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Wine Type Vintage Name Variety Locale Date Posted Score Helpful Comments More...
White

2022 Myriad Cellars Rarefied Air Beckstoffer Melrose Vineyard

 Rutherford Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend more
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12/21/2023 - Jazz Nut wrote: 94 points

Great note by Gnieboer, so I won't add much more other than to say it is indeed risky opening a bottle right off the truck (by 24 hours), but this is drinking well. There is good acidity on the finish to keep the tropical flavored Sauvignon Blanc and creamier yellow fruited Semillion in balance. No regrets opening!! Though a Bordeaux blanc styled wine, this wine reminded me a bit of Mike Smith's El Diablo Chardonnay in some ways. Perhaps oak treatment? VERY enjoyable, and worth an early peak. I'll drink most on the young side, but will be interesting to see how this will age. I do think there is enough fruit and acidity to have an elegant yet curvy wine in future!

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Red

2018 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family

 Napa Valley more
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5/15/2023 - Jazz Nut wrote: 94 points

Well---I've wanted to check in on the 2018 Myriad SVDs and this did not disappoint! After an hour in the decanter, the tannins melted into the wine. The nose had dark fruits, vanilla (from the barrel), and a little graphite (which I love in a cab).

The nose was fairly open from the get go, but improved over an hour. I did notice a drop off after that, due to it being a young wine. The palate upon opening, was a bit tannic, but that remarkably smoothed out over the decant, and became silky and full bodied. The finish was medium-full bodied, integrated tannins, and a medium finish. I think that the palate and finish will continue to improve with bottle age, but this was a fun surprise. I was thinking this would be a bit tart/acidic, but served around 60 degrees, after it came up from cellar temperature it was a mouthful of modern cab. I still love a Mike Smith wine, if you have multiples and if you are consuming the wine within an hour or so---as it does shut down a bit (in the nose, palate, and finish).

I don't think you can go wrong to check in--whether that be via Coravin, or popping the cork. I do think this wine will improve in nose, palate, and finish, with a year in the bottle, as it seemed to shut down after an hour, but no regrets tonight! I'll let my remaining bottle age a year. Some slight sediment in the decanter at the end of consumption. I'll try to keep my hands of the 2019 Peterson in light of how the 2018 is performing. As fun as drinking Mike Smith wines young (2015-2017).

I think there is benefit to getting some bottle age with the 2018-2019 vintages, and I'm sure the same will continue with 2021 vintage. I know some have said these wines are best young, and I can't disagree, but I really enjoyed a 2012 Myriad GIII, as well as a 2013 Myriad NV in the last year that only became more complete. With that said, I drank my 2015s and 2016s on the early side, I couldn't keep my hands off of them!

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Red

2019 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard

 Napa Valley more
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5/14/2023 - Jazz Nut Likes this wine: NR

I consumed this on the eve of some bad news at work (layoff--med device sector), so I wanted to open something nice that had been taunting me from the cellar. Despite a 3 hour decant, this wine is not ready. Primary dark fruit on the nose, but nowhere near yielding the full package. Short finish turning tart.

This is not a knock on Rivers Marie, or Thomas Rivers Brown, I love their wines. I think the pieces are there, but need to meld together. I appreciated the others' review of this wine, but I'll be cellaring my remaining bottles for at least a year or two. The future is bright!

With that said a young 2018 Herb Lamb was sure good when I opened it on the young side (December 2020, if I remember correctly).

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Red

2019 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

 Oakville more
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1/21/2023 - Jazz Nut wrote: 95 points

Well, this might be my second or third bottle of this wine--I just couldn't resist last Saturday popping a nice bottle. I decanted this wine for 2 hours, it seems to be a bit less forward than in the fall.

We enjoyed this wine before dinner while playing cards, and it has gotten a bit more serious than when I last tasted the wine. Similar nose after the decant, of dark fruits, cassis, vanilla, and spice emerge. If tasting blind, I might have guessed Lore or Dalla Valle--more hillside Eastern Oakville, just because of the muscular tannins and frame of the wine. I don't think there is harm opening one now, with a decant--especially if you have multiple bottles.

For now, I think I'll try another bottle in a year. Still waiting on those 2018s to come around as well. I do believe the 2019 has a bright future ahead, I don't think it's closed down, but certainly has shifted to a more serious presentation since the fall. For comparison the 2017 I felt was ready from release, and hedonistically delicious.

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Red

2016 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Lore Vineyard

 Oakville more
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1/26/2023 - Jazz Nut wrote: 95 points

Sadly my last bottle, but best by far! I decanted this for 3 hours, as it seemed pretty closed upon opening. After the decant, the wine poured a deep purple, and on the nose there were dark blue fruits, some red fruits, and a bit of spice and floral. Big, muscular wine but with balance. Firm tannins, and medium finish. I think this wine will continue to improve and it seems only very early in its drinking window. Wish I had more, and I'll be sure to keep my hands off of 2018 for a few more years. This is one of the Rivers-Marie Cabs that I think will have a lot of staying power in the cellar.

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Red

2018 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

 Rutherford more
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11/2/2022 - Jazz Nut wrote: 95 points

This is my second time around with this wine, and the first being in March 2021--which at that time, it was begging for an extended decant or more bottle time.

This is a big, and powerful wine--with firm tannins upon opening. I poured a glass around 5pm and Vinturi'ed it, and double decanted the rest of the bottle. The wine only improved throughout the evening, and by about 5 hours of air the wine smoothed out, and began to display darker fruits, forest floor, freshly turned soil, some orange rind. The tannins softened and this was helpful to get a full gauge of the wine. I am NOT getting the "ultra-fine tannins" as Jeb Dunnuck mentions, as the were still present, and this leads me to believe that MORE time is needed to get the most out of this wine.

I am not kicking myself for opening, but I'll be leaving my remaining bottle for at least another year. So if you're opening now, I'd recommend a 3-5 hour decant, or a longer double decant. You won't miss anything in the evolution during this time, as the last glass I had was the best. This wine will only get better, the fruit never dropped off, but certainly with air--the wine really presented well.

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Red

2019 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Steltzner Vineyard

 Stags Leap District more
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8/19/2022 - Jazz Nut wrote: 95 points

Opened bottle to accompany a Flannery Jorge and Hangar steaks, roasted potatoes/red peppers. The wine was surprisingly approachable from PnP, with a nose of crushed blueberries, creme de cassis, floral notes, sweet oak/vanilla.

As the glass warmed from cellar temp (56F), some orange peel came out (a quality I usually associate with TRB, and not as much Mike Smith). The palate is reflective of the nose, medium/full bodied, deep, and the finish really is quite elegant for a Mike Smith wine (which I love), integrated tannins, even after having the bottle open for several hours, no bitterness appeared. I think if you have several bottles, there is no harm in opening one!

I do think the 2018 at this age was not ready, as was the 2016, IMHO. So I am holding off drinking any 2018s right now, but the 2019 was great. I do think there is stuffing for this to get a point or two better over the next several years. Not sure if I'll wait to see though :-)

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Red

2019 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

 Oakville more
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5/12/2022 - Jazz Nut wrote: 95 points

I think this is my first tasting note of the 2019 Carter Fortuna, but I've had several bottles so far, and have to say this may be the most complete Fortuna I've tasted. More in line with a 2016 Fortuna, perhaps a bit darker. 2018 was good, but the 2019 is better for my palate. This 2019 is ready to go after a 2 hour decant, but had no drop off over 3 hours of consumption, which we also had an Aubert CIX open. Even from PnP it was pretty open. Dark fruits, integrated and fine tannins, medium-full bodied, with a nice finish, adding a bit of spice on the back end. I echo what a lot of tasters have already commented on this wine. In fact, I've ordered 3 more bottles from an online retailer, since it's drinking so well.

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Red

2018 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

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2/22/2022 - Jazz Nut wrote: 92 points

I decided to check in on this wine, and Coravined a half bottle into a decanter for an hour. The wine is on the more serious end for a Myriad NV-which leads me to believe this will age well, for an appellation Cabernet. Dark fruits, baking spices, vanilla, acid, and tannins on the finish. I feel this is reflective of the vintage, and less forward than 2015, 2016, or 2017, frankly. I think the best is yet to come with this wine, though no regrets if you have multiples.

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Red

2019 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

 Oakville more
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11/5/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 97 points

Decided to pop a bottle as my Carter allocation came in this week. Took to a favorite restaurant in Minneapolis (Red Rabbit) with a friend that has free corkage, and above average glassware--plus good food.

After being burned on a few early 2018 Carter's (just not ready yet), I wanted to see how the 2019 vintage is early on. This wine pours a deep purple, and after some time in the glass dark fruits, cassis, vanilla sugar, and spice emerge. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, plush, with fine grained tannins, and a finish that lasts quite a long time for a wine this young.

After a few hours, there is a slight tartness that shows up--but it's not bothersome, I think it just shows how dense and full the fruit is--the acidity is there, but is buried by the fruit and fine grained tannins.

2019 may be a vintage that you can drink young, and also cellar. I really noticed the fine grained, but persistent tannis. Such good balance on this wine, in some ways it reminded me how the 2016 vintage drank early (as did some of the better 2017s upon release). Either way--much more approachable than 2018 in the early goings, and I can't say enough about the balance, layered flavors, and the spectacular tannins.

I think I'll let my remaining bottles get some age, but if you have multiples and are curious, dig in!

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Red

2016 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Steltzner Vineyard

 Stags Leap District more
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8/19/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: NR

The last time I had this wine it was WAY too early (thinking 2019), and have been burned a bit from the 2018 which I think needs more time--and I love young Napa cab.

This note is more about the preparation of the wine, rather than an in depth tasting note. With that being said, I opened around 4pm for a dinner around 7pm, and took a small taste--it actually was showing fairly well. Powerful nose of dark fruits, cassis, vanilla, and some minerality. I decanted while prepping food, and poured back into the bottle, to double decant until dinner. We enjoyed with a Flannery Jorge, bacon wrapped/cream cheese stuffed jalapenos, and skewered vegetables.

The wine shut down hard during dinner, which was disappointing. I poured it back into the decanter for a few hours, and enjoyed the rest of the bottle while relaxing. Long story short, this wine was a rollercoaster, at PnP I could have guzzled it. I think either sharing it immediately, or plan on decanting this 4+ hours is the right way to go here.

I have one bottle left, and will be waiting on the 2016 vintage of this wine (as well as 2018, and likely 2019). Decant, decant, decant. My rating is based on the best minutes of the wine over the course of consumption 95 point potential all day long--but those moments are fleeting right now, but when it shut down it was 88-90 at best.

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Rosé

2020 Realm Cellars La Fe

 Napa Valley Rosé Blend more
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6/3/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 92 points

Though this is probably the most expensive Rose I've purchased, it did live up to the Realm name. Crisp, but with body. Strawberry and watermelon come to mind, some light florals. Very enjoyable as it came up from cellar temperature (54 degrees). I did try one bottle in the fridge for an hour, and while refreshing, I think serving/drinking at cellar temperature allows all the flavors to come out. For me, it's a like a cross between a Bedrock Rose, and Domaine Tempier. If they release this again, I'll be buying.

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White

2018 Ancillary Cellars Chardonnay El Diablo Vineyard

 Russian River Valley more
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5/31/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 94 points

First bottle of the 2018, and after having the Sangiacomo bottling a few weeks ago. This is certainly a step up, and closer to my palate preference for new world Chardonnay (Aubert for pleasure, Maxem for a balance). Ripe white peach, nectarine, apple, preserved lemon greet the nose--and repeat in the palate along with ginger, creme brulee, toasted marshmallow, and vanilla. In the finish there is some refreshing, and balancing acidity, and a medium-long finish. Amongst the 2018 Ancillary Cellars Chardonnay's this is worth the money, and pleased with my purchase. Based on the fruit, and acid structure--I feel that this wine will improve in the short term (2-4 years). I enjoy Chardonnay of this style--ripe, full fruit, good barrel program, good vineyard, with enough acidity to keep everything in check.

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Red

2018 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

 Oakville more
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5/31/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 94 points

Be forewarned this isn't as much of a tasting note, as a cautionary tale.
I decanted half a bottle (via Coravin) after a great Memorial Day boating with good friends. As much fun as the boating was, I needed a good wine to wind down the weekend. This was a better bottle (and/or time in the bottle) than last time. I've probably had 4 bottles of 2018 Carter Fortuna so far, and I can tell the wine is aging in the right direction. At this point, I'd advise a PnP and consuming within 2 hours. It seemed as the wine was opened, that it added acidity and the aromatics clamped down. I've got a few bottles left, and will be holding off on them for 6 months at this point, as this wine may be entering a shut down phase. Please take this with a grain of salt, as others may have a better palate and more experience. The 2016 vintage of this wine remains excellent, and almost an orange peel/powdered sweet tannins phase, but I think better days are ahead for this 2018 vintage. Frankly, I need to hold all 2018 Carter's until the 2019 vintage is released, as I am betting on the 2019s being a bit more approachable in youth. If you can catch this wine in an open phase, go for it--but in my opinion the 2017 never shut down and was always deep, ripe fruit, silky tannins, and a joy to drink. The 2016 is open for business, in a serious but fun way,--the 2018 will need more time to be at its best.

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Red

2012 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

 Rutherford more
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5/27/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 93 points

Found a few bottles at a very trusted retailer, that have been in their temperature/humidity controlled cellar. Upon opening cork was very sound, and a strong scent of blackberry, licorice, and notes such as gravel, lead pencil, and graphite. We did not decant, but PnP, and let the wine open in the glass for 20 minutes. The wine is medium-plus bodied, silky in texture, and still has a lot of fruit, mixed with the interesting notes from the nose. On the finish the blackberry notes turn into cassis, spices and lead pencil. The finish is rather short, but a very enjoyable wine. We consumed over an hour, and the wine never fell apart, but actually gained some acidity and tannin, while not losing the fruit (though the licorice/anise flavor receded). I'll hold my other bottle (perhaps for a Myriad G3 vertical). This is my second oldest Mike Smith wine (other would be a 2009, which seemed a bit tired, possibly the vintage). Overall, a drink/hold.

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Red

2018 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The O.G. Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

 Oakville more
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5/10/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 96 points

A good friend and I decided to have a mid-week steak night. We share nice wines quite often, so I chose a few nice wines to have throughout the night. I chose a 2019 Bevan Dry Stack Sauv Blanc, 2018 Carter Cellars 'OG', and a 2016 Greer.

I decanted both reds for about 3 hours. It was very interesting to track these two nice cabs over the course of the evening. The Greer was pure class, and at a better drinking point than the Carter 'OG'. Certainly compared to my last bottle of 'OG' in March this seems more open. On the nose--red and dark fruits, with some florals, gravel, oak spice, but a bit quiet, even after the decant. On the palate is creme de cassis, more evenly spread across the red, blue, and purple spectrum of fruits. Very complex, but so much is still buried, despite the decant. The finish was a bit shorter and more primary than expecting.

Great fruit, and a good drinking experience, but needs more time to show the best. Normally I drink these types of Cabernets around 55-60 degrees right out of the cellar or decanter, but I found this wine to be showing really well around 65 degrees--which was surprising. I do think the 2018 vintage was quite different for most producers, and will take more time to fully reveal themselves.

That said, great night--the 2016 Greer was WOTN, but there is a bright future for both wines, and I'll be keeping my hands off the rest of my Carter 'OGs' through the summer--I HOPE. I plan on buying 2019s, and will be fun to do a side by side, as 2019 *may* be an earlier drinking vintage, than 2018 (looking at you 2013 as well). So it'll be fun to PnP a wine, like some of us did early on with the 2016 Napa Cabs.

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Red

2016 Greer Cabernet Sauvignon Greer Vineyard

 Rutherford more
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5/10/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 97 points

A good friend and I decided to have a mid-week steak night. We share nice wines quite often, so I chose a few nice wines to have throughout the night. I chose a 2019 Bevan Dry Stack Sauv Blanc, 2018 Carter Cellars 'OG', and a 2016 Greer. I decanted both reds for about 3 hours. It was very interesting to taste two higher end cabs side by side. As for the Greer--after the decant, it showed a deep red/crimson color, more red than the OG. The nose was very detailed with red/blue fruits, florals, vanilla and some minerality. On the palate it's medium-full bodied, with ripe red cherries, blueberries, floral, vanilla, and spiciness. The finish is so elegant---the tannins seem so well melded into the fruit, some Rutherford typicity, and good acidity to balance the nature of the great 2016 fruit, and it's just satisfying. If you have multiples, open one now to catch this wine in an interesting, if not primary drinking window. NO REGRETS here, and will be looking forward to the next bottle. I am sure the 2018 vintage will be excellent as well. This wine improved over the evening, and even after going back and forth between the OG for several hours, never closed up, or fell off a cliff. I believe this bodes quite well from an aging standpoint. This is an early candidate of WOTY for Napa Cabs (along with a 2016 Myriad Dr. Crane).

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Red

2018 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Steltzner Vineyard

 Stags Leap District more
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4/27/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 95 points

After slow oxing for 3 hours, it was still fairly muted, I decided to pour into a decanter for another hour while preparing dinner for a friend and his son. After the decant the nose showed dark blue fruits, milk chocolate, spring flowers, and a slight graphite note. The oak and youth blew off in the decanter.

At this point an 8 hour slow ox, or as Badmonkey suggested, a 3 hour decant would be highly recommended. The mid palate is quite nice at this point, with more of the blue fruits coming through. Very well balanced, fine but persistent tannins. The finish is very long, not explosive but classy and restrained—but not shy, if that makes sense. One distinct attribute to this wine, is that at the 3 hour slow ox plus 1 hour decant the wine was ready, but as I finish the last glass more than 3 hours after dinner, the wine has hardly evolved from the point after decanting. I believe this signals a wine that will age very well. The wine is literally coating my Grassl 1855 glass, but remains medium/medium plus body, and SO well balanced.

I’ll open my next in 6-12 months, at least that’s the plan for now, lol. If anything additional bottle age will allow the wine to gain a bit more body and bump the up the nose a bit more.

Really fine effort for Mike Smith, and I think the uniqueness of the Stag’s Leap AVA shines through. After having a 2015 Myriad Three Twins and 2016 Quivet Kenefick Ranch last weekend, it’s clear to me that the vineyard characteristics and differences really do come through. Yes, it’s Mike Smith, but it’s also the vineyard and vintage.

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Red

2016 William & Mary Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflett Ranch

 Oak Knoll District more
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4/23/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 95 points

This is sadly my last bottle, but shared with a close friend of 25 years, over good conversation, grilled ribeyes, and vegetables. We started the evening with a 2020 Bedrock Sauvignon Blanc, which was very nice. I talked to Will Segui and he strongly recommended checking in on this 2016, and he was right!

Onto the tasting notes:

I opened the wine and did a 2 hour slow ox. The wine has really come together since the last time I had it, on the nose it displayed dark cherry, floral, and a deep cassis/blueberry note. On the palate the tannins are present but seem to have melted into the fruit, and integrated nicely into a silken weave. The mouthfeel is medium-plus and velvety. Such a classy and expressive wine. The finish is medium/medium long, but again--I think this wine is drinking so well right now. After about 2 hours, the last sips were getting slightly tart/acidic--so perhaps just a pop and pour if you like to evolve over consumption. We finished the night with a 2018 Rivers-Marie Napa Cab, which needs some more time to come together to match the silky and rich William & Mary Cabernet. Bravo Will! I'll be looking to open a 2018 perhaps in the fall.

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Red

2018 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

 Rutherford more
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3/11/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 95 points

I've decided to check in on a few 2018s from Mike Smith, a Carter Fortuna, and Becktoffer Georges III. I last tasted these in fall of 2020, they were very primary and not at a good drinking point (compared to past vintages).

Well does five months make any difference?

I tasted the Myriad Beckstoffer Georges III over several evenings, served from Coravin, and decanted each time for 2+ hours. This is a packed and stacked wine, not at all what the 2014-2016 vintages were like, plush, inviting, ready to drink on the early side. This wine, and other 2018s have a distinct streak of minerality, structure, and acidic frame that makes them much more serious, and likely long lived. Unfortunately, at least for my palate, only bottle age or a very long decant will bring these around. I am very hopeful for the 2018 vintage, but we may find that the upcoming 2019s may drink well before the 2018s! The nose of the wine reveals dark fruits, a spicy background of pepper, and earthy qualities. On the palate, a blend of redder fruits, and darker fruits, dark chocolate (compared to previous vintages of milk chocolate). On the finish, medium grained tannins, and redder fruits, as well as a spark of acidity. This is not quite ready to drink--and certainly more emphasis on the structure, acid, tannin, as opposed to the fruit at this point. I've got 2 more bottles, and I really need to not touch one for 1-2 years at this point. Much more of a "serious" wine than past vintages. My rating is more for the potential of the wine, rather than the drinking point right now. If rating now, I would say 93+. If you have multiple bottles, and don't mind a decant--sure pop one, but if you only have a few--it's best to wait.

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Red

2016 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

 St. Helena more
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3/7/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 98 points

Inspired by the recent reviews of this wine, I decided to bring this, and a 2015 Myriad Napa to a friends house for a casual Friday night BBQ. This is a BIG wine, even at PnP. I poured a small taste for all of us as we were chatting before the meal, and it's probably the best sip of Cabernet Sauvignon I've had in 6 months. Creme de cassis and black/blue fruits stream over the palate. It's full bodied, structured with fruit and oak tannin, there is also well balanced acidity, yes it's big, but all parts of the wine are playing well together. No regrets opening the wine, just that I didn't buy more than 2 in the 2016 vintage. Superb wine. It smoked the 2015 Myriad Napa, but that was a good wine in its own right, and it did prevent us from chugging this goodness from Mike Smith and Dr. Crane vineyard. Overall great night, with friends, good food, and two Mike Smith wines. My only other frame of reference for Myriad Dr. Crane is the 2014 vintage, and I feel that that vintage is more marked by red fruits than blue or black, as well as slightly higher acidity, and less concentration (perhaps a 94-95). I'd say if you have a few of these stashed away, and haven't opened one, go for it. This wine is packed and stacked, and I feel that it will cruise for many years--it's just dependant on what developmental phase you like your wines to be at. For me, Mike Smith's wines are great in the early goings (less than 10 years from vintage, in my book). Such purity of fruit to his wines.

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Red

2018 Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fortuna Vineyard

 Oakville more
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1/25/2021 - Jazz Nut wrote: 93 points

Decided to check in on a Carter Cabernet. After not the best showing of Carter "Carter" (mostly due to pop and pour, and no decant), I wanted to see how the Fortuna Vineyard bottling is evolving. I poured off a small glass for my friend and I, and did a slow ox of the rest of the bottle for two hours. The wine at pop and pour was muted, but could tell that there is quality dark and red fruits, very well balanced, and polished tannins. I do agree with Jeb Dunnuck that it has "plenty of richness and depth yet has a terrific weightless style." So far not quite up to the 2017s opulence, and downright tastiness of mid 2020 (not sure how it's showing now, because I drank all of my bottles, lol), but I think with time this will come together. All said, a very good single vineyard wine that is starting to come together, and probably the "most ready to drink" of the Carter's. I have not had the best experience with Carter's in this vintage, but think most just need a bit more bottle time. I think this definitely can get to 94-95 with a long decant, or as I said more bottle time. Right now a 93+, with upside. I'll probably pick a few more bottles up, as they look to still be available.

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Red

2018 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family

 Napa Valley more
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12/31/2020 - Jazz Nut wrote: 94 points

Finally a 2018 single vineyard Myriad cab that is drinking well! We popped and poured this while waiting for a Carter Cellars “Carter” to decant. Thanks for the notes Cabernet4me2 and Badmonkey! Upon opening this wine had a nose of blueberries, black berries, chocolate, forest floor, graphite—deep and dark, but precise and delineated. The nose, for me, was at least a 96. The mid-palate showed much the same as the nose, and the finish revealed ripe tannin, and a very good finish. I do think that as the wine ages (a bit) the mid-palate and finish could improve slightly for a 96. The nose was killer, and overall in a better spot than the Carter Cellars “Carter”. If you have multiple bottles, open one, I think you’ll be pleased.

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Red

2018 Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

 St. Helena more
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12/30/2020 - Jazz Nut wrote: NR

Like many single vineyard 2018 Napa Cabernets, WAIT! Or decant. I opened this wine late in the evening with friends, after several other bottles. I don’t have many notes, except to say very young, oak, vanilla, dark fruit. I’ll be holding my remaining bottles for some time! Very similar impressions to other high end 2018s. I think I’ve been spoiled with the openness, opulence, and structure of the 2016 vintage, and my hurry to drink through most 2017s due to the tough vintage. I think when the higher end 2018s come together, they will be impressive. Many people have said 2018 will be one for the record books due to the length and quality of the growing season, and we may need to treat this vintage a bit differently than most Napa vintages.

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Red

2018 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard

 Napa Valley more
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12/23/2020 - Jazz Nut wrote: 96 points

Thanks for the previous tasting notes of this wine everyone, this was helpful to give me some confidence to pop a bottle in the early goings of this wine. jviz-appreciated the commentary in your tasting note, especially. Ok--now the tasting note: Seeing as Minneapolis/St. Paul is experiencing a blizzard today, I was craving some pasta, and a good cab to go with the meal (and before/after).

Upon opening, I was greeted by a well-composed nose of black/blue fruits, some earthiness, slight vanilla. I coravined a small glass, then half the bottle into a decanter for a few hours (at 55 degrees in the wine fridge). Tasting the wine was a really interesting experience, with no decant, lots of blue fruit, florals, slight olive brine, graphite, polished tannins, and a toasted oak and spice finish. BUT NOT OVER OAKED, just classy, not overdone at all. As I am finishing up the decanter after 3 hours, the wine has turned darker, tannins have become chalky and mouth coating, and seems to be shutting down.

My advice would be to do a short decant (30 minutes) and enjoy within 1-2 hours, or wait for a few years. Even as I am typing this, the tannins are becoming drying (not in a good way). Probably the most "complex" Rivers-Marie cabernet I've had. Again, thanks for the notes everyone, and the comments from jviz--based on my limited experience with Rivers-Marie (I've only been a buyer for 3 vintages) this wine seems to have the most bones for age, this and the Lore, I should say. Probably the best of the Rivers-Marie wines, not lush like the Napa or Panek, but this could also be the 2018 vintage speaking as compared to 2016 or 2017.

Definitely no regrets coravining half a bottle--I'll likely bring this to Christmas Eve tomorrow, along with a Carter OG, and a Quivet LPV. If you have multiple bottles of this wine and want a sneak peak, go for it! I'll probably have my next bottle in 6-12 months, and leave the last for a few years, tentatively.

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  • Tasting notes: 66 notes on 57 wines

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