Mark Flesher

9.2

@Delectable Wine this wine was not in the database. A rather interesting Rosé... I will absolutely not disagree that point. On the first night, this one had some slightly unsettling characteristics. Was more on the Band-Aid side, and sort of a note similar to wet cardboard. I almost thought that this one was corked for a while. But the wine had some very delicate Floral and herbal characteristics on the palate. Nice sharp acidity with a rounded mouthfeel and texture. Finished with the same power and acidity, just not with much fruit and overwhelmingly elasticized. This one was recorked and enjoyed about 36 hours later. What a difference! Strawberry, pink rose, red cherry, herbs, bright acidity in the front and middle. Finished with bracing acidity and even fairly significant tannic grip. Almost seemed to have a dried almond somewhere in the middle. Hopefully this is going to be a new offering for Spoto in the upcoming years...just not sure of site and style, which will probably both change a bit to make this more approachable. Nice job, Stuart! — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.5

WOW. I think this one has improved from the last 1-2 years that I've tried this wine. Has integrated nicely. Served alongside a 2012 Spoto Wines Cab Sauv Private Reserve, this wine is definitely showing a nice balanced profile of aged fruit on the front, a little pepper on the finish, but JUST now starting to show some black berry and spice and dancing all over the place. Really impressed with this wine. If Shay was here, he would be able to focus down on exactly what was here. But, needless to say this wine continues to evolve and is good to go for another 10 years. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.6

Very interesting how similar this wine was in structure to the 2013 Spoto Family Reserve Cabernet (From the Secret Acre). This wine had a similar fruit structure of black cherry chocolate cordial and a little bit of pepper and graphite but has lost the touch of sweetness in the nose that I get with youthful wines. To me, this is classic Napa Cab. The edges on this one have rounded off quite a bit. It has since softened to show its silkier yet robust style. Medium+ to full bodied wine, the Spoto Family Reserve edged this one out in the fruit department but these two wines are both great and immense! It was a real pleasure being able to enjoy these side by side. — 6 years ago

with Shay

Mark Flesher

9.5

There is something about this wine that is intriguing. I am happy this isn't my last bottle of this, and I only have one person to thank for that! From the damned 2011 vintage comes yet ANOTHER awesome wine. Very complex without being a linear and "in your face" kind of style. Pours a dusty rose to the glass. Nose of dried herb, black cherry pie, leather, cola. Entry of black cherry and herb. Middle with a nice black tea kind of note. Finishes a bit stiff. — 5 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

Compared to the Anthem winery LPV wine, this one has just about an identical nose. The nose of this vineyard just seems to be a "purple" kind of note. But, the wine seemed to be very different. This wine was a little on the lean side. Entered with black cherry and a hint of fig and dark chocolate in the middle. Finished with a moderate youthful tannic bite. The sweeter side of this which it probably displayed 2 or so years ago has started to soften, and is starting to allow some more interesting notes in the future. Probably one of the more balanced LPV wines I've had to date without a doubt, but it failed to hit the upper rung of wines today. The Rudd Samantha's and 2005 Spoto Private Reserve stole the show. Regarding this wine, I think it's probably a good idea to lock it up for 5 years to see what it has in 2023. Considering what people pay for these bottles, you've got nothing to lose by aging it in this case. — 5 years ago

with Dan and Keith

Mark Flesher

9.5

Poured from a 375. This wine, even from 375, was really firing on all cylinders and maybe even a bit locked up for the first hour, just shows you that any vintage in the 21st century really should be locked up in the vault, not seeing the light of day for another 10 years from 375. This wine had a classic Pauillac nose. My initial thought was a young Pichon however even Pichon young seems to have more mushroom, more earthy loam and gravel and this one was just so damn smooth in its earthy notes. The wine was robust on the front, lots of earth, mushroom enhancing the youthful blackberry notes. Finished with some peppery notes. Great terroir notes. This wine was awesome, and I think I probably drank half of this while Walter drank the Spoto :) — 6 years ago

with Dan

Mark Flesher

9.7

You would know that in a group of Tom Kees and Alan Krenek, eventually an aged Spoto would find it's way to the table. And oh MAMA! Stuart hit a home run with this one. Black cherry nose. Entry of black cherry, mint, walnut, cola. Very complex but not a knife and fork opening. Right where it needs to be. If tasted blind, I would guess a 2012. Still has an insanely youthful profile even with a hint of sweetness on the front. The middle is complex and even more condensed black cherry and herb. Fine grit tannin. Still with some astringency but the oak tannin is softening. Amazing how youthful this wine is drinking. Still has 10 to 15 years. — 5 years ago

with Dan

Mark Flesher

9.4

@Delectable Wine this one was not in the database. This is the 2013 Cuvee Pamela. Name changes yearly.

I just can't stay away from these. Had to buy more 11 and now I fear I'm going to have to do the same here. 60 Merlot, 30 CS, 10 CF, 2 Malbec. The nose of this wine is sweeter fruit but also has a meaty and herbal characteristic. Powerful. The palate is black cherry dominant and pretty acidic. Middle is where there is more herb, hint of sweet tobacco, black pepper starting a little early on this one. Not as earthy nor as much cocoa or chocolate as I thought there would be. The finish of this wine is lighter but does continue for quite a while. I see this one continuing to improve over the next 3-4 years for sure...problem is that I'm going to have 0 of these left to experience that!! — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.6

This is an awesone little wine. Decanted for about 3 hours before being enjoyed. This wine was a MONSTER. Made partially from Oakville Station / To-Kalon fruit and partially from Ashe Vineyards also in Oakville (opposite sides of 29, therefore "East Meets West"). This wine has power!! Blackberry perfume emitting from the glass. Poured a nice dark maroon color. The entry was blackberry, herb, had a nice middle that was very full bodied and dense. Finished with great length and depth with a lot of tannin. This wine will last forever it seems. This one had just a bit more than the standard 2013 Private Reserve, and was the hit of the night. — 7 years ago