Randy Fuller

8.9

This bargain wine is medium dark ruby in the glass and displays a nose of strawberry, cherry, vanilla and oak spice. On the palate is angular, tart red fruit, stiff tannins and a fairly heavy dose of oak. It's faint praise to say that it's not horrible, but it's better suited to making sangria or serving chilled at a cookout than pairing with a meaningful meal. — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

I found a house in St Helena last week and will be moving there at the end of May. I thought I should get acquainted with the neighbors. What better way than a face off?
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Neyers Vineyards 2011 Neyers Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon vs Salvestrin Winery 2013 Salvestrin Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Neyers Ranch is situated in the hills of Conn Valley just east of St Helena, with elevations ranging from 400’ to 1200’ on a south-facing, 50-acre parcel bisected by Conn Creek. Since 1998 Neyers has sustainably farmed this vineyard. Winemaker Tadeo Borchardt started in 2004 as assistant to then winemaker Ehren Jordan.
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This Neyers was highlighted as one of the best of Napa’s 2011s in Jon Bonné’s piece for the SF Chronicle “Lessons from Napa in the trickiest of years” saying it “finds that great Cabernet balance of sleekness and dense flavor” with “pitch-perfect expression” and an “oregano-like herbal side frames its meaty structure and subtle blackcurrant fruit.”
.
Since 1932, three generations of Salvestrins have sustainable farmed their vineyard which was originally planted in 1860 by Dr. George Crane. It’s situated immediately south of St Helena High School and along Main St (Hwy 29), surrounding the family winery. Rich Salvestrin farms the vineyard and makes the wine, and his wife Shannon handles the sales and marketing, while they both raise the 4th generation on their farm.
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Robert Parker gushed over the 2013, as “lusty, savory, hedonistic, rich and mouth-filling, with a dense purple color and not a hard edge in sight.” His praise did not stop there, saying that this “blockbuster fruit bomb has complexity, richness and a savory intensity that has to be tasted to be believed.”
.
The vintages were so different that it’s difficult to weigh them against each other. Bonné is definitely on point calling the Neyers one of the best examples of 2011 Napa Cabernet. Savory, with rich aromatics of Mexican cocoa powder and mole sauce, reminiscent of Corison’s 2011. To Parker’s credit, the Salvestrin is definitely a blockbuster and a hedonistic fruit bomb, but the savoriness, complexity, and length tone down its showiness, and add a level of decorum that sets it apart. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

I can’t pour enough praise on Dan and his talents. I don’t give many wines near perfect scores, but this merits one. The nose is a beautifully balanced mix of floral fruits, earth and spice. Blackberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries, dark moist soils, loamy dry soil/clay, raspberry cola, smoked meats, medium dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, lilacs, violets and lavender. The balance is incredible...one of the most balanced wines I’ve had. The structure, tension and length are so close to perfect. It’s in the OMG realm. The tannins are nicely resolved but still have teeth. It’s gorgeously lush and rich. Blackberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, black plum, black raspberries, plum, black raspberries, poached strawberries, hues of blue fruits haunt the palate, dark moist soils, loamy dry soil/clay, raspberry cola, black licorice, touch herbaceous, smoked meats, medium dark spice, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, black & white pepper, dry crushed rocks, stones, lilacs, violets and lavender. The finish is heaven all the way around. To borrow Bordeaux terminology, this is First Growth Shiraz. If you don’t seek out Dan’s wines on the secondary market, you are missing something special. Not at all meant to be enjoyed young. This wine is in a very good spot and has another 10 years of life going forward. — 8 years ago

Brett Vanderbrook

9.0

I just finished reading "Shadows in the Vineyard" about the 2010 attempt to poison the DRC, and since I can't afford Villaine's flagship wines, I figured this would be the next best thing. Not disappointed at all. While I tend to dislike young red Burgundy, this is already crazy approachable. Much riper than I'm used to. Not necessarily new-world, but closer to The fruit of Beaujolais, or maybe Rhone. Earthy and complex with a bright red cherry. Vibrant. Elegant. Lovely. — 8 years ago

Manu Sarna

9.3

I normally find Pinot Noirs to be the Sean Spicer of wines. I'm supposed to enjoy them, but can't quite bring myself to. Well, this is the Steve Bannon of wines. Wait, wait. Don't leave. It's bolder than one would expect, stays in the shadows but has a delightful wallop when swirled. If this wine published a bunch of fake news, it'd be him. Confused? I know I am. — 9 years ago

David Kline

9.4

Plum and dusty raspberry, with a dried apple and olive wood accent. Tastes of cranberry, ostrich jerky, dried black cherry, cherrywood and dried violets. Subtle as shadows in a spooky wood. — 9 years ago

with Courtney

Adam Jesberger

9.9

Way way different wine than the bryant flagship wine i tasted tonight. Very different vintages as well. One obstreperous and one forgiving. However, i must say this wine nods toward the old school with its intense pyrazines and red fruit oriented character. A considerable earth tone that is consistent through the nose. A forest scent. This had chambord like deep raspberry aromas with hibiscus and dark strawberries with blackcurrant in the background. Magnificent oak integration. This wine was hard to rate behind their flagship 12 which had gained such praise but the complexity and finish of the 12 in such youth is a tad more compelling. — 10 years ago

with Jenelle

David Kline

9.1

Plummy, chocolate-y, blackberry-bone broth, mint, cast iron in an oven, pumpernickel aromas. Caraway, graphite, black mushroom, burnt beef tips, rose stem, black, burnt cherry. black currant, pepper. Deep well of shadows that fall from big oak trees across climbing black berries. This is a decidedly rich bridge between disparate styles, and the bridge is made of iron. — 10 years ago

with Courtney

David Kline

9.3

Tight!!! Really wound up and still young in all respects! Black shadows of broiled currants, blackberry pie, licorice, pure cocoa, rosemary, tree bark, graphite and charred spice box...
Didn't have time to watch this one develop into its full fruit plate, but amazing entrance, and stunning presence. #stagsleap #napa #napavalley #stagsleapwinecellars #cask23 — 10 years ago

with Madeline, Josh and 2 others

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

The 2016 Long Shadows 'Saggi' is a thrilling blend of Sangiovese (Boushey and Candy Mountain Vineyards) with 29% Cabernet Sauvignon (Weinbau Vineyard) and the remainder Syrah (Den Hoed Dutchman and Bacchus Vineyards). The nose is drop-dead gorgeous with bacon fat, black olive tapenade, mocha and fennel. The stunning range of aromas bring you back to the glass for more. Revealing a silky texture and a wonderfully ripe mouthfeel, this slowly unveils smoked meat, black tea, milk chocolate covered cherry and roasted fig flavors. Decadent, layered and downright delicious, this beautiful wine will enjoy an exceedingly long life in the cellar. Drink 20-9-2033- 95 — 7 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.7

One of my two surprise wines of the night. Wow this is good and from a vintage that always excels but was lost in the shadows of 69. — 7 years ago

with Max

Thomas Brenner

9.7

Despite being the kind of guy that watches NASCAR for the 🔥 auto crashes, this wine was worth it's praise. As you could tell by the label design, this Cab blend was made in concert with Mr. Harlan for people that have been rumored to pay $100,000 to get their name on this unique blend. A benevolent act of kindness to gift me a bottle of a wine that has been said to beat out Scarecrow in '06. It really really was a great wine — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The Anvil Cabernet is 100% Cabernet. 60% from Pepper Bridge and 40% from Minnick Hills. 100% New French Oak. On the nose, ripe, slightly candied, blackberries, dark cherry, plum, touch of spice, black moist earth and dark fresh flowers. The body is M and the tannins are M+. The fruits are deliciously ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, black & raspberries. cigar, leather, crushed rocks, dark chocolate chalky saline minerals, spice, round nice acidity and a beautiful round fruit driven finish. Photos of; the tasting bar, Forgeron fruit sourced Vineyard, Marie Eve with her husband Gilles who is the Wine Director at Long Shadows and the exterior of the tasting room and production. Producer history and notes...Forgeron opened 2001, as the 23rd winery in Walla Walla. Marie-Eve Gilla (Owner/Winemaker) has French roots. She studied viticulture and oenology in Burgundy. The production and tasting room were a stones throw from our hotel. It's located in a turn of the Century blacksmith shop. Blacksmith translates from English to French as Forgeron. I'd never had Marie-Eve's wines until now. I was introduced to the idea by her husband Gilles who is the Wine Director at Long Shadows. However, after enjoying his wines, I was inspired to stop by and check out Marie-Eve's wines. I wasn't disappointed. Most every Walla Walla producer I met considered her wines one of the best kept secrets in Walla Walla. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Feather is 100% Cabernet. This is made in coordination with Randy Dunn. On the nose, dark, lightly spiced currants. Black oil, loamy soils, black licorice and fresh floral bouquet. On the palate, the mouthfeel is thick & rich. There's a good presence of wood shaving. Rich, ripe blackberries, dark cherries, candied black plum, plum, black raspberries, loamy soils, dark rich moist earth, leather, tobacco, spice-box, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, black licorice, violets and fresh red florals. Acidity is round and mouthwatering. The structure is big. The tension perfect as is the balance of fruit and earth. This is definitely a Parker wine. It's so easy to drink young, yet will cellar 10-15 years nicely. Photos of the tasting rooms hand blown glass lighting...lit up. The Feather artwork and the famous Boushey vineyard in Yakima Valley — 8 years ago

Steve Gautier

9.3

Nose starts with intense red berry fruit with a trace of darkness lurking in the shadows. Palate starts dark and dusty. It fills out quickly to a depth of black and blue fruit. 16.1% alcohol is noticeable. — 8 years ago

Steven K

8.9

A little disappointed for the price and high praise. Had nice balance, light, and fresh cherry and some layers of spice but had a sour tannin finish for some reason. Auction bottle maybe. Not in any hurry to splurge on this again, feel I missed out. — 9 years ago

Velma Cooper

9.2

Velma had this 9 years ago

Matt Jordan

9.2

Served at Thanksgiving 2015. Tom called it a "exemplary specimen of a California Cabernet-- lots of personality." "Perfect balance between oak and tannins. Only criticism is that it's a bit too fruit forward. It's trying to do too much. It wants to be a dark and musky Cabernet, and I don't want so much plum and cherry in it." I agree with the praise. I don't find it terribly fruit forward. Strong plum notes, yes, and definitely dark and musky. Really wonderful Cabernet, in my opinion. — 10 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Big and bold imperial nose with burnt toffee and peanut brittle marginalia. Roasted sweet corn just arrived; fashionably late. Heavy malt, deep-space octopi splashes of Cuban coffee, black with half-dissolved sugar crystals. A blood-like mouthfeel, with a briary prickle, and low-burning, spiced candle calling forth the capsaicin smoke shadows. Chocolate smooth the finish. Regla de Ochà in a bottle. — 10 years ago

with Courtney

David Sargsyan

9.8

Breathtaking in its beauty, nestled in the shadows of biblical Mount Ararat, 1400 meters above sea level, and only steps away from the most ancient of sites (a 6100 year old winery), the vineyards of Zorah are set in the quintessential wine producing region of Armenia, in Yeghegnadzor. A fantastic journey which began in Tuscany, Italy, and led ultimately to the ancestral homeland of its creators. Zorah Karasi 2011 — 12 years ago

admiral von schnauzer

9.9

This may go down as red wine of the year for me. Which given the time of year and upcoming events is High Praise indeed. But none the less reality. Epic nose. The unmistakable smell of a slaughterhouse over summer. Meat and blood. A huge hit of licorice, leather, and smoke and cherries. The Finish lasted nearly a minute, and had a Mossy granite tone to it that reminded me of climbing in the gunks in the fog. Amazing. So fortunate to have been asked to share this with great friends. #poolwine — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.3

I found a house in St Helena last week and will be moving there at the end of May. I thought I should get acquainted with the neighbors. What better way than a face off?
.
Neyers Vineyards 2011 Neyers Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon vs Salvestrin Winery 2013 Salvestrin Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
.
Neyers Ranch is situated in the hills of Conn Valley just east of St Helena, with elevations ranging from 400’ to 1200’ on a south-facing, 50-acre parcel bisected by Conn Creek. Since 1998 Neyers has sustainably farmed this vineyard. Winemaker Tadeo Borchardt started in 2004 as assistant to then winemaker Ehren Jordan.
.
This Neyers was highlighted as one of the best of Napa’s 2011s in Jon Bonné’s piece for the SF Chronicle “Lessons from Napa in the trickiest of years” saying it “finds that great Cabernet balance of sleekness and dense flavor” with “pitch-perfect expression” and an “oregano-like herbal side frames its meaty structure and subtle blackcurrant fruit.”
.
Since 1932, three generations of Salvestrins have sustainable farmed their vineyard which was originally planted in 1860 by Dr. George Crane. It’s situated immediately south of St Helena High School and along Main St (Hwy 29), surrounding the family winery. Rich Salvestrin farms the vineyard and makes the wine, and his wife Shannon handles the sales and marketing, while they both raise the 4th generation on their farm.
.
Robert Parker gushed over the 2013, as “lusty, savory, hedonistic, rich and mouth-filling, with a dense purple color and not a hard edge in sight.” His praise did not stop there, saying that this “blockbuster fruit bomb has complexity, richness and a savory intensity that has to be tasted to be believed.”
.
The vintages were so different that it’s difficult to weigh them against each other. Bonné is definitely on point calling the Neyers one of the best examples of 2011 Napa Cabernet. Savory, with rich aromatics of Mexican cocoa powder and mole sauce, reminiscent of Corison’s 2011. To Parker’s credit, the Salvestrin is definitely a blockbuster and a hedonistic fruit bomb, but the savoriness, complexity, and length tone down its showiness, and add a level of decorum that sets it apart. — 7 years ago

Carl Fischer

9.4

I’ve seen @Ron R and others post this so many times with such praise, I had to try it. Such a great wine! Deep burgundy in the glass, this fruit-forward wine hits you with massive black fruit, sweet oak, hints of clove. Pop and pour, crowd pleasing goodness. Why did I wait so long to get this??? This may be the best sub-$50 wine I’ve had. Curious how this compares to prior vintages - anyone who’s tried the ‘15 as well as prior vintages please share! — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This Syrah is made in conjunction with Consultant, John Duval of Penfolds fame. John has also been making his Duval private label wines since he departed Penfolds back in Barossa. Gorgeous nose of sweet dark currants, dark moist soils, licorice, smoke, grilled meats, violets and fresh florals. The palate is rich, round, thick, sexy and elegant. Blackberries, liqueured, dark cherries, cherries, strawberries, lots blue fruits, smoke, grilled meats, cinnamon, vanilla, rich scorched earth, loamy soils, touch of crushed dry rocks, liquid violets, dark fresh flowers and full, mellow acidity. The structure, length, tension and balance are drop dead gorgeous. The finish is thick, full and flat out mouthwatering and jaw dropping gorgeously sexy. Photos of the Long Shadows logo, one of their vineyards and beautiful tasting room. — 8 years ago

Aaron Tan

9.5

Exceptional balance. Rich, but so fresh. Pears, orange, flowers, lemon curd, cream, brioche, nut. Long, powerful palate, underlined by a driving acidity.

Some thoughts: In my eyes, RMs tend to fall into "extreme" categories e.g. Laherte - austere, Egly - rich (lees), Agrapart - rich (oak), Selosse - oxidative; but this wine doesn't fit here. NM-like, but not (I think of Chartogne-Taillet when I say this). Compare to Krug's Grand Cuvee, the Grands Vintages is definitely richer and broader (fair comparison, given how both wines are constructed).

From Chain Bridge Cellars:
As the name suggests, Eric Rodez’s Grand Vintages is a rich, powerful and very much “grand” wine in the tradition of Krug (where Eric learned his craft). This year's release is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from seven great vintages going back to vintage 2000. Eric ages all of these base wines in used oak and blocks malolactic fermentation to maximize freshness and vibrancy. Then the carefully crafted blend spends 8 full years on the lees before being disgorged this October. The dosage is ultra-low - 2 or 3 g/l - so this could be labeled "Extra Brut," but there's so much richness and depth here that "Brut" seems more appropriate to Eric.

Past releases have earned plenty of critical praise, including 17.5/20 points from Jancis Robinson, 93 from Vinous, and 92 from Wine Advocate. This year’s release is explosive on the nose and palate, pumping out big notes of lemon curd, caramel, toasted nuts, baking bread, crushed chalk, and more. The flavors just balloon out to fill your entire palate and finish with layer upon layer of mouthwatering pie crust, lemon curd, hazelnut, crushed stone and salty caramel flavor. Try holding some for even more richness! — 8 years ago

TheSkip

9.0

Lots of critical praise for this wine. I have enjoyed the last several vintages. No surprises here.

Green raspberry and cedar in the nose. Blue fruits on the palate. Medium to firm tannins. Pleasant finish. — 9 years ago

Stephanie Losee

9.2

Italy in Sonoma--tobacco and smoke. How did I not know about this vineyard? — 10 years ago

John Trinidad

Wine Blogger SFWineBlog

9.0

Super summer quaffer -- can't put the glass down. Get in my belly (highest praise possible) — 10 years ago

with Luisa

John Selle

9.2

Wow, is the best praise I can give it. Haven't really been a fan of red zinf's in the past but this one was excellent. Definitely a drinking wine, very light on the palette, fruity and slightly sweet at the finish. This one has me questioning my avoidance of Zinf's. — 12 years ago

Zachary Leinberger

9.9

Deserving of all the praise its gotten, the fruit is focused and bright, in balance with good acidity and low alcohol — 13 years ago