Front Runner

MicroBio Wines

Correcaminos (Road Runner) Red Blend

Day 2 Brig, loved it. Almost effervescent — 7 years ago

Ridge Vineyards

Three Valleys Sonoma County Zinfandel Blend 2013

That was really good.

89 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): The 2013 Three Valleys is a plump, juicy and expressive Zinfandel-based red. Dark cherry, kirsch, sweet spices, dried flowers and tobacco are front and center in a soft, supple red to drink now and over the next handful of years. Once again, the Three Valleys delivers superb quality for the money. Drink: 2015-2020. (Jul 2015)
— 8 years ago

Orin Swift

Mercury Head Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 opened June 2018. Lots of red fruit and some black pepper on the nose, but not much fruit on the front of the mouth, but it has a jammy mouth feel all the same. Smooth tannins the rest of the way down with just a hint of pucker on the end. Personally? I like a wine that challenges me a little, but this is a very nice Cab. — 8 years ago

MicroBio Wines

Correcaminos (Road Runner) White Blend

Yup, a rose, but might as well call it a white. Palate reset as so dry. Unfiltered. What i might expect from a funky Loire producer — 9 years ago

Domaine de la Janasse

Chaupin Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2012

2012 Donaine De La Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone blend. Omg I am drinking a French wine from the Rhone. Im not sure what this is supposed to taste like, but for a 14.5 % it sure is light in color and thin on the palate. The bouquet is black cherry pie. The initial palate is Boysenberry and Black licorice.I almost taste cinnamon and oak. The finish is dry on the front part of the tongue. There is a desire for more. Not bad For FRenchia — 9 years ago

Trixie, Ellen and 15 others liked this

Bonneau du Martray

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay 2001

01' Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru Chardonnay. Color- Light golden. By looking at it, I would've never guessed it's 16 years old. BIG Nose...Green apple, floral. Palate...stone fruits, melon, peach & pineapple. A slight bit of creamy notes on the front & mid palate. A light backbone of acidity. Stone fruits minerality & soft pineapple carry through to a nice finish. Drinking at it peak now. @Ron R Thank you for this simply amazing bottle. Can't wait to tip a glass with you soon. Cheers to you and Anne-Marie! — 9 years ago

David, Eric and 51 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

So glad you enjoyed it @David L. One of my most fave French whites. Cheers!
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Ron R What a great bottle of wine. Thanks for this treat!

Josh Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon

It's pretty solid and certainly a big juicy flavor up front. For the price it's excellent but the only downside is the fact that it's gets just a little chalky at the end. I'm nitpicking... — 10 years ago

Michael Spall

Michael Spall

Excellent value - drinks like a $20 + Cab

Groth Vineyards & Winery

Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Beautiful Napa Cab! Soft on the pallet, fresh berries up front, light licorice finish. Can't think of a better way to welcome Autumn on my birthday. Kudos Suzanne!! And thank you! 😊 — 11 years ago

Dale Kaminski
with Dale
jesus and Cindi liked this

Hope Family Wines

Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Lighter color. Mild nose and gentle front of the mouth experience. Blackberries. Cherry. Plum. Then down with a warm, port-ish finale. — 11 years ago

Erin Mahollitz
with Erin

Bogle Family Vineyards

Essential Old Vine California Zinfandel Blend 2011

Cherry and blackberry hints up front, soft tannins in the finish — 13 years ago

MicroBio Wines

Correcaminos (Road Runner) Rose Blend

Bubbly lovely goodness. Disco. — 7 years ago

Robert Mondavi Winery

Private Selection Aged in Bourbon Barrels Monterey County Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Balanced but fruit is front and center through to the finish with a soft velvety tongue. The bourbon barrels come through with a deliciously harmonious, and unique surprise. — 7 years ago

The Prisoner Wine Company

Saldo California Zinfandel 2016

Wowza. Now this is a Zin. So, so good. Juicy with delicious fruit that hits you up front with a nice round and slightly spicy finish. Damn good. — 8 years ago

Shay, P and 3 others liked this

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1984

Still some fruit left but the tannins are front and center. This is throwing off a lot of sediment. Classic old Jordan even as it is on it's way out--tobacco, bay leaf, soft red fruit. — 9 years ago

Bill, .:;2):’kicndnebxhjd and 31 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Special Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine of the night. This wine had EXCELLENT fruit, and showed NO VISIBLE SIGNS of decline. Great powerful blackberry. I was guessing 01 Stag's Leap or Rutherford. Turns out it was Caymus SS 01, but I was second guessing myself on the year because it was a very purple color into the decanter and showing well. The wine had great vanilla on the front, blackberry on the front, and a more youthful middle and finish with some herb. This wine has 10 years left in it no doubt. Whoever cut this one off at 2017 has no idea. This one literally showed no signs of decline whatsoever. Drink by date 2007 - 2030. — 9 years ago

Bodegas Numanthia

Numanthia Toro Tempranillo

Deep red color. Dry up front with a light sweetness. Had plum notes. — 9 years ago

Flora Springs

Trilogy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

Greg Ballington
9.3

Super deep and dark ruby red with an almost black core. Dark baking spices in the front of the nose followed by dark fruits, especially dark dark cherries. With some air there were some purple floral notes and more vanilla. Moderate tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Initially a little tight so we gave it a splash decant. Around an hour or so in, tons of cinnamon and other dark spices. Strong undertone of puréed dark berries and light herbs too. Long body but this needs a little more bottle age. Cannot wait to try it again at the release party next month. Drink till 2028. — 10 years ago

Sean BallingtonIndia Okoh
with Sean and India
Jeff, Kim and 13 others liked this
Greg Ballington

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@Shay Aldriedge Completely agree, the 14 isn't as good as the 13 which we thought had more complexity and roundness, the texture is crazy good on the 13. But the 14 definitely has potential to be another solid vintage
Ron R

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So @Shay Aldriedge @Greg Ballington, so you guys know, my very first visit to Napa, my first stop was FS tasting room. I was a lost, overwhelmed limey, and they made me feel at home - I'll never forget it. If they are back in the saddle, I'm onboard...
Shay A

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@Ron R : Give the '13 Trilogy a try. If you don't seem impressed, then we can chalk it up as a loss, but I think it's worth your time. If you have a hard time finding a bottle, let me know.

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Big flavor up front with a dry finish. Another good one with steak. — 12 years ago

The Prisoner and "Odedi" liked this

Domaine Ramonet

Les Ruchottes Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Chardonnay 1987

These supposedly off years by old great producers are simply gems... Extreme front to back balance, sun drenched hay, touch of dry peach, apricot pits, crushed pebbles, shells, bits of honeysuckle, and a soft acid backbone that lingers and touches your spine. Better than most grand cru's I have had in famous vintages. Speaks more to development than popular knowledge/science which is never meets great expectations in wine. Try it to love and live it ! — 13 years ago

George liked this
George Chen

George Chen Influencer Badge

In the empty glass...sweet tropical pineapple turns to matchsticks...crazy!

Cimarossa

Riva di Ponente Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Opened tonight. And, I feel like a broken record saying that here is ANOTHER great 2011 considering the "damned vintage" that this one received press for being. I have 43 more 2011 Napa wines and I have a feeling that I'm going to be writing the same thing another 43 times. Not powerful, but these wines truly show the complexity that Napa cab CAN be. Nose of iodine, black licorice. Very front of this wine is sweeter black cherry giving way to an herbal infused middle (getting more dried basil with a hint of oregano and cumin). The red clay terroir is unmistakably present here through the middle and finish, which is usually more present for Ponente only at the very finish. The wine finishes with black cherry and black licorice dominated notes. I have a feeling that this wine is still on the way up. Has a few more years until it is at the top of the hill, but drinking OH SO WELL right now. — 7 years ago

Greg, Neil and 32 others liked this
Shay A

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Need to prep to open mine! Love the 2011 wines from top end producers.
Mark Flesher

Mark Flesher

@Shay A All of the 11s from Cimarossa are doing well right now. Although I won't say this matches the bouquet of classic Howell Mountain, Mia Klein does an excellent job of not trying to fit a square peg in a round hole so to speak, and let the grape express itself!

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1989

Wow, so complex and still so much fruit left in this one. Dark berry fruit, and cedar wood notes moving to the front. At a beautiful place and balanced example of what at what any Bordeaux should aspire to be. — 9 years ago

Bruce, Velma and 23 others liked this

Kongsgaard

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2012

Although this one did tend to have a citrus rich body, it is definitely a malo mouthfeel and more of a buttery chard. This wine was still quite delicious, and it's not really even my style. I was getting some lemongrass on the front, with a peach and mango note in the middle. The finish is more on the buttery side for my taste, but still went lovely with cheese and meat. Probably would have gone very well with Italian spiced nuts or with an herbal chicken dish. I believe this wine probably would have been more comprehensive if served with food. I think this one definitely has the longevity to age, but I'd put more stock in the Judge chard to do that most effectively. — 9 years ago

Eric, Shay and 7 others liked this

Robert Mondavi Winery

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

To me, this wine of all the aged wines had the best entry without a doubt. This wine is made in a very old world and French style, and you can tell it from the start. I was a little worried about this wine, but the cork was in great shape and extracted by an ah-so with no problems. This wine had a very herbal nose, and herbal front. Raspberry front eventually emerged. The middle of this wine was actually quite full bodied. The finish was a little earthy, a little bit of mushroom, and tame oak. The wine was good, and still going after all these years. Look forward to the other bottle soon! — 9 years ago

Domaine du Pegau

Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2006

Geoff Troup
9.4

Such beauty and elegance. I'm sure some of it is the age, but an AOC known for power emitting such elegance...Wow. Anyhow, jammy raspberries and a whole garden of vegetables on the nose. Palate is quite refined with white pepper, rock and all the trademark CDP flavors. Im never a huge fan of that fruit in the front, but the mid and back arr gorgeous. What's truly remarkable is the balance...The ability to isolate any single flavor to ruminate on, how each nuance to perfectly morphs into the next. Still some pronounced tannin in this guy! — 9 years ago

kasimir liked this

Château Léoville Barton

Saint-Julien Red Bordeaux Blend 2000

Double trouble. Short decant, tight and reluctant first 30 minutes with not much depth, then opened beautifully and put on weight and complexity. A front load of cassis, then bruised plum and warm wet earth. Suggest 3 hour decant to let it strut. — 10 years ago

Sammie Vega
with Sammie
Bill, Sammie and 19 others liked this
Matt Trader

Matt Trader Influencer Badge

I may be taking home a 2010 vintage of the Leoville Barton soon! 100 pt rating too.
Bill Bender

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Lay it down for a while @Matt Trader
Matt Trader

Matt Trader Influencer Badge

That's the plan!

Hall Wines

Kathryn Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Greg Ballington
9.0

Blind Tasting MOT=90
Color: Solid Red
Nose: Earthy and cherries
Palate: Very sweet for some reason, and a little thin for my liking, initially there was something in the front of my mouth that was off putting (was an 86). As the night progressed that front of the palate feeling went away and came through with cherries and cassis.
Opinion: As I found out this needed more time open
— 11 years ago

India OkohSean Ballington
with India and Sean
LM, David and 1 other liked this

Belle Glos

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2012

Pleasantly surprised how good this was. Dark with more than a hint of sweet fruit up front but little to no mouthfeel and nothing on the end. — 12 years ago

Kim and Dave liked this

Cantina Zaccagnini

Il Vino Dal Tralcetto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2009

Very nice! Still young but drinking very well already. Sweet, fruity, and floral on the front of the tongue, but rich and complex at the finish. Notes of earth and spice, and a hint of tannin. Will drink well later too. Great! — 14 years ago

Jim liked this