Delectable Wine

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10

The 2016 Screaming Eagle is a positively stunning wine. An intense bouquet gives way to a wine of explosive energy and huge textural depth. Graphite, crushed rocks, menthol, sage and dark spice open up gradually in this reticent, brooding Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2016 is a towering, statuesque wine of the very highest level. That is the good news. The slightly less good news is that it will need a number of years in bottle to be at its very best. I wouldn't dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. The 2016 literally does scream, with tons of varietal Cabernet aromatics, flavors and structural drive. In a word: magnificent! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018) — 7 years ago

Mike Evans

9.5

Damn, just fabulous. Perhaps the highest and best use of American oak, which complements the rich but nuanced dark fruit, it combines power and agility like an All-Pro linebacker. Great now and it will likely continue to be for at least another 20 years. — 7 years ago

with Kevin

Kelly

10

Bought from total wine because it was highest rated cab Sav of 2017 there. Drank for 30th birthday. Smooth and delicious — 8 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.3

This wine is dry! There is not a touch of sweetness. But the tannins took us on a great ride from as soon as it touched your mouth to the lingering finish. Deep dark chocolate, pipe tobacco, dark, dried tart prune and date fruit providing a symphony with low baritone, echoing notes, giving this Malbec more structure than I have ever experienced. Harvested from one of the highest elevation vineyards on earth! — 9 years ago

with Tammy

Diengo Chou

8.9

Very classic style, already a little tired and enjoyable. Always an honor to visit his wine. — 10 years ago

Evan Roberts

9.2

My favorite California Cab producer. Had the honor of pouring beside him in NYC, and touring his vineyard with Rebecca just before he passed. The closest thing to 1970's best cabs and incredible value. 2006 is lush full of everything you could hope for, earth, blackberry, leather, and a hint of smoke. A little hint of almost cognac on the finish, smooth and balanced finish. Acid still great and plenty of age left. Glad I have a lot more to enjoy — 10 years ago

Bhavik Patel

9.2

Great NAPA Cab especially for the price, nice dark fruits with a semi dry finish — 11 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.4

This is Honor not Freedom but absolutely marvelous CAB. Heidi Barrrett is the Queen🍷 — 11 years ago

Monica Scheid

9.0

Rich, smoky plum with a spicy lift — 11 years ago

Ed Liebowitz

9.5

Just fantastic, layered and deep notes of cherry cola you expect from a 10+ year old wine. An honor to have had the opportunity to taste this. — 11 years ago

A M

9.4

One of the highest value wines I've had in a long time — 13 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Another Wednesday Wine Committee for the books, this one in honor of a former WWC member, with the wines donates from his cellar by his family. A wonderful tribute. Wines tasted blind as usual.

Just incredible. I guessed early ‘70s vintage port. So much life ahead. Baked blackberry pie, old graham cracker & cherry liqueur with a finish that hardly ends. Fantastic! — 7 years ago

with Dan, Will and 2 others

Al Shikoh

8.9

Pale yellow in color with aromas of lemon, green apple, and honey. Tart and mineral on the palate with slightly waxy texture and 12.5% alcohol. Made from the Golden Aligoté grape which finds its highest expression in Bouzeron where it is championed by Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of DRC. Imported by Kermit Lynch. Paired nicely with oysters. — 8 years ago

with Kelly

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Had this at a Tapas Bar! The pillars on which the 5 founding families erected a winery in 1890 built a way of living, feeling and producing wines of the highest quality that continue to evolve. Not released until 2015, bright Ruby, complex aromas of fruit, spice and oak. 90% Tempranillo from 3 villages & 10% Graciano from 2 villages. Cherry & blackberry flavors, with a feel of currants around the core, espresso & spicy notes on mouthwatering tannins. Wow! Lingering finish. Will get better over next 15 years — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.2

A visit from ol reliable while out and about tonight. When Frank Family is on, it's delicious, just like this '13. Drinking really nice at a young age. Epitomizes Napa Cabs currently with bold and fruit driven flavors. A lot of red fruits on the nose like raspberries, but the darker blueberries came through on the tongue. The fruit seems a bit extracted...medium oak presence. This is a crowd pleaser when needing to satisfy a large group.

Happiest of New Years to my DL family. 2016 was my first DL year, and it's been a great experience getting to share great wines with y'all. Thank you for your insights...it's been an honor. Cheers to 2017!
@Bill Bender @Greg Ballington @TheSkip @Kimberly Anderson @Mike Rowe @Ron R @Martin G Rivard @Jason Oliver @Anthony Lombardi @Edmond Bordelon @Katherine Bordelon @David L @Eric Shanks @Shawn G. Rose @Hugh O'Riordan @Howard Greenfield @Jim Trobaugh @Jeff Shapiro @Carl Fischer @"Odedi" @Paul T @Roy Goble @Jody Scharf @Joe Lucca @Ryan Mitchell — 9 years ago

Bob Wozniak

9.2

Happy Independence Day! — 10 years ago

Charles Hetzel

9.7

Drinking this in honor of Barbara Richards may she rest in peace #paloma #merlot — 10 years ago

Chasing Jen

9.1

Last night I had the honor of tasting this champagne from 1955. It had an itsy-bitsy hint of funk on the finish, but overall still exciting/pleasing. So thankful to have experienced. — 11 years ago

Aaron Reid

9.7

Stupid good. Such an honor. — 11 years ago

Ken Place

9.6

2010 - 59%Merlot, 38%Cab Franc, 4% Petit Verdot — 12 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Another Wednesday Wine Committee for the books, this one in honor of a former WWC member, with the wines donates from his cellar by his family. A wonderful tribute. Wines tasted blind as usual.

Hello gorgeous! Hard not to call this Bordeaux from a reputable producer. I called it early ‘80s. Tart cherry, a streak of green/vegetal notes down the middle but it wasn’t detracting at all. Herbs and underripe black fruit finish. This powered through 2hours in the glass easily. Beautiful. — 7 years ago

with Dan, Will and 2 others

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

In a restaurant last night and saw this on the wine list. In 1989, Jess Jackson acquired the Zellerbach winery and renamed it in honor of his late father, Jess Stonestreet Jackson. Aromas of red/black fruits with citrus notes and gentle spice. On the palate cherry and blackberry flavors, vanilla spice with currant tones. Fine soft tannins, great balance on lingering finish ending with oak and cacao. Great value, good now and will cellar well. Opened up nicely in about 45 minutes. — 8 years ago

Shawn R

9.4

In honor of the release. So approachable. — 9 years ago

Piers Pritchard

9.0

Exclusively large format at this dinner, in honor of @Justin Garbaccio — 9 years ago

Anna Savino

9.3

In honor of the start of #dolcetto #harvest here in #langhe amazing for being 2010.. so young, smooth but structured.. this is his current release haha a legend! — 10 years ago

Doug Cranmer

9.1

A tasty and big, slightly fruit muted Cab from Orin Swift Cellars. I agree with some others that this is not the highest height that OSW has produced. Toasted coconut, vanilla, caramel and muted, under-notes of bing cherry. — 10 years ago

with Mary

Matt Forester

9.2

2001. Not the highest expression of Comtesse. We had the '94 and '01 back to back and the '94 was worlds ahead. The '01 seemed backward and awkward, aggressive and tannic. Still enjoyable. — 11 years ago

with R

Eric Hwang

9.4

In honor of Washington Wine Month, a wine from a premier winery. For a nearly 12 year old wine, it tastes fresh and vibrant. Perfumed with blackberry, cassis and hints of cedar. On the tongue, it's silky smooth and elegant with acidity that suggests it could age another 3-5 more years. Incredible stuff. — 11 years ago

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

10

100 points! Absolute perfection in every sense. Mesmerising! An honor to taste, and in the company of the great Jesús Barquín! — 12 years ago

Laura Hammer

8.9

Not as yummy as the 2007 — 13 years ago