Neil Valenzuela

9.4

A nice comparison of French St. Julien and French winemaker, in the US with a Napa Cab.
The 1972 vintage was one of the legendary five Cabs selected for the 1976 Paris Tasting.

This 1975, had a deep garnet color with a brick rim. Loads of blackberry on the nose, casis and earthy notes. Fruit forward, black fruit and plum dominate, nice tannins. This wine definitely evolved through the evening.

Previous Notes Apply to the 75 St Julien:
Deep ruby color. Aromas of red fruit, leather and earthy notes. Amazing flavors, blackberry, black currant, tobacco and baking spices.

🏅92 Points - Decanter — 4 days ago

with Quentin

Lyn Farmer

9.4

Deep Ruby, pronounced aromas and flavors of blackberry, plum, cassis, black cherry, cedar, vanilla, tobacco leaf and forest floor. Already showing some tertiary notes. Lovely balance of fruit and savory elements, ripe fine-grained tannin and a very long finish. Wonderful wine, easy to appreciate now but with 5 or 10 more years ahead. — 8 months ago

Jason Sliwa

9.2

Deep straw color. Elegant full body. A bit fizzy perhaps. Very enjoyable. — 3 years ago

with Vicki

Jeremiah Diaz

9.2

Clear, deep ruby in color (almost purple); on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of black cherries, cassis, and graphite; on the palate, it's dry with medium acidity, medium tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, and pronounced primary and secondary flavors of black plum, violets, blueberries, and wet slate with a long finish. This wine is intense and complex, but could use a bit more acidityto balance the fruit. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. Nellie liked it with food. — 10 days ago

with Nellie

Charles Garrison

9.4

At 10-years, a beautiful experience…deep, dark pour with no signs of bricking…dark fruit (more purple and black) aromatics that just keep on developing…palate mirrors aromatics with strong fruit profile…pleasing texture/mouth feel…medium finish…hard to say how much longer one should hold…tonight, it was in the right place for our dinner — 5 months ago

with Christie

Bruce Dunbar

9.1

Really fantastic with many years to become more refined. The 2022 Areio from Bedrock’s Evangelho vineyard is deep and dark and full of violet on the nose and light pinkish purple in the glass. It’s incredibly smooth then there’s a bite of red berry and a finish of leather and baking spice as you work through its structure. — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Founded 1972, Tom & Sally Jordan, from CO, went to CA’s wine country & produced inaugural vintage in 1976. A Fav of mine with a steak, and the ‘17 hits the mark! Blend of mostly Cab Sauv with Merlot, Petit Verdot & Malbec. Deep Ruby with aromas of red fruit, floral & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and fig with oak, sweet spice, leather & cacao notes. Rich tannins, well balanced and integrated with fruit & oak. Very Nice! — 3 years ago

Joan Mutschelknaus

9.1

Deep & hearty/jammy red blend of cab franc, cab sauv, & ? — 15 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

Clos du Val – Cabernet Sauvignon “Hirondelle Vineyard” 2021
Stags Leap District AVA, Napa Valley, California, USA🇺🇸

Overview
A beautifully structured blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec, sourced primarily from the estate’s historic Hirondelle Vineyard in Stags Leap District. Known for its elegance and precision, the 2021 vintage reflects the unique terroir of this famed sub-AVA, balancing power with finesse.

Aromas & Flavors
Deep and inviting bouquet of ripe blackberry, cassis, and plum, lifted by violet and lavender florals. Subtle touches of vanilla, spice, and pine add layers of complexity. On the palate, dark fruit richness is framed by notes of cranberry, espresso, and toasted oak.

Mouthfeel
Silky and full-bodied with velvety tannins, a generous mid-palate, and a long, smooth finish. The freshness of the 2021 vintage shines through, balancing its concentration and depth.

Winemaking Notes
The wine undergoes careful sorting and vinification to showcase the purity of Stags Leap fruit. Barrel aged in French oak, lending elegance and integrated spice while preserving freshness and varietal character.

Food Pairing
Outstanding alongside grilled ribeye, lamb chops, short ribs, or venison. Also pairs elegantly with truffle risotto, wild mushrooms, or aged cheeses like Comté and Pecorino Toscano.

Verdict
A powerful yet graceful Napa Valley Cabernet, showing off the pedigree of Hirondelle Vineyard. Already drinking beautifully, yet has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next decade. — 3 months ago

Stuart Pollack

9.1

Leave this out one hour before consuming or it will not be balanced. After breathing, a deep, brooding, dark-fruit wine with plum, licorice, and tar. Good value under $40. — a year ago