Graham

9.0

At Ember in Arroyo Grande — 10 years ago

Dock Hooks

9.2

Maroon to burgundy with a deeper burgundy rim, spin it around and dampened earth and last night's smoldering fire hits but mellows to spice interestingly accenting camomile and a way far-off Play-Doh fantasy then back to the smoldering ember blueberries and strawberries unctuously coating, clinging front to back, then the tannins squeeze the acid and fruit just enough to slow the flow for a lazy decent into a skinny-dipping swim, swirl and, hell yes, another swig, which at a mere 12% I want to dance all night! Don't know about you, but I plan to snag a couple of cases of this seductive stuff with the sunrise. For now, "a glass of red and the sunset..." — 10 years ago

Anthony Rinauro

9.7

Very nice, a suggestion from our favorite sommelier @ Ember in Grover beach — 11 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.2

Smoked ember nose. Elegant on the palate with mild cherry with pure minerality. Well done. — 11 years ago

.

9.2

Very smooth, with lots of red fruit and some smoky ember notes in the finish. Very, very nice. — 11 years ago

V M

9.0

Would mistake this for an old world wine. Has notes like a fine graves wine including burning smokey ember and tar intermixed with cassis and plum. Fruit takes a back away to structure here. — 12 years ago

V M

9.1

Drinking now more like an aged paullic rather than a napa valley cab. The tannins have mellowed and their are now aromas and notes of dried cherry, aged oak, tobacco and a hint of burnt ember — 12 years ago

Ryan Mayes

9.1

This is the first vintage of Helianthus, a new wine from the daughter of Tom Futo. Very interesting Cab-dominant blend from Oakville. Deeply concentrated with obvious purity of fruit (a cherished Futo trademark). Alcohol, tea leaves, dry cedar, cooling ember and dark fruits with some tropical undertones dominate the olfaction. These aromas sort of conflate in a way that make it somewhat difficult to discern each component, but the resulting nose is welcoming and intoxicating. Palette is consistent with rich dark fruit and a vibrant mouthfeel indicating a structured wine with ample tannin and acidity. Enjoyed this even more tonight than we did at the property back in February! Avoid spilling this inky wine on furniture (as we did tonight...) — 10 years ago

V M

9.7

This is O'Shaughnessy estate's PNV wine. 5 cases made. Through a little misunderstanding by me and my buddy Ian I opened this way too early. But that's ok. Because it is opening nicely with air. This wine is all about hidden nuance. The wine is silk smooth and mellow but full of hidden potential. Awakening from the glass are notes of charred ember and cigar smoke with a palate full of meat drippings and sugar plums and cedar. Finish is mouth watering and clean and ends with strawberries and cream. — 10 years ago

V M

9.7

Start by saying this needs more time and could def see it approaching perfection if it ages well. Big captivating nose of blackberries, warm road tar, and hints of violet. Palate bursts forth with smokey ember notes juxtaposition against ripe plums and dark berries. Napa meets st Emilion. The finish is a touch too tannic right now as it masks what will surely be more nuance that currently appear a full minute after sipping. Special wine it will prob be better in 2 + years. — 11 years ago

Kostya Altman

9.0

Unexpected treat. Color of ember. Sweeter than I would like but excellent nevertheless. I wouldn't drink it with food. Instead, I'd start drinking right before the food is finished. — 11 years ago

V M

9.1

This wine drinks like a fine Bordeaux more than a cult Cali cab. It has a distinct burning ember note like a graves claret on the nose with tar and a hint of cedar. Black currant shows up on the palate of this big structured wine which needs lots of air or many more years in the cellar. Great wine I suspect it will get better with age — 12 years ago

V M

9.8

Stunning cab sav fruit. Cherry, glycerine, and cedar nose explodes on the palate with a deluge of blackberries, toasted oak and cedar, vanilla, and strawberry shortcake. Finished with a smokey burnt ember note. Structured and complex, this will continue to evolve for many years. While approachable now because the tannins while formidable are smooth and integrated, I imagine this will get better in the bottle as secondary flavors reveal themselves. — 10 years ago

V M

9.9

This is outrageous. I am blown away. Cab franc, merlot dominated with some cab sav and malbec. It is so silk smooth and beautiful as the tannins have aged gorgeously. Old world meets new world Bordeaux. Enticing nose of mountain berries and Cassis. The palate is so smooth yet full of life with similar notes as well as dark cherry pie burnt burnt ember and a finish that goes on and on and on. Really spectacular. Wow — 10 years ago

William Fry

9.4

$29. What can you say about the shimmering brilliance, the steady glowing ember of inspiration that delicately toes the shoreline of your mind? Not a damn thing. That's what. Drink, get naked, and feel the world fall around you. It speaks for itself. — 11 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.1

Bright and grapey nose w/ some leather and ember notes. Pleasant mouthfeel. Finishes very dry. — 11 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.0

Ember smoke nose. Nice raspberry fruit on a very dry palate. Polished. — 11 years ago

V M

9.5

This resembles a Pauillac more than a Napa cab sav. The nose is currant berries, truffles, soy sauce and chard cedar wood. Palate has black cherry and smokey tobacco notes with a long smoke filled finish with burn ember notes — 11 years ago

V M

9.1

This resembles a left bank cab sav dominated Bordeaux more than a napa cab. She has beautiful nuances of creme de cassis and raspberries with saddle leather and a burning ember note that screamed graves. This needs some more time to settle or lots of air. Really opened up after a couple hours of air. Blind i could mistake this for a 95 mouton — 12 years ago