Rutherford, Napa Valley

Shafer Vineyards

Relentless Napa Valley Syrah Petite Sirah 2007

Awesome! Decanted for two hours, but it was much better after four. Lush, rich dark berry fruits, herbs and cinnamon spice accompanied by leather and smoke. — 12 days ago

Shay liked this

Orin Swift

Palermo Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

A steak wine. Just delicious. Velvet, berries. Love it. — 12 days ago

Silver Oak

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Solid! Beautiful deep purple color. Aromas of blueberry, leather, black cherry cassis and cocoa. Amazing dark and blue flavors, very well balanced. — a month ago

Dave, Tom and 10 others liked this
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Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Boom! From the first sip - this wine was explosive and delicious.

Dark and black fruits come out and then lend to some red fruit and while it has good depth, this wine is very smooth.

Seems like it’s in the drinking window
— a month ago

Tom, Scott@Mister and 6 others liked this

Continuum

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Paul J
9.2

The conundrum with Continuum continues :)

PnP’d, thought that might be the trick. Was great to start but after 20-30 minutes devolved into a strange, astringent Napa Cab or CDP. Still can’t figure this wine out.
— a month ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Tom, Jan and 5 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Somm David T
9.4

Back to back nights of 97’s. This bottle was around $20 on release. Drinking well beyond that tonight. I really enjoy these Napa Phelps with this kind of age. — a month ago

Sage, Andrew and 14 others liked this
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Duckhorn Vineyards

Napa Valley Merlot 2022

Delicious.. Nice and balanced very approachable with nice tannins. — 2 months ago

Dave liked this

Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2021

Drank at VA with grilled chicken and mahi mahi, hummus, rice, and naan. Good pairing. Light oakiness, grass, very slight tang. I like it. Probably in moderation since I’m not generally a Napa chard fan. — 23 days ago

Chris BakerBrud BakerElissa Baker
with Chris, Brud and 1 other
Ted, Bob and 3 others liked this

Caymus Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

Somm David T
9.4

When Caymus was Caymus!!!

It is good to remember the style of wine Chuck used to make. His wine from 2011 backwards. The wine I used to collect. I refer to this now as Caymus Classic. I have requested they make this style again every time I see a Caymus representative. Just 500 cases by simply picking earlier at lower brix and applying past winemaking. They under estimate how fast those cases would sellout.

I get they made a business decision to make a sweeter wine that will drink easier young. They get better critic scores and sell to a larger customer base. A customer base that generally drinks it like supermarket buyers…within the first two weeks of purchase.

Of course, 1997 was an epic vintage in Napa and this 97 bought weeks ago has been well stored and in perfect condition. I miss this wine as it has so much more character than their 2012 vintage & forward. So do many former Caymus collectors.

The nose reveals, bright, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries that are just starting to reveal some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, dark spice, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets.

The palate is exquisite. It is all beauty with nothing bitty or angular. Ripe, juicy, lush; blackberries, cassis, black raspberries, dark cherries with hints of some liqueur notes, raspberries, strawberries, mulberries as it unfurls & plum. Sandalwood, old, dry tobacco with ash, baking soda, mid berry cola/licorice, some light graphite, perfect dark spice with some tongue heat, mocha, dark chocolate baking bar, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg & hints of vanillin, dry herbs, baking soda, dry limestone powder, top soil with pebbles, slightly moist volcanic clay, dry stems, decayed red flowers, red roses and violets, excellent, rainfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, nicely tensioned & structured, polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on spice & gentle earthy tones. I miss their distinct spice. Glorious!!!

This bottle is somewhere on the other side of the bell curve and still singing. Still very sound. It won’t improve and recommend if you own, drink them sooner than later but certainly not a rush.

88% Cabernet, 10% Merlot & 2% Cabernet Franc. 25.95% Paladins, Skruggs, Wright-St. Helena. 52.15% Caymus Estate, Glos, Usibelli-Rutherford, 15.84% Sciambra-Atlas Peak, 6.06% Tambor Vineyards-Mt. Veeder.

Photos of: Caymus tasting room, tasting room courtyard, owner Chuck Wagner and vineyard.
— a month ago

Vanessa, Rick and 17 others liked this

Chimney Rock

Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

This winery continues to produce some fantastic wines year after year. A rich supple mouthful of the good things that time talent and patience will reveal. — a month ago

Hall Wines

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

A medium-bodied wine with soft tannins. Tasted cherries, plums, and cedar. Great wine, especially for the price. — a month ago

Quintessa

Rutherford Red Blend 2012

9.0 3rd night — 2 months ago

Dave liked this

Grgich Hills Estate

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1985

Had at the Judgement of Paris wine tasting/dinner. Still holding up after 40 years! — 2 months ago

Dave liked this

Faust

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Rich dark fruit, blackberry/raspberry tone with no tannins. Full bodied. Expensive, but worth the price. A special occasion wine — 12 days ago

Honig

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Good for a moderately priced Cab. I like family owned and sustainable. — 12 days ago

Robert Mondavi Winery

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995

Amazing fruit acid and structures. — 7 days ago

Dave and Quinn liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Always prefer the Howell Mountain, but the Dunn Napa Valley I consider to be a great value, especially at the price these were a few years ago. Great fruit - black and red, minerality, graphite, pencil shavings, black licorice, great structure, nice finish. Solid all around and very nice for a ‘17. — a month ago

Tommy, Joe and 12 others liked this

Dunn Vineyards

Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1986

Still young. Years to go ! — 21 days ago

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2002

Lalo jaime diego orlando adolfo MAGNUM — 2 months ago

Jan, Bob and 9 others liked this