Dawn E.

9.1

Here is my #fridaycabernetfix ! Not sure of the "somewhat low ratings" on this! This wine is really good! Super Smooth...dark fruits..molasses..sage..leather...vanilla..nice long finish! I picked this up for $40..pretty comparable ..previous purchases at a much higher price point.

Update..post 4 days vacuum pumped and in Refrigerator..this wine has lost some ground ..once being opened. Not bad..but heavy on the oak..and loss of acidity present post 1 hr. Decant. Not bad....just different.... — 6 years ago

Andrew Lam

9.0

Had higher expectations for this... will need to try another bottle. — 7 years ago

Charlie Abbott

Sommelier Casa Mono

9.1

Maturing nicely. Would rate higher but couldn't shake bitter espresso character...these wines are certainly marked more by oak than other traditional houses imho — 8 years ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Classy hair of the dog part 2. This was a revelation. Beautifully mature and leaner than the 90, it has a lovely complex palate of dark fruit, plum, violet, leather some great tart sour notes and a brambly, earthy, savory character. Good length... it reminded me of the 89 La Chapelle from last night. A really interesting wine that expresses the terroir perfectly. Uniquely this is higher in cab Franc than cab Sav (55% to 45- usually it's the other way around) and that makes sense on the palate. — 9 years ago

with Larry and Naoko

Marcie Molek

9.1

Great, smooth but interesting Pinot. Terrific price. — 9 years ago

Bill Duffy

9.0

I saw ratings of 8.6 & such. No way. This is a well refined rose, with soft fruit and a soft finish that deserves higher. I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed. — 9 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.1

Solid chardonnay. Light butter. Higher alcohol. — 9 years ago

Jeff Stewart

Private Collections Wine Director

9.3

Im going to rate a bit higher than most. A consistent favorite of mine. Hints of meaty flavor along with earth and berries. The make an amazing Rosso as we'll. if your on a budget their Rosso's always preform. — 10 years ago

Joel Armijo

8.9

Partial to Ridge's Zinfadels, in particular the Lyton Springs and Pagani Ranch which can be a bit overwhelming for some given its higher alcohol content. Paso Robles seems more accessible but would have to drink again as first bottle rather than fourth of night to get a better assessment. — 10 years ago

George Hesse

8.9

Very nice NZ SB! Apparently Jules Taylor used to work for Kim Crawford and Cloudy Bay but then went into business for herself. Dinner at High Steaks Restaurant in Thunder Valley. Initially rated it higher but after having it again had to lower my rating. — 10 years ago

with Jennifer

Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of beautiful of ruby, clear with grapefruit note on the rim. Nose is plenty with dried strawberries, aldehyde, oak, leather, spice, feels like high quality armarone or CduRh. Taste follows the nose with right amount of tannins, acidity, peppery, yet a bit too much bittersweet. Aftertaste of some more oak, juicy grapes, lingering flavors. Just slightly off balanced to miss even higher ranking. — 6 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.0

Really nice aromatics apricot nice acidity ( however it wouldn’t offend me if it were a bit higher) the abv is 14 % however it doesn’t seem out of balance. Honeysuckle medium bodied — 7 years ago

Jay Boberg

8.9

Very extracted - lush and fruit driven - a heart 15.1 % alcohol offered on the label but my sense is that it is higher — 8 years ago

Bo Yu

9.6

Blueberries and plum on the nose. High tannins. Velvety to drink. Sweeter than the Howell Mt. Higher acidity, sweet throughout, finishes smoother, well rounded tannins, more refined than the Howell Mt. medium dry finish. Beautiful wine. Decant at least 45min — 9 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.0

Dang it! No more 2012's anywhere to be had. Asked the table of winos if anyone was squirreling away any 2012's in their home stashes. They were all smart enough to say no. So even though it is not the epic 2012, it was still the preferred wine over two other big Napa Cabs. Still has a big fruit and smooth finish. Just can't rate it higher because of the prior year's greatness. — 9 years ago

with Joe

Chad Watkins

9.8

Whoa. Wow. This is absolutely gorgeous. "Classic" Brane Catenac at its best. Beautiful floral, graphite and blue fruit notes. Interestingly despite its traditional flavor, there's a much higher percentage of cab franc in here than normal. — 9 years ago

Katherine Bordelon

Court of Master Sommelier Guild member

9.2

Not sure why others haven't rated this one a little higher. My only guess is that they didn't allow for ample time for this one to open up. I enjoyed this bottle last night and noted that with each hour after the initial two hours I allowed it to breath, it only got better. At first, I found it to be quite "tight". But after a few hours, the flavor profile fully developed and it calmed down enough that it was very much delightful. Garnet in color with a medium plus viscosity, I very much enjoyed the layers this wine presented after some time in my glass. — 9 years ago

with Edmond

Jeffrey Lew

9.4

PNP. What an amazing nose. Blueberries, Violets, and Perfume. Great fruit, but lacks the thrust of a great year. Some tension on the finish or would of rated higher. Drink these now while you wait for 00, 05 to be ready. Fantastic stuff — 10 years ago

Robert Leopardi

9.0

Chateau Durfort Vivens 1926 , Margaux 2nd Growth drunk as a birth year wine at a celebration of a birthday party for my 89 year old mother-in-law Rosy Isabelle! Wine was purchased about 12 years ago from a retired estate sale guy. Wine was imported by Louden Imports, Albuquerque, N.M. Probably in the 1980s from Whitwham & Co. In England. I have no idea how it was stored before i got it. Fill was just at should to a little below. Cork disintegrated while being drawn out with a 1920s era Sanbri Pronged Cork Puller. Color was brickish with some clarity issues. We did not exhibit any apparent oxidation with just slight hints of dried red fruits, but mostly musty and earthy characteristics. I drank for over 30 minutes without a dip in quality. Overall, a great experience! Perhaps giving it a higher rating than it truly deserves, but there it is! — 10 years ago

Michael gayle

9.1

Cakebread wines are all amazing. You can drink the cab by itself and by yourself. So Smoothe on the pallet. Pair it with food cast iron grilled salmon or fillet mignon is asking for trouble. Do not open this bottle if you have any task left to complete. After 2 glasses you will not return to any work left undone. I would rate it higher if the price were lower. — 7 years ago

Scott Calvert

10

Even after 20 years the wine was quite lovely. It was subtle fruity with a bit of eucalyptus. Tannins had ascended to a higher plane of existence . We drank the wine to celebrate my brother’s 20 anniversary. Unfortunately we have aged more quickly than the wine, but we are hanging in!
— 7 years ago

Benjamin Keator

9.5

Dry, tannic, higher sugar, coffee. Tasted blind and completely missed the mark on this one. Thought is was a high end Cali Cab — 8 years ago

with Jake, Colby and 1 other

Michael Mathews

9.1

Wow. Beautiful. Totally disagree with the ratings here....much better, much higher quality wine. Earthy. Dark, luscious. The nose is strong and over powering at times, but the taste and finish are elegant, smooth and sexy. Just awesome! — 8 years ago

with Brad, Mike and 3 others

LM Segal

9.2

Seriously smoky-great Pinot. Freshly picked black cherry, woodsy tannins, Pommard Gestalt. Needs 2-3 years at least to soften up, will score higher. — 9 years ago

Diane Kessler

9.1

I haven't had a Maybach in a couple of years. A 20 oz perfectly grilled rare rib steak from Flannery demanded it. Big wine, but stays this side of over the top. I prefer higher acid but somehow this all works. — 9 years ago

Richard Steinberg

9.1

This is still a baby. Over time this could score higher. It's all there but a bit too muscular in its evolution. The stuffing is there. — 9 years ago

Paul J

9.5

Definitely a treat and not a trick!! Very similar to the Domaine Eden Cab but slightly higher price point. Let this baby open up, but one of the best finishing wines I've had! Goes awesome with beef tenderloin, celery root gratin, almond joy, twix, and gobstoppers!! — 10 years ago

with Brooke

Matt Mitchell

9.3

Lucious dried grape, rich and wonderful. Gets better with each sip. Worth the higher price for a high quality #Amarone. — 10 years ago

Chanda Williams

9.3

Same as last wine but higher up@the hill, pretty, and austere... Amazing — 10 years ago

Austin Ferrari

Wine Director Hillside Supper Club

9.2

Dog fell asleep on this beauty! — 11 years ago

with Kit, Brian and 1 other