

Lewelling Vineyards

Wight Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Glad this survived the quake gorgeous plummy fruit and even better after hour. 2006 wights — 10 years ago

Sandlands

Mataro 2010

Renee Bourassa
9.3

Yeah! Really enjoyed tasting through these wine!!! The Mataro (Mourvèdre) hit me in particular... — 11 years ago

Roy and Marty liked this

Paul Hobbs

Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Big & bold. Ripe dark fruit, spice, etc…Evolved yet still developing. Really loved the complex tertiary flavors starting to appear. One complaint: WHOPPING 14.7%! — 6 months ago

Vineyard 29

The Essentials 29 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Firehouse restaurant winemaker dinner with Keith Emerson of Vineyard 29.

WINES:
2021 Vineyard 29 Cru sav blanc
2021 Vineyard 29 Aida Estate Zinfandel
2021 Vineyard 29 Estate cab franc
2021 Vineyard 29 Aida Estate merlot
2019 Vineyard 29 Estate cab sauvignon
2019 Vineyard 29 Aida Estate cab sav
2013 Vineyard 29 Estate 100 pt cab sav

FOOD:
Shrimp & Rock crab cake
Braised Duck spring roll
Herb crusted lamb loin
BBQ short rib raviolo
Grilled Venison w/confit turnips/candied fig
Hazelnut fig cake
— 6 months ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Bob, Andrew and 13 others liked this

Bressler

St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Ron R
9.5

So strong and pristine. This bottle hasn’t moved since bottled. Totally thrilled with this beauty. Intense notes of coffee and mature cherries on the nose. Tannins are robust, coupled with pure maple and zippy acidity. Stand out with zero hints of aging. — 10 months ago

Mo Salem
with Mo
Vino, Brandon and 24 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

Not heard of these guys. Great glass.
Tom Garland

Tom Garland

2014 was the last vintage. Grapes sold to Anomaly vineyards now. Always was a gem...a Mia Klein made wine for under $100.
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Thanks for the insights, @Tom Garland. I didn’t know any of that. Thankfully, the 14’s are still available.

Hayfork

Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Rob N
9.2

RP/WA 94 pts, 2016, smooth muted cab in the style of Outpost — 5 years ago

Ehlers Estate

St. Helena Cabernet Franc 2016

I love Cab Franc and Ehlers. Yes; — 5 years ago

David, Sharon and 13 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

The halftime pause that refreshes. Ready to full court press to start the second half.

Vineyard 29

The Essentials 29 Estate Cabernet Franc 2014

My last 2014,
Vineyard 29 makes some great wine. But will benefit from 5-10 years obviously, but still worth opening early
Parker 92
— 6 years ago

Anna, Ron and 21 others liked this

Nickel & Nickel

Hayne Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Wow!! Another outstanding Nickel & Nickel Cab! Aromas of mixed berries, graphite and vanilla. Sweet berry and plum fruit flavors. Smooth finish. Delicious! — 7 years ago

Lewelling Vineyards

St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Bursting of nice dark cherry fruit. Great wine. — 10 years ago

Nickel & Nickel

Dragonfly Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2001

Absolutely fantastic Bordeaux like balanced tannins and fruit. Drank well next day as well. — 10 years ago

Salvestrin

Salvestrin Estate Vineyard St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Awesome nose and mouthfeel but they overdid the alcohol. Great wine. — 11 years ago

Abreu Vineyards

Rothwell Hyde Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

This wine is inky dark and almost black. It’s a meal.

Needs food and a dense pairing. We had chili

Whomever said this needs airtime is dead on. I gassed this with oxygen and let it breathe for 2 hours and it still was just beginning to show its fruit at the tail end.

I would aerate and give a solid 3-4 hour decant next time.

— 6 months ago

Bob, Jean-Philip and 1 other liked this

Sean Thackrey

Orion Old Vines Rossi Vineyard Native Syrah 1997

Paul J
9.6

This was drinking perfectly! Dark red color with minimal bricking. Could be mistaken for a Bordeaux as this is an elegant Napa Syrah. Meaty, rustic, and a touch of floral. Would love to buy more. — 9 months ago

Geoff ParrishBrooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Geoff and Brooke
Ron, Tom and 4 others liked this

Ehlers Estate

St. Helena Merlot 2014

Beautifully aged red wine. Smooth acid, subdued nose, long finish. Paired wonderfully with homemade margarita pizza. — 9 months ago

Laura and Shay liked this

Kata

Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Petite Sirah 2013

Spectacular full mouth feel. Rich and dense. Amazing wine. — 5 years ago

Daniel Taub
with Daniel
Daniel, Clive and 16 others liked this

Hall Wines

Bergfeld St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Good tannin, predominant notes of cassis — 6 years ago

Meghana Kaloji
with Meghana

Ehlers Estate

St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

2015. Good, but can’t compare with the 2014 we had at Sonoma Mission Inn in Sept 2019. Wouldn’t buy again for $50. — 6 years ago

Castello di Amorosa

Il Brigante Red Blend 2010

Easy to drink for everyday! Loved it! — 11 years ago

Castello liked this