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
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
Rieslingfreak never disappoints!!! — 4 months ago
Winemaker dinner at Nari. This was clearly young and tasted next to the 2011 missing the depth of maturity — 6 days ago
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
Bob McDonald
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