Five Points Brewing Co.

Titus

Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Deep purple in color with a very short purple rim.

Strong nose of blackberries, black currants, black plums, dried figs, raisins, cedar, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, coffee, mocha, dark chocolates and herbs.

Full-bodied, smooth and bold, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, light earth, licorice, tobacco, chocolates and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley needs a few hours to open up property.

Big and bold. Fruit forward and extracted. Rich and opulent.

Still very young, and needs at least five years in the bottle to mature properly. Will age nicely in the next 15 years.

Good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with a big piece of steak. A good sipping wine too.

A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$115.
— 3 years ago

Ted, Douglas and 23 others liked this

Krill Family Vineyards

Pellet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a great, soft mouthfeel.

Dry on the palate and full-bodied. Smooth and elegant with medium acidity.

Showing black fruits with earth, chocolates, tobacco, spices, coffee, cedar, vanilla, licorice and black pepper.

This 7 year old is drinking very nicely now and will continue to age nicely in the next five to seven years.

This Single Vineyard needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so give it time.

Nicely balanced with a great mouthfeel. Spicy, soft and smooth. Fruit forward and rich.

Aged for 36 months in French oak barrels.

14.7% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$95.
— 4 years ago

Vanessa, ESF and 23 others liked this

C.V.N.E. (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España)

Imperial Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2015

This flagship Reserva from the CVNE stable is so young it almost has the character of a youthful Barbaresco that needs at least another five years in bottle. Incredibly fierce acidity and a tannic, bone-dry profile make it a tough wine to drink at the moment. The benefit to this, of course, is ageing potential - this should be a wine that sees its 20th birthday in fine form, and likely live for some years after that. There is a well of very ripe, rich red fruit beneath the structure that will reveal itself in time, and a terrifically long finish. 93 points for now, but potential for 95+ in 5/10 years’ time. — 5 years ago

Josh liked this

Château Fayat

Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

It’s time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here's a nice one from Pomerol.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish/ brick rim.

Fruity on the nose with blueberries, black cherries, sweet strawberries, black plums, vanilla, licorice, leather, earth, light vegetables, dark coffee, oak, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity and nice legs.

Dry on the palate with cherries, plums, earth, wood, spices, vegetables, vanilla, vinaigrette, black pepper, tobacco leaf, black tea, leather and wet leaves.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This five-year-old Merlot from Bordeaux is starting to drink very nicely now. Starting to show some age and nice complexity. Elegant with a great nose, from a great vintage.

Nicely balanced now and good to drink by itself or with food. Will get even better in the next 15 years.

Needs 2 hours to open up properly, so do give it time.

A good quality wine. Tangy, easy drinking and very tasty. Kosher.

I paired it with cheeses and crackers.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$100.
— 6 years ago

P, Rob and 24 others liked this

Cedar Knoll Vineyard Co (Palmaz)

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

This is a tasty Napa Cabernet. Showing black fruits, cedar, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, chocolates, mocha and coffee.

Full-bodied and smooth with soft tannins with nice length on the finish.

Good by itself or with food. Showing a nice mouthfeel with nice complexity. Spicy and tangy.

This will be beautiful in 5 years.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$80.
— 6 years ago

Paul, Eric and 17 others liked this

Cedar Knoll Vineyard Co (Palmaz)

Hagen's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

A great Cabernet from Napa Valley. Showing red and black fruits with earth, tobacco, vanilla, licorice, spices and Cedar.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (a couple of hours).

Aged for 24 months in French oak barrels. A blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.

Still young and needs 5 to 10 years of bottle time.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$80.
— 7 years ago

P, Brandon and 17 others liked this

Castoro Cellars

Estate Grown Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

I like their big tannic Reserve reds to lay down for five years plus. But what about their regular reds? Heavily pigmented purple-red in color. Briar, leather, cherry notes in nose. Touch of barnyard, mint-eucalyptus in nose as well. Black currant and cherry flavors, mild tannins initially, dry finish on palate. Plum flavor emerges with time. Skin astringency moderate; sharp chewy tannins emerge after 30 minutes, but soften two hours later. Red fruit finish and aftertaste. Well made for a basic-entry Cabernet; certainly there are more complex and costly Central Coast Cabernets but this is a solid choice in the mid price points. Better than I expected, tastes even better with time or decanting — 7 years ago

Hermes, Neil and 3 others liked this

Shiloh

Secret Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

#kosherwineSunday

This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Israel. Feels like a Napa Cabernet.

Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, coffee, cola, spices, earth, chocolates and peppercorn.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward.

Full-bodied and bold with a nice mouthfeel.

Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Would Age nicely in the next five to seven years. Has good potential to become a 94+ wine.

Entertaining and engaging. Smooth and elegant.

Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Unfiltered. Kosher and Mevushal.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$53.
— 4 years ago

Severn, Paul and 12 others liked this

Domaine de Ferrand

La Ferrande Côtes du Rhône Syrah 2014

Dark purple but notable bricking. It was a touch astringent at first, but with good length. It’s another lesson learned with Syrah - almost incomprehensibly better on day 2. I would have scored this three points lower at least on first taste. Five to six hours of air recommended. — 4 years ago

Clos du Val Wine Co.

Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Still a solid 91+ in my book.

91+ points
— 4 years ago

Shay, Jason and 7 others liked this

Smith Madrone

Estate Bottled Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Time to get my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a nice one from Napa Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

On the nose blueberries, black currants, black plums, sweet cherries, light vanilla, wood, licorice, spices, tar, earth, vegetables, eucalyptus, pencil lead, tobacco, dark coffee and black pepper.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity, and smooth with long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black cherries, wood, licorice, spices, dark chocolates, green olives, graphite, earth, leather, tobacco, bell pepper, vegetables, bitter herbs, peppercorn and dark coffee.

Spicy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very enjoyable Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain District. Not the typical Napa Cabernet. Drinks more like a Left Bank Bordeaux.

Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Nicely balanced and enjoyable by itself or with food.

This 5 year old is still young and needs another five years in the bottle to mature.

Needs time to open up properly. I gave it 3 hours. Tannins show up after two and a half hours and bring out structure, so please be patient.

At this point, the Cabernet Franc in the blend, is really showing dominance. Showing lots of earth notes at this point, which makes it very interesting. I would imagine that it will diminish with time.

Showing great potential to be much better in the next 5 to 10 years.

I paired it with cheeses and crackers. Went very nicely with the brie cheese.

A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (65% new) French Oak barrels for 18 months.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$52.
— 5 years ago

Alex, Shay and 19 others liked this

Bedrock Wine Co.

Hudson Vineyard North Carneros "Pleine de Chêne" Syrah 2008

Extra time has done this one well, taming the original 200% new oak. One of the three Bedrock expressions from the Hudson Vineyard. For ‘08. With all previous bottles from that group consumed five or more years ago, glad I saved this one. Loved it. — 6 years ago

Shay, Mike and 11 others liked this

The.Grenachista Wine Co.

Dry Creek Valley Grenache Noir 2016

This is a nice Grenache from Dry Creek Valley in California.

Showing red and black fruits with earth, wood, spices, chocolates, tobacco and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and nice legs.

Very nice nose. Easy drinking with nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Fine grained tannins on the finish with tangy cranberries.

Could use a few more years in the bottle to mature, but already drinking very nicely now.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

89 points.
— 6 years ago

Devrim, Douglas and 17 others liked this

Westerly Wines

Côte Blonde Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara Syrah Blend 2014

Deep purple in color with a short purplish rim.

Fruity nose with black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, oak, licorice, vanilla, earth, vegetables chocolates, coffee, beef jerky, bell pepper, vinaigrette, light barnyard, dust, smoke and peppercorn.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with plums, black currants, sweet raspberries, cherries, wood, licorice, bitter herbs, spices, light vegetables, dark chocolates, alcohol, graphites, earth, tobacco and peppercorn.

Long and spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great Syrah from Santa Ynez Valley in California. Nicely balanced with a great mouthfeel and nice complexity.

Drinks way easier than it should, with all that alcohol, but still a little hot at the back of the throat. This is not a wine for the faint of hearts... Showing great complexity on the nose.

Needs an hour in a decanter to open up properly and remove some of the stinky nose. After an hour, it changes every 20 minutes. I love these kind of wines. Too bad it's my last bottle.

I had it 6 months ago, and it is already drinking better. Will age nicely in the next three to five years, and will probably get to 94 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine and good with food. I paired it with Brie cheese.

A blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (70% new).

15.7% alcohol by volume!

91 points.

$45.
— 7 years ago

Dick, Michael and 21 others liked this
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

@TheSkip from the winery. Did you get to try it?
TheSkip

TheSkip

I got it from one of those outlets. Definitely sub $30 and I think even possibly sub $20. It’s quite nice.
"Odedi"

"Odedi" Influencer Badge

Good price at under $20

Hawk and Horse Vineyards

Red Hills Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a nice one from Red Hills.

Dark purple in color with a purplish rim.

Fruity nose of blackberries, raspberries, black plums, oak, light vanilla, licorice, herbs, tobacco leaf, earth, spices, chocolates, dark coffee and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, black currants, oak, tobacco, licorice, peppercorn, coffee, cinnamon, earth, spices, light vegetables and herbs.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County in California. Fruit forward with lots of coffee and chocolates notes.

Needs a few hours of airtime to open up, but drinkable right out of the bottle too. Big tannins come out after a couple of hours of air.

Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel, but still very young, and needs five years in the bottle to mature properly. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years. Will age nicely in the next 10 years.

I had the 2017 vintage a year ago and it is very consistent.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with BBQ Meats.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$75.
— 4 years ago

Tom, Jay and 11 others liked this

Between Five Bells

Drumborg Pinot Noir 2018

See previous note from October 2019. As mentioned this garnered 98 points from prestigious UK Wine magazine, Decanter and only cost $24. Excusing the child like label, the contents are very good from a region in Henty/Drumborg better known for their superb Rieslings. Aromas of Carbonic Maceration - confectionery which developed into a dried cherry component and with time rose petals. A lovely savoury driven light to medium weight palate married nicely with the oak. — 4 years ago

Byron, Severn and 11 others liked this

Rock Wall Wine Co.

Sutter County Fiano 2018

Can we give this a high five? It’s supple and also muscular like a power yogi who doesn’t need to end their sessions with an om. Ripe honey (probably not a thing but I feel it), and pickled golden delicious apple skins (also not a thing but whatevs) and goodness it is strong but smooth. It coats the mouth with a a slight kick. Chill and ready but fast moving. Ashtanga Fiano. — 5 years ago

Severn, Paulo and 15 others liked this

Nova Wines

Marilyn Merlot Blend 2017

Time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Here is a nice one from Napa Valley.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of blueberries, black plums, black cherries, spices, cedar, vanilla, earth, coke, chocolates, dark coffee, black pepper, pencil lead and light vegetables.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, light vegetables, pencil lead and earth.

Medium plus in length on the finish, with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This is a very enjoyable Merlot from Napa Valley. Nicely balanced and fruit forward with a great mouthfeel. Showing nice complexity with more vegetables notes than I expected.

Still young and needs three to five years to mature, but already very yummy.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (90 minutes).

I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$36.
— 6 years ago

Alex, P and 14 others liked this

Shafer Vineyards

One Point Five Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

Good for $70-80,
Wine Advocate & Suckling 95 points


— 6 years ago

Somm, Shay and 37 others liked this

Shirah Wine Co.

Alder Springs Vineyard Syrah Tannat 2015

A beautiful color of dark purple with a wide purplish rim.

Pretty nose of blackberries, sweet plums, blueberries, violets, black currants, cedar, earth, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, dark chocolates, bitter herbs, vegetables, and pencil lead. Very nice nose.

Full bodied and smooth with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, oak, spices, earth, vegetables, graphites, dark coffee, chocolates, tobacco, beef jerky and black pepper.

Long finish with fine tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great Syrah blend from Paso Robles. Easy drinking and tasty with a nice mouthfeel. Showing nice complexity with a gorgeous nose.

Good right out of the bottle and better as it opens up (needs an hour). Drinking very nicely now, and will be better in the next 3 years.

I paired it with cheeses, nuts and dried fruits.

A blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Tannant. Aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels (20% new). Kosher.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$55.
— 7 years ago

Iwan, David and 20 others liked this