Community Tasting Note

• csimm wrote: 100 points

  July 15, 2021 - Another stellar performance from the 2018 MACDONALD. This is my second time sampling this vintage of what I believe to be an absolutely perfect wine. For me it’s kinda simple: This is one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons coming out of Napa, period. For comparison purposes, I liken the 2018 to a hybrid of 2016 and 2014, with the gorgeous concentration and depth of its two-year-older brother (less a bit of the power and sheer intensity the 2016 possesses) and an instantly alluring expansiveness and pleasure-push found in the 2014.
  
  For more of my droning on about the awesomeness of 2018 MACDONALD, see my lengthy note from 4/30/2021.

  5 people found this helpful 8,423 views

16 Comments

• I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine commented:

  7/15/21, 9:50 AM - Makes me want to seek one out! Nice note!

• csimm commented:

  7/15/21, 10:05 AM - I don't like to necessarily recommend wines to others generally (varying palate preferences and the subjectivity of it all), but MACDONALD is a no-brainer buy worth seeking out in my opinion. I have never been disappointed with any vintage of MACDONALD.

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  7/17/21, 7:07 AM - I'm looking forward to the fall release. This will be my third vintage with MacDonald and 18 was my first sip. Alex could not have been a more gracious host. Hope all is well!

• csimm commented:

  7/17/21, 8:03 AM - Hi MJP. Hope you’re doing well! Alex is always so generous and a great person all around. Of course, the wine has to be judged as a stand-alone and aside from anything else. For me, it’s the benchmark for Napa Cabernet. 2018 reminds me of the 2016 with more upfront approachability (by comparison at least).

• I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine commented:

  7/17/21, 9:13 AM - Hi CSIMM,
  
  Just signed up for MacDonald....I assume they have a waitlist, but never know....I may get lucky!

• csimm commented:

  7/18/21, 7:52 AM - Hi I’d Rather Be.... Good deal! Yes there is a wait list, though I don’t pretend to know how long it actually is. I suspect it’s a somewhat lengthy list, but if there’s any list out of Napa worth being on, I’d say MAC is at the top. Best of luck!

• I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine commented:

  7/18/21, 8:14 AM - Thank you! Will keep my fingers crossed!

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  7/19/21, 8:04 AM - Thanks for the notes Csimm. I'm thinking I'll stash these bottles for years and only drink the young stuff when visiting the brothers in the valley.

• csimm commented:

  7/19/21, 9:10 AM - That's a great plan!

• I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine commented:

  7/19/21, 10:23 AM - Csimm - have you had older vintages of MacDonald? Howe old and how do they hold up? I assume they all re built for the long haul...

• csimm commented:

  7/19/21, 10:38 AM - This is my sixth vintage of MACDONALD that I've tasted. So, my earliest vintage that I've sampled is 2013 (their first limited release was in 2009 I believe - 2010 seemed like the more commercial release, but I wasn't part of that so I cannot say 100%). Anyway, they have definite staying power. The acid and tannin management are well defined and built for a longer haul (by Napa standards at least). I don't anticipate making a habit out of popping these before ten years from vintage...though with ample decanting, they obviously have the ability to show wonderfully. The 2014 (and then perhaps the 2017) is probably the most readily accessible of the 2013-2018 vintages at this juncture. To no surprise, 2013 and 2016 will require the most time generally speaking.

• I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine commented:

  7/19/21, 1:31 PM - Thank you for the information! I have only had the 14, which I thought was quite young, and I agree with your assessment of longevity. Once again, appreciate the time you took to respond!

• csimm commented:

  7/19/21, 1:41 PM - The 14 is still young indeed...which gives you an indication what sort of extra time the other vintages will require. Enjoy!

• MJP Hou TX commented:

  7/22/21, 1:57 PM - Your best chance of getting bump up on the list would be to visit the property and spend some time at the picnic table in the vineyard. You need to get a reservation and that might take some work now that the press is all over this producer. Good luck!

• I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine commented:

  7/22/21, 2:28 PM - Thanks MJP! Well, I married an Irish gal, so I will hope some of the luck of the Irish rubbed off on me!

• gymnastpro commented:

  9/17/21, 8:07 PM - Ill be on the waiting list until I'm dead ha

Add a Comment