Smooth dark fruit flavors — 5 months ago
Charles Hendricks last vintage at Regusci and what a vintage 2013 was in Napa. If you’re are going to go out on a high note, 13 would be it. The most underrated Winemaker in Napa Valley.
Dark, ruby, lush, currents, raspberries, plum skin, strawberries, dark chocolate, lots of salted caramel notes, mid spice, tarriness, black licorice, soft dark earth with dry top soil, dry tobacco, used leather, vanillin, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, withering dark floral, lavender framed in violets, excellent acidity and great structure, tension, balance and perfectly polished for days. — 6 months ago
2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap Wine Cellars; FAY
(94.83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.74% Merlot, 1.43% Petit Verdot)
Napa Valley; California, USA
(92-94; Drink 2016-31)
3H decant, much more time required, this will be a great day two wine.
Winery note, for good context/history:
FAY was originally planted to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1961, the introduction of the varietal to the area now designated as the Stags Leap District. When we acquired the property from Nathan Fay in 1986 many of the vines were therefore over a quarter-century old. The replanting of most of this historic vineyard was completed in the mid-1990s, and those vines are now in their prime, producing an abundance of excellent fruit with the rich flavor and elegant texture that have always characterized FAY Cabernet. But the old vines of Block 8-planted by Fay in 1973 and a source of expressive fruit that is a key component of CASK 23-were not removed until after the 2002 harvest. The 2001 vintage is therefore one of the last to include fruit from the "original" Block 8. — 7 months ago
Great 05 fruit with classic Bordeaux profile.
Starts with the bright, ripe fruits that 05 gave. Blackberries, black raspberries, very, dark cherries, black plum, raspberries, plum, perfect graphite for days, cedar, fresh & slightly dry tobacco, forest floor with dry leaves, perfect, dark spices, dry crushed limestone, dry river stone, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, salted caramel, dry, dark chocolate bar, steep tea with fruit, anise to black licorice, haunting herbaceous notes, saline notes, dry to moist clay, bright, mid to dark florals framed in violets, excellent acidity with amazing tension, beautifully balanced & structured, polished, wire to wire finish that lasts close to two-minutes. So round on the palate. Great with the El Salciciero ribeyes.
Corn picked today from my organic garden. Ten to fifteen plus year left. — 10 months ago
Magnificent, striking currant flavors in the nose and the mouth. This is a JUICE. BOMB. So much body, it extends into an interminable (mesmorizing!) finish. I love the expressively balanced tannins - so much nuanced structure! Also in play is violet, leather, and a hint of spice box. It all plays so well together though, Odette presents an exquisite symphony of refinement. — 4 years ago
Happy Thanksgiving, I hope everyone is having a relaxing evening with family and friends. Tonight we served the 2013 Pine Ridge Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon.
The nose reveals ripe black cherry, black raspberry, dark plum, black currant, licorice, chocolate and dark rich soil.
On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, black plum, black currant, licorice, graphite and wet soil.
This wine is full bodied with a rich, silky smooth mouth feel with medium + acidity and medium + well developed tannins that lead to a long dark fruit earthy finish. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and that a very nice wine is being opened with family and friends. Have a great rest of your long weekend and be safe. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 years ago
At peak. Looking exactly as it should. Classic big Oz Cab Shiraz. Delicious ripe dark berries and Christmas cake spices. A touch of leathery development and dusty oak add to the complexity and satisfaction. An Oz, old school classic in a pretty good spot. — 6 years ago
Dark purple in the decanter. Smooth and spicy, rich and complex. — 8 years ago
Dark red, nose of cassis, BlackBerry & raspberry jam, hint of eucalyptus; black fruits, plums and cassis on palate, hint of licorice/iodine in the finish, les fruity now than in youth, drink up. — 9 years ago
Meaty deep red fruit. Dark cherry, some soft herbal notes, bloody iron stuff. Still quite primal. Alcohol is noticeable but still quite balanced- particularly with time in decanter. A powerful and intense behemoth. I think this’ll take a long time and may never be pretty but great substance. — 5 months ago
Wow! This was amazing straight out of the bottle...such a powerful striking nose drifting up from the cork. There was everything there that you would expect to smell on a walk in tuscany. Herbs and dried earth...unmistakable Supertuscan. Dark in the glass and almost cloudy...i could drink this anytime and anywhere. — 6 months ago
Happy birthday honey. 🎂🥳🎉❤️
The Chateau that got my wife Sofia to finally love Bordeaux (1995). Expected more from the this property in 2000. But 2000 is still either the stubborn I think it is or just not as good as critically advertised. 20 years in bottle and think it needs at least 10 more years. Also, a touch of v/a-bandaid. It has nice balance with soft fruit & earth. It just lacks the wow factor for the property & vintage. Maybe, it is in a dumb faze. But, I’ve been waiting 20 years for 2000 to come out of its shell. I love this property but it is not up to its reputation…even for lesser vintages. It might be outstanding in another 20. This bottle is a little flawed and perhaps maybe (?) a better 2nd day wine. Tonight it is leaner than I would expect. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Sweet lead pencil, charcoal, volcanic ash, spice, nutmeg, some cinnamon, vanillin, dry tobacco, sandalwood, limestone, dry crushed rocks , dry pebbles, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, dry herbs, hints of Worcestershire sauce, moist clay, withering mid floral bouquet with excellent acidity and a wire to wire finish that is balanced, nicely tensioned and elegance that lasts minutes. One of the few slightly flawed bottles in 25 plus yrs of collecting. I can count them on just over one-hand.
Picture of Sofia picking the 2012 Mouton Rothschild Merlot. — 7 months ago
Excellent structure, rich fruit, very lively for its age. Nicely integrated. Aromas of pencil lead, dark fruit and coffee grounds. Drank w AK when GrandEl was in town. — 10 months ago
It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Deep purple in color with a short purple rim.
Pretty nose of blueberries, cooked black cherries, blackberries, figs, cedar, vanilla, spices, chocolates, earth, herbs, coffee, tobacco, licorice and black pepper.
Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, currants, black cherries, raisins, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, cola, spices, dark chocolates, coffee, earth, bitter herbs and peppercorn.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Feels like a Napa Cabernet with a Bordeaux touch. Fruity and rich, yet elegant.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter, but it definitely needs longer than that.
What a great mouthfeel. I just love these Napa Bordeaux blends.
Still young and would be better in 5 to 10 years. Could be a 97+ point wine in 10 years. Will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years.
Thank you John for sharing this with me.
A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$500. — a year ago
A big bold plumy purple bomb As dense and luscious as a wine can get in a glass. Decanted for 2 hrs and its still a baby with blackberry, dark chocolate licorice and pepper on the nose and on the palate. A long long finish and loads of tannins to sum it all up — 5 years ago
he wine itself is intensely aromatic leading with touches of violets, lavender and blue gum before notes of black currant, cassis, ripe plums, liquorice, dark chocolate and some toasty oak. Immediately assertive in the palate with power being the defining message, the wine is extremely focused with inherent freshness nestled within its big frame. It’s extremely youthful and those with patience will surely be rewarded, but jeeze it’s hard to stop drinking it now 🔥 — 6 years ago
Velvet in texture, acidic, dark fruit with a peppery finish. — 8 years ago
Ok, 2014s turning 10 so gonna be exploring these. RP says 2014s are ready so bring it on!
Fantastic nose. It doesn’t jump out of the glass like TRB’s 4 winds from last weekend (I could smell that forever) but this one is a statement of elegance. Violets, black fruit, graphite, and mocha.
Great mouthfeel at the beginning. Fruit is wonderful, chocolate, but I will say that I’m here too early. Tannin sticking out - a little greenness to the tannin as well. Ends with drying pucker. I was hoping I’d be past that on 10th birthday. Just speaks to a better rating in the future. Would think 3-5 years until another one? — 5 months ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Full bodied with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cooked cherries, spices, oak, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, light earth, light vegetables, herbs, tobacco leaf and black pepper.
Medium finish with grippy tannins and raspberries.
This 15 year old, Fifth Growth Bordeaux, is still young and tight. Needs 5 to 10 years in the bottle to mature properly.
I gave it 90 minutes in the decanter, but it probably was not enough.
Robert Parker 96 points. Wine Spectator 92 points.
Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Grippy and rich.
Definitely needs food at this point, like a big piece of steak.
A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.
13% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$125. — 5 months ago
Solid, flavorful California Cab, delivering what It expected. Unfortunately it was up against well-aged Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Margaux. Sorry Stag’s Leap Cask 23, I love ya, but you’re just not in the same league. Enjoyed the 2012 vintage at the Temple of Beef, Totoraku in Beverly Hills. — 6 months ago
Every time I have this wine I fall in back in love with it! Amazingly balanced. Dark rich plum color and flavor. — 9 months ago
Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits and espresso notes, a blend of 92% Cab Sauv, 6% Cab Franc, 1% of each Merlot and Petit Verdot, aged for 15 month in French oak (66% new). On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with currants, herb, tobacco, fig and smoky oak spice notes. Firm tight tannins, long finish ending with fruit, cacao and toasty spice, needs time to develop, cellar a while, try in 2025! — 10 months ago
#AgedWineTuesday
Here is a fabulous 99 point wine by Robert Parker.
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Great nose of blueberries, blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, earth, vanilla, Mediterranean spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.
Full bodied, smooth and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black cherries, figs, cedar, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, herbs, light earth, cola and peppercorn.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley.
Showing nice balance and a great mouthfeel. Round and rich. Elegant and smooth.
This 22 year old still has a lot of power in it, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours of airtime.
So soft and powerful, with a great nose. This is a gorgeous wine right now.
A blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months.
13.9% alcohol by volume.
96 points.
$250. — a year ago
Last night in MT at the lake. Gave this several hours of air. Nice dark tawny color. Vibrant in the glass. The nose is great right away and stayed on point through the evening. Notes of black cherries, warm raspberries, old cedar, some plums and a little leather saddle. Rich and silky in the mouth. Velvet glove. Long finish. Great wine. — 5 years ago
10 year waiting list — 5 years ago
Started in 1972 with a simple philosophy - to focus production on only one varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot & 0.5% Malbec. Dark opaque Ruby with aromas of red fruits, oak, sweet herbs and spice. On the palate raspberry and blackberry flavors with notes of cacao and espresso. Fine dusty tannins, satisfying acidity on lingering smooth finish ending with sweet oak tones. Nice! — 6 years ago
Great Syrah . Dark rich flavor of blackberry , smooth , and low acidity — 8 years ago
Andrew Cullimore
Very deep ruby , ruby rim, shockingly young . Very closed still , mineral , creme de cassis , dark and meaty , grafite , chestnut . On the palate very tight and young , cassis with dark blackcurrant , cedar , tobacco and granite . Concentrated but balanced at the same time , gritty tannins , balanced acidity. Long and complex on the finish , with mineral , grafite notes . A great wine surely , this is so young and with huge potential. I suppose more impressive than enjoyable at this stage. This needs time in bottle, maybe come back in 5 years and will last a further 20-30 . — 4 months ago