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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments Comment Date Community Score More...
Red

2020 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon Signature

 Napa Valley more
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5/30/2023 - cjoetucker@aol.com Likes this wine: 94 points

Rich tastes of dark fruit, black cherry, blackberry, cocoa powder, espresso, this is full-bodied, decadent, dark and concentrated, with aromas of black cherry, oak, and pencil shavings, and a long and lingering finish. Very smooth and drinkable , even at this young age.

  • Comment posted by wine4lux:

    6/19/2023 5:33:00 PM - Had a bottle, your review notes are spot on IMO.
Red

2019 Sinegal Cabernet Sauvignon

 Napa Valley more
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2/8/2023 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 98 points

Wine of the Year for 2022, 2023, 2024...You Get the Idea

In 2014 I received a most honored email indicating that I had sold more of the 2009 Hidden Ridge 45° Slope Cabernet Sauvignon than any other wine shop in Illinois. Not too bad considering the shop was tiny compared to many shops these days. Also, in 2013 and 2014 getting a phenomenal Cab at around $30 was almost unheard of. What made the wine so affordable was that the vineyards were on steep slopes (hence the 45-degree slope title), on the western side of the Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma, and not the eastern slopes, Napa Valley. Granted, likely different microclimates, but mountain fruit is mountain fruit.

I bring up that wine because I had the opportunity to once again taste what I consider to be a wine that mimics the Hidden Ridge in taste, complexity, and just overall damn goodness. A wine that I have had before, even writing about it not long ago, and then chose this wine for my God-Aunt-in-Law’s 97th birthday party allowing me to savor the wine and elevate it to its rightful place in my cellar and blog.

My Wine of the Year

Sinegal Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

One of the biggest praises I gave to Hidden Ridge and now to Sinegal is that I purchased multiple bottles of the wines; not just the one or two that is the norm. If you knew me, you’d realize I don’t buy larger lots.

The more obvious reason to bequeath this title to the wine is the absolute purity, taste, balance, and smoothness the wine carries. As I stated in my post on June 21st of 2022: “The fruit was rich, vibrant, and juicier, but not as much as most 2013 cabs I've tasted. Dark fruit of blackberry and cassis dominates with firm but not overt tannins. The acidity chimed in to reflect this gorgeously balanced wine.” Don’t believe me, there was a 98 Point review for the wine, and oh, a 96 Pointer to boot.

It should be noted that a proper decant time should be allotted to the wine, you will thank me if you do, as was noted by some of the guests at that monumental birthday party, saying how much the wine flourished after time spent in the glass.

An additional reason for this honor is the price, most swirling around $80, and would be in line for a Napa Cabernet of this quality. I ran across it for less. I’m not providing the price as I’m not sure if I want to divulge my source before I buy more, or even how many they have available. The bottom line is that if you see it and you adore Napa Cabs as I do, buy it! It just might become your Number 1 wine too!

Cheers

  • Comment posted by wine4lux:

    3/3/2023 7:20:00 PM - Don, we saw this wine in a restaurant/ wine store in Glenview IL tonight and grabbed a couple of bottles to bring home. We had visited the winery in December 2022, and loved the experience, Only the black label cabs are available through the tasting room and club (and they are excellent), we were told that the tan label is distributed through selected wine stores and restaurants. We are looking forward to tasting the difference, especially at such an attractive price. Thank you for your thoughtful review.
Red

2005 Flora Springs Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Reserve Rennie Vineyard

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4/26/2020 - Moorsie Likes this wine: 92 points

Showing its age a bit, but still an excellent cabernet, especially with a steak. Good fruit, not as bold due to age, but a nice finish including some Rutherford Dust. I poured a little through an aerator to test, better so I then poured straight into a decanter and let sit for an hour or so.

  • Comment posted by wine4lux:

    8/21/2022 6:08:00 PM - Still very much on points.
Red

2009 Lewis Cellars Syrah Ethan's

 Napa Valley more
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10/30/2021 - wino121 wrote: 94 points

Vinturied and consumed over several hours,
Wow, this is still terrific, and aging beautifully.
Broad and intense blue fruit with chewy tannins leads into a tension free finish.
Drink now with decant thru 2024,
Why wait it’s fabulous now.

  • Comment posted by wine4lux:

    5/9/2022 7:27:00 PM - Your review of the 2009 Ethan’s is still spot on. Thank you.
White

2009 Kistler Chardonnay Dutton Ranch

 Russian River Valley more
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9/11/2020 - gonzo Likes this wine: 93 points

I think a little of petrol on the nose, Then crush flowers and a nice long acidic finish it’s a little cold can be better when it’s warmer

  • Comment posted by wine4lux:

    4/1/2022 7:21:00 PM - Thank you, Gonzo, for the note about not serving too cold. I followed your advice tonight and was well -served by your review.
Red

2018 Sojourn Pinot Noir Ridgetop Vineyard

 Sonoma Coast more
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2/5/2021 - wine4lux Likes this wine: 94 points

Dark cherry and pomegranate on the palate. Bright acidity in a silky texture. Generally my go-to single vineyard Pinot from Sojourn to pair with salmon, the 2018 vintage is approachable now and has a solid structure.

  • Comment posted by wine4lux:

    2/7/2021 2:16:00 PM - Jennermaidia, we usually have salmon with a rub- cherry BBQ, Cajun, or similar. To me, the Ridgetop consistently displays darker cherry and orange fruit, and Asian spice, all really amplify the rub and the texture of the fish. The numbers my not support me but the Ridgetop seems to have a bright, clean acidity that shines through the meal. Take care.
Red

2006 Darioush Shiraz

 Napa Valley more
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3/16/2016 - UpfromtheCellar wrote: 89 points

This is an open and shut review.

With my eyes shut, I can concentrate on the great bouquet, with lovely notes of cedar, vanilla, blackberies, a hint of tobacco and earth rounding it out. The palate is long and smooth, creamy with a very round and full mouth feel. Almost sweet, with a long finish, this Napa Cab is classic!

With my eyes open I look at the massive bottle (it weighs in at over 2.5 lbs for just one bottle - whew, no doubt this baby is meant to protect its precious juice from any and everything!! In fact its so heavy I have added it to my special collection of vitreous wonders of excess - see my earlier reviews of Argentinian Malbec....). The elegant label just screams high end Cabernet but there seems to be a typo - it says Shiraz!!? Huh? Shiraz? NOT Syrah but Shiraz? wait wait wait wait.......

And there in lies the problem. An earlier review by THEGODFATHER got it right. He nailed it. Thank you for being unafraid to speak truth to typicity.

This wine tastes nothing at all like a Syrah - no dirt, no savory, no garique. Ah but you say this is a Shiraz (if you actually say that then you are thicker than the planks used in the barrels!) - OK so perhaps the producers decided to forgo the Old World authenticity and attempt to make an Ozzie version instead, looking to the New World experts for how to over ripen and over extract this grape? Throw in some high end micro oxygenation and a nice big dollop of new oak and there you have it. YECH. And its no wonder why so many Americans who taste the real thing from France have stopped buying this spoofilated mess. This is a Cab's Syrah via Ozzy land. Go Away.

  • Comment posted by wine4lux:

    9/15/2020 5:15:00 PM - Four years plus later your review of this wine still is spot on. Thanks for the insight and the humor.
Red

2007 Winderlea Pinot Noir Ana Vineyard

 Dundee Hills more
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3/29/2018 - Djfermentation Likes this wine: 93 points

We took this bottle in to Recipe Park Deux last night and was drinking beautifully. The focus is middle point now between fruits and secondary flavors. I like the balance at this point and find it’s drinking at an ideal spot for my own palate. It went great with the steak tartare and charcuterie plate.

  • Comment posted by wine4lux:

    9/9/2020 7:12:00 PM - Had our last 2007 Winderlea Ana tonight and your review from 2 years ago is still spot on.
Red

2007 Clos Mogador Priorat

 Grenache Blend, Grenache more
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8/27/2016 - wine4lux Likes this wine: 92 points

Shared with friends at a Spanish-themed dinner. Notes of smoke and cherry in a well balanced wine. Opened about an hour before serving and was very approachable from the start

  • Comment posted by wine4lux:

    8/29/2016 3:26:00 AM - I have 3 more bottles tucked away. I think the 07 Mogsdor has a couple of years left in its prime window

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