5/26/2024 - khutchi2 wrote:

The fourth bottle I’ve had over the past six years. Everything you’d want in a mature Napa cab - from the perspective of someone who loves mature left bank Bordeaux. Great balance, dark fruit still right there on the nose, but with fantastic tertiary characteristics coming into frame. I know this vintage isn’t the star of the spottswoode lineup (in their annual club mailer where they star their top vintages, this one doesn’t get the notation). I’ve held off rating this until now because I know the skepticism the ‘100’ will get. On fourth drinking I’ve got my conviction to put it up here! When you fold in the price I think this gets pretty hard to beat!

5/26/2024 - PRVSips Likes this wine:

45 minute decant. Drinking very well. Beautiful fruit and supple tannins in the background. May improve slightly but very happy I opened tonight. Drank with grilled lamb chops.

5/26/2024 - Wine4Life Likes this wine:

What a fantastic quality wine. Pulled the cork an it looked brand new. Very little sediment in the wine, filtered and let it open for an hour. Deep dark purple, looks like the day it was bottled. Big open nose with dark berries dominating, dark fruit continue through the wine with big body, hint of spice, great balance and long lovely finish. What great value, wish I had bought a case. Should drink well for years but hard to believe it will improve.

5/26/2024 - westcoastwannabe wrote:

Notes consistent with previous bottle. Still drinking well, although it's probably nearing the end of its prime window.

5/26/2024 - BradE wrote:

Drunk over three hours. Steadily improved, moving from very good to excellent. Decanting highly recommended.

5/26/2024 - Indywinefan Likes this wine:

A lot of vanilla. A little difficult to rate after drinking the 2014 Dr Crane before it.

5/26/2024 - bbq_grandcru wrote:

One hour splash decant. Very vibrant fruit. Dark fruit profile, with earth and dusty tannin. Leather and cigar tobacco leaves on the nose. 15pct abv.

5/26/2024 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine:

Nicely refreshing and spicy rosé with notes of watermelon, rhubarb, spice and rosehip notes. The palate is bright, refreshing with tons of orchard fruits, watermelon, celery, red florals and spice. A nicely structured mid-palate finishing with tons of spice

5/26/2024 - Mike Kopanski wrote:

This was just delightful. From the very bottom shelf that actually sits on the floor at Trader Joe’s, it’s $4.99. Of course it is not rich layered or complex. But, with absolutely zero mentionable flaws, aside from being a little more dilute than we often expect, this one brings the goods. Nice golden color. Relatively shy but correct nose with some peach pit, lemon peel, tangerine and apple. The palate shows those same fruits, but in a refined, comfortable precise fashion that belies the price. The acid is young, mildly aggressive, but so correct. The finish leaves peach marmalade with tangerine and various citrus.

5/26/2024 - Indywinefan Likes this wine:

Wonderful wine after 3 hour decant. Full body and blue fruit.

5/26/2024 - louisl wrote:

This bottle did not survived. Tasted oxidized.

5/26/2024 - Agbell Likes this wine:

Good acidity and citrus notes and a touch of tropical notes but not overwhelming.

5/26/2024 - Momus99 Likes this wine:

$48 at Cozy Taverna in Salem. Very nice l, particularly at the price. Rosé notes are prominent. Went great with tapas.

5/26/2024 - Kerosene Likes this wine:

Whoa, I didn’t expect much here based on other CT ratings, but each glass was better than the last (3 in this case). I’d definitely purchase again.

5/26/2024 - gpunch Likes this wine:

Beautiful nose of flowers, candied pears, and something savory, like a brothiness.

Palate brings a lot of those same characteristics, but with some lemongrass and lemon juice. The alcohol is a little too much for me. Medium body has some weight to it. Acidity inches toward what I would consider high, but not quite.

5/26/2024 - axz055 Likes this wine:

Dark fruit, leather, earth, cigar box on the nose. Blackberry, spice, leather, earthy stone on the palate. Tannins well resolved, nice acidity, medium to long finish. Really holding up well.

5/26/2024 - Winetex Likes this wine:

One of our last bottles of this wine. Still vibrant with expected complexity. Orange flavors with a long finish. Perhaps the best bottle at its peak!

5/26/2024 - DannyM wrote:

Gave to Joyce & Judy.

5/26/2024 - mleonard1 Likes this wine:

Still amazing. More bbq meat than last time. Happy to have a few more.

5/26/2024 - wobblyknees wrote:

String and spicy fruit, balanced with long smooth finish. Delicious

5/26/2024 - Condrieu82 Likes this wine:

Dark ruby color - I let the bottle breathe for about 30 minutes. Expressive nose of black currants and dark cherries. Round and fresh, medium acidity, beautiful black currants, cherries, crushed bramble, with some notes of cocoa beans; medium tannins that are plush, medium+ finish with barrel spice and a touch of oak.
Classic Napa, very good already. The freshness and relatively low acidity lead me to think this won’t improve much with age - but it will definitely last for quite a while.

5/26/2024 - drandw Likes this wine:

Cork was perfect. Lots of sediment as expected. Filtered with Ullo. Wine was surprisingly quite good. Opened up after some time. Expected to open it and throw it away. Ended up enjoying it over a couple of hours.

5/26/2024 - DannyM wrote:

Gave to Joyce & Judy.

5/26/2024 - Karay161 Likes this wine:

This buttery colored wine has aroma's of peach, pineapple & orange blossoms. At first mouthful you are greeted by notes of grapefruit, green apple, guava & pineapple. The finish is soft and short with hints of melon that linger at the end. This wine is semi dry, crisp, and refreshing, I found it to be a fabulous light wine & for me it was better chilled.

5/26/2024 - Yagil wrote:

Light aromas and flavors intensity of pear and green apple.
Dry, med acidity, med- body, basic complexity, med finish and aftertaste.
Pleasant as daily wine.

5/26/2024 - ChateauShiny Likes this wine:

Bought a bottle from the winery.

Pale straw to clear ombre with very fine bubbles. Very clean and light nose of brown butter, mild toasted nuts, lemons, and minerals. Bight and acidic with decent lift from the bubbles. Despite the acidity, the mouthfeel is very smooth. A very fruity palate explodes with tart lemons, pears, green apples, lightly toasted macadamia and hazelnuts, and a slight touch of chalky minerals. Long finish of tart lemon, limestone, and nuts.

Very refreshing and excellent. At the tasting, this really helped set the palate for the Pinots we tasted. However. these bubbles stand up on their own and fairly priced for what grower Champagne now costs.

5/26/2024 - DannyM wrote:

Gave to Joyce & Judy.

5/26/2024 - gjv115 Likes this wine:

Pnp. Great right out of the gate. Beautiful rich wine. Probably a year past peak IMO. I would not wait on this

5/26/2024 - 82Latour Likes this wine:

Such a monster, deep blackberries and cassis,.black fruit abounding. Huge finish. wonderful tannins. Such a gem. Wotn?

5/26/2024 - gjv115 Likes this wine:

Decanted for about an hour. Needed 3 to 4 hours , or more, to show up. A beautiful wine. Dense yet elegant. Dark fruit flavors. A fair amount of complexity. Delicious. Still youthful but every enjoyable with enough air

5/25/2024 - moment_du_vin wrote:

풋풋한 맛이 너무 강함.
바틀베리에이션이라 추측 됨

5/26/2024 - BradE wrote:

Beautiful from the first sip.

5/26/2024 - dsimmons Likes this wine:

PnP and good from the git-go. Best Syrah I have had in a while. Concentrated flavors, elegance with promise for further development Delicious wine. Drink or Hold. Bravo Cayuse!

5/26/2024 - Chied Likes this wine:

Amazing wine!!!

5/25/2024 - djdoyle wrote:

Outstanding Paso Cabernet. Sophisticated aromas and complex layered flavors and smooth from start to finish. Taste of darker fruits: blueberry, mulberry, dark raspberry with subtle oak overtones. A beautiful wine. Highly recommend.

5/26/2024 - Franken Berry Likes this wine:

This took two hours in the decanter to blossom. Blackberries, Italian raspberry cookie ( Brooklyn bakery), hint of chocolate, picks up licorice on the finish with time. Medium in body

5/26/2024 - Alaskawino Likes this wine:

Slow to open up but after an hours pour very well adjusted. Try a 2 hour decanting next. Once open it shows light to moderate fruit including raspberry and cassis. Tannins and acid well balanced to complement. Not likely to improve from here.

5/26/2024 - wmccone54 wrote:

I purchased six bottles of this from the Underground Cellar liquidation sale back in February. I’m familiar with this particular label, as I’d previously enjoyed a number of this producers other offerings. Decanted and paired with sliced beef brisket, potato salad and cole slaw.

Generally disappointing: strong aromas of “grapiness”, chocolatey oak, and sweet cherry. Red fruit flavors on the palate: sweet cherry, red currant, ripe raspberry, dried fig, baked plum; followed by tomato leaf and some herbaceous notes. Not showing any pepper, olive, bacon, or the smoked meat notes I’d expect from a Syrah based red. Tannins and acidity are well integrated. Medium finish. This might be a slightly off bottle, time will tell as I open others in the future….

5/26/2024 - Moonie Likes this wine:

Beautiful example of a well-made Pinot. Good fruit, but not over the top, balanced structure with firm acidity. Excellent without any decanting.

5/26/2024 - Kloseframe Likes this wine:

Drinking well now. Has all that lovely lemon, brine, and oyster shell that you get from Trout Gulch. Chablisien - sure. Also California. More toned down than when I have had these young. Best after warming up a bit.

5/26/2024 - jjct Likes this wine:

From magnum. This is a pretty big and rich wine, though it has the tension and density to carry it. Drinking nicely, towards the end of its peak.

5/26/2024 - Hrv123 Likes this wine:

Decanted for two hours then drank over 2. Typical Napa profile but somewhat disjointed and a wall of tannins. A letdown at this price especially given how good the Howell Mountain bottling is. A bottle of the 2016 was much better a year ago so maybe it just needs some time. At this point though, I’ll stick with the Howell Mountain. Chappellet cab is same price point and punches higher for my palette.

5/26/2024 - tbrader wrote:

Initially, a significant balsamic note. Darkness follows. Black currant, clove, licorice, oak. Stately.

5/26/2024 - Rex66 wrote:

80% Grenache 20% Mourvèdre

Lots of reddish black fruit on the nose and palate, bright entry with medicinal herbaceousness towards the finish. The Mourvèdre adds some structure. A bit high octane at 15% alcohol, but is fairly well integrated so it doesn’t punch you in the nose. Still noticeable though, especially on the finish.

5/26/2024 - Msulzberger wrote:

Ran through Venturi. Could have gone longer but still great. Very light for a cab. Raspberry. A very good bottle.

5/25/2024 - d'Artagnan wrote:

Au Damas, avec Charles et Zaz.
Sans aération préalable.
Plus rond et riche qu’à l’habitude, aucune aspérité, c'est gourmand et profond comme un bon Châteauneuf. Spectaculaire! 91+ pts

5/26/2024 - djdoyle wrote:

Wonderful Pinot with sweet cherry finish. A little air time enhanced aromas and flavors. Highly recommend.

5/26/2024 - 82Latour Likes this wine:

Deep ruby color, cassis and blueberry classic Napa valley Cabernet. Cooler climate Cabernet, herbaceous, Violet, lovely. Well integrated and drinking well young.

5/26/2024 - mdanyc Likes this wine:

Much better than my last bottle. Plenty of fruit, a little smoke, leather, smooth as anything. Short decanter - only an hour or so.

5/26/2024 - wlsch Likes this wine:

PnP. Dark cherry, dark raspberry, pie spice, forest floor, loam. There's some vanilla from oak that gives it a sort of chocolate covered cherry character (in a good way). Very slight smoky phenol in the finish. Medium body, medium acidity, integrated tannins in the finish. Really gorgeous. It would definitely go longer and I had anticipated keeping it a bit longer, but I came across it while digging through boxes in my cellar, and decided it was time. Drinking beautifully now, but can easily go another 3-5 years and perhaps longer. Ribbon Ridge fruit always seems to have that darker and richer character, and the Ayres wines always seem to age well. This might be a year or two away from its peak, but it's really delicious now, so no regrets on opening it now.