3/31/2017 - CultCabKing Likes this wine:

2014 tasted. Dark purple clear with pink sunset rim. Tasted after 2hr decant.

Heavy duty cherries. Big acid. Structure my not be structured well enough to age a long time.

1/20/2017 - CultCabKing Likes this wine:

Dry clear ruby red that lightens right st the edge. Very smooth tannins, almost silky. Acid maybe just slightly low? Spice, anise.

10/30/2016 - CultCabKing wrote:

Tasted this at Vino Volo at LAX between flights. Lots of blueberry, chocolate and spice in the nose. A pleasant medium violet color that goes to rose color at the edges. More tannin than fruit, light on the acid. Not enough fruit to be flabby, just lean and dry.

1/15/2016 - CultCabKing Likes this wine:

Medium red, to lighter pink at the rim. A little more tannic than acid, both medium+

Not all that familiar with Grenache and Mourvèdre, so can't opine on the varietal "truth". Nice round red fruits and some residual pepper spices. Long dry finish.

1/7/2016 - CultCabKing wrote:

Still terrific

10/22/2015 - CultCabKing Likes this wine:

LOTS of ripe fruits, very light on tannin and acid up front. Not much staying power, fruit takes its leave well before the finish. I might give this a shot with a thick pork chop. Nose seemed subdued to me - but it's allergy season :( so I won't opine on it.

9/8/2015 - CultCabKing Likes this wine:

Earthy nose and black fruits. Good balance, medium acid, medium tannin. A little citrus bite mid palate. Longish tobacco and leather finish.

6/26/2015 - CultCabKing Likes this wine:

Clear red with an earthy nose. Medium to high acid with initial dark fruit notes, followed by a tobacco and leather style middle and a vegetal finish of pretty good length. The tannins are very small and rounded, but on good amount.

Got much better with about an hour of air.

I would definitely decant this is the future.

6/15/2015 - CultCabKing wrote:

Technically better than it tastes. Well made, clear old vine zin with earthy nose.

Not enough fruit for my taste.

12/20/2014 - CultCabKing wrote:

Plenty of great spicy notes in the nose. This Super Tuscan is built around the Merlot which lends it some interesting characteristics, especially with a little petit Verdot. We got a pretty good deal on it and had it with a meat-laden pizza and it was a great match. The light fruit balance worked well with the tomato sauce and cut a nice swath through the heavy meaty flavors. A solid wine in the price range. I think I would try it with a big double-cut pork chop!

9/5/2014 - CultCabKing wrote:

Amazing amounts of leather and cassis with (unbelievable) a jammy undertone! I have to say that this tasted better to me than the Special Select!

9/4/2014 - CultCabKing wrote:

Anniversary 2014

7/22/2014 - CultCabKing wrote:

I got some bacon overtones to the fruit - a very nice little wine for the prixe

6/21/2014 - CultCabKing wrote:

Central market purchase

2/23/2014 - CultCabKing Likes this wine:

Truly one of the best Napa wines I have had. Based on my visit to the vineyard two years ago, it is obvious that the Phillips family is super-devoted to the art and science of producing the finest grapes possible. The wine made each year is a selection from the best of their seven individual lots and the wines have been very big. The color is stunning, but may lure you into thinking the wine will not be full flavored. The nose makes you rethink your initial impression, with big berry flavors mixed with some spice and floral. The front end is really fruity and then there's a little "pop" of tannin, tobacco and fruit in the middle leading to a very, very pleasant two-stage finish. If I had to pick a Napa Cab in the $150-$200 range to enter in a tasting contest, it would be hard for me to choose between the VHR and the Cliff Lede Poetry.

2/20/2014 - CultCabKing wrote:

Upon opening: A lot of Syrah in the nose. Very light up front with some peppery notes in the middle. Two stage finish with an initial burst followed by a lingering tannic echo.

10min: smoothed out considerably! Still has the pepper and the fruit but the transitions are less obvious.

Nice wine at the price point if you like a Syrah-heavy blend.

12/13/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Smoky character but an amazing lighter Amarone. Paired very well with the red, white and butter sauces!

11/19/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

A Malbec with Howell Mountain fruit! What a treat - lots of fruit and plenty of spice

11/17/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

This may be the best FIVE DOLLAR Tempranillo I have ever had!

11/15/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Comes on very strong as expected for a youngish Shiraz. The tannic notes predominate but raspberry in the middle with a little tobacco at the edges. After a little air the Jam profile shows itself, with some black pepper overtones in the short finish. I found the nose to be somewhat closed.

8/30/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Consistently excellent! Holding up nicely to this 16oz bone in prime ribeye!

8/29/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

This is a tremendous Pinot from Carneros. Grown near the blocks (I think) for Domaine Carneros "Famous Gate", another winner. There is enough fruit for any classic Pinot pairing, and enough body for almost anything. The nose is delightful.

7/19/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Excellent spicy characyet

6/19/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Nice balance - short finish.

6/12/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Great balance, terrific fruit with a little wood and licorice in the finish. One of the better Columbia Valley wines I have tasted. Holds up well with pork chops or aged beef.

6/12/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Nose: Vanilla? Cassis, light wood, dark fruits...but very light compared to the medium body taste. Good match with beef.

4/7/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Pretty lightweight - count stand up to our prime rib. Pleasant fruit forward with very mild tannins and oak.

4/3/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Light color for a Zin but long slow legs promised a full body. Nose screamed ZIN! with lots of dark fruit. First sip showed huge spice and lots of cherry/blackberry. Alkaline in the middle with dry finish. To my palate, this lacks a little fruit, but this is 98% Zin with 2% Carignane, (a new grape on me!). Rich red meats really show off the fruit in this wine. I'd classify this as "edgy".

4/3/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

The hefty Petite Sirah (23%) is evident in the nose. VERY soft in the middle. Finish is sharp, but is expect it to mellow over time. Will taste again in 2016. Have this with buffalo, rabbit or venison.

4/3/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

I'm struggling to rate this. I like it quite a bit, as it has enough alcohol (14.5%) to stand up to beef ribs an standing prime rib (two of my favorites), but as a "drinking wine" it's too hot. But boy oh boy was this good with little beef croustades topped with blue cheese! At this price pojnt it is OK, but if you want a great Napa claret at a fair price try to find the Cliff Lede.

4/3/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

This is hard to beat for 12 bucks! 100% oak barrel fermented, 20% new, with a surprisingly light nose. After seven months in wood I expected a much deeper aroma. The taste doesn't disappoint however. The Carneros grapes set up a terrific underlying structure that allows some nice fruit and spice to layer into the middle. The finish is good, although the mineral comes back with a vengeance. I'd drink this all summer for $12, probably with a bunch of mussels or clams on the grill.

4/3/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

For the price this is firmly drinkable. The oak is right up front in the nose and on the tongue. More lush than I expected, with light tannin. Floral finish that lingers nicely. I'd like to try this with crab - suspect this would be a good pairing.

3/13/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Medium body, decent balance. Soft in the mouth, with young tannins noticeable but not overpowering. Flowery taste overall with longish spiky pepper finish.

3/9/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

Half-bottle was nice - lots of fruit, light body, enough tannin to balance. Ripe cherries and plum in the nose with a spicy finish

2/13/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

The tannins overpowered the fruit on my palate. Fairly hot finish.

2/13/2013 - CultCabKing wrote:

This got better with a little air but I found it slightly thin with more cedar than I would normally like. Still, well balanced and would be a good pairing for veal, I think.

12/4/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Very rich and complex

10/29/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

A little disappointing - not much in the nose, not as well balanced as I would expect. Structurally confused.

10/29/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Best Amarone I have had in the USA.

10/29/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

A very nice wine! Slightly spicy tobacco nose, solid fruit, long silky tannic finish

10/11/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

This is an excellent and underrated wine! It has a very full fruit front and although it is a little thin in the middle, the finish is long and spicy. 50-60 bucks seems like a bargain.

10/10/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Agree with the fruit bomb comments others have made. Nice long, pleasant finish. This is not a "big" cab in the traditional sense - showing fruit and acid in the middle with the light spicy notes in the back end. I'd drink this alone, but likely would not pair with heavier foods. I think I would like it with game birds.

10/10/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Very light oak - apple, melon, hint of buttery. Good balance, fair structure.

9/1/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Very crisp and fruity, great oak, no butter

7/24/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Very dry and astringent - short on fruit.

7/11/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Excellent

7/11/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Light, fruity, crisp. Can be served a little colder than usual. Great

6/30/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Light with plenty of fruit

6/13/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Great nose, soft in the middle with a big leather finish

6/13/2012 - CultCabKing wrote:

Floral nose, vanilla notes, needs air