Sons Of Eden

Yalumba

The Virgilius Eden Valley Viognier 2018

See previous note 105 weeks ago. Australia’s premier example of a straight Viognier. Notes of Apricot and Honeysuckle. Quite luscious on the palate with low acid. Finishes with a skinnsy bitter note which is quite refreshing. — 23 days ago

Tom, Andrew and 18 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Bob McDonald, I’ve never heard of this wine, and I have visited Yalumba twice (albeit about 35 years ago) — how large is the production of this wine?
Bob McDonald

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@Doug Powers Yalumba had been trialling Viognier for a while before releasing it commercially. They consider this as their premium white wine. I wouldn’t think it is a huge production but Dr Google may have the answers.

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2020

A little shy at first but really opens up and shows after a couple hours of air. Classic Santa Cruz Mtns Pinot. Earthy. A touch candied. Long finish. Pretty wine. 👍🏼 — 4 months ago

Tom, Pinotman and 1 other liked this

Bond

St. Eden Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish/brick rim.

Fruity nose with blackberries, black plums, dried figs, cedar, vanilla, licorice, tobacco, chocolates, spices, herbs, light eucalyptus, light earth, black tea and black pepper.

Full-bodied, soft and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, toast, light vanilla, licorice, light herbs, spices, light earth, chocolates, tobacco, peppercorn, coffee and cola.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa valley. Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and complex. Well balanced and elegant.

An iconic wine that still needs more time in the bottle to mature properly. Although it is 9 years old, it still feels very young. Will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years. This Single Vineyard is showing great potential.

Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after 3 hours of decanting.

Wine Advocate 98 points. Wine Spectator 96 points.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$750.
— 5 months ago

Jose, Bob and 14 others liked this
Jose Lorenzo

Jose Lorenzo

Cheers!!!

Mount Eden Vineyards

Reserve Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2017

Winemaker dinner at Nari. Wine of the night? Tried several times throughout the night and while it was clearly dark, it was not oxidixed and tasted great — 6 days ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 10 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

And for all those concerned, will take a vertical blind tasting of Mount Eden Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon over any time frame vs any Napa or Sonoma concern with the possible exception of Diamond Creek and Dunn. This winery is criminally underrated. Rarely explosive. Consistent, subtle and sneaky. Cabs are usually 75%+ Cab Sauv with Merlot, PV, CF blended in. Structured. Not flashy but uncommon balance and a definite nod/homage to the days of yore.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

For all that said about the chard and cabernet, can take or leave the pinot. Always nice. Some years have better depth. It’s an aging pinot…like a decade plus before things start to sort out and assemble.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Somm David T They’ve always lagged the average price point. Second label Domaine Eden (old Cinnabar property) makes some pretty solid stuff most vintages.

Rieslingfreak

No.2 Reverence of Riesling 2022

Rieslingfreak never disappoints!!! — 4 months ago

Natasha Bray
with Natasha

Henschke

Hill of Grace Vineyard Shiraz 2018

Fantastic cult wine that I’ve had the pleasure of trying a couple of times now. Lives up to the hype. Amazing in all aspects. Big but super pretty and just keeps rewarding you with greatness every time you return to you glass. — 5 months ago

Ron and Andrew liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Winemaker dinner at Nari. This was clearly young and tasted next to the 2011 missing the depth of maturity — 6 days ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 5 others liked this
Ron R

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Oops. That’s disappointing…
Norman

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It’s just too young. The older 2011 version was excellent.
Norman

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2011 would rate a 9.4/9.5

Kelham Vineyards

Sons Oakville Red Blend

2013 Kelham Vineyards “Sons” Proprietary Red – Oakville, Napa Valley

Crafted by Rawson Kelham and inspired by his wife Susanna’s love for balanced reds, “The Sons” is a masterful blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 10% Sangiovese. Lovingly bottled by Rawson’s stepsons—who’ve been at the helm of this line for over 20 years—this 2013 vintage was cellared until 2016, with just 300+ cases produced.

Now, over a decade since harvest, this wine is a revelation. The blend unfolds seamlessly-structured, layered, and impossibly harmonious. Aromatically, it’s a mature tapestry of dark cherries, dried herbs, cedar, and hints of worn leather. On the palate, it’s intense yet controlled: lush black fruit, plum, a whisper of tobacco, and an echo of sweet balsamic reduction that brings complexity without weight.

What’s most striking is its youthful acidity—this bottle feels alive, still pulsing with energy as if it’s just waking up. That freshness paired with age-built depth makes it one of the most compelling wines I’ve had from Kelham (and I’ve had many—see my past notes!).

This is Oakville at its best. Bold, nuanced, timeless.

Speechless after the first glass. Crazy delicious.
Cheers!
— 2 months ago

Ted liked this

Saarloos & Sons

In Grateful Memory Of Cabernet Sauvignon

Cab that misses the acids I enjoy, some age but ready now. — 5 months ago

Laura, Tom and 3 others liked this

Aubert

Larry Hyde & Sons Chardonnay 2021

Ron R
9.4

This was so well behaved. Subtle nose of pineapple and roasted nuts. Mid palate presents honeysuckle, honeydew melon and moderate acidity. Finishes soft and round. Unsure that this will further improve with cellaring. — 5 months ago

Daniel, Shay and 27 others liked this
"Odedi"

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I need to try the Chardonnay