Ming L

9.3

The 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel from Tablas Creek was a tough act to follow, but this elegant Rhône blend from Sonoma just did that.

The nose was quite similar with aroma of blue fruits and earthy elements with hint of violet, it was the palate that set it apart: soft, complex and deep, with great texture and beautiful acidity that adds the tension. Elegant and seamless.

Kale Anderson was the long time wine maker at Pahlmeyer, and Kale wines are all vineyard-specific. Worth seeking out. — 5 years ago

Loren Loftesnes

9.2

This is a fantastic wine that is definitely underrated — 5 years ago

with Rosita

Brandon T

9.4

My Quivet syrahs don’t usually make it long enough to have this kind of bottle age, but I may need to hold a few back going forward. Tremendous effort here and an easy 3-5 years ahead of it. — 5 years ago

with Sam and JRM

Basia Tunkis

9.5

Different Chardonnay, lime and citrus notes — 7 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Wild dark berries, blueberries, huckleberries, well done toast, dark florals and coffee grounds & bacon fat on the nose. The wine has experienced beautiful bottle evolution. The tannins are nicely softened but will continue to soften further over the next 7 or so years. It's mouthfeel is round, full and elegant. The fruits are ripe & juice but dry on the longer finish. It's a nice blend of wild dark berries and an array of blue fruits. Blackberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, blueberries with an undertone of over pancakes, olallieberries, huckleberries, strawberries preserves, a bramble quality, anise, slight tarry notes, cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, nutmeg, dark volcanic minerals with a touch of iron, dark moist soils, dry crushed rocks, violets, lavender, violets, used coffee grounds, slightly sweetened black tea, wood shavings, graphite, acidity is spot on and the balance of fruit and earth, length and structure are beginning their harmony. The finish is long, lush, round, elegant and lasts well over a minute. Looking forward to the Nickel & Nickel Entrecote in May to see how their 16 single vineyard Cabernets are developing. — 7 years ago

Jean-Francois Pelletier

9.1

Disclaimer: I am drinking these too young...

Intense Ruby color with a purple rim. Explosion of red and blue fruit on the nose. Medium body, very smooth and fruity. Slight tannins on the medium+ to long finish. As it opened in the glass, sweet spice flavors and aromas started to emerge. Very good wine and fun to drink. As usual, great work from Morgan and Chris! — 8 years ago

with Frankie

Brian Ager

9.5

Usually Merlot is not among my favorites, but clearly I have been drinking the wrong wines. This wine is wonderfully smooth and balanced with medium-high tannins. Aromas of tobacco, raspberry and pomegranate fill the glass. It has a full bodied pallate of dark cherries and nutmeg, with hints of cocoa and a bit of spice that continue into a long enjoyable finish. Drank at VIC's in NE Minneapolis for mystery wine night, and paired with a Kobe beef burger! ($36) — 8 years ago

John D

9.4

Lovely. Blackberry, plum, tannins in balance. A deep rich wine. Maybe it's the petite sirah (4%) that smooths the Zin but there's almost a Bordeaux earthiness in the nose that isn't in many Zins and none of the black pepper notes. Deep color, nice tannin, long finish of plums and a hint of raspberry. Must find more 2009s as they are ready. — 9 years ago

Bill Ward

9.8

Plush and rich and long — 10 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.4

Glistening magenta. Displays expansive, spice- and mineral-accented red/dark berry preserve scents that take on incense and lavender flourishes with air. Juicy, seamless and energetic on the palate, offering densely packed black raspberry, cherry liqueur and exotic spice flavors that show sharp delineation and back-end thrust. Finishes impressively long and smooth, with resonating red fruit, floral notes and velvety, harmonious tannins that make a cameo appearance. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, June 2019) — 5 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.3

Outstanding, varietally correct Napa Valley Merlot. Wonderful value here. Under $30 on the shelf. — 5 years ago

with P

JJ Lumia

9.0

Lemon, lime, melon, and toasty oak flavors. Fuller bodied. The finish is LONG. Got for $23, which was a steal, but I wouldn’t buy if more than that. There are better quality wines that cost less. A WS Top 100. — 6 years ago

Jessica Pezzotti

9.6

Light and airy. Such a great bottle to start a summer night. — 7 years ago

with Anthony, Audrey and 1 other

Jeremy Rose

10

This Pinot is fantastic! — 7 years ago

Rochelle

9.5

Really nice and enjoyable ! Rich plum and chocolate on the nose, also full of fruit and it's also present in the body of the wine! great integrated tannins long finish good juice! — 7 years ago

Rebecca Fletcher

9.0

Cranberry, cranberry, black and red fruit forward. Baking spice, hints of chocolate and jammy. M- acid, m body and tannin. Raspberry and strawberry jam. Spice. Balanced. Long finish. — 8 years ago

Trae Apodaca

9.0

Love me my Petite Sirah! — 8 years ago

with Keith

Kyle Mueller

9.5

Restaurant had half off wine and let me get this one. Long finish that goes on for days..... Great opportunity to try a great wine! — 9 years ago

Mark Morgan

9.5

Giants sucked tonight, but the wine was great. Still has a long way to go after 6 yrs, wish I had more. — 10 years ago

Jeff Manuel

9.1

Just as I remembered...lots of black cherry. — 11 years ago

Rufus King

8.9

Smooth Napa Cabernet Sauvignon from Silicon Valley Bank client, served at OpenView- SVB event — 5 years ago

Loren Loftesnes

9.2

Need another case...... — 5 years ago

with Rosita

Matt Sterr

9.1

Supple, flavorful AV PN. Pricepoint provides some value as well. — 5 years ago

Al Shikoh

8.9

Dark ruby violet. Blackberry, graphite, and a slight herbal note on the nose. Dense and concentrated red and black fruits on the palate with prominent, chunky tannins and long, gravelly finish. Blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot fermented with native yeasts then aged 19 months in 50% new French oak. Made by Diana Snowden wife of Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac in Burgundy. Would undoubtedly benefit from more time in the bottle. 14.5% ABV. $50. — 6 years ago

with Kelly

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Nose of; slightly candied, juicy and ripe; black cherries, strawberries, blackberries, black raspberries with dark florals and violets. Palate has; dark currants, spiced black plum,strawberries, pomegranate, dark cherries, anise, M+ tannin that are soft, dark fresh flowers, violets, lavender, crushed rocks, dark dry soils, chewy leather, red vines licorice & cherry cola. The finish is; rich, ripe, round, long with good acidity. Barrel tasted the 2016 vintage at the Nickel & Nickel Entrecôte. Photos of the "State Ranch Vineyard" in Yountville, Bale clay soil and the decor and lighting of their cellar for the event. — 7 years ago

Bruce Leboff

9.0

Nice nose - not too buttery. Good structure and mouthfeel. Long finish and well balanced. — 7 years ago

Kristen Weinstein

9.3

Solid Napa Cabernet that's very drinkable already. Raspberries and chocolate, so yummy! — 8 years ago

with Josh

A. R.

9.5

Wow. What an explosive wine. Young but very approachable, with lots of room to grow. On the nose, dark fruits, violets, a slight herbal tinge. In the mouth a huge rush of dark fruits, rose petals, violets, tobacco, fine tannins and bright acidity. Long, long finish. IMO- an equal to some Ridge Montebellos... — 8 years ago

John Skupny - Lang & Reed Wine Company

8.9

A surprise, an array of both bright and mature flavors- what a great match for old fashion Spaghetti & Meatballs! — 9 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.3

My only bottle. Held off as long as I could and the reward was very high. Excellent! — 10 years ago