Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
Napa Valley Golden Ticket Weekend
Elysian Hotel - Chicago, IL
Tasted January 21, 2011 by beezer6 with 783 views
Flight 1 (2 notes)
Red
2006 Anomaly Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
Earth and spice driven with some nice menthol notes. A bit overpriced for my palate.
Red
2007 Anomaly Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
Ripe red fruit. Plush and decadent. A nicely made wine. Indicative of the vintage no doubt. Still a bit steep on the pocket, but solid nonetheless.
Flight 2 (5 notes)
Red
2007 Realm Cellars Farella Vineyard
89 points
Earthy, funk. The palate falls short of the nose. A little lean.
Red
2008 Realm Cellars The Tempest
91 points
Big and juicy. Screams New World Cabernet. Bold, vanilla and chocolate.
Red
2008 Realm Cellars The Bard
92 points
Dark earthy. Lots of black and blue fruit. Molasses, burnt caramel. Really nice.
Red
2008 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
93 points
Gorgeous well endowed bottling. Big creme de cassis, mocha, a fair dose of oak and plenty of lush and sweet tannin structure coupled with laser like focus and acidity.
Glad I was able to try this "under the table" gem.
Glad I was able to try this "under the table" gem.
Red
2008 Realm Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard
94 points
Soft plush. huge round red fruit. Really jammy. Loved it.
Flight 3 (3 notes)
Red
2007 Chase Zinfandel Reserve Hayne Vineyard
90 points
Tight and showing more earth driven qualities. Really nice, but I enjoyed the delicious factor of the regular Zin more. Whadaya know?
Flight 4 (2 notes)
Red
Red
2007 D.R. Stephens Cabernet Sauvignon River Block Walther Vineyard
93 points
Gripping. A little spice. Black truffles. Really young and it's showing.
Flight 5 (4 notes)
White
2009 Failla Chardonnay Estate Vineyard
93 points
Loved this juice. Ripe and lush. Apples both yellow and green. Great depth and layered nuts and burnt caramel.
Red
2009 Failla Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch
93 points
Awesome wine. Absolutely loved what this Pinot had to offer. Fruit, earth, spice, floral qualities and some savory sous bois.
Red
2008 Failla Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Sonoma Coast
93 points
Similar in styling to the Keefer, but more funk and earth driven. A little more Burgundian in style as well.
Red
2009 Failla Syrah Phoenix Ranch
93 points
Meaty big and earthy. Lots of nice menthol. I loved this Syrah. Completely in balance. Very pretty.
Flight 6 (2 notes)
Red
2006 Fisher Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia
90 points
Leaner than I would like on the palate. Big nose. Classic Napa Cab aromatics. Good, just not great for the price point.
Red
2001 Fisher Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Coach Insignia
92 points
Earthy, minerality and loads of graphite pencil shavings. Big and meaty as well.
Lots of baking spice leading me to believe a lot of oak was used here. Still, I loved the fruit that's showing now. Drinking well.
Lots of baking spice leading me to believe a lot of oak was used here. Still, I loved the fruit that's showing now. Drinking well.