Mike Ditka Wines

Myriad Cellars

Elysian Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Nick H
9.9

Does it get better from @Mike Smith? Decanted 12 hours ahead of dinner and this baby was still wound for sound. I missed the boat on the 2012, and (sadly) only ordered one 2013 on release. Big, earthy nose gave way to beautiful dark fruit, espresso, and spice. A pinnacle expression of the site, and I certainly look forward to babying the bottles I have from subsequent vintages. — 6 years ago

Shay, David and 7 others liked this
Mike Smith

Mike Smith Influencer Badge

Glad you liked it so much

Myriad Cellars

Three Twins Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Post Antonio Galloni tasting at Brasswood of all Mike Smith’s work. — 7 years ago

Shay, Mark and 3 others liked this
Keith Crump

Keith Crump

Interesting matching with A thief’s journal, Joshua. Not sure what Jean drank. You have some great matches with your wines.

Myriad Cellars

Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

George III is my least favorite vineyard from the Grand Cru Beckstoffer site however, @Mike Smith has done a magnificent job with this offering and changes all that. 2 hour decant and the tannins are supporting the wine and nearly not in play. I can’t get over the balance of this wine...fruit, acid and tannins are in perfect harmony. Nice offering! — 7 years ago

Shawn, Ryan and 37 others liked this
Eric L.

Eric L. Premium Badge

I agree that Mike does a terrific job with that vineyard. The GIII really holds its own in the Myriad lineup.
Mike Smith

Mike Smith Influencer Badge

The mix of five blocks from this vineyard really completes the overall wine

Quivet Cellars

Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Rewarded by patience. This was amazing, well balanced, dark, and silky. @Mike Smith you are the grape whisperer! — 7 years ago

Rob and Mike liked this
Mike Smith

Mike Smith Influencer Badge

Had the 2007 the other night and it was in a great spot

Mike Shannon's

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

another wonder from the happiest place on earth, Costco.... — 8 years ago

Tom Himberger
with Tom

Myriad Cellars

Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Mike Smith has done it yet again with this 2014 big bold Napa Cab. Myriad - Dr. Crane, continues to be one of my favorite Napa Cabs since 2010. Paired to perfection with steaks from Capital Grille, I wish we could spend every Saturday night with this bottle. Unfortunately the 2015 is already sold out. — 8 years ago

Mike liked this

Husic Vineyards

Dos Palmas Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Garnet red with the faintest brown rim. Cocoa, cassis and cedar on the nose. The wine explodes with black cherries and raspberries on the palate. Silky tannins and a long finish. This flagship Cabernet from Husic is outstanding and made by Mike Hirby (Winter, Relic, Sarocka and who also made Realm up until 2011). — 8 years ago

Shawn, Eric and 18 others liked this
Eric

Eric Premium Badge

One of my favorite Cabs!
Henrik Poulsen

Henrik Poulsen Influencer Badge

Nice!!
The silky tannins certainly makes sense as I believe this (and the vintages up until 2010) was made by Celia Welch.
Carl Fischer

Carl Fischer Influencer Badge

I did not know that @Henrik Poulsen !

Quivet Cellars

Pellet Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Dug deep in the cellar to find this one. Letting it age for 5 years, really improved the quality of this Mike Smith product. It was in 2013 (the 2011 vintages) that we discovered his Myriad and Quivet labels and have never been disappointed with his output. While 2011 wasn’t a great year overall for the industry, this was still high class, but no comparison to his 2013-2015 vintages. — 6 years ago

Kongsgaard

The Judge Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015

@Mike R just being a plain old STUD. No better way to step off the plane than to be poured a glass and lots of SMILES. Honeyed apricot, Cara Cara orange, hyacinth. A big boy that needs time. — 7 years ago

Diana LMike R
with Diana and Mike
Mike, Bill and 41 others liked this
Eric L.

Eric L. Premium Badge

Hyacinth?! Damn, Joe that’s some pretty impressive botanical nuance. I need to get out there and smell some more exotic flowers.

Myriad Cellars

Petaluma Gap Sangiacomo Vineyard Syrah 2014

@Mike Smith you fucking genius — 7 years ago

Shay, Brian and 6 others liked this
Mike Smith

Mike Smith Influencer Badge

Glad to hear you liked it

Becklyn Cellars

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

@Mike Smith + 2015 = 🔥🔥🔥 — 7 years ago

Shawn, Eric and 6 others liked this
Y Kwon

Y Kwon

Oh yeah
Paul T HB

Paul T HB

Mike smith wines are killer, I favor the Carters for the most part, especially the GTO

Carlisle Winery & Vineyards

Papera Ranch Zinfandel 2007

This wine is amazing. The fragrance from the moment the bottle lost its cork was like walking through a small room filled with flowers and berries: nearly overwhelming. Because of its age, I thought this might not last, but it did to the second night, when I finished the bottle. Ultra-smooth tannins, nice acidity, berries, sharp pepper, and earth flavors easily help up to and complimented the spicy meat dish I prepped. Mike suggests this wine through 2018 (on his website, from 2009), and I’d agree there’s no reason to wait any longer on this wine. — 7 years ago

Conn Creek

Anthology Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Conn Creek is a boutique winery on the Silverado Trail in the Rutherford district headed by winemaker Mike McGrath. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep red with aromas of currants and floral notes. On the palate juicy blackberry and raspberry flavors with espresso and tobacco tones with big well integrated tannins. Lingering finish ending with cedar and mineral ending. Will benefit from aging. — 8 years ago

Daniel P. liked this

Becklyn Cellars

Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

@Ron R @Mike R @David L @Howard Greenfield @Kirk Alexander @Joe Lucca @Carl Fischer @Paul T @Bill Bender @Ted Mandes @Jim Trobaugh @Monica O @Terri Walker @Steve Colanero My amazing friend Steve Colanero is a retired chef. We enjoyed an amazing dinner in his home this evening and opened these 2 beauties. Becklyn Reserve and a private propriety blend called "M" by Ted Mandes.
I opened and reviewed the Becklyn Reserve last night as well. You all know how I felt about it. Extremely solid and I rated accordingly. My opinion hasn't changed. It's an awesome wine. Thanks again David for introducing me to this Beauty!!
— 8 years ago

Ted MandesSteve ColaneroChristine
with Ted, Steve and 1 other
Martin, Steve and 32 others liked this
Martin G Rivard

Martin G Rivard Influencer Badge

@David Goldfinger Totally forgot to tag you on this one!
Steve Colanero

Steve Colanero

My Friend brought this wine to my home. It was very good but I can't rate it as high as Martin. Sorry buddy

Ancillary Cellars

Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Mike Smith makes a lovely Chardonnay. Nice balance of lemon curd, cream, and a hint of vanilla. — 6 years ago

Jason, Joshua and 17 others liked this

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

First Lyft to JCI, then yummy Gorgonzola gnocchi with chicken (me) and bronzino (Mike). — 6 years ago

Mike Sawa
with Mike
Momo and Matt liked this
Momo Sa

Momo Sa

Thanks for the feedback, Matt!

Grgich Hills Estate

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Saw an ‘06 on a wine list and grabbed this 12 year-old beauty. Mike Grgich 1st gained international recognition at the celebrated "Paris Tasting" of '76 where a panel of eminent French judges were shocked they chose Mike’s '73 Montelena Chard as the finest white wine in the world! Elegant, rich berry fruit aromas, licorice notes. On the palate blackberry & cherry, bits of cacao and cinnamon, soft fine tannins. Lingering finish ending with soft oaky notes. Opened quickly and drank beautifully. — 7 years ago

Shay, David and 1 other liked this

McGah Family Cellars

Scarlett Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Mike R
9.7

While this is so good and what a way to reintroduce myself back to red wines - amazing - we had to fight off wine zombies at our local high end burger joint as they saw our faces and knew the wine was speaking no screaming to us “I don’t like it, I LOVE it” as my friend @David L says but we escaped with our lives and enjoyed our wine

We kept drinking listening to Bon Jovi Wanted Dead or Alive while our horses got hydrated (well 500 horses in HP) as we did as well drinking this brilliant example of Cabernet Sauvignon from my new great friends
@Mike Smith and Leah Smith - thank you so much - I praise you as I love this as much as one of top fives which is Quivet LPV 2013 which we discussed as well when we were together - this is different and Rhonda says it has a strong hint of vanilla beans that makes the scent unique and pleasant - I doubt she is right

The music changes to Dave Matthews and we taste to wine and man does the palette get pleased and finessed like a sexy women talking to me which I am lucky as that is my wife

The length of the taste is like watching your breathe on a cold day as Stone Temple Pilots plays on the speaker and really enjoying this masterpiece of wine craftsmanship / bravo Mike

By the way hope the family is great and Rob our son is doing good in first job after college and he is happy so we are blessed
— 7 years ago

Mike, P and 40 others liked this
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

@Mike Smith astonished to say this but there was a half of glass in the decanter left so just tried and I am going to report this is now 98-100 points wine after fifteen hours - all smiles
P A

P A

@Mike R Mike fun review Smiles and Cheers from the True North 🍷
Jody Scharf

Jody Scharf Premium Badge

Beautifully said

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

This is some seriously yummy in my tummy holy cow. Mike Fanning props on wine game — 8 years ago

Quivet Cellars

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Another @Mike Smith winner. Super juice. — 8 years ago

Mike liked this