VINEYARDS MAKE GREATNESS

A vintage that showcased your talent as a winemaker, if you didn't take the easy way out that is! The Hossfeld Coliseum Block is one of the most unique sites in Napa Valley, couple the unique site with the talent of Arkenstone's winemaking philosophy and you have this magical 2011.

A few superstar Wine Lab Panelists agreed, one of the top 3 wines from the challenging vintage!

( V Wine Cellar Exclusive )

~ The Wine Lab

2011 ARKENSTONE

HOSSFELD COLISEUM BLOCK

Hossfeld's Coliseum Block always delivers layers and levels of dynamic wine intensity. Full-bodied with lots of minerality and floral notes intermixed with blackberry and cassis fruit, this is very impressive.

The classic nuances of cassis, blueberry, white flowers, and earth are ever-present.

THE BUILD-UP & WINES SHOWCASED WITHIN REFLECT WHAT V WINE CELLAR HAS MEANT TO ME

( All 10 Wines Have Uniqueness In Common )

Nearly 20 years of tasting, observing, reacting to, and projecting wines that people have loved is what it's all about. As trends continue to shift, and the competition becomes more fierce, the brands that will continue to rise are the ones that possess the awareness coupled with a long rich history thus adapting at will.

Things To Think About

Location: 1000ft Above The Stags Leap District

With warming trends on the rise, the vineyard, and neighboring areas are the prime location for ideal maturation.

Fruit Source: Certified Organic Bordeaux Varieties (CCOF)

Viticulturist: Lucia Hossfeld Since 2009.

Grower History Since 1986:

Arkenstone, Carter Cellars, Chateau Boswell, Elyse, Parador, Shafer, and the line is building for the uniqueness in flavor provided by the iconic site.

~ The Wine Lab & Tasting Panel Approved

2016 HOSSFELD COLISEUM BLOCK

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Luscious black currant, graphite, and an exceptional depth.

The palate is layered with dark fruit, supple yet powerful tannins, and a complex balanced richness. Concentrated and elegant, the wine has profound balance and although it is expressive in its youth, the 2016 Hossfeld Coliseum Block is a wine that will show more and more integration as it matures. The power of this vintage will allow this wine to shine for at least another 20+ years, fun to project that far indeed!

A Little Music Inspiration For After You Read This!

Scorpions: Wind Of Change

What hasn't changed is the spectacular bottling that is Behrens Cemetery Cabernet Sauvignon, a dense stratifying Napa Valley wine coming from a vineyard ( not sure if I can mention it ) that is well established for world-class fruit. Many legendary wines have had origins from the source! This wine is one such effort.

~ The Wine Lab

96 The Wine Advocate

2018 BEHRENS

CEMETERY

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Cemetery rolls effortlessly out of the glass with open-knit scents of fresh black and red currants, ripe blackberries and black raspberries, giving way to nuances of red roses, cedar chest, pencil lead and clove oil. Full-bodied, the palate delivers tightly wound layers of black fruit preserves and baking spices, framed by firm, grainy tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and with great purity.

BEEN EYING THIS WINE FOR A WHILE

We've had Dunnuck on the mind as his recent reviews were unveiled this past week. Congratulations to our winery partners on their continued success. This 2018 Cardano 1913 Cabernet Sauvignon delivers some sensations well above its price point, even better, shipping is included on 3 or more.

~ The Value Wine Lab

92 Point Jeb Dunnuck

2018 CARDANO 1913

NAPA VALLEY

Cabernet Sauvignon

A new project from Ed Snider at Beau Vigne, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon 1913 checks in as 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. A smoking value, it gives up lots of chocolaty dark fruits, cassis, tobacco, and cedary spice notes to go with full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. It will compete with wines three times the cost.

A Little Less High-End Wine Saturated Today

( Not Yet Released )

Yet the recall is always crisp! I met Scott Dalecio 5 years ago at the Melka PNV event and ever since then we've been rocking the brand in many a fashion. The quality is insanely great and Scott Dalecio is the definition of Mr. Hospitality.

A V Wine Cellar exclusive ~ the 2018 Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the best wines in the room!

~ The Wine Lab

2018 DALECIO CABERNET SAUVIGNON

94+ Points The Wine Advocate

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot and was aged 19 months in 70% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little coaxing to reveal fragrant notions of wild blueberries, ripe black cherries and fresh blackberries with hints of camphor, dark chocolate, cassis and black olives. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with densely laden black fruit layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long with a minty kick. 250 cases were made.

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL, WHO'S THE FAIREST CREATURE OF THEM ALL?

In this case, all 4 wines in this ensemble are amazingly beautiful. The only brand that has assembled 4 of the top winemakers under one brand, these wines are fuel for finding enlightenment.

Years ago I began to hear rumors of a wine super project, from chatting with the man behind this vision, to finally hosting a superstar pop-up here in-store has been interesting. Our hedonistic wine-craving clients from across the globe have been feasting on the luxurious expressions that have been so meticulously crafted by contemporary wine legends.

This one here has been created by the 100 Point King!

~ The 100 Point Wine Lab

Music To Vibe With: Wu-Tang Clan ~ Triumph

100 Points Jeb Dunnuck

2018 FAIREST CREATURE

PERIHELIOS

One of two perfect wines in the lineup of 2018s, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Perihelios comes from Thomas Rivers Brown and is another seamless, elegant, yet powerful wine that’s just a joy to taste. Cassis, blackberries, tobacco, graphite, licorice, and a kiss of iron define this incredible beauty, and it's full-bodied, with a multi-dimensional, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and an incredible finish. Coming mostly from the Upper Range Vineyard and brought up in new barrels, it has ample up-front appeal given its balance, purity, and texture, yet there's no shortage of tannins, and it's going to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.

Lastly, there are a tiny 532 magnums of the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Triniceros, a blend put together by famed consultant Michel Rolland. It's possibly closest in style to the Plyspline release and has incredible dark fruits (cassis, currants) as well as notes of graphite, toasted spice, chocolate, white flowers, and lead pencil shavings. A wine that builds incrementally on the palate, it has ripe, velvety tannins, an expansive texture, fabulous mid-palate depth, and the balance and class to drink well today yet also evolve for 20-30 years.

A CULT CLUB SMASH HIT IN 2022

One of the most interesting wines I've come across from the Amoenus Vineyard in St. Helena, rarefied air indeed.

I love putting winemakers to the test, rapid recall of the senses allows for quick added layering to the past vintages through comparison. Sam " The Man " Kaplan has crafted another classic Amoenus.

( V Wine Cellar Exclusive )

~ The Wine Lab

2019 ARKENSTONE

AMOENUS

Up there in rarefied air, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus Vineyard has tons of minerality as well as awesome notes of crème de cassis, graphite, and background oak. All Cabernet Sauvignon aged 22 months in 90% new French oak, it’s pure, flawlessly balanced, and as seamless as they come. This beauty will evolve for over two decades.

MISTAKES THAT CONTINUE TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY

&

ELEGANCE

Not only is the winemaker for Brilliant Mistake wines a silent stealth assassin killing palates with greatness, but he is also a friend as well. It makes me happy to see people shine on and on, if The Wine Lab existed when we met, he would surely be a panelist.

~ The Wine Lab

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck

2019 BRILLIANT MISTAKE

Winemaker Maayan Koschitzky is the talent behind these Brilliant Mistake wines, and the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is beautiful, with full-bodied aromas and flavors of cassis, tobacco leaf, violets, and baking spices. Ripe, exuberant, and expansive on the palate, this sexy, balanced 2019 can be drunk today or cellared for 15-20 years if you’re so inclined.

95 Points The Wine Advocate

A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is redolent of exotic spices, vanilla pod and chocolate box, over a core of warm cassis and blackberries, plus a fragrant waft of violets. The full-bodied, rich, soft and seductive palate has a lively backbone and tons of energy in the long finish.

Reflecting On Having Tasted This Back ...

In April of 2022 at the Grand Taste Of Oakville, what a great treat it was to be on the cutting edge

~ In Real Wine Time ~

Such a great vintage coupled with classic Oakville winemaking at its continued best! (( Do Not Miss Out )) 

Ships Mid October

~ The Wine Lab

98+ Points The Wine Advocate

2019 DALLA VALLE 

Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate needs a lot of swirling and coaxing to unlock notions of blackcurrant pastilles, warm black plums and mulberries, plus hints of black olives, tilled soil, mossy tree bark and violets with emerging baker's chocolate and star anise hints. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and with impeccable poise, it has beautifully ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing epically long and earthy.

A WINE LAB TASTING PANEL STANDOUT

A unique site created in the early eighties, the future vision to employ dynamite in order to fracture the bedrock was visionary.  The result is continued production of world class highly coveted Bordeaux varieties for which legendary winemakers for continue to line up. The history of the site is framed by innovative farming taking place at the iconic family owned vineyard.

These wines express a sense of place and are designed for enjoyment now and show characteristics of aging nicely well into the future.

~ The Wine Lab

Jeb Dunnuck ( A ) Rated

2019 HOSSFELD ESTATE BLEND

The 2019 Red Blend checks in as a blend of 40% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, with the balance Merlot, that spent 20 months in French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by an up-front, exuberant red offering lots of candied red and black fruits, notes of violets, tobacco, and flowery incense, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Drink this solid, impeccably made blend over the coming decade or more.

UN ALTRO GRANDE GIORNO

Thanks to the kindness of our clients we have been indulging in some of Italy's most iconic producers.  The Lab is constantly enhancing to point that the palate has become microscopic with precision!

THREE ICONS IN ONE SET, DON'T MISS OUT

~ Il Laboratorio Del Vino

2019 MASSETO 

98 Points The Wine Advocate

This bottle opens a new chapter for one of Italy's most celebrated and collected wines. The first vintage made entirely in its dedicated state-of-the-art winery (and the first vintage with a 10% dabble of Cabernet Franc added to what has historically aways been a pure expression of Merlot), the Masseto 2019 Masseto has two main themes at heart: concentration and elegance. And managing those two seemingly contrasting elements requires a little bit of magic. That's the Masseto magic we look for. The 2019 vintage delivers it in spades with lovely concentrated fruit, blackberry, integrated spice, tobacco, crushed slate, pencil shaving and lots of texture and fiber to push a lasting mouthfeel. The wine's richness translates into density and power to the palate, meanwhile the bouquet reveals fluidity and new sides as the wine opens in the glass. The finish is tapered and focused.

2019 TENUTA SAN GUIDO

BOLGHERI SASSICAIA

98 Points The Wine Advocate

The latest release from Tenuta San Guido is the 2019 Bolgheri Sassicaia. The bouquet is up front and very expressive from the get-go. It offers a generous display of crunchy, dark cherry that hints at the extra concentration and fruit weight obtained in the 2019 growing season. This vintage will be remembered for the crisp richness of the fruit and its important textural imprint. It also shows fine elegance, bordering on the ethereal, with berry aromas, tarry earth and brushes of balsam herb or grilled rosemary. Sassicaia always shows an almost-glossy finely knit quality to the polished mouthfeel, and I find it again here next to fresh acidity and firm tannins. Mouthfeel in 2019 is the wine's strongest suit. The 2019 is one of the prettiest and most balanced editions of Sassicaia we've seen this past decade, along with the back-to-back duo of 2016 and 2015. The 2019 marries the precision of the 2016 with the rich fruit weight of the 2015.

2019 ORNELLAIA BOLGHERI SUPERIORE

ORNELLAIA

97 Points The Wine Advocate

This is a beautiful expression of coastal Tuscany and the sunny Mediterranean. The Ornellaia 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia (a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot) pours from the bottle with a specific darkness that has elements of both inky saturation and ruby highlights. The wine is saturated and rich—this is something you notice off the bat—but it also reveals a pleasing lightness or grace that is transmitted to both the bouquet and the palate. Dark fruit, pressed blackberry and plum mingle with more substantial aromas of spice, leather and sweetly cured tobacco. The tannins are beautifully managed, and the wine sports considerable heft and density on the palate that drives a very long and pleasurable mouthfeel.

We Met 14 Years Ago, We've Been Connected Ever Since!

"The valley is gearing up for Premiere Napa Valley 2023, I received a personal invite from Mr. K to attend some of the events that he and his talents are being showcased at, very appreciative!

The La Pelle label is one such brand he's been doing some amazing things with in a terroir purity sense. The wines are developing nicely and most definitely showcase a sense of place! This 2019 white label Cabernet Sauvignon is a giant slayer for sure!"

~ The Wine Lab

2019 LA PELLE

NAPA VALLEY

Cabernet Sauvignon

A Cabernet Sauvignon base with a subtle blend of Petite Verdot, showcases the diversity and depth that Napa Valley’s Mediterranean climate has to offer. The fruit is sourced from six different sites across the Coombsville, Oak Knoll District and Saint Helena AVAs, all farmed by Silverado Farming Account. The vision of this wine is to capture the vintage in a bottle and to create an interesting and complex red wine.

Dark in color with aromatics of blackberry, deep purple prunes, crème de cassis, violets and graphite. Full-bodied with a silky texture from front to back with juicy, round tannins. Ripe black fruits and blueberries with impressions of tobacco and mountain herbs, and well-balanced acidity to carry the wine through a delicate and juicy finish. Our 2019 has been cellared to enjoy upon receiving. It is opulent and will continue to age elegantly for the next 20+ years.

THIRTY-ONE YEARS AFTER THEIR INITIAL PERFECT SCORE

Key observation moving forward, the brands that own and control their own vineyard(s) and farming practices are the ones that will lead the revolution of quality as we head into the age of artistry in winemaking. Several newer producers that are surging higher than ever or the classics that have maintained their quality will be at the forefront. When others are worried about the new demographic, legendary vision, and history will always maintain their timeless appeal.

~ The Wine Lab

2019 DALLA VALLE

MAYA

PROPRIETARY RED WINE

100 Points The Wine Advocate

As fans know, Maya comes from a very special section of the estate vineyard, situated in the valley's eastern foothills, below Pritchard Hill and in the above the Oakville floor, overlooking Screaming Eagle. The blend is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Maya slowly unfurls to reveal a firework display of redcurrant preserves, kirsch, boysenberries and wild blueberries, followed by iron ore, red roses, cardamom, fallen leaves and crushed rocks, with a waft of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is stunningly graceful and refined, featuring exhilarating mineral sparks among the red and black fruits, finishing with so much brightness and energy. Breathtaking!

100 Points Jeb Dunnuck

One of the finest wines in the vintage is the 2019 Maya Proprietary Red Wine, and red wine doesn’t get any better. The usual blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc, its deep purple hue is followed by an incredible bouquet of blackcurrants, tobacco, dark chocolate, and crushed stone, which turns more floral, pretty, and complex with time in the glass. Full-bodied on the palate, it marries a rare sense of elegance and finesse with incredible intensity. It’s impossible to resist today yet merits at least 5-7 years of bottle age, and I have no doubt this beauty will still be enjoyable at age 50. Bravo!

" We've known Jason Moore for a long time, I know the story, the collaborations in the past and all that goes into staying relevant in this wine game.  Recently he brought in his 2019s and he showed great pride in his wines, most importantly the Sage Ridge that has the highest printed final score.  Numbers are numbers until you go into the wine memory bank and his statements proved to be true, I found it challenging to recall a bottling that outshined what was showing in glass!

" FANTASTIC WINE "

From here on, it's life in the fast lane. We can all fuel up and continue reaching for never ending greatness! "

~ The Wine Lab

96+ Points The Wine Advocate 

2019 MODUS OPERANDI CELLARS

SAGE RIDGE VINEYARD

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Sage Ridge Vineyard soars out of the glass with intense scents of blackcurrants, black cherries and fragrant earth, plus wafts of cedar, rose oil and espresso, with just a hint of Provence herbs. Full-bodied, the firm, taut and muscular palate has seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy. Give it a good 3-5 years before broaching, and drink it over the next 20 years+.

PERFECTION IS ALWAYS IN THE EYE ... 

of the beholder. It's always good to get a little more access to some modern day legendary wines made by wine icons.

The foundation has been set, let's see where the continued focus takes us along the REALM To Kalon road of classic Napa Valley Power House Cabernet Sauvignon.

~ The Wine Lab 

2019 REALM

BECKSTOFFER TO KALON

99 POINTS THE WINE ADVOCATE

Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has a deep garnet-purple color, requiring a little coaxing before it spills out of the glass with fantastically showy blackberry preserves, boysenberries and cassis notes, plus hints of black raspberries, clove oil and potpourri, with a touch of tobacco leaf. The decadent, full-bodied palate sports a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins with beautiful freshness. All that generous black fruit melds seamlessly into a very long, mineral-laced finish.

A Project That Made A Huge Splash... within our Cult Club is back in its 2019 version. With two of the valley's most connected winemakers making this project a continuing success, it's no surprise the 2019 has picked up where the 2018 left off. Quality continues to radiate a wine with texture & depth.

~ The Wine Lab

94 Points The Wine Advocate, Joe Czerwinski

2019 REFLECTIONIST

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Personally, I find it pleasantly lifted and perfumed, with more floral and herbal nuances to go alongside raspberry-tinged fruit. It's still full-bodied and velvety in feel, but it's brighter and juicier on the lengthy finish.

LET'S JUST SAY THIS

When I tasted the 1st vintage of the Royal Prince Cabernet several years back, time flies, the wine blew the doors off several wines that were well over $100 in pricing withing the tasting line up.  The reason behind these wine revelations is strategic and precise composition in assembly. 

This is the BEST SUB $100 wine I've come across in a long while, enjoy some right away.

Texture, Balance & Freshness All Intact!

~ The Wine Lab

2019 ROYAL PRINCE RESERVE 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

93 Points Jeb Dunnuck

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is rock star stuff and delivers a classic Napa level of richness and depth while staying pure, clean, and beautifully balanced. Lots of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, spice, and hints of tobacco all emerge from the glass, and it's full-bodied, with a rich, fleshy, opulent mouthfeel, good tannins, and a great finish. Don't miss this sexy, concentrated, impeccably made Cabernet!

WHEN YOU'VE ALWAYS HAD A VIBE WITH HEART, IT SHOWS

Since 2003 Scarecrow wines have continued to push toward the stratosphere of brand recognition and quality. The core of this iconic brand is pressurized by ancient Cabernet Sauvignon plantings that average well over 50+ years in existence! Intertwine a little Rutherford dust to mix so well in tune with current popular winemaking styles and you have a Tin Man that has love for the masses!

~ The Wine Lab

Song To Vibe With: America " Tin Man "

96+ Points Jeb Dunnuck

2019 SCARECROW M' ETAIN

While the Grand Vin gets all the attention, don’t miss the 2019 M. Étain. This cuvee offers so much pleasure, and it also has a unique style all its own. Based on 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 4% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, its deep purple color is followed by a great bouquet of cassis, violets, leafy herbs, black olive, and crushed stone. Full-bodied, it has a terrific mix of richness and freshness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. While it’s a second wine at this address, it’s as good as just about everyone else’s top cuvée.

I'VE BEEN CRAVING TO KNOW MORE...Finally, It's here.

Even for us, it was as illusive as illusive gets. The winery has great hospitality, great wines, beautiful architecture etc. My only experience was at a local chop house last year and curiosity set in, I always get what I want, so here it is...Enjoy.

~ The Wine Lab

Winemaker: Andy Erickson

98+ Point The Wine Advocate

2019 SEVEN APART

EXPEDITION

This is the second vintage from Seven Apart—a blend coming from Stag's Ridge vineyard, located up on Atlas Peak, and Base Camp vineyard, located seven miles down the mountain (hence the name). The winemaker here is Andy Erickson, formerly at Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate and currently also consulting winemaker at Dalla Valle (among others). The upper vineyard (Stag's Ridge) is planted to mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Seven miles down the road, where Soda Canyon Road meets the Silverado Trail, is the four-acre Base Camp vineyard, planted in the mid-1990s to Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Base Camp was planted in 1994 and 1998.

Opaque purple-black in color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Expedition erupts from the glass with explosive scents of boysenberry preserves, blueberry pie and Black Forest cake, plus suggestions of molten chocolate, licorice, tar and violets, with a waft of sandalwood. The full-bodied palate is full-on rich and decadent, exuding layer upon layer of opulent black and blue fruit preserves with bags of exotic spice accents and a long, fragrant finish. Pure hedonism. It is tantalizingly delicious right now, but give it 3-4 years in bottle to blow off that puppy fat, and drink it over the next 25 years+.

LOVING WHAT YOU DO SHOWS

I love selling/promoting wines in ways that are different from most, making you happy is all that matters. Elias Fernandez is a walking almanac of winemaking spanning 40 years in Napa Valley, simply legendary.

I had the luxury to visit Shafer Vineyards and sat down with the legend himself, we appreciate and respect each other as we work hard for you the consumer.

We walked the "minimalist winery set up", as everything is set up to deliver wines of the highest integrity from start to bottle.

I sat there in appreciation as he welcomed me and some of my dearest friends, we drank some of the best vintages of Hillside and saw why the ONE POINT FIVE is a bonafide winner. Think shavings off the Hillside as you would enjoy fine truffles onto your favorite pasta, that's the 2019 1.5.

I was fortunate to try the 2023 PNV Lot as well, and I'm going with my prediction of Top Lot 3 years running so far I'm 2/3 for predictions. PNV's success is decided by our wine professional peers from around the globe that see beyond trends, we know wine from around the globe, and it's no surprise Mr. Fernandez has a surprise for the winemaking community, he truly is a man driven by his passion! .... My mentor in the Wine Lab!

~ The New Wine Lab

96 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK

2019 SHAFER ONE POINT FIVE

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is a gem of a wine that readers will love to have in their cellars. Sweet cassis, violets, and graphite define the bulk of the aromas, and it’s a classic Napa Valley Cabernet on the palate with its full-bodied richness, velvety tannins, and opulent yet balanced style. A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot, raised 20 months in new barrels, it’s going to keep for a solid two decades. There are 9,000 cases of this beauty made.

PRESSING THE EASY BUTTON ....

... With a classic Napa Valley producer on a cloudy day here in the Napa Valley.  The light rain has passed and it's time to start enjoying some of these classic 2019s. This latest bottling is singing songs of a change of season, much welcomed as harvest is in progress!

~ The Wine Lab

2019 SPOTTSWOODE LYNDENHURST

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is composed of 77.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.4% Cabernet Franc, 4.1% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 3.8% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in color, it skips out of the glass with lively blueberries, redcurrants and kirsch scents, plus hints of cedar chest, fragrant earth and rose hip tea. Medium-bodied, elegant and lively in the mouth, the palate is chock-full of bright and crunchy red and black fruits, finishing long and earthy.

YOUR INSPIRATION SHOULD BE POETIC, MINE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LUMINESCENCE

Continuing with PNV current legends. I remember tasting this then new project from John & Stacy Reinert at PNV 2020. I bought 5 future cases on the spot, as I saw then that the evolution of Brilliant Mistake wines had shifted into the realm of artistic allure of sensuality. A most definite seductive wine!

~ The Poetic Wine Lab

98 Points Jeb Dunnuck

2019 THE POET & THE MUSE

Another brilliant vintage for the cuvée, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve The Poet & The Muse is a tiny production release that’s a barrel selection of the best in the vintage. Its deep purple hue is followed by awesome aromatics of ripe blue and black fruits, new leather, tobacco, flowery incense, and chocolaty oak. With full-bodied richness, a layered, opulent mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and a great finish, it’s a classic, gorgeous Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to drink any time over the coming 20-25 years.

We Were Most Definitely Vibing During PNV 2023

When you allow this wine to open up for over 18 hours plus, it begins to show you a side of Oakville that is seldom seen in wines at this price point. Luxurious textures with an integrated oak sensation that is pretty legendary. The vineyard this wine is coming from is in the heart of the valley floor in Oakville and has since been replanted. So I'd get a decent amount of this wine while you can.

A Stand-Out At The Atelier Melka Tasting.

~ The Wine Lab

V Wine Cellar Exclusive

5 STARS THE WINE LAB

2019 WESTWOOD LEGEND

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Legend is up-front and expressive, with a perfumed, medium to full-bodied, exuberant vibe as well as lots of Oakville style in its darker currant and cassis fruits, spicy oak, black olive, and floral notes. It’s fruit-forward and I don’t see it making terribly old bones, but it’s drinking brilliantly today and should easily keep for 10-12 years, and probably longer.

Located west of the town of Oakville at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains. Part of the historic To-Kalon Vineyard. Farmed Organically by Graeme Macdonald. The vines are head-trained and 47 years old. This Cabernet Sauvignon was natively fermented in stainless steel, and aged for 20 months in 65% new French oak.

Caymus has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe tannins – as approachable in youth as in maturity. Since its founding in 1972, Caymus has become renowned as a consistent leader in the production of Napa Valley Cabernet. Grapes for this wine are farmed in a range of Napa’s sub-appellations – from Coombsville to Calistoga – with fruit from the valley floor creating lushness and the hillsides providing backbone. Diversification enables us to make the best possible wine in a given year, featuring layered, lush aromas and flavors, including cocoa, cassis and ripe berries.

OLD VINE CENTRAL COAST PHENOMENA

Your senses will place you onto a plane of textures and flavors you never expected, old vine single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that will take you to the edge of hedonistic expansion!

~ The Wine Lab

5 Stars The Wine Lab

2020 STEREOPHONIC

Old Bailey Vineyard, Adelaida District

Complexity is Sabretooth's calling card - the wine evolves through phase after phase of spice and floral characteristics, the whole time being supported by beautiful old vine fruit. Sourced from a prestigious 60-year-old vineyard in Paso Robles, it's one of the region's most prized plantings. International superstar winemaker Santiago Achaval had these wines until recently when Stereophonic took over the best block. Still alive and thriving on its original roots atop a limestone hill, Sabretooth is a revelation in high-end Cabernet Sauvignon.

ALWAYS FUN TO RIDE HARD

Produced since 2019, I first accessed the brand in its 2020 rendition with great success. The 2021 Ride Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most elegant over-delivering wines for the price point I've come across in a good while. Growing up on a milk farm, little Don Carlitos rode many wild little ponies in a custom can't get the kid hurt setup. This bottling fuses my passion for adventure and wine all in one cleverly illustrated kick-ass bottle of wine.

~ THE WINE LAB

5 STARS THE WINE LAB

2021 RIDE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

PASO ROBLES

 Ride Paso Robles Cabernet showcases a deep ruby/purple core with shaved cocoa, black fruit, cinnamon, and sweet tobacco aromas. The mouthfeel has great density and polish in the texture with incredible length. The 2021 is a rare mix of boldness and finesse.

THE TIDE IS GAINING A SWELL OF WELL DESERVED MOMENTUM

The Fait ~ Main & Teeter Totter family of wines continue to grow in production while in unison increasing quality and precision. I recently tasted the 2021 vintage wines, the textures and flavors were intensely profound. The newly released single vineyard wines as well as the Napa Valley blends are very impressive!

~ The Wine Lab

5 Stars The Wine Lab

2021 TEETER TOTTER

NAPA VALLEY

The vintage is powerful, well-balanced, and carries beautiful aromatics. Fresh raspberries, blackcurrants, floral notes and spice get swaddled in ripe, polished tannins for some rich and full-bodied satisfaction. Balanced acid gives it incredible length and a killer finish. The perfect plus one for any occasion. This is a phenomenal vintage, don’t wait - open it up...now!