Jay Kline

9.3

Last night, a buddy of mine who’s a Disabled Veteran and Registered Architect, announced that he was assuming control of a SDVOSB Architecture firm. He had spent the better part of a year of trying to reach a purchase agreement. So it was an evening of celebration. He’s been a Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars fan for some time and he planned to pull the cork on a few bottles. We had a couple of rando bottles too but all were California Cabernet Sauvignon. This was the opening salvo and a very good one at that. Perfumed, lush, velvety fruit with lovely structure. Hugely quaffable and already drinking very well with a short decant but I think this is pretty characteristic of the 2014 vintage. — 6 years ago

Shane Walker

9.0

Clear deep purple with clean pronounced aromas of plums, cherries, rose and spice. Dry with well balanced acidity, lovely smooth tannins and a medium bodied, medium finish. Complex flavours of black fruits make this an excellent, complex wine. — 7 years ago

with Michele

ADAM STROMFELD

9.4

Red fruit sour cherries and lively acidity a potpourri of spice. Soft yet big and forward — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

While history of Failla (pron: FAY-la) is short it is not without its complexities. Founded as Failla Jordan in 1998, it took its name from the husband-and-wife team of winemaker Ehren Jordan and fellow debtor Anne-Marie Failla. That year they planted vines but began buying fruit to make wine. Fresh fruit aromas with citrus and honey scents. On the palate melon, pineapple and lemon zest flavors with light toasty notes. Savory, well balanced on lingering finish, great mouthfeel ending with mineral tones — 8 years ago

Bill Bishop

9.3

We drank the 1980 Chateau Montalena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon with the 1980 Carneros Creek Turnbull/Fay Cab & Truchard Cabs. All three showing very well. All three acquired at release. The Montalena is very nice. It needed 15-20+ minutes to show its best. Great cherry, raspberry fruit. Perfectly mature now. Will hold for a couple years but peaking now. Enjoy if you have any of the wine. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Core is blackberries followed by dark cherries, dark raspberries and a faint back palate of strawberries. Fruit are ripe. Dark chocolate, spicebox, cedar, powdery dark minerals, crushed dry rock and dry red roses. Good length balance and acidity. Finishes ripe fruit to medium dry tannins. NV wine. Likely it's mostly from the 12 vintage. — 9 years ago

aisforalan

9.2

soft oak. subtle tannins. a touch of acid. quite delicious. prune. cola. strawberry. forest floor. buy again. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

Monogram is a project initially started by Domaine Serene owner Ken Evenstad and the 2014 version is a simply breath-taking release. The Monogram is a limited production wine that is a barrel selection of what Ken and winemaker Michael Fay consider to be the choicest of lots. The wine is massive and brooding on the palate, showing a wonderful combination of dark and red fruits alongside wonderful earthy nuance —black truffle and peat moss — which all come into play. The wine finishes exceedingly long with dark fruits and minerals lingering on the stunning finish. This is a simply marvelous Pinot Noir which has the potential to evolve for decades. Drink 2019-2040- 96 — 7 years ago

Louis Martin

9.2

Spicier and more acidic than its FAY counterpart, hint of coffee, strong tannin aftertaste. — 7 years ago

David Newland

9.5

Beautiful dark purple color with long legs. Subtle nose of dark fruits and cherry. Medium bodied tannins and hint of SLV minerals on near perfectly balanced palate. Finish is wonderful. Great bottle of wine. Cab and Petit Verdot blend. Not sure why Delectable is calling it Merlot. — 8 years ago

Martha Richards

9.0

Light, red berry; surprisingly lovely the second day considering the lack of added preservatives. — 9 years ago

Michael Meyer

8.9

An amazing look into Napa's yesteryear. Thanks Robin! Completely tertiary in nature, redolent of Xmas spices, and a perfect wind-down from the powerful wines of the evening, — 9 years ago

Cory Fierro

9.0

Highly acidic white that tastes of green apples and lemon Greek yogurt. This is a splendid food wine, especially if your food is oysters. — 9 years ago

Brian Grech

9.2

Yet more evidence of a loving, merciful and benevolent higher power — 6 years ago

with Ashley

Adriana Fabbro

9.0

Unbelievably light and smooth for a young “Nebbiolo”, but of course this is “Chiavennasca” and we are in Lombardia, not the Langhe. Pretty cranberry and blackberry notes with a hint of of something herbal/vegetal. — 7 years ago

Louis Martin

9.8

Very sophisticated wine, has the velvety smoothness of the FAY Cab as well as the spice accents of the SLV Cab. — 7 years ago

Ted

9.5

Opened yesterday and had most of the bottle. Wanted to see what another day would reveal. Cedar is still showing but not unpleasant. Still has some real nice color but has thinned a bit. Nice tannins and this one could go one for some time. Earthy with some hints of black tea. Thanks @Todd Abrams you are a good friend!! — 8 years ago

Randy Tam

9.4

This is one of my favorite Stag's Leap Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. It's better than the Artemis and slightly less full-bodied than the Cask 23. It's medium to full bodied, with a complex bouquet of blueberries, currant, cedar wood, and a sense of expansive after-taste. It's balanced and well positioned, totally harmony. I love it. I hope you can still find this vintage in the market. — 8 years ago

Charles Hudson

9.2

First glass out of the new Coravin. — 9 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.3

From a supposed "off vintage" Paul and his team nail it as this wine delivers in all aspects: color, nose, flavor, texture and finish. Personally I love Paul's wines and cut my teeth on his wines. Even if you dismiss all new world wine you can't ignore the perfect balance and concentration that Paul achieves. Truly unique wines that many try to be like in Napa but fail to achieve this kind of heady balance. It is indeed a style and is well done but not well copied, as much as many may try.
95% CS, 3% PV, 1% each CF/Merlot
Only 65% new oak for 20 months
Single vineyard sources: Properties: Nathan Coombs Estate, State Lane, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Beckstoffer Las Piedras, Stagecoach — 9 years ago