David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.9

This is K&L Wine Merchants private label wine. Named after family, Kay & Linda.

It is always a mystery who’s juice they bottled or who they bought fruit to and made the wine. Regardless, it always over delivers at $21.99.

Might have waited a couple years too long to get its best. Need to let it settle on palate before sharing more thoughts. Starting a little lean on the palate but, what a floral nose. We’ll see what a longer decant and palate coating brings.

As I mentioned, the nose is singing with ruby, candied florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue. The fruits are a little stewed; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries and blueberries that hover. Mid, soft, dark spice, light baking spices of; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, steeped fruit tea, dark, rich, moist soil with dry leaves, older tobacco, soft leather, saddle-wood, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry, river stones, shades of dry herbs, ambers, touch of savory meats & black pepper, & tomatoes with leaf.

The nose is more captivating than the body. It’s complex but at the same time flatter. The palate shows; ripe, stewed & candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries, pomegranate and blueberries on the backend. Mid, soft, dark spice with just the right amount of heat, cherry kirsch, light baking spices of; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, mid berry cola, black & red licorice, caramel, dark chocolate, mocha, steeped fruit tea, dark, rich, moist soil with dry leaves, older tobacco, soft leather, saddle-wood, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, dry, river stones, moist to dry clay, shades of dry herbs, ambers, touch of savory meats & black pepper, & tomatoes with leaf. The acidity is a cool Colorado stream. The finish is; well knitted, balanced fruit & earth elegant, lush, despite its complexity, a little hallow yet persisting minutes, falling onto dry soils & spice.

As I stated, still enjoyable but, at its peak two years ago from my secondary storage. However, the longer I sip it, it pushes 9.0 on the long set. Time to start drinking a number of wines I’ve stepped over for bigger experiences & more notable producers.

Photos of, the K&L store in SF, tasting bar & two different photos of K&L Bordeaux Dinners we’ve attended with Owner Clyde Beffa Jr. — 2 days ago

Paul K

9.3

I’m so glad the 2013’s are a year older!😉 Have been focusing on this vintage since the new year and seen some significant changes in ones we’ve waited a year or two since having. This one is no exception.
We’ve loved this cab since first bottle 6 years ago. Remember rounder blue fruit, but fell in love with it then. Now, it’s different, but just as good or better.
Palate cherry, raspberry, blue fruit, tobacco, anise, something herbal, and a touch of pepper. Chewy tannins and goes a long time in the mouth.
Can’t wait until next year! — 3 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1.5 hour decant (little cloudy sediment). A beautiful deep purplish magenta color. On the nose: Blueberry, red berry, vanilla mocha, herbs and spice. Taste: WOW...we are on a roll with our 2021 wines so far!!! smooth, rich, silky, mouth coating wine with black plum, cedar, currants, graphite, spice and a nice long dry finish with slight tannic punch. A bigger wine than usual from HL, and a winner that will drink well for years.....if you are a HL fan, hope you got some! — 9 days ago

with Brenda

Daniel P. Drake

9.2

Thursday night on the eve of a new weekend I have opened the 2012 Ramey Claret Napa Valley. This is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 2% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot.

The nose has notes of black cherry, blackberry, plum sauce, black currant, cedar, mocha, spices and earth.

On the palate there is black cherry, blackberry, black plum, black currant, graphite, cedar, spice, oak and freshly tilled dark earth.

Here we have a full bodied wine that fills your mouth with smooth velvety goodness, medium + acidity and medium + fine tannins that gives way to a long black fruit earthy finish. Glad to be on the doorstep of another weekend and wishing everyone to staying safe and healthy. Have an enjoyable weekend everyone. Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 5 days ago

Ira Schwartz

9.0

Released for the first time in 2006 at a price of $100 per bottle with a 3 bottle limit. This wine never went through malolactic fermentation. I can not resist burying bottles in the name of science. A musty nose joined up with earth and tobacco. A “juicy” palate of cedar, dirt (tons of sediment), soft fruits and mint. The experience for me would be similar to dancing with ones mom or grandmother on their 100th birthday, pure happiness and joy . My score reflects an amalgamation of the 3 bottles I consumed. One can probably find the story of this wine on the Web. — 4 days ago

MaJ CappS

8.9

Smells lovely - finessed fruits

Classic Cali wine here - precise fruits, Cherry, raspberry, crab apple. Focused, with little (thankfully) of that new oak vanillin. Gripping tannins play well with the cran acidity. Lingers on for a loooong time.
11th anniversary wine for me, and the Mrs. — 2 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Calculated Risk Winery Barrel Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, California

It’s time for a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a nice reddish rim.

Fruity on the nose with blackberries, blackcurrants, black cherries, raisins, figs, coffee, cedar, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, black pepper and spices.

Full-bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and nice looking legs.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with black currants, blackberries, cola, sweet cherries, cedar, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, light vegetables, pencil lead, vanilla and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel.

Very tasty, rich and opulent, with a smooth mouthfeel. This is what you expect from a Napa Valley Cabernet, definitely delivers.

Very nicely balanced, good right out of the bottle, and better is it opens up, and shows more complexity. After 2 hours of airtime, tannins show up and bring in nice structure, so be patient.

Still young and needs a few more years to mature properly. Would be nice to try this in 8 years. Has great potential.

Spicy and entertaining. A great sipping wine.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses, but would be terrific with a nice piece of steak.

This is just delicious.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

92 points

$80. — 11 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

This is very tasty Zinfandel from Napa Valley with nice complexity and a smooth mouthfeel.

Fruit forward and still young, but already very enjoyable.

Showing black fruits with oak, licorice, spices, coffee, vanilla, mocha, tobacco, peppercorn, espresso and chocolates.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with and very fruity with lots of chocolate notes.

Good right out of the bottle, but way better after an hour of airtime. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

Good by itself or with food, like BBQ burgers.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$35. — 2 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Founded in 1979 by John Shafer, went from riding trains in Chicago to riding a TD-9 tractor in Napa. Blend of 58% Merlot, 26% Cab Sauv & 16% Malbec, aged for 20 mos French oak, despite 15.3% ABV, it’s well balanced. Deep Ruby, beautiful berry fruit aromas, notes of herbs, toasty oak & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry & jammy blackberry with notes of cacao, baking spice & sweet herbs. Fine smooth tannins, long finish ending with fruit & tobacco notes. Great now, will also age for a few years. Nice! — 9 days ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Dark ruby in color, almost black, with a nice reddish cloudy rim.

Great nose of blueberries, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, vanilla, cedar, licorice, light earth, chocolates, coffee, mint and black pepper.

Full bodied and smooth, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black plums, stewed cherries, chocolates, cedar, leather, licorice, cola, vanilla, light earth, spices, peppercorn, tobacco and cocoa.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel. This will not disappoint you, as it is true to the terroir. Rich and tangy. Spicy, elegant and fruit forward.

Still young and would be even better in 5 to 10 years of bottle time. Nevertheless, it is already delicious.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after a couple of hours of airtime. Tannins come in after 2 hours.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of dries meats and cheeses.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$65. — 14 days ago