Thomas Epps

9.8

We are a bit biased, but this was phenomenal. — 7 months ago

with Jeannie

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

This producer consistently over-delivers for the price. #napavalley #cabernetfranc presents black and purple fruit on the nose, violet hints, some wet slate undertones. Gleaming acidity framing plum compote, cigar box and earthy soft tannins on the sterling long finish. — 9 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Everything about this wine is DARK. Deep ruby/purple color bordering on black. Aromas of black and blue fruit, Asian spices and coffee. Flavors of cooked black berry/plum/currant fruit, bakers chocolate, tar and espresso. Hint of black pepper on the long, lingering and silky finish. Extremely concentrated with lively acidity. Tannins are firm but in harmony. This is a wine you quickly take notice of. Probably at (or just past) its peak. Thanks for the wonderful gift, Petey P! — 10 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, if you haven’t had this producers wines at 15-20 years of age, you’re missing some spectacular juice. I bought this at auction for $38-$40 a bottle and because I was unaware of its storage, I was prepared to short decant it. Well…until I pulled the cork, smelled it and saw the color. This nearly 20 year old bottling is still big but with nice integration & evolution. I would say it has another 5-8 years of good life in it.

The palate fruit is ruby, ripe and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, black plum. Mid berry cola, dark chocolate to pudding, mocha powder, wet clay, light, black pepper, Asian spice, dry-ish tobacco, black licorice, some dry herbs-sage dominate, limestone, dry top soil, dry brush, used leather, sandlewood, fresh to slightly withering, dark, purple, red florals set/framed in violets and lavender. The acidity is near perfect. The well balanced, structured, knitted finish is excellent and lingers minutes. Steal for the price. Another excellent gourmet burger wine. Beef Patties from El Salchichero. — 2 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.2

Lemon kissed butterscotch. Rich butterscotch on the round palette. A drinker’s cali chard. — 5 years ago

Evan Griffith

9.1

A bit more on the cherry cola rather than just cherry end of the spectrum than I prefer, but nonetheless nice — 6 years ago

Ed Lehrman

9.1

A little heavier than I remember but fully mature and fun to drink with friends. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

It is really no surprise that this 05 is incredible and yet still extremely youthful. This 05 will out live almost anyone 50 years old. It is good for another 45 years.

I had their 16 La Dame last weekend & commented it should not be opened for another 10 years.

The core on the nose is dark velvet black currants. There’s a bit of melted dark chocolate-mousse. Ripe but subtle blackberries, black raspberries, black plum-plum pudding, very dark cherries, some mulberries, mocha powder, dark, rich earth, dry river stone, limestone, anise, mix of dry/fresh herbs, fine, undertone of baking spices, moist grey clay, slightly dry tobacco, sandalwood, mild, elegant spice, just the slightest hint of mint, very, slightly candied, dark, withering flowers & red roses.

The palate is rich, round with velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark fruits blended in melted dark-mocha chocolate. Blackberries, black raspberries, both plums w/ heavy skin, dark cherries, poached to slightly baked strawberries & raspberries over the top. Dry bay leaf-sage, moist clay, rich, dark, turned earth, dry river stone, limestone powder, stem inclusion, red licorice/cola, anise to black licorice candy, sandalwood to soft cedar, slightly moist tobacco, used leather, mild, dark spice, a touch & just a touch of tomato leaf, hints of cardamom, dark/red withering flowers with just a touch of violets, perfect acidity and a very well knitted, tensioned, balanced, structured, elegantly polished finish that last two-minutes and lands on nice earthiness & softly muddled spice.

Paired w/ their bone-in Ribeye. Best steakhouse steak that I’ve had out and not made by friends and or myself. Rich fat, tender and nice flavor. Lacks a bit of char and Napa Valley Rub from wholespice.com.

Open in another 15-20 years.

A real shot at a 💯 in another 15-20+.

@Delmonico Steakhouse Las Vegas — 7 months ago

Byron Hewett

9.2

Sweet. Stone fruits (apricot and peach). I would score it higher if it had a bit more acidity. Enjoyed with a pear tart. — 2 years ago

Erica Gamble

9.0

Very dark color. Very dark fruity nose but substantial flavor. A little bit of earthiness. — 4 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.2

Found this quite jammy and unidimensional. Pleasure bomb nonetheless. — 5 years ago

John Mckeown

8.9

Nice everyday Pinot. — 6 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.5

opaque purple, prominent glass staining tears; aromatic, blackberry jam, fig, lavender, kiss of vanilla; dense, intense, sweet black fruit, slightly minty finish; full bodied, medium+ acidity, nice tannin/texture, 14.5% ABV; sourced from a single choice block of Larkmead Vineyard in Calistoga, 100% Olmo clone; drinking beautifully now — 6 years ago

Vino Joe

9.5

Excellent excellent. Decanted for two hours before being consumed and then enjoyed over next 3+. Weighty and very heady. Dark rich fruit aged but not dusty. I feel this wine is in the zone. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2016 Lore Vineyard pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe black fruits: brambles, plums, cassis, loads of tobacco, leather, a touch of bell pepper, organic earth and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is velvety. This is modern Napa through and through. Balanced but big. Drink now through 2036. — 8 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

A Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend of all 5 Bordeaux varieties, aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruits, oak and cigar box spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cherry and currants with cacao and herb spice. Fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, oak, spice and earthy mineral character. Nice! — 2 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.2

Lush, succulent Pinot…dark ruby on pour, dark fruits rise out of the glass setting the stage for an enjoyable first sip…no noticeable tannins…lingering finish…this vintage is in a really good place today — 4 years ago

Sam T

9.3

Delicious. Perfect wine for a Happy Thanksgiving! — 5 years ago

Nik Weinberg-Lynn

9.1

Not much left on the nose - a little whiff of pomegranate. Super savory and saline notes on the palate. Interesting. — 6 years ago

Patrick Derdeyn

9.2

The darker side of Rivers Marie. Where all of the Occidental bottlings share red fruited characteristics this is more black fruits and fresh earth. The supporting acidity and the hours it still takes to open up give me hope that it should continue to develop in bottle. — 7 years ago