Tasted this at the winery yesterday, alongside the other two single vineyards, the Cab Franc, the Reserve and the Black Label. All were quite excellent really, though pricey. I ended up buying this and the Cab Franc as they stood out a bit. I don't normally expect to be won over by wines from Calistoga, but this was hillside grapes and it was dramatically powerful. There was what seemed like a Zinfandel aspect - an intense over-ripe almost recklessness, but it was very welcome, expressive and fascinating. The two other single vineyards, albeit from '19, were more classic in style - rich, delicious, lush but this one was more unusual, in a good way. The Black Label was likely the best - the most rich and balanced but this one had the x-factor.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
4/29/2023 - John McCabe wrote: 96 Points
Tasted this at the winery yesterday, alongside the other two single vineyards, the Cab Franc, the Reserve and the Black Label. All were quite excellent really, though pricey. I ended up buying this and the Cab Franc as they stood out a bit. I don't normally expect to be won over by wines from Calistoga, but this was hillside grapes and it was dramatically powerful. There was what seemed like a Zinfandel aspect - an intense over-ripe almost recklessness, but it was very welcome, expressive and fascinating. The two other single vineyards, albeit from '19, were more classic in style - rich, delicious, lush but this one was more unusual, in a good way. The Black Label was likely the best - the most rich and balanced but this one had the x-factor.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment