January 24, 2024 - PnP. Aromas of blackberry, cassis, leather, tobacco, black raspberry, and slightly floral. Loaded with flavor, showing blackberry, black raspberry, cassis, anise, leather and tobacco. Medium bodied. Moderate smooth tannins in the long finish. Showing well now, but should have a long life ahead of it.
June 10, 2023 - Excellent wine. Not a ton to add to the great notes from others. Definitely better after a solid decant and the smoky, gravely, fruity. Still plenty of time
February 11, 2023 - Rich delicious black cherry fruit with cedar flavors, excellent finish, tannins softening, long finish
January 19, 2023 - An easy drinker now but I would hold drinking more of the Calistoga for another couple of years. We very much enjoyed the bottle tonight, and don’t have any problem drinking it now since it is delicious, but know that the best is yet to come for our remaining bottles.
January 18, 2023 - Short decant and it needed it. Big nose with blackberry, cassis, leather, tobacco, black raspberry, floral. similar flavors of blackberry, black raspberry, cassis, anise, and tobacco. Medium bodied. Moderate smooth tannins in the long finish. Very good nw, but should have a long life ahead.
August 16, 2022 - Wow. This was a big surprise to me. Not sure why I just wasn't expecting to think it was going to be as good. Sometimes makes me wish someone else could go to the cellar, pull something and pour it blind and then I would know there was no bias.
So....nose jumps out of the glass with deep purple fruits, leather, tobacco all blended nicely together. Opaque and deep purple in color. In the mouth it is very well balanced with a super nice long finish and if any nits it may be a bit tannic but I bet in another 30-60 minutes that goes away.
Just really enjoying this bottle!
Read a couple of notes below and a big "yes" to the licorice and gravel note...spot on!
June 15, 2022 - Awesome! Punches way above its weight. Well done!
April 23, 2022 - Really liked it. Decanted but only briefly and this needs to be strained/flitered or you'll end up with the bitter dregs. Best to probably stand up for couple hours ahead of time. Black fruits with tinge of dark cherry. Medium acidity but very nicely balanced. Bit of a Larkmead gravel note in there. Great deal (relatively) at release price.
March 17, 2022 - PnP. Black and blue fruit. A touch of smoke. Not overdone by Napa standards. Medium bodied. No rush to drink. Significant shmutz.
December 5, 2021 - Beautiful opaque dark purple color. Terrific nose of dark fruits, violets and a touch of licorice. Black raspberry (somewhat sweeter than blackberry), blueberry, currant on the tongue. Silky mouthfeel. Anise or fennel sensation under the rear palate. Still sturdy tannin. I enjoyed this wine a lot, but for anybody who has it in their inventory, there is no rush.