3/24/2024 - WojoWineCave wrote:

This wine was outstanding. Drank from magnum. Gosh the purity and mouthfeel shocked me. No tannins.

12/25/2023 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Just a wow wine. Silky smooth with integrated tannins. Still some blue fruits present. Love Joe and Pat Harbison and old school Russell. Magic in a bottle. Sad to see the last bottle go.

8/6/2023 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Wow, still growing strong fruit very present. Little tannins. Nose floral. Wow wine at a dinner party. All this needed was 20 minutes decanted. One of the OGs for Napa Cabs.

3/11/2023 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

A wow wine. Eight folks drinking from a 3 liter bottle for a birthday celebration. Wine of the night by far. Simply stunning. Tannins well integrated. Fruit still present and no aged funk. Smooth, supple, and fab nose. These wines remain under the radar. I purchased this while visiting the estate ten years ago. Fabulous people and family. Old school in a good way. Beautiful etched bottle as well.

1/26/2023 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

This is a wow wine. A rare wine. Yes it’s expensive but it creates a unique experience. With a nice decant it shines. Palate is still tight for 2014 and a long decant but in a good way. It’s not overly ripe or a heavy syrupy fruit bomb, rather its medium body with all the blue fruits present and well integrated. It has structure and fine tannins to age easily another 10-15 years.

1/22/2023 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Wow. One of the best wines I’ve had in a long time. Yes I’m a big fan of all Bevan wines and the small production wines of Joe and Pat Harbison so this is of little surprise. The classic Bevan mouthfeel is like no other. Little tannins surprisingly. Blackberry blueberry pie on the nose. The alcohol is present but not jarring.

6/8/2022 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Pretty much spot on with the WA96 rating. This is aging well. It’s been years since we lasted tasted. Still fresh with well integrated tannins. Fruit still present but certainly some secondary earth tones present. Popped this beauty for our anniversary after attending a Joan Jett concert. Rock on!

3/17/2022 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Simply a wow wine. Popped as a primer before a private wine dinner I’m already calling this WOTN🤣. One hour of air and this was singing. Loads of pineapple, lemon zest and orange marmalade. Given its youth it certainly had more tightness and brightness I’ve come to usually expect Aubert to have that thick mouthfeel. This was certainly lighter. Easy to enjoy early and will evolve nicely over next 5 years! Don’t be afraid to PnP.

3/13/2022 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

At seven years in this wine while drinkable with a few hour decant has the stuffing to age a long time. This beauty can age like the 1st growth right bank French Bordeaux which are also mostly merlot dominant blends. I have one remaining and will let sit for another five years.
Smooth, supple with more red fruit focus. Graphite or pencil shavings noticeable. Thinner in mouthfeel and certainly more French Bordeaux like rather than a modern style Napa red. Not a great QPR but a wonderful special occasion wine.

3/11/2022 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Ok. There is a lot going on with this wine. It’s complex, layered and filled with a wonderful mix of dark fruit & tannins. Highly structured and can see this aging like a French BDX. QPR @ $275 is not great but it is a WA99 rated wine flirting with perfection. Given all the new style fruit forward/fruit bombs coming out of Napa this one is more restrained, complex but has all the stuffing. You will be rewarded to wait another 5-10 Years. At least I have one bottle remaining.

3/11/2022 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

I agree this wine is in the middle of its drinking window. Perhaps it’s peak. Took to restaurant. Pop & pour for two hours. Very little tannins. Fruit secondary. I’ve had several of these along with 2008 and 2010. This one drank the best. I don’t see it improving unless you preferred old style well aged reds. Not my thing so plan to consume remaining bottles over next two years.

1/12/2022 - WojoWineCave Does not like this wine:

Either way too early or i don’t get it. Drank alongside a 17 Bevan Wildfoote. No comparison. Drop mic.

12/25/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

I upped my rating from last tasting several months ago. This wine is so good. High quality, very little tannin, looooong finish which is the stand out for me. I love all the wines Staglin Family produces. I didn’t know much about them before a visit over the summer. They oddly don’t get much press. 2012 is ready to go!

12/19/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

This is a WA 100 pointer. I can easily see it reaching perfection in another 5 years. However, it’s darn good right now on a pop and pour. I will let the bottle rest over the next two hours but on opening the nose is melted butter, apricot, grilled pineapple. Palate is more citrus with lemon meringue and some toasted coconut notes. Love it. Probably too early but nice to sample these wines along the maturity curve. Long glorious window ahead.

12/14/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Ok. Another year has gone by since my last note on this incredible red elixir. Even better than I remember. These wines continue to impress. I could drink this wine every day! Well made, structured but not tannic. Mouthfeel is incredible. Reminds me of Bevan but possibly even more supple (if that’s possible). Nose not overly intense with standout cedar. Black currant on finish stands out. Simply a wow wine.

11/6/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Ok so I wanted to complete the trifecta of vintages having had the 2017 and 2018 which were amazing. Acknowledging that the 2019 is young I needed to see if the hoopla in my mind is real. Well it’s very real. These chards are amazing. I find it interesting that TG and the it’s owner winemaker focus on the Pinots as there brand (imho) and in their marketing. However, these Chardonnay elixirs from Bacigalupi are astounding. I’ve mentioned this before but at half the cost of Aubert they are equal in quality and profile.

10/30/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Decanted for two hours. Ready to go. QC is such a great winery. If in Napa these wines would be double the price. Tons of plum and lavender and wet stone on palate. Nose is rather muted but still young. Always enjoy QC. Top WA wines.

10/21/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Ok, my second bottle of TD Bac Chard. Previous bottle was 2017 which blew me away more out of surprise I suspect. See that tasting note. So now that I know what I’m in for with these outstanding Chards I popped this beauty. And as a result this was not a one hit wonder or one night stand. These wines are the real deal. I need more of these asap! Dark in color, almost honey or orange. Nose is stunning. Gets you excited! More peach than the 17, more lemon than the 17, less caramel or butterscotch than the 17. All just seemless and probably will be even better in 3 years. Creamy and rich on palate with vanilla cream and unripe banana. More acidic than 17 and brighter. Another stunner!

10/14/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Simply outstanding. The quality and purity shows through. I hadn’t known much about Staglin until a recent visit which blew us away. Got that Rutherford nose and the palate is lush. Mild tannins and everything is Integrated. Hints of chocolate dark red fruit. Could drink this daily. Big fan.

10/11/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Very good QPR and very well made. I probably would have enjoyed this even more had it not been for the sexy 2017 TD Bacigalupi I drank the previous day. That wine is pure sex in a bottle. This wine is more acidic, brighter, citrus oriented. It’s also younger and will benefit from additional aging IMO. Loving all these TD offerings.

10/8/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Wow. So I bought a mixed case of TD to try them out. I didn’t know what to expect but I didn’t expect this Chardonnay to be in a class with Aubert. I use that comparison only because Aubert chards are my favorite! WTF. First the mouthfeel is so concentrated and rich. Totally surprised me. The color is so dark, almost orange in hue like a Sauternes. The nose is apricot, peach, lemon meringue, marshmallow. The palate is remarkable. Toasted coconut, apricot, crème brûlée. Just crazy. Never picked up some of these notes in other Chardonnay. Incredible QPR. A wow wine and winery to watch!

8/25/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Opened this for a grilled chicken dinner based on many recent positive reviews. Aubert never disappoints. These Chards are simply the best. So thick on the palate. Almost like a syrup. Apricot, lemon zest, white peach. Keeps evolving with each sip. Decanted for an hour and was good to go. Hard to put the glass down. It’s really the only Chard I get excited to open and experience..

8/15/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Decanted for a couple of hours. Was less tannic then previous reviews and prior bottles I have had. It was good, not great. Not a wow wine and for the money there are better options out there especially in 2016. Certainly more red fruit and more BDX oriented as others have commented on.

6/5/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Is it worth the current secondary market. No. Is it a cult hard to find well structured wine worth trying. Absolutely. These are true special occasion wines that create memories. Still young. Needed some decanting. These are not the over the top fruit forward wines that have become Napa Cabs. Rather this has finesse, structure, nuance and a lot going on on the palate which was unique and refreshing.

6/5/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Wow, this wine has aged very well. Still life in there and certainly had that French Bordeaux nose but with more fruit notes.

5/30/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Wow, for 26 years old who says Napa cabs don’t age well?? This wine still had a youthful feel, especially next to wines that were 10-12 years younger. WOTN and alongside some wagyu ribeye was incredible.

4/10/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

This is just a gorgeous wine. Shame the winery burned down. This place for some reason is under the radar but a pure modern Napa cab that is pure pleasure.

4/7/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Interesting wine. My first time. Given the Harlan connection I suppose it’s a good QPR🤔. Upon opening nose was outstanding but got muted after a 5 hour decant. It drank beautifully throughout. I’d buy again.

2/20/2021 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Still early but Bevan wines generally drink very well early. This wine is incredible. Many aren’t thrilled about 2017 Napa vintage but the best winemakers can deliver regardless. Russell is a master. I could go broke drinking these wines daily.

12/29/2020 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Despite the later drinking window this wine is outstanding now with an hour of air. With all the crazy price increases in Napa and new labels in Napa charging crazy prices I’d take Quilceda all day everyday. Certainly not cheap but if this was a Napa cab it would be easily $50+ more.

12/29/2020 - WojoWineCave wrote:

Just average for BTK fruit. Maybe needs more time but find at 4-5 years of age many BTK are beginning to shine. Not so much on this one or the vintage.

12/29/2020 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

This is such a pleasant surprise. Drinks more like an old school Napa Bordeaux blend. Great QPR and I feel it’s ready to go with a two hour decant. Tons of cherries in this beauty.

8/2/2020 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Popped this and let breathe for n hour. Wow. Wasn’t expecting it to be so ready. Tannins were well integrated. Beautiful mouth feel and light red/cherry color. Dry but not acidic nor a fruit bomb. Glad I have a few more.

6/21/2020 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Ok so my last 2011 Tin Box. I believe this was the only 100 pointer from Parker for the Napa vintage 2011. I considered holding this a few more years but my previous one was outstanding and what the heck it’s Fathers Day!! Even in a PnP it’s stunning out of the bottle. Color amazing. No tannins. Smooth and remains fruit forward. Broken record I know. Bevan is the best!!!!

1/23/2020 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Ok. So last time I tried this it was phenomenal and rated 98. Tonight it was perfect. From a PnP on through to the end it evolves and left me and my wife speechless.

12/10/2019 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Ok. Wow compared to my last note and bottle 3 years ago. what a difference. Very much back to the style we know and love. One hour decant and just perfect alongside a medium rare steak.

10/9/2018 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Wow, I was surprised I didn’t like this more. Maybe my expectation was too high given the estate and the WA/WS ratings. A bit restrained. More like old world or Dominus/Insignia. Earth and flowers/carnation on the nose for me. Fruit more subdued compared to all the Napa cab big boys from Bevan, Carter, Brown. Obviously not a great QPR but nice to pop for a memorable occasion

3/13/2018 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Admittedly I love all Bevan wine. However, this stands out. Way early, but as you know Bevan wines drink well early. Glad I have another to hold at compare. Popped for 50th birthday so worth the pull. Just so much going on especially after 90 min of early. Interestingly I came across all red and blue fruits flavors which was was very unique. For sure 100 pt wine in two years.

3/4/2018 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Probably would have rated higher but had alongside a 2007 Harlan which was perfect. SE was thinner and more subdued. Probably vintage related. QPR is not good obviously but this is a wine to simply pop for a special occasion. We did for our 50 BD.

3/4/2018 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Simply a WOW wine. Popped this for our 50th birthday day. It was a special wine for a special day. Never had a Harlan before. Perfect. Also had alongside 2011 Screaming Eagle. No comparison and vintage difference probably unfair. SE was still very good but closer to 95-96.

12/19/2017 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Had this alongside a Carter Weitz 2013 and the Carter was a Wow wine so this didn’t hold up. This has a lot of structure, tannin and minerals. the Carter just seemed silky smooth, rounded edges and a wonderful nose and finish. Had both while enjoying a grilled Filet.

11/26/2017 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

As expected a great wine from Mike Smith and a relatively good QPR. This is high quality. Had this alongside a TRB Rivers Marie Napa cab 2015. Admittedly, the RM had a 3 hours of air and was darker, richer with more blue fruit. This Becklyn was not thin but more reddish fruits and acid. Many will know Mike Smith worked under TRB so styles are very similar. Both had noses of charcoal and licorice.

10/22/2017 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Lower score this time but my fault. PnP after a long night at a wine tasting event. Clearly my senses will be suboptimal. Still phenomenal but would have been better after an hour+ of air and a fresh tongue and nose. Still enjoyed by all the the Kata Beckstoffer was easier to drink alongside it. Structurally the Sugarloaf has the stuffing to age and be more amazing in 5 years.

10/22/2017 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

After a long night at a wine tasting event, came home with a few other friends and popped and poured this and Bevan Sugarloaf. Not ideal to PnP and after a bit of wine fatigue but boy this was plush, not tannic with gobs of blue fruit. While Bevan wines are structurally better this was a lot more approachable with no decant. Quality wine.

10/15/2017 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Wow, was surprised by this one. Popped open with no decant but allowed to open up for over an hour in the glass. I find the Italian and some French Bordeaux need to blow off the funk upon opening. Unlike CA cabs.
This is a quality wine. More red fruit, even cranberry, earth and mineral which was a nice change. Dry but not tannic. Enjoyed this after dinner. Not heavy.

9/1/2017 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Already wrote a review beginning of year so will keep this simple. Everything a Napa Cali Cab wants to be. Just stunning. Amazing purity of fruit, lush, supple, blackberry & more blackberry.

8/30/2017 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Made by Bevan though he no longer makes wine for them. I believe Philip melka is now their wine maker. It was at this winery where I met Russell and sampled this from barrel. So it nice to try finally out of bottle and it has special meaning. Yes it's Bevan. Big, fruit forward, supple, silky mouthfeel, Rich, dark fruits. However, it's a tad lighter maybe more like a Blankiet. This could age a long time and still be fresh. Had a long side a Realm 2014 which was not as good but clearly younger and probably needs more time.

8/29/2017 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

First time trying Colgin. A wow wine and it ought to be given the cost. Reminded me of Scarecrow and Schrader. Very similar nose, mouthfeel and finish. While an amazing wine not sure I'd purchase again at $400+ per bottle. Will sit on the last two and see how it matures. Fun for sure but hard to stay in the game.

7/17/2017 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Wake Surfing & Wine with Mr and Mrs BobbyG; 7/16/2016-7/17/2017 (Lake Oconee, GA): Second time in recent memory trying this wine. Much different. A lot less big bold. Has integrated a ton and is beginning to taste more elegant and restrained. By far the driest wine of the night. More complexity. Earth tones, minerals and red fruit. Had a pepper finish which held the score down.

7/16/2017 - WojoWineCave Likes this wine:

Wake Surfing & Wine with Mr and Mrs BobbyG; 7/16/2016-7/17/2017 (Lake Oconee, GA): This is an incredible wine. WOTN by all four of us against chateau pavie, screaming eagle second flight and O'shaughnessy. Just in such a great drinking window but can clearly go another 10 years. Tannins are well integrated. Nose is dense, rich, blue fruits. Bold for sure but not over the top. Tremendous wow wine.