2025 Sonoma County & Bits of Napa

Tasted Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - Saturday, August 16, 2025 by Geaux Tigers with 404 views

Introduction

What I think I thought . . .

What’s New—Two new projects were on the agenda—Nacra and Sown. Loved visiting both. More details below.

What’s Wrong—Pricing and continued price increases are unsustainable. Those that haven’t recognized the problem are doomed. Inflation is one thing, but what I saw in 4.5 days was something far more problematic. There are many factors but one thing is for certain, a big market correction is looming (arriving?) on the horizon.

It’s All About People, People (part 1) — Tasting fees are going nuts. Worse yet, asking for a gratuity after paying a tasting fee and then buying wine was just insulting.

Bad news—Napa was empty. Charter Oak was nearly empty at lunch on a Wednesday.

Good news—the Westin Verasa rates were the lowest I’ve ever seen, I even got an upgraded room.

I’m Sorry—I still hate wood boxes, just give me the wine. Apologies to the Verasa staff that had to dispose of a splintered and destroyed wood box, but I had to move the wine to a suitcase for a flight home.

The Now—2023s are some crazy buggers in bottle. Big tannins were showing everywhere in ‘23 bottles, even in wines that showed fine structure out of barrel.

The Future—2024s are just as good and maybe a hair better than 2023s, but it’s still early. Velvety, lush but elegant and refined, almost every 2024 barrel sample showed better than its 2023 big brother.

What’s for Dinner—Stark’s in Santa Rosa had one of the best filets I’ve ever had, seasoned just right and cooked to perfection—just getting so hard lately for people to get it right.

It’s All About People, People (part 2) — The right host can sell more wine without doing anything extra. The wrong host won’t stop talking even when we’re trying to leave.

4.5 days is too too much. My tongue woke up burning on the last day.

There’s always something awesome about wearing a quarter-zip pullover in August!

Stepping off the plane back in Houston in 98F heat is miserable.

Flight 1 - Simon Family (4 Notes)

Tasted at the Downtown Napa tasting room, a very nicely appointed space. We were lucky enough to follow another tasting so the stable featured some really nice wines. The cheese and chips were a nice touch since delays in SMF operations forced us to forego lunch beforehand. Paul was a great host! Besides the wines below, we also tried the 2022 Golden Ore sauvignon blanc, the ’22 Sleeping Lady cabernet and the 2022 Beckstoffer GIII cabernet.

  • 2024 Simon Family Estate Tigress Rosé of Grenache 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford

    (8/12/2025)

    I am not a fan of rose and less of a grenache fan, but this was a great opener for our Simon tasting. Crisp and refreshing, good balance between brambly and fruit forward--for the first time ever I own purchased rose.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2022 Simon Family Estate Cabernet Franc Double Blessings Peter

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (8/12/2025)

    CS / CF blend, including fruit from Tench, this was my favorite wine of the tasting (as expected based on vineyard sources). Uplift from the CF that is providing early enjoyment, though I think this shines even brighter in 5-7 years when everything really integrates. Bought

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2022 Simon Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Double Blessings Michael

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/12/2025)

    All cab. Compared to the Peter, this showed more restraint than the Michael probably because of the lack of CF which almost always provides early uplift. Dark fruited beauty. This is no slouch. Bought.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2022 Simon Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/12/2025)

    This was really good, a gorgeous rendition of the famed Vine Hill Ranch vineyard. Young but fairly open, this showed true to VHR with dark fruit, and the mineral/earthy complimentary components I find in the best versions of VHR. Bought

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 2 - Nacra

A new project for us, this is definitely worth a visit. Gavin was kind enough to show us the uniqueness of the blocks. We spent an hour or so in the vineyard understanding the unique terroir of the site, the uniqueness of the blocks and how the clones are matched with the terroir. Fascinating insights. Still new blocks being planted. Comparisons to Ketan Modi’s Diamond Mountain vineyard are very apropos. We tasted a few blending components for the 2024 vintage, some of which were just outstanding and have all the markers of a great Veeder wine! Can wait to see what the final product looks like. Nacra has a very bright future. Can’t wait to visit again. Fun fact—parts of Veeder get 60-70 inches of rain per year! Did not know that.

Flight 3 - Mowe (2 Notes)

We met Dustin and Rene for lunch at Charter Oak, great conversation like two old friends catching up between sips and laughs. Such great people, I am happy to see Mowe take off.

Crazy how empty Charter Oak was for a Wednesday at lunch!

  • 2023 MOWE Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 96 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville

    (8/13/2025)

    From a 375 ml. Wow, just wow! I thought the ‘22 SB was really good, but this is on another level. The first sip was like biting into the freshest peach you’ve ever had. Incredible mouthfeel, crisp without being tart, peach, melon, nectarine and tropical fruit menagerie. Perfect balance on the acid. White wine of the trip! 96 and worth every point. Crazy to think this will improve with age!

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2023 MOWE Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (8/13/2025)

    From a 750 ml. Again, as with the SB, this is showing on another level versus the ’22, although like many other ‘23s we tried, the tannins are misbehaving early on after bottling. Red fruit dominate with an elegant & sophisticated flow across the palate, cannot wait to see what this is like with time sideways and tannins back in their rightful place. If you choose to pop one as soon as your allocation arrives, may I suggest air for maximum enjoyment.

    Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

Flight 4 - Will Segui / William & Mary / Rivers Marie / Roy Piper (6 Notes)

What’s a visit to Napa with a few hours laughing, gossiping and bu11sh1tting about college sports? The answer is a great visit!

Will was kind enough to host us at the Rivers Marie Tasting Room, Roy Piper joined us for a great time and great wines. Can’t say enough about Will’s and Roy’s generosity with their time and wines. Things I learned or confirmed here:

—Tannins showing up in ’23 bottles at levels not perceived in barrel
—‘24s are going to be really good. Be careful about not buying after ’23 because you may miss out
—‘23/’24 is shaping up to matching ‘13/’12 and ‘18/’19
—Those that waited out the heat spike in late ’24 made spectacular wines, the jury is still out on some of the earlier pickers.
—The wine business is in a state of flux
—Laughing and BS’ing make a visit, anything else is a wine tasting. Guess which one I prefer?

  • 2023 William & Mary Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflett Ranch

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

    (8/13/2025)

    This bottle had been opened a few hours and while still showing unexpected structural tannins from recent bottling, it was delicious. Best to lay down for a few years, but from a profile perspective, this is Shifflet Ranch through and through even at this early stage and true to the site. Loved this wine.

    Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2023 William & Mary Proprietary Red Shifflett Ranch

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

    (8/13/2025)

    This bottle had been opened a few hours and showed far less than the ’23 cab. The CF dominated with earthy notes holding back the Merlot components. For my palate, best to lay down for 7-10 years for maximum benefit.

    I feel like everytime I try the Prop Red with Will, I write the same note, but when I pull a bottle with 7+ yrs, I understand these require patience for maximum enjoyment!

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2024 William & Mary Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflett Ranch

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

    (8/13/2025)

    Barrel Sample, fine tannins, red fruit dominant with black fruit showing also, this was lush, velvety and dare I say elegant across the palate. While elegant, this still isn’t old school, it has that oomph we all want in delicious Napa cab. I loved this one!

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2022 Roy Piper Cabernet Franc

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

    (8/13/2025)

    Roy was kind enough to bring his 22 CF to our visit. Even served as PnP, this was by far the most open of the wines and showed very well. My prior notes from 2024 are still spot on, though the fruit is now poking through and balancing out the earthy notes. Fourteen months has been very kind to this wine, and several more years are likely needed for best results.

    Roy got this one right in a tough year.

    Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2023 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Vidovich Lane Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/13/2025)

    This had been opened a few hours, showing purple and black fruit, some mineral components and white flowers, true to its terroir (which is close to Dr. Crane, so the profile should not be surprising). This bottle showed less bottling effects but did show enhanced tannins. Glad I bought during the recent release.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2023 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (8/13/2025)

    This had been opened a few hours, showing cherry and red fruit deliciousness, though like the others it too showed some bottling effects and enhanced tannins. Glad I bought during the recent release.

    Read 2 Comments / Post a Comment / 4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

Flight 5 - Sown Estate (2 Notes)

This is a yet unreleased project with the first wines from ’23 in bottle. The vineyard is up on Mt. George near and southwest of Jarvis. Some of the fruit here went to Maitre de Chai for a prior cab that AG scored well, so there are good bones here. There is a lot to like here. Can’t wait for this to release.

  • 2023 Sown Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/13/2025)

    This is a yet unreleased project with the first wines from ’23 in bottle. The vineyard is up on Mt. George near and southwest of Jarvis. Some of the fruit here went to Maitre de Chai for a prior cab that AG scored well, so there are good bones here. Restrained and elegant, but showing a firm tannic structure at the moment, this is 13-something on the A/C and it works. Sour cherry, dried cherry, undertones of dried cranberry. No hard edges. There is a lot to like here. This is not for those who like big cabs. Can’t wait for this to release.

    Read 3 Comments / Post a Comment / 5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2024 Sown Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/13/2025)

    We tried ’24 barrel samples and while the A/C was a little higher (14-ish) than the ‘23, it was not apparent, though like everywhere, the ’24 barrel sample did not show the same structural tannins and was more plush and velvety across the palate than the ‘23 served next to it. Fruit profile (sour cherry, dried cherry, undertones of dried cranberry) similar to the ’23. ‘23 and ‘24 are a great start for this new project.

    Post a Comment / 2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

Flight 6 - Coronet / Arrow & Branch (8 Notes)

Visit to the Arrow & Branch Winery

The Arrow & Branch team have ‘it’ really figured out and special thanks to Michael Ploetz for yet another great experience. After a quick start with the ’21 Heritage Sauvignon Blanc and quick tour of the new winery and planned upgrades, it was time to sit down and enjoy some great wines. We also tried barrel samples of the 2024 Coronet Chardonnay and 2024 Beckstoffer GIII Cabernet, which are both really good wines. Jennifer Williams was kind enough to join us for a few minutes to walk us through what Coronet has in store for 2024 and the future!

  • 2023 Coronet Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

    (8/13/2025)

    From the Arrow & Branch Winery Lady Liberty Vineyard, this is the inaugural release of the estate wine. After trying barrel samples a couple of times, it is clear that this bottle suffered a slight bit of shock from recent bottling, but the pieces and part are absolutely there for future enjoyment. Red fruit, dark berry fruit, hint of spice, some vanilla. At $95 release, this a nice QPR, particularly if laid down for a few years to let the tannins integrate and the fruit to shine through. Opened at 9 am with a shake decant and then back under cork. Tried several times over the day with varying amounts of air ranging from 3 hr to 9 hr, which still wasn’t enough to fully crack the lock-only hints of beauty with swirling. Bright future here—but then again I am biased.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2024 Coronet Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District

    (8/14/2025)

    Take all the notes from the ’23 Coronet Estate and rinse and repeat, which I think is awesome in dialing in what a vineyard can do. Reddish/black berry fruit, spice components. At the moment, however, the ’24 is showing better than the ’23 due to recent bottling effects. As with other ’23 / ’24 comparisons, the ’24 is lush and velvety across the palate and will drink well earlier. I am excited to see this wine age and get into bottle for release in ‘26ish.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2021 Arrow & Branch Sauvignon Blanc Heritage Reserve 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/14/2025)

    One of my favorite sauvignon blancs in Napa and consistent year after year after year. This is a tropical SB, melon, guava, nectarine (no peach) with no hard edges.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2023 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Meteor Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville

    (8/14/2025)

    A new, back to the future, edition from A&B, this showed spiced plum and black fruit, still structured and showing recent bottling effects. Suffered from sitting next to its brethren but this is no slouch. Good bones here, bought.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2023 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (8/14/2025)

    This bottle showed the most effects from recent bottling with structure and tannins screaming from the roof tops. Dark fruit, all the markers of Dr. Crane are there but somewhat muted at the moment. But there is just something about this wine that has the ‘it’ factor potential. With time, this could be the best A&B rendition of Dr. Crane so far.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2023 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Hill Ranch

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (8/14/2025)

    My wife’s favorite of the tasting, love what Jennifer Williams does with the VHR fruit, this always seems to be a more elegant, less powerful rendition of VHR and I love it. Foral and herbal on the nose with red and black fruit showing the most on the palate, lots of potential here.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2023 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (8/14/2025)

    This is a Wow wine! Damp earthy notes followed by a red fruited palate. As good as this was today, it has a very high ceiling with years of cellaring. This wine showed the least amount of structure/tannins from bottling of all the ‘23s we tried over this trip.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2012 Arrow & Branch Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard 98 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (8/14/2025)

    Just when I thought our A&B tasting couldn’t get any better, out comes a ’12 Dr. Crane. Gushing like a school girl with a crush, I loved this wine. Damp earth, hint of herbs, white florals, violets, bittersweet chocolate, purplish/black fruit, this is what Dr. Crane can be when it’s done right. 98. Holy smokes!

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 7 - Fait Main (4 Notes)

Jessy Franchini, FM assistant winemaker, was kind enough to join us for lunch and pour the Fait Main 2023s in the brand new bottles. The new bottles are pretty baller looking. All wines were essentially PnP though some we didn’t get to until 30 min after opening. If I were opening ’23 FMs now, Napa Valley, Tierra Roja, Las Piedras, and then . . . BMH, just based on how much time I think they’ll need to sleep sideways for best results.

  • 2023 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/14/2025)

    This drank really well right from the start, and while young, it was not overoaked in any way, shape or form and can be enjoyed now. Primarily blue and black fruited. No hard edges.

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2023 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (8/14/2025)

    PnP—This wine is true to terroir showing a mineral and tannic backbone that carries blueberry, wet rock and some blackberry. Some extra tannins showing through at the moment. I am not an LPV fan in the base case, but this is a very well made wine true to its site.

    Read 4 Comments / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2023 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville

    (8/14/2025)

    PnP—The most closed and tannic of the wines (as I usually find to be the case in the early going). Puffs of fruit showed and disappeared as it swirled in the glass. High ceiling here, no drop off from prior vintages. Even though this showed very little, I am very glad I bought earlier. #1Winelover’s note shows what this can become with patience and/or air.

    Read 3 Comments / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2023 Fait-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Tierra Roja Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/14/2025)

    Red and black berry fruited, heavy oak and tannin presence at the moment that showed itself in sweet saccharin-like note that carried across the palate. For my palate, I think this has very high potential.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 8 - Moon Hollow (2 Notes)

Stopped by the tasting room in Sonoma for a later in the day visit. My wife and I mixed an estate and a member visit tasting package to taste current and aged wines, well worth the price to taste the wines. The white blend to start, SB with Viognier, was interesting, but not my thing. I thought the Grenache and Syrah were good, but neither fits my palate, so hard to judge.

  • 2018 Moon Hollow Cabernet Sauvignon Birch Estate

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Moon Mountain District

    (8/14/2025)

    Unfortunately, there was a little something off in this bottle, very similar in profile to the 2021 with a blackberry and black raspberry dominant mountain fruit profile, big and bold, high A/C that came off a bit boozy, but I think there was either a little bit of cork taint or bret, it was more than faint but less than a flaw. Not fair to score.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2021 Moon Hollow Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Moon Mountain District

    (8/14/2025)

    A huge wine, high alcohol content apparent with a big mountain tannin structure still in play that carried lovely crushed blackberries and black raspberries along to a medium length finish. Not sure if/how much air this had, but it needed more to show its best—prior notes show this has promise.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 9 - Argot (7 Notes)

A great visit in Santa Clara with Beth (a fellow Texan no less!) and then Justin toward the end. Argot is making a great stable of wines at very very reasonable prices.

This is definitely worth a visit and one I wish I had discovered earlier in my journey.

  • 2024 Argot Sauvignon Blanc Bennett Valley 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

    (8/15/2025)

    Peach, grapefruit, green apple, nectarine. Loved this opener, loved the price more ($35). Bought

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2021 Argot Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    (8/15/2025)

    Early Grey Tea, spice red fruit, cranberry, roasted coffee beans. This was really good for what it was, but PN just doesn’t fit my palate.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2021 Argot Syrah Steiner Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

    (8/15/2025)

    Black fruit, bacon, smoked meat. This was really good for what it was, but Syrah just doesn’t fit my palate.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2019 Argot Cabernet Sauvignon Sage Ridge Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/15/2025)

    Perfumed nose, red fruit, brambly. Elegant and refined from several years sideway, much more so than the boisterous ’23 served next to it.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2023 Argot Cabernet Sauvignon Sage Ridge Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/15/2025)

    From vines at 1600 ft of elevation, this was the biggest of the cabernets we tried. Perfumed nose, red fruit, brambly. Mrs. GT loved this. Bought

    Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2023 Argot Cabernet Sauvignon Bonny's Vineyard

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/15/2025)

    After the wonderful debut of this wine (formerly 1555), Argot is now using the Bonny’s vineyard designate. A very unique and well made wine. Dried herbs, citrus peel, cherry candy, clove, red cherry, sour cherry. Tannins left to resolve still, but much potential, hold 5-7 yrs+ for maximum enjoyment. Bought

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2023 Argot Cabernet Sauvignon Leonardini

    USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena

    (8/15/2025)

    Purple/Black fruit, cardamom, white florals, touch of earth. Similar profile to Dr. Crane and makes sense given proximity of the vineyard. My favorite of the tasting. Bought

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 10 - Merriam (6 Notes)

We really enjoyed our visit here, but the wines were hit or miss, with many of the wines being served at room temperature on a hot day, which meant they didn’t necessarily show their best. Some wines that stood out over the others in no order—

  • 2022 Merriam Vineyards Blanc de Noirs

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    (8/15/2025)

    Served too warm on a hot day, but showed hints of raspberry, strawberry, toasted brioche, hint of tartness on the finish, I think this has potential to be better than it showed today.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2019 Merriam Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile

    (8/15/2025)

    Plum, fig, dried cherry, served too warm, nose had a hint of kosher sweet pickle

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2024 Merriam Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Rockpile

    (8/15/2025)

    2024 Rockpile CS – from a barrel sample, silky legs, purple crimson dark wine, high pitched red/purple fruit, some early earthy funk and a touch of bitters on the finish

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2024 Merriam Vineyards Merlot Windacre

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    (8/15/2025)

    2024 Merlot barrel sample, this came off as high alcohol and boozy, chocolate, chocolate covered cherry, true to varietal, needs time but has promise

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2022 Merriam Vineyards Malbec Lower Pond

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    (8/15/2025)

    2022 Lower Pond Malbec – spiced berries and coffee on the nose, figs, booze, cinnamon, clove on the palate. This was one that was served too warm, yet still showed some promise.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2019 Merriam Vineyards Miktos 92 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    (8/15/2025)

    63% Cabernet Sauvignon / 17% Merlot / 15% Malbec / 5% Petit Verdot. This was my favorite of the tasting. More importantly, it was served at the right temperature. Earthy/funk notes on top of red cherry, hint of blueberry, dried fruit. Elegant across the palate.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 11 - Skipstone (5 Notes)

Our last day started at Skipstone and what a way to start! Beautiful property with a nice outdoor tasting area that overlooks the vineyard. We opened with a nice bottle of bubbles and dove straight into the reds (my kind of tasting!). Tasted what I think was the full stable of reds. One of my favorite visits, great wine, great conversation, lots of laughs.

  • 2021 Skipstone Malbec

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    (8/16/2025)

    Saline on the restrained nose, the palate was not very giving, but the tannins and oak were already nicely integrating.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2022 Skipstone Oliver's Blend

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    (8/16/2025)

    A bigger wine than the ’22 Ripple Effect, spiced red fruit, elegant, short finish, somewhat bitter and a touch of heat on the finish.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2022 Skipstone Cabernet Sauvignon Ripple Effect

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    (8/16/2025)

    Perfume and spiced plums on the nose, elegant red fruited palate, though somewhat restrained, nice inky tension in the glass. From hillside fruit

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2022 Skipstone Faultline Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    (8/16/2025)

    63% Cabernet Franc / 37% Merlot. Gorgeous nose, young, but lots of potential, still some tension to work out between the components. Bought the ’21.

    Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2022 Skipstone Cabernet Sauvignon Sofia's Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley

    (8/16/2025)

    Best three barrel blend and it showed nicely. Oak and tannins were very well managed as this was ready with minimal air/swirling. Red fruit, mixed berries. The biggest and most intense of the wines, and in the end, the best of the wines. Pricing is high, but worth it on a limited purchase. Bought.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 12 - Spire Collection / Anakota / Mt. Brave (7 Notes)

Tasted at the facility on Bennett Lane in Calistoga. Gorgeous views from the tasting room. We skipped whites and went straight to reds—my kind of tasting! The Anakotas just need a lot of time. The Mt. Braves surprised me, especially the Single Block.

  • 2022 Anakota Cabernet Franc

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    (8/16/2025)

    Butterscotch/caramel nose and more on the palate, no greenies, but muted fruit at the moment. This was a big wine and needs time sideways to show its best.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2022 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

    (8/16/2025)

    Dark berry pie, caramel, young and a bit grapey. These are great wines at 10-12 years old, this just needs rest & relaxation.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2022 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

    (8/16/2025)

    This showed better than the ‘22 Dakota served next to it. Young with a touch of heat, high pitched mixed berry liquer, dark fruits, pie crust, caramel. More open and seemingly less tannic than the Dakota.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2014 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana Vineyard 93 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley

    (8/16/2025)

    Served blind, I guessed a ’19 CS from Knights Valley, it showed that young at 11 years old. A bit of pine tar, touch of fresh green herbs, tannic and structured with a touch of bricking. Reddish/black fruit on the palate. 93.

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

  • 2021 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    (8/16/2025)

    From a magnum, still locked in with parching tannins, but that is expected. Smells like Veeder with a touch of wet forest floor, black and blue fruit mix. Will be worthy of the high critic scores in 9-12 years time at which point the QPR will be off the charts. 93 now, room to run to 97-98.

    Read 1 Comment / Post a Comment / 3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2019 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder Single Block 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder

    (8/16/2025)

    From a 750 ml. Wine of the tasting, just really good. Black cherry, black raspberry, raspberry highlight Mount Veeder deliciousness. Still structured and tannic but this was really good. Try to find and buy for tasting again in 2029+. 95 now, room to run 98ish.

    Read 7 Comments / Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

  • 2018 Arcanum Toscana IGT

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    (8/16/2025)

    Touch of old shoe leather, funk, herbal, touch of booze, acidic red fruit, underripe berries, might have showed better at a lower serving temperature

    Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

Flight 13 - Heritage School Vineyards (5 Notes)

Our final visit was with Natalie at Heritage School Vineyards. Beautiful property up in Calistoga with neighbors like Engelhard. TRB makes the wines.

This was one of the highlights of our trip and I bought a lot of wine. Natalie is very knowledgeable about Heritage School and Napa in general and we had a great time chatting over a glass or two.

Kudos for the nice library selection!

Closing

4.5 days is too much, I ain’t getting younger

×
×