"Odedi"

9.3

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Inky in color with a short purple rim.

Strong nose of black fruits with tobacco, vanilla, licorice, cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates and black pepper.

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

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cola, vanilla, cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, spices, earth, light black tea, tobacco and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot from Napa Valley. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel, big and juicy. Complex and entertaining, elegant and rich. Fruit forward and extracted.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Bold, good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$150. — 5 hours ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose with red fruits, earth, tobacco and wild flowers.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, raspberries, spices, light wood, tobacco, herbs and dark chocolates.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Mourvèdre from Bandol. Elegant and nicely balanced. Complex, easy drinking and interesting.

Still young, but already enjoyable, even by itself. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Good by itself or with food, and would pair nicely with game meats.

A blend of 95% Mourvedre and 5% Grenache. Aged for 22 months in large French oak barrels.

91 points.

$50. — 10 months ago

Shay A

9.1

Christmas Day wine 🎄🎅🏼🍷

Acquired this for two reasons: Flora Springs was my “a-ha” wine 10yrs ago which started my wine journey, and secondly because it’s my sister-in-law’s birth year.

Enjoyed on Christmas Day (with said sister-in-law) and family (the family who introduced me to wine + Flora Springs). Kept the bottle standing for a few days. In the glass, there was bricking but the color was much more vibrant than expected. Aromatically, it showed mushroom and fig, but a good bit of muddled red and black berry fruit, some mint as well. Alive, elegant and bright on the palate with good tannin structure (held strong the two hours it was open). Small hint of tobacco at the finish, but the berry fruit stayed persistent keeping the flavors balanced. Undeniably older Napa (13%) and in great shape. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

1995 vintage. Great aging cork in good shape. Decanted and tasted immediately, after 30 mins and after 2 hours. Decent amount of sed. Slight brickish color. Initially and generally throughout, reticent nose and flavors. Very tightly wound overall. Eventually able to coax a small amount of black olive out of the nose along with minerals for days. Some dark cherry and plum allied with baking chocolate in the transition from mid-palate to finish. It was tough sledding in the frontal palate. Super dry with summer earth/dirt at the start. Obvious class but never really flashed more than a few cards to play. Perhaps a different bottle shows a little more love? Producer is always on the leaner side so unbridled optimism on that front is likely wasted energy. 10.25.23. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.4

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose and full bodied with medium acidity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, chocolates, coffee, herbs, spices, earth, light vanilla, black pepper and eucalyptus.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a wonderful Napa Cabernet. Rich and elegant with a soft mouthfeel. Fruit forward with nice complexity.

Drinking beautifully now as a 14 year old. Not too much in your face kind of wine, which is very nice to see out of Napa. Just a pleasure.

At its peak now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

A gorgeous wine to share with good friends.

Good right out of the bottle, easy drinking and good by itself. Will also pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$200. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

This is a tasty and easy drinking Champagne.

Dark yellow in color with a golden hue.

Medium plus in body with high acidity, and medium sized bubbles.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing citrus, green apples, light grapefruits, herbs, yeast, brioche, sea salt, spices, vegetables and minerals.

Nice finish with limes and bitter herbs.

Tangy and good by itself or with food.

Really enjoyed the nose, even more than the palate. Better after 30 minutes of airtime.

Wine Enthusiasts 90 points. Wine Spectator 90 points.

A great choice to pair with fresh seafood.

12% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$43. — 4 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Ramey Wine Cellars Annum 2018, Napa Valley, California

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix. Here is a gorgeous one from Napa Valley.

Pretty color of ruby with a wide reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, dark chocolates, herbs, light earth, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black plums, black currants, cooked cherries, cedar, spices, licorice, chocolates, coffee, light earth, herbs, tobacco leaf and black tea.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is an exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Rich, but restrained. Complex and engaging. Nicely balanced, with a soft and smooth mouthfeel. Feels like a Napa Cabernet with a touch of Left Bank Bordeaux.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Has good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

Delicious stuff, and good by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair beautifully with a nice piece of steak.

A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged for 24 months in new French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$125. — 4 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

My go to White Burgundy Bourgogne producer in good vintages. You get good value in what is today an expensive burgundy market. 22 an outstanding vintage. I buy this without thinking in good vintages and have never been disappointed.

High viscosity, paraffin, tropical, stone fruits, lemon, lime, great chalkiness, limestone, white spice, sea spray, spring flowers, yellow lilies, excellent round acidity and elegant, polish & balance finish for days.

Excellent pair w/ the Jasper Hill Farms Harbison cheese. — a year ago

Christian Fischer

9.3

This is a very good wine. Not the 98/100 good and one can certainly question the $200 price tag, but a well made higher end wine for sure. Decanted for 2 hours (which was needed) and drank over 2 days; didn’t notice significant evolution on day 2. High alcohol content. Clear but clean and harmonious tannins. Nice fruit and mineral tartness. 93-94 for me. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured from magnum; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2 as the wine came into better balance. The 2015 “Caravina” pours a deep ruby with a nearly opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. One the nose, the wine is developing with notes of black cherry, brambles, tobacco, violets, herbs, and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine with dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the acid plays a significant role, giving some real lift to the lush fruit. And while we’re on the topic, I’ll just share an observation that the acid is a significant characteristic for Seavey. In their youth, they are somewhat tough to fully appreciate (Ridge also has this reputation). I’m not suggesting Seavey is an analogue to Monte Bello, rather just stating they seem to be playing the long game…and I’m here for that. That being said, these are good now but will be more pleasurable in another couple years (at least in this format) and should be lovely through 2035. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent notes throughout. The 2018 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave "Saint-Joseph" pours a deep purple color with an almost opaque core. Medium+ (high?) viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, a little reductive and loaded with black, blue and red fruits, deli case, black olives, cocoa, purple flowers and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, rich and savory. Alcohol is high but it's in balance. This was a great pairing with grilled lamb chops. Drink now with patience or enjoy through 2038. FWIW, this bottle was enjoyed alongside a 2016 Christopher Tynan Syrah "Judge Family Vineyard" and while this bottle of Chave Saint-Joseph was really, really good. The Tynan was special. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.0

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Ruby in color with a wide brick rim.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing black and red fruits with tobacco, chocolates, coffee, oak, light vanilla, spices and black pepper.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and cranberries.

This is a very enjoyable Merlot blend from Bordeaux. I've had different vintages of this wine, and it is very consistent.

This 11 year old needs 2 hours to open up properly, so be patient.

A good food wine that will pair nicely with grilled meats.

A blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc.

13% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$40. — 3 years ago

Brian Grech

8.9

At Maykadeh. Good pair with lamb. — 4 years ago

with Ashley

Kurt Schuster

8.9

Everybody seems to have glowing opinions of this, but mine was just a good wine and all the complexity in depth that I’m hearing about here I just didn’t get. A very good balance of strong flavors drank it across three days, dark pepper, and tobacco notes and ripe fruit and I will say without any overwhelming attendance. The structure was just incredible. Very good wine, maybe I’m just different than the other reviewers.  — 6 months ago

James Burge

9.3

stars and stripes; bold at 14.5%; pair with pork; drink with good company (2018) — 8 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nose of red and black fruits with light wood, tobacco and chocolate notes.

Dry on the palate with sweet raspberries, cherries, light oak, licorice, chocolates, spices and earth.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This young Grenache blend is starting to drink very nicely now, with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

Elegant and rich. Interesting and engaging. A very traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape in style.

Well balanced and good by itself as a sipping wine. Will also pair nicely with food.

A blend of all 13 allowed grapes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but mostly Grenache. Hand picked and whole cluster. Aged for 2 years in large French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$110. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Full bodied, smooth and soft, with medium acidity.

Showing black fruits with cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, black pepper, dark chocolates and light herbs.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a really nice Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak in Napa Valley. Fruit forward and spicy. Rich and elegant.

Still very young, but already delicious. A good quality wine that will continue to improve in the next 10 years.

Tangy and entertaining with nice complexity. A good sipping wine.

Nicely balanced and good by itself or with food. Will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot. Aged in (40% new) American and French oak barrels for 15 months. Only 900 bottles made.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$80. — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.6

Pure passion. I keep these well supplied simply because they’re so damn good. A very pretty light golden color in the glass. The nose is magnificent with chalk and floral aromas. A burst of honeysuckle, orange peel, and quince. Beautiful brioche notes with a streak of honey. Just divine.

Bottled at a lower pressure than other champagnes which produces a softer wine. Creamy and complex, it’s a magisterial Blanc de Blancs. Primarily from the 2016 vintage with 30% of the blend coming from 2014. Elegant and generous with a real sense of place.

Slight hints of grapefruit and apples on the palate. Herbal essence and white fruits for days and days and days. Really striking on the tongue. Long, persistent finish. But ignore all of that, this is really about emotions. There’s passion and love and romance here. And isn’t that what it’s all about anyway?
— 3 years ago

Elle Cantrell

9.5

Light sparkling effervescent white wine. Good flavor and easy to pair with food or drink alone — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday.

Purple in color with a purplish rim.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, spices, vanilla, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, earth, licorice and herbs.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 8 year old Merlot is peaking now. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel.

Tasty and easy drinking. Will continue to drink nicely in the next couple of years.

Good right out of the bottle, and good by itself as a sipping wine.

Wine Enthusiasts 89 points.

Rich and fruit forward. Spicy and entertaining.

I had a few vintages before, and it is very consistent.

Will pair nicely with BBQ Meats.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$25. — 4 years ago