It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.
Deep purple in color with a short purple rim. Not showing age at all.
Beautiful nose of black currants, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, light eucalyptus and licorice.
Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, black pepper, spices and cola.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Knights Valley in Sonoma County. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and very complex.
Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Napa Cabernet based Bordeaux blend.
Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 45 minutes in the decanter. Really gorgeous once it opens up.
Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.
Wine Advocate 95 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.
Great by itself as a sipping wine or with food, like a big piece of steak.
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.
15% alcohol by volume.
94 points.
$175. — 4 months ago
Nose is faint, fully resolving into the body. Body is soft and supple but wonderful experience on the palate with medium finish. Great wine. Tannins are still there, but holding the body with gossamer gloves. — 7 months ago
Red and black fruits - a savoury plum character - also a note of creosote and tar. A lovely medium to full bodied palate - reeks of old vine Barossa Shiraz. Drinks well now but will easily last until 2030. Malcolm Stopp is the Brand Ambassador for Peter Lehmann and his comments are worth repeating, particularly the last sentence, “The bouquet beautifully incorporates dark briary fruits, chocolate and a touch of aniseed, whilst the finish is firm yet finely grained. A wine of great dignity that will continue to improve with still many years of careful cellaring. If you don’t like this wine there’s bugger all we can do……!!! — 9 months ago
A blend of 90% Sauv Blanc and 10% Semillon. Pale yellow color with aromas of citrus, floral, wet stone and tropical fruit. On the palate rich fruits of mango and peach flavors with citrus zest and earthy mineral notes on a balanced structure with lively fresh acidity. Long finish, pleasant ending with pronounced mineral character. Leave this in the cellar for a few years. Nice. Tasting Sample. — 3 years ago
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. — 5 years ago
Can’t rate. Maybe the wine is in a weird spot or my palate was affected by the 4 sessions of snow shoveling, but if I had a blindfold on I would have thought this was a red. Somewhat restrained on the palate with lots of steel elements and some earth. Color was great, as was the cork, so must be me. Usually one of my favorites! — 4 months ago
The 2020 vintage of Michael David Freak Show is a blend for everyday drinking. A blend of Syrah (appx 54%), Petite Sirah (appx 42%) and Souzao (appx 4%), it is a balanced, fruit-forward red wine with notes of dark berries and plum. Although it does not provide the complexity and tannic structure of a Napa or Sonoma Cabernet, neither does it come with the same price tag.
I recommend this wine, but just find the circus-themed bottle label a little freaky. — 4 months ago
Always reliable. — 5 months ago
Complex vibrant acidity intense stone fruit hints of grass — 9 months ago
[Tasted on July 26, 2025 at l’Ete du Vin with Ned and Beth]
Lemon, apple, mango and mandarin orange, with ginger and almonds. — 10 months ago
Nose has moist brioche, browning yellow apple peel, honey, dried lemon zest, green herbs and seashells.
Palate has bruised yellow apple, lemon peel, nectarine, green apple peel, faint tangerine with great acidity and fleeting minerality.
Fine bubbles, plenty of pressure under the cork. A pleasure for all the senses.
This is the zero-dosage (nature) version produced for the 1992 vintage. — 4 years ago
Thought this a bit lackluster upon first opening but complexity significantly improved over time. Tropical fruit, apples, that touch of petrol. — 5 months ago
Really nice starting to get some secondary flavors. Overall enjoyed it. — 5 months ago
Pretty darn close to old school Napa. — 3 years ago
Special production of the Michael Mondavi collection. “Showcases the depth and complexity that high altitude can provide.” — 4 years ago
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. — 5 years ago

Anthony Kluska
This is what new world should be. Pepper fruit oak. — 3 months ago