Franc Tireur

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

Still young. Needs some aging. Should peek at 99-100. — 23 days ago

Letha Phillips
with Letha
Rick, Tom and 6 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Solaia Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

Full body. Even after being open 4 days, loads of power. Amazing wine. Consumed way too early. — a month ago

Sagee liked this

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2019

Wow. A richer, darker, and more concentrated Picasses than I’ve had in some time. Oak is also a bit more gratuitous than I’m used to for this wine. Blackberries, currant, moss, anise. This can go the distance, but definitely a bit hot. Still one of my favorite wines in the world for consistent quality to price ratio and age-ability. — 2 months ago

romo, Ira and 2 others liked this

Cakebread Cellars

Dancing Bear Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Really great. Needs about 3 hours of air. So well balanced. A lot of cocoa, blackberry, garden dirt, some tree bark, some chocolate cherries, but very dark, some menthol in the background, long finish, almost coffee and cocoa, some fruits as well. Outstanding! — 3 months ago

Tom and Raul liked this

Pahlmeyer

Jayson Napa Valley Red Blend 2023

Very dark with earth, cocoa, and blackberry. — 3 months ago

Opus One

Overture Napa Valley Petit Verdot Blend

Opus One Overture Red Blend N/V
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A second wine from Opus One Winery, Overture is crafted as a multi-vintage Bordeaux-style blend, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller portions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Unlike the estate’s grand vin, Overture blends across several vintages to achieve harmony, depth, and consistency. This wine edition includes 2014, 2015, and 2016, vintages that shows the elegance and complexity of extended barrel aging.

Aromas & Flavors
Nose: red currants, ripe cherry, and fresh red fruit, wrapped in earthy tones of mahogany, cocoa powder, and vanilla spice.
Palate: rounded and expressive, with plush dark fruit layered over subtle tobacco, cedar, and espresso. The oak influence creates warmth and complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full-bodied, velvety in texture, with smooth tannins and a long, polished finish. The extended oak elevates its creaminess, while freshness keeps it balanced.

Winemaking & Style
Barrel-aged longer than the main Opus One lots, this wine achieves silky integration of fruit and oak. The flexibility of blending across vintages results in a wine of remarkable harmony and immediate drinkability, while still capable of short-term aging.

Food Pairing
Excellent with grilled ribeye, lamb shanks, duck breast, or mushroom risotto. Also pairs beautifully with aged cheeses or a dark chocolate finale.

Verdict
A luxurious, multi-vintage blend that captures the soul of Opus One in a more approachable, versatile package. Refined, elegant, and deeply satisfying, Overture is a wine to savor now or cellar briefly for added nuance.
— 3 months ago

Ted liked this

Melka

CJ Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

The CJ isn’t up to my Melka expectation, it is a lower cost product, but it is ok at 10 years old. It did take awhile to open up. — 4 months ago

Meerlust

Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Another solid vintage of this South African Bordeaux-Style red. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (49%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petite Verdot (3%). Aromas of black fruit, vanilla and dried rose petals. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, mulberry, black cherry, dried herbs and minerals. Lengthy finish and full bodied. Soft tannins and well structured. Nicely aged and quite elegant. — 6 months ago

Tom, Austin and 4 others liked this

Giuseppe Quintarelli

Primofiore Veneto Corvina Blend 2022

Pretty florals. Candied pomegranate seed. Wood tannin on the center of the tongue.
Had this been a blind I could see myself calling Ruché. First time trying Quintarelli and did not disappoint.
— 8 months ago

Joe, Ira and 5 others liked this

Catherine et Pierre Breton

Les Perrières Bourgueil Cabernet Franc 1975

Well aged, balanced, smooth, tasty — 2 years ago

Peter liked this

Orin Swift

Papillon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Kyle B
9.3

Fantastic red for a great dinner — 10 days ago

Terry Diaz
with Terry

DeLille Cellars

D2 Columbia Valley Merlot Blend 2021

Dark fruit and medium tannins. Gorgeous — 25 days ago

Château Lanessan

Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux Blend 2020

Very smooth. Beautiful wine. Will buy again. — a month ago

The liked this

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia

Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Rosso Merlot Blend 2022

L’OLIVA
重くてバランス取れてる
— 2 months ago

Dave, Rick and 1 other liked this
Dave

Dave

Very nice 👍

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Isosceles Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Justin’s finest, this vintage is 70 percent Cab, 11 percent Cab Franc, 10 percent Merlot. Black cherry. Smooth from the Merlot and age. August 2025. — 3 months ago

Dave, Tom and 6 others liked this

Harlan Estate

Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend

So primary but everything in place to be an absolute monster — 3 months ago

Tom and Tim liked this
Joseph Barsky

Joseph Barsky

Vintage please
Tim Lee

Tim Lee

I like their reject grapes in mascot wines. Best deal in Napa

Harlan Estate

The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

Late in posting! 16 years! — 4 months ago

Shay and Ron liked this

Clos Rougeard

Les Poyeux Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc 2005

Poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2005 “Les Poyeux” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart red and black fruits: currants, blackberries, dark cherry, tons of violets, horse blanket, tobacco, some pyrazines, some leather, fine warm spices, and ferrous minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and overwhelmingly sanguine. It’s incredible how much character can be packed into a 12.5% ABV wine. A stunning bottle. Drink now through 2045. — 5 months ago

Dave, Jan and 15 others liked this
Douglas Braun

Douglas Braun Influencer Badge

So good love them

Château La Vieille Cure

Fronsac Red Bordeaux Blend 2020

Pop and pour (practically) — can’t be helped.

NOSE: something savory, blackberry, and a little violet. Mild clove. A little clay. Something…Mexican?

TASTE: juicy, purple cassis and clay. Fresh and tasty. The kind of wine I like, basically. Blueberry pie after air. 93.
— 7 months ago

Ray, Peter and 1 other liked this

Inglenook

Rubicon Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

An amazing Cab. Love the bold, color and aroma. — 8 months ago

Achával-Ferrer

Quimera Mendoza Malbec Blend 2010

Love this stuff. They do such a great job. Black raspberry if I've ever tasted it, great acid, velvety tannins. — 11 years ago

Jason liked this

Beaulieu Vineyard

Reserve Tapestry Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1997

Almost 30 years old that was less than $30.00 back then.
Bought recently on secondary market.
— a month ago

Paul, Tom and 17 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

It’s a nice bottle.
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

You win some you lose some on these older secondary bottles. Dumped a 97 Phelps Napa last week.

Tolaini

Valdisanti Tenuta S. Giovanni Toscana Red Blend 2020

Valdisanti Toscana 2020
Toscana IGT, Tenuta San Giovanni, Tuscany, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Named in honor of Pier Luigi Tolaini’s mother, Valdisanti is Tolaini’s signature Super Tuscan from Tenuta San Giovanni—right at the southern edge of Chianti Classico. The 2020 vintage is crafted entirely from estate-grown fruit and features a 50% Cabernet Sauvignon / 50% Cabernet Franc blend. This pure Bordeaux-style combination underscores both structure and aromatic vibrancy, reflecting both modern winemaking finesse and Tuscan terroir.  

Aromas & Flavors
Dark and compelling on the nose—black cherry, ripe cassis, and tobacco merge with aromatic notes of Mediterranean herbs, graphite, and leather. Layered hints of licorice and espresso build toward a rich, spice-kissed finish.   

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied and structured with firm yet supple tannins and lively acidity. The wine is generous on the palate yet balanced, leading to a long finish that reveals depth and elegant austerity.   

Winemaking Notes
Grapes are meticulously hand-harvested and optically sorted, then fermented on skins for 25 days in French oak vats. Aging continues for 16 months in French barriques, including 6 months on lees, drawing out both richness and aging potential.  

Food Pairing
Pairs brilliantly with Tuscan specialties like bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragù, or aged Pecorino Toscano. Its structure also complements urban grills, roasted game, or hearty stews.

Verdict
Valdisanti 2020 is a refined Super Tuscan that marries Bordeaux balance with Tuscan character. With its 50/50 Cabernet blend and meticulous winemaking, this wine is both graceful and powerful—a true standout for collectors and dinner tables alike. It will cellar beautifully over the next 10–15 years. A la salute!!
— 2 months ago

Ted and Andrew liked this

Dalla Valle Vineyards

Maya 2019

And then it became quiet at the table……………………
Wow what a wine…..
100 DSP
💯
— 3 months ago

Dick, Jan and 15 others liked this

Peter Michael Winery

Estate Vineyards Les Pavots Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1996

1996 vintage. Last tasted 5.8.25 (9.5), 9.29.24 (9.5) and 8.2.24 (9.6). Decanted with some sed and tasted after an hour. Solid cork and fill. This was the worst showing of the last visits with less tannic structure and slightly more richness. Tasted a bit more like their "Au Paradis" offering. Not totally dissuaded from picking up another few bottles for enjoyment in the few 5 years or so tho. Three out of four bottles surveyed were fabulous and this wasn't a total swing and a miss. 07.18.25. — 3 months ago

David, Ericsson and 18 others liked this
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

If in doubt I would pick up another couple of bottles … @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego !

Quilceda Creek

CVR Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

Paul J
9.2

Solid as always. Higher alcohol and wood than other bottles. Might need a decant as I PnP’d. Started off great with dark cherries and depth, but became astringent over time. — 4 months ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Vanessa, Tom and 5 others liked this

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Justification Paso Robles Cabernet Franc-Merlot 2017

Decanted for 90 minutes and could use more. Oaky nose. Intense, fruity dark chocolate. Insane. — 4 months ago

Pahlmeyer

Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend 2013

Elegant and deeper than the well rounded fruit bomb of the red blend. A wine worthy of a life’s best celebrations. — 6 months ago

Billy and Dave liked this

Cain Vineyard & Winery

Cain Five Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2011

A Burgundian-styled Cab Sauv from the one of the most compelling Sub AVA of Napa mountains (Mayacamas) which has an amazing soil and solid influence from the Pacific. Crafted with an amazing balance of 68% Cab Sauv, 20% Merlot, 5% and the rest to round it off its structure and age ability. The 2011 is still climbing to its peak. Enticing notes of dry red fruits on the nose and mouth, delicate, outstandingly silky and nearly perfect balance!
The finish shows its beauty. (if you find it, it won’t disappoint you) it will give the run for the money.
— 8 months ago

Clos Rougeard

Saumur Champigny Cabernet Franc 2008

Beautiful wine with black fruits, spice box, dried herbs, earth & violet — 10 months ago

Ira, Shay and 11 others liked this