Pioneer's Rest

Hayfork

Lewelling Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Deep, dark extracted fruit. The nose on this one is initially black licorice, a hint of truffle, dark fruit and chocolate. As this wine opened up, it started to develop a LOT of dark, deep blackberry and mulberry. The middle of this wine is dark, deep, black cherry notes start to develop but also an herb note. This is a thick and dense wine. Finishes still with quite a bit of stiff tannin and some acidity. I think that this wine is still developing in bottle, and if you've got one of these, please rest assured that it is just now starting to get to peak, but probably won't be there with a 2-hour decant until closer to 2020. This basically means that my 2012 and 2013 needs to hang out for about 5-6 years before they are anywhere close to ready. — 7 years ago

Dan FitzgeraldKeith Fisher
with Dan and Keith
Shay, Trent and 14 others liked this

Sandlands

Amador County Chenin Blanc 2015

SV
9.3

Honeysuckle, beeswax, chamomile and lemon curd nose. The acid hits first and then evolves into underripe peach, and pith, and aromatic citrus like yuzu or pomelo. A wine that makes you want to stick your nose in the glass and rest your forehead on the rim to enjoy. — 8 years ago

P and Anthony liked this

Arista Winery

Harper's Rest Pinot Noir 2014

Wow, this wine takes me back to wine tasting at Arista. While it is still so young, the smells and flavors that you experience while drinking it, take you right back.... lovely!! — 9 years ago

Rob Evans
with Rob

Brand

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Winner of the night!! Hands down!! Had it an hour in the decanter (should go longer), and it just opened up nicely, as you can tell by the empty glass. Phillipe Melka is at his best with Brand. I need to hide the rest of these from myself for another 6 years. Balanced, beautiful color and a great finish. — 9 years ago

Shay, Velma and 8 others liked this

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend 2010

Had all the Beaucastel character, but just wasn't firing. Maybe in just a bit of a closed/weird phase. Time to let the rest, well, rest. — 9 years ago

David and Anthony liked this

Realm Cellars

The Bard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

2013 Bard. I just couldn't wait. Now that I got that out of me I will let the rest sleep. — 10 years ago

David, Eric and 3 others liked this

Marcel Lapierre

Morgon Gamay 2009

Found this bottle tucked away and misplaced due to a move a year ago and was pretty anxious about how the bottle may have been stored over the past 12 months. Fears were put to rest soon after opening. Glorious fruit and a little dirt for good measure - so glad I found this gem. — 10 years ago

jams, David and 2 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Insignia Estate Grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2010

MH
9.4

Honoring a legend tonight. Rest in peace Joe Phelps. Biased review. #josephphelps #insignia — 11 years ago

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
with Joseph
Tara, TJ and 15 others liked this

Wilde Farm

Heritage Bedrock Vineyard Zinfandel Blend 2012

Love this vineyard and really like this wine. Going to let the rest of my bottles rest for a few months before trying again. — 12 years ago

Megan O'Connor
with Megan

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend

Good blend just like previous vintages. Lower rating because I think the wine hasn’t integrated enough yet and needs at least two more years of rest. — 7 years ago

Château Angélus

St. Émilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2009

A blockbuster who needs a long rest in the cellar. Stellar wine by the way — 8 years ago

Freek and Peter liked this

Clouds Rest

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Love the nose on this. This is like a burgundy — 8 years ago

Colgin Cellars

Cariad Napa Valley Red Blend 2002

2002 Cariad. A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot and the rest Cab Franc and Petite Verdot. Dark purple in color with a little brickiness on the rim. Opulent and sexy old world bouquet of graphite, smoke, Blackberry liqueur and expresso roast. Yet another one of those wines that I could swirl and contemplate into the evening. On the palate, dark berry, sage, cedary tobacco leaf and loamy earth flavors, along with Asian spices, duck sauce and exotic herbs and spices. Rich and intense with silky tannins. Beautiful structure. Intense. Complex. Elegant. Ethereal is the word I'm searching for. Endless finish. Just sensational. I stopped buying California Cabernet as I was simply priced out of the market. I had to choose, and I went with my main man Manfred and never have looked back. But whenever I taste one of these gems from my favorite Cabernet producer, @anncolgin and @colgincellars, I'm reminded of how compelling a truly great California Cabernet can be. — 8 years ago

Paul, Stanley and 23 others liked this
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

Great note and pull
Roman Sukley

Roman Sukley

Thanks @Bill Bender I wish that I could share some of these with you. Would definitely make the experience all the better.
Steve Bozich

Steve Bozich

Wish I had been there. Thanks for introducing me to this - my one "Big Buy", like your SQN.

Realm Cellars

The Falstaff Napa Valley Cabernet Franc-Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Our New Year's Eve dinner bottle. Fabulous! Decanted for an hour or so. Saving the rest for aging. Yummm. @Benoit Touquette does it again!!! — 9 years ago

David, Shay and 7 others liked this
Martin G Rivard

Martin G Rivard Influencer Badge

@Barbie Fiallo Benoit is "Da Man"!

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Cork disintegrated, but otherwise no concerns. Very restrained with more fruit showing as it took on air. Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the bottles age. — 9 years ago

S.R.Alexander liked this

Torrin

Akasha Torrin Vineyard Syrah Grenache

Drinking very well, the other bottle is going to rest for a few years! — 10 years ago

Melissa Swanson
with Melissa
Tom liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1998

'Tis the Season! Glad this one had some time to rest. Great with Prime Rib at our Winery Xmas Party. In 1998, I was 13. — 10 years ago

Domaine du Cayron

Gigondas Red Rhone Blend 2010

Almost the anniversary of my first Delectable entry when sitting outdoors at a wonderful restaurant in Gigondas under a tree drinking the 2008 vintage of this wine with all the family. This is 70% Grenache with the rest made up of Cinsault Syrah and Mourvèdre. The further south the higher usage of Mouvedre until Bandol right on the Mediterranean coast where it can be 90 to 100 % because of its higher tolerance to hot conditions. Chateau de Beaucastel where I visited a year ago uses all 13 permitted varieties with the highest being Mourvèdre at 30 %. They have increased this % over the years because of warmer conditions at vintage lessening the Grenache % so alcohol levels do not get out of control. Love this very savoury style of wine. 18. — 10 years ago

Roel liked this

Vignaoili Contrà Soarda

Breganze Vespaiolo

Stunning! Aprox £35 rest. 9/10 — 12 years ago

Château Palmer

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend 2010

Andrew Lampasone
9.4

1990 wild herbs fresh earth very complex array on the nose still some fruit menthol camphor smooth and silky texture some tannins still here lovely freshness. Most excellent 55 cab cf mr the rest 1998 a greatrightbank so Palmer jas a lot of merlot more than Antofagasta the classified growths similar nose fresh herbsandrhat month camphor smooth and another all and earthy soft tannins finish 40excellent +. 2010 currant and red cherry fruit with sweet tobacco spice a gravelly mineral note big and chewy with an earthy musty note but lots of everything structured and fresh finish 50+ most excellent+ — 13 years ago

Montevertine

Toscana Super Tuscan Blend 2014

One of the very few Tuscans I reliably enjoy...love the high toned, exuberant cherry and hibiscus tinged with fresh herbs. A fresh, aromatic and lively take on Sangiovese. A “Super Tuscan” that is actually worthy of the title. Maybe I should give the rest of the region more of a chance...*thinks*...naahhhh — 7 years ago

James, Iwan and 13 others liked this
James Forsyth

James Forsyth Influencer Badge

Such a great wine year in year out.

Château Prieuré-Lichine

Margaux Red Bordeaux Blend

Purchased after a visite, Sept 2017, was excellent then and for a first excellent when sampled back home, lovely berries, soft tannins, almost note of graphite, of the terroir, lovely 4th Growth, so happy with the visit and purchase...will lay the rest down... — 8 years ago

Corison

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Somm David T
9.2

On the nose, stewed fruits of; black plum, blackberries, dark cherries, plum and blueberries. Mocha, chocolate, mixed berry cola, sweet spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, loamy mineral soils and dry dark florals. The mouthfeel is less concentrated than other vintages of Corison but that's indicative of the 10 Napa vintage generally. The tannins are nicely resolved with another 5-8 years before they are completely resolve. The fruits are; dark cherries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, blackberries with strawberries that dance around the rest of the fruit. There's nice barrel toast, vanilla, nutmeg, light clove, cinnamon, touch of wood shavings, liqueur notes, caramel, mocha chocolate, mix berry cola, loamy soils, dry crushed rocks, bramble, dry stems with nice soft round acidity. The finish is a little lean but tasty. Good balance of fruit and earth with long, rich elegance. Cathy slightly overachieved the 10 vintage as a whole. Photos of; her estate building, Cathy in her vineyard, grapes coming in at night (better to harvest when the fruit is cooler) and her estate vineyard in all it's glory. Producer notes and history...Cathy Corison grew up in Riverside, California. She studied biology at Pomona College and was on their men's diving team, because the school didn't have a women's team. In 1972, she had to take an extracurricular class. She signed up for a trampoline class, but changed her mind upon seeing a sign-up sheet for a wine tasting class. This class was the catalyst that sparked her interest in winemaking. After graduation in 1975, she moved to Napa Valley in California. She received her Master's degree in Enology from University of California, Davis. Upon moving to Napa, she started working in the tasting room at Sterling Vineyards and at a wine shop. During this time, she was getting her Master's degree at the University of California, Davis. She was told by her professor that she would not get a job in Napa Valley because of being a woman. However, if she wasn't the first Napa Valley female Winemaker, she was certainly one of the first. She tried to get a job at Freemark Abbey and was denied because they believed she could not work in the cellar. She almost took a job at Christian Brothers in the enology lab. However, she decided not to take the job and in 1978 she became an intern at Freemark Abbey and eventually became their Winemaker. She joined Chappellet in 1983 and was their Winemaker for nearly ten years. She founded Corison Winery, in 1987. The winery is located in St. Helena, California in a barn built by her husband, William Martin. Corison makes Cabernet and Gewürztraminer. They produce about 3,500 cases a year depending on the vintage. The winery makes a Kronos Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and as well as a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The Kronos is an estate wine that is made from organic grapes. The vineyard is dry farmed. The grapes come from one of the oldest vineyards in Napa Valley. The Napa Valley Cabernet comes from Rutherford. The Gewürztraminer is called Corazón and comes from the Anderson Valley. — 8 years ago

Eric, Trixie and 40 others liked this
Eric

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Checking this out later this month
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Eric S Corison is a pleasant visit. They also do a nice harvest party on Sunday afternoon in September.
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@David T Nice write up again David. I'm intrigued to find her connection with one of my favorite producers, FAW. I'll drink vintages crafted under her care with a renewed perspective. Thank you.

Krupp Brothers

Synchrony Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2013

Mike R
9.3

First time with this wine - me likely - big bold beautiful - decanted for one hour - this does have a jimmy Durante nose on it - a real intoxicating one - drink the rest in another hour - i have to remember to breath as @Jody Scharf reminds me and remember the band Durant Durant as they say "Relax relax" - nice night for wine and smiles - love to 😁😬😬 — 9 years ago

Mike, Shawn and 23 others liked this
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

@David L btw tell Kristin a friend wrote the screenplay adoption to Angel Doll and produced the hallmark movie in Wilmington
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Hi Mike...it's Kristen. I cannot believe there is a Hallmark movie that I missed. I will definitely have to check it out. Nothing beats Hallmark movies at Christmas time, although David would disagree.
Mike R

Mike R Influencer Badge

@David L Kristen I appreciate your comment but would have to agree with David

Realm Cellars

The Tempest Napa Valley Red Blend 2012

An absolutely fantastic offerring from Juan and company at Realm. Their merlot-driven cuvee with the rest cab franc, cabernet, and petite verdot, this wine boasts increbile fruit and depth of flavor. Sweet, ripe tannins and a long finish that both suggest many years of life, this is easily the best version of The Tempest that I've ever had (and I've tried every vintage of this wine). Just terrific. — 10 years ago

Vanessa McCaffrey
with Vanessa
Chris, John and 7 others liked this

Noël Verset

Cornas Syrah 2006

The last vintage of Verset. Rest in Peace — 10 years ago

Emmy, Austin and 2 others liked this

Black Kite Cellars

Kite's Rest Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2011

Very very good. Not too fruity. I like this a lot. — 12 years ago

Marshall liked this
Marshall Parrish

Marshall Parrish Influencer Badge

It was very good!

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2003

A classic. Leather, vanilla, cured meat, raspberry, cherry etc. you know the rest. — 12 years ago

André Hueston liked this