Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on July 26, 2025 at l’Ete du Vin with Ned and Beth]

Lemon, apple, mango and mandarin orange, with ginger and almonds. — 5 months ago

Raul Puga

9.6

Wow. Amazing wine. — 6 months ago

K ITO

9.1

mocha choko berry rich
nice sweet bitter sour balance
— 8 months ago

Carter White

9.4

Juicy dark beery fruit, healthy spice, balanced. — 10 months ago

Michelle M

9.4

Blackberry bramble, baked black cherry and plum, hints of maraschino, mint and menthol, bell pepper and geranium, cedar, tobacco, and bakers vanilla with whiffs of aged leather jacket on the nose. Blackberry, cherry, juicy raspberry, vanilla extract and weak black tea on the palate with a medium heavy body but a medium short finish. Overall a great wine for pumpkin pie brunch on Christmas morning (no it’s not too early). Merry Christmas! — 4 years ago

Amanda Thomas

9.2

An old standard in our household. Velvety smooth, rich juicy berries. Glad we can purchase Freakshow even at Costco in TX and have a solid, boozy Cab at the ready. — 4 years ago

with Tim

Jose Rico

9.2

Dark fruits, intense colour, great legs. A real bargain. — 8 years ago

Amber Asaro

9.1

Strong and rich flavors. Deep but not too acidic. — 8 years ago

Meeter B

8.9

Definitely needs to open up. Was sweet on the first sip. Significant fruit tones at the outset and got dry as it opened. I would give it a good half hour and drink and enjoy. Solid choice. — 9 years ago

Mary

9.0

Go too reliable Zin for everyday enjoyment. — 10 years ago

Natsuko Nishimura

9.6

カベルネソーヴィニヨン嫌いなアタシでもスッと飲める！かなり好みかも。 — 12 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1996 vintage. Last tasted 5.8.25 (9.5), 9.29.24 (9.5) and 8.2.24 (9.6). Decanted with some sed and tasted after an hour. Solid cork and fill. This was the worst showing of the last visits with less tannic structure and slightly more richness. Tasted a bit more like their "Au Paradis" offering. Not totally dissuaded from picking up another few bottles for enjoyment in the few 5 years or so tho. Three out of four bottles surveyed were fabulous and this wasn't a total swing and a miss. 07.18.25. — 5 months ago

Scott E. Becker

9.2

[Tasted on May 25, 2025 at The Optimist in Nashville with Jay]

Wine is from Pisoni Vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands. Cherry, blackberry and red plum fruit, with baking spices, caramel and violets. — 7 months ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.3

Very peculiar spectrum of aromas. Freshly cutted pineapple and pear. White peach and grapefruit. Very nice and long finish.
A bit flex on the mid palate but lingering pleasant finish — 8 months ago

Brian Nickerson

9.2

Mike Smith should be knighted. — 4 years ago

Joe Flo

9.3

Beautiful Sauvignon Blanc drinking great so drink up — 4 years ago

Melanie Callen

9.2

2014 fantastic — 7 years ago

Andy Hall

9.3

We always drink a PM on release day to celebrate. Typical strong effort with this Pinot, certainly a relief from the summer. — 8 years ago

Jeff Hollinden

9.5

Beautiful. Incredibly well balanced. — 9 years ago

Eric Waxman

9.1

Still in good shape which is no easy task for a 2004 California Chard — 10 years ago

Peter Tuck

8.9

Great full bodied taste. — 11 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of ripe red fruit, rose petals, dried red flowers and eucalyptus. Red and black cherry/raspberry and boysenberry fruit on the palate along with additional notes of chocolate, toffee, savory spices and mint. Well integrated oak on the long and slightly chewy finish. Rustic, well balanced and beautifully aged. Thanks for sharing this one, Ron B! — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

After reading the story of this producer, I inspired to try it. Especially, at $59.99 for a quality Napa Cabernet. These two brother’s are true pioneers of the Napa Valley. They do their own thing. Don’t follow trends and are not aggressive with their bottle price, nor do they really wish to. More rare than common in today’s Napa Cabernet market. I have a lot of respect for that and Napa Pioneers.

This also drinks pretty well for a young Napa Cabernet. I was expecting bigger/bolder based on write up. Not that this won’t benefit from cellaring.

The fruits are nicely ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, cherries & blueberry hues. I was expecting more teeth. Think it is showing the finesse & balance of most 21’s I’ve had. Dark spice, grilled meats, light black pepper, barrel dust, dry tobacco, leather, savory herbaceousnes, moist clays, dry crushed rocks, cola, flower bouquet of red, blue & purple fresh flowers, rainfall acidity with a well balanced, softly structured, elegant finish that lasts just over a minute and lands crushed rocks and touch of spice.

It will be interesting to see if this shows more in 5 years.

Photos of; Smith Madrone vineyards and brothers Stuart and Charles Smith — 6 months ago

Rob Brobst III

9.7

WOTN for me anyway!🤷🏽‍♂️🍷🥰🤪👍🏽🎉🎉🎊🎊 — 4 years ago

Norma Normington

9.5

Beautiful Zin all around. I find it a bit earthy but absolutely stunning. Wow, when I think “Zin” this is the taste, and I got it on sale for only $35! It’s pairing perfectly with my spicy Chinese food dinner. I’m imagining about 10 other dishes this will pair wonderfully with as well. — 4 years ago

North South Wines

10

Full bodied and spicy. Great with grilled ribs — 8 years ago

Robert A. Manchester IV

9.1

Stands out with its finish. Fruit forward nose that tails into lingering notes. — 8 years ago

Mick Eddy

9.6

Amazing vintage of Peter Michael. Delicious. — 9 years ago

with Amber

Kate Tanis

9.5

Unbelievable! So good. Smooth finish. — 9 years ago

Emily Richey

9.0

Loved this. Not too rich, and yet still distinctly "chard." — 10 years ago