10/31/2018 - avwiner wrote:

Bordeaux meets Rhone. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah with a touch of Merlot. Delightfully complex and alluring today, but even better in 5 to 8 years.

6/20/2018 - avwiner Likes this wine:

This wine got 98 points at the California State tasting event. I give it a 95 as it is amazing, well-balanced, soft tannins and truly mouth-filling blend of Clearlake region.

5/19/2018 - avwiner Likes this wine:

I agree with Wine Enthusiast, Matt Kettmann's review. Fantastic mouth feel, soft tannins with opulent blueberry front end with a mocha mid-palette. Long finish. Pairs well with a good steak as well as all by itself.

12/2/2017 - avwiner wrote:

A one-time production to benefit the Napa & Sonoma fire victims. Cabernet 50% Napa & 50% Sonoma. Have not tasted the wine.

A joint effort of Winemakers Brian Maloney and Stephanie Putnam, Honoris is a 2016 Napa Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon that represents the 2016 vintage majestically. An elegant and refined Cabernet for your cellar, and a way to share your commitment and contribution to the wine country. 3,600 bottles produced

100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Bay Area Firefighters and Families, Napa Community Fund and Sonoma Resilience Fund.

12/21/2016 - avwiner wrote:

Wine Maker Notes:
This elegant wine is specially crafted with fruit from a Wulff family vineyard in Napa's Oak Knoll District.

The nose is distinctly tropical. On the palate, the texture is rich and creamy. Flavors of ripe bosc pear and melon predominate, with wonderful notes of creme brulee and nutmeg on the long finish.

The wine is made by Randy Lewis with 100% malolactic fermentation, aged in 75% new French oak primarily from Francois Freres. The fruit is robust enough not to be overpowered, producing a Chardonnay of extraordinary balance and finesse.

Update from winery:
WOW! We were just advised that our 2015 LOBO Napa Valley Chardonnay received "94" points from the Wine Enthusiast! The formal write-up won't appear until the March 2017 issue, but this certainly places the wine among the top Chardonnays in the Country. This is the rich, elegant style of Chardonnay---an opulent wine.

12/21/2016 - avwiner wrote:

Wine Maker Notes:
This elegant wine is specially crafted with fruit from a Wulff family vineyard in Napa's Oak Knoll District.

The nose is distinctly tropical. On the palate, the texture is rich and creamy. Flavors of ripe bosc pear and melon predominate, with wonderful notes of creme brulee and nutmeg on the long finish.

The wine is made by Randy Lewis with 100% malolactic fermentation, aged in 75% new French oak primarily from Francois Freres. The fruit is robust enough not to be overpowered, producing a Chardonnay of extraordinary balance and finesse.

Update from winery:
WOW! We were just advised that our 2015 LOBO Napa Valley Chardonnay received "94" points from the Wine Enthusiast! The formal write-up won't appear until the March 2017 issue, but this certainly places the wine among the top Chardonnays in the Country. This is the rich, elegant style of Chardonnay---an opulent wine.

11/1/2016 - avwiner wrote:

Mike Smith says:
The 2015 Myriad Cellars Mcgah Family Semillon greets you with gleaming golden blonde hues, coupled with a clarity that almost shimmers in the glass. Aromas of honey, beeswax and ripe apricot prevail as the mid palate swirls with soft pear, clementine, glycerin notes and hints of lemon grass. A crisp but delicate finish brings the wine together, making this an easy summer crowd pleaser. Known for its light and soft viscosity, this wine pairs perfectly with a cheese/truffle honey platter or light summer fare. Drinking nicely now and for the next 2-3 years.

11/1/2016 - avwiner wrote:

With a signature Mike Smith approachability in its youth, this remarkable entry level Napa Cabernet will knock the socks off many of its competitors who are double the price. A blend of five pedigreed vineyards picked exclusively to produce this perfect showcase of Napa Valley head to toe. It has strength, stunningly rich viscosity and fragrant notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, vanilla, graphite and spring flowers. It exhibits a rich opaque purple color, is full-bodied and has a massive mouth feel that flawlessly integrates the acidity and plush tannins. As our proprietary Cabernet, this is the perfect wine to enjoy while waiting for our single vineyard Cabernets to hit their stride. Enjoy now and over the next 5-7 years

9/10/2016 - avwiner Likes this wine:

50% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Grenache, 15% Petite Sirah
“Beyond expectations” is another appropriate term for this wine as with each vintage we have the freedom to show what the Law Vineyard has to offer. The nose is exhilarating with black currant notes on the pedestal of a gorgeous floral lift. Beyond Category projects a blackberry and cranberry-like freshness accompanied by a slight toast or smoke aroma. Sage, licorice, and baked raspberry are concealed within the complexities of a finish that lingers on the sides of your tongue and a brightness that peaks in one’s cheeks. Possessing a strong and bold tannin structure, this wine will undoubtedly age well over the next 7-10 years.

9/10/2016 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Winemaker notes: 37% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre, 29% Syrah

The Sagacious finds herself wise beyond her years with a seamless integration of structure and finesse by having incorporated both the Spanish clone and French clone of Mourvèdre alongside a brilliantly deep blend of Grenache and Syrah. Aging in Foudres and barriques for 22 months lends to the aromas of exotic spice, African violets, and blackberries that provide a rich and decadent feel on the nose. Dark chocolate, creamy cassis and a touch of black Doris plum engulf the palate in a steady yet delicate embrace. Its extended finish is reflective of its ability to evolve over the next 10-15 years in your cellar.

9/10/2016 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Winemaker notes: This showcase wine, amongst both collectors and consumers, is gone as fast as we release it and continues to be a standout in every vintage. The nose depicts dark chocolate and eucalyptus that hover over a dense layer of cassis and freshly picked black currants. Dark primary fruits of blackberry and blueberry mingle with a bright acidic freshness and fine tannins across the palate. Aged for 22 months on its lees in 60% new French oak, Audacious has a keen integration of structure and begs to be opened now or over the next 15-20 years in its primed position of a continual evolution in bottle.

3/26/2016 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Two of the most important blocks of vines on our Conn Valley Ranch – one Cabernet Sauvignon and one Merlot - sit on the left bank of Conn Creek as it flows through our property on its way from Howell Mountain to Lake Hennessey.
Most of the vines are 25 years-old, and are planted in soil that combines basalt, gravel and clay. Yields were barely two tons per acre so the finished wine is lush and deeply aromatic, with traces of cassis, raspberry and cedar. There’s a softness that is especially attractive right now, and the wine is complex enough to turn a lot of heads.

PRODUCTION
Origin ...................... Napa Valley
Vineyard ................ Neyers Ranch
Barrel Program ..... 40% New French Oak, 60% Used French Oak
Composition .......... 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot
Cases Produced ..... 1500

2/19/2016 - avwiner wrote:

Ian Cauble, Master Sommelier says:
The 2010 Galland Clark is quintessential of example of classic Napa Cab that strikes the ideal balance of red and black fruit. Slightly dried blackberries, black currant, and red plum aromas mingle with complex notes of violet, cacao nibs, pencil lead, turned earth and layers of well-integrated oak flavors including vanilla bean, clove, cinnamon and star anise. The rich, round palate boasts just a hint of sweetness to the fruit then evolves into layers of earth flavors that are reminiscent of Bordeaux but with roots still firmly planted in Napa. This wine is truly everything we love about Napa Cabernet when it is crafted the way it should be made. Incredible now, this wine is also a perfect candidate for the cellar and will age beautifully for the next decade and beyond. To enjoy, simply decant for thirty minutes and serve at 65 degrees in Bordeaux stems. The perfect steak partner, pair this wine alongside sautéed mushrooms, a thick rib-eye and roasted potatoes.

11/7/2015 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Soft and extremely well balance fruit, acids and tannins.

10/24/2015 - avwiner wrote:

Perfect balance with a touch of oak and malolactic.

10/27/2015 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Huge cab with amazing complexity and smooth tannins.
It smells like mineral, blueberry and toast. The body is full. The wine has polished texture. The wine finishes long. The wine has medium acidity.

8/22/2015 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Winemaker’s Notes:
Deep shades of reds and purples present in this single vineyard Merlot.
Aromas of rich ripe blackberry with subtle notes of currant, anise and
charred oak combine with just a hint of graphite. Flavors of black plum
and dark mocha, couple with subtle raspberry, espresso and toasted
vanillin barrel. This is a wine of fine texture, terrific length and structure.

4/7/2015 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Very light and tasty Rose and stands up to any picnic lunch.

4/7/2015 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Rich, concentrated, chewy but soft and well balanced.

2/22/2015 - avwiner Likes this wine:

The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like red currant, black pepper and espresso. It tastes like mineral, dust, light toast and black pepper. The body is medium. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.

2/21/2015 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Had a bottle with with friends and dinner at Del Frisco's last night and all of us were blown away at by this wine. Beautifully balanced, complex to no end, earthy with lovely tannins and enough fruit to titillate your taste buds through the entire bottle.

12/12/2014 - avwiner wrote:

Winemaker notes:
A deep, dark color and crimson hue reflect this wine's rich, complex character. Aromas of ripe blackberry, cranberry and faint orange peel are followed by intense, concentrated flavors of dark berries, cedar spice and black pepper. Sweet, jammy fruit, a touch of vanilla and fine-grained tannins lead to a lengthy finish. Enjoy now (2014) through 2018.

10/21/2014 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Soft tannins and well balanced.

6/29/2014 - avwiner Likes this wine:

This wine is like liquid gold; lots of viscosity, buttery, and plenty of oak for lots of character. Wonderfully balanced and should pair well with the lobster fricassee we're serving this weekend at our house.

1/23/2014 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Very soft and buttery, almost a little flabby. Needs some acid to give it an some life. Still a very nice wine.

1/23/2014 - avwiner wrote:

89 Points Wine Spectator, December 31, 2012
"A festive bubbly, with a light pink color and strawberry and graham cracker aromas that lead to succulent cherry, cinnamon and Asian five-spice powder flavors."
This copper-hued rosé is as spectacular to look as it is to taste. Aromas unfold with layers of strawberry cream and freshly baked bread. The first taste sensation of a fresh, refreshing palate with strawberry and tart cherry flavors gives way to a creamy mid-palate of toasty raspberry and plum. True to the Reserve style, it offers seamless structure and a lingering finish.

7/23/2013 - avwiner Likes this wine:

When ordering from Cameron Hughes online you're really not quite sure what you're getting. This is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & Graciano, a grape I have to admit unfamiliar with. Well to my, very pleasant, surprise this wine is amazing for a $12 bottle of wine. Well balanced through the entire palate, soft tannins and very low acids. Great for drinking now and maybe next year. The perfect wine for everyday or while you're making dinner or preparing the appetizers for your friends. Not a knock-down winner you serve with a red meat dinner, but definitely good every day. Truly surprised and may have to get more of this.

5/28/2013 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Lovely summer wine that goes well with most appetizers.

1/8/2013 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Drank on New Years Eve and was blown away how this wine has come into its own. Fantastic from start to finish. Perfect balance and texture. A perfect compliment to my ribeye steak. Only wish had more of it.

7/5/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

We did a very special tasting with Delia & Janet Viader and tasted this wine in July, 2012 before the label had been attached to the bottle. It was young but extremely well-balanced with very soft tannins for such a youthful wine. Solid but subtle fruit at the beginning with lush berry at the mid-palette. This is an absolute winner and a 92 rating may be low!

7/6/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

We did a very special tasting with Delia & Janet Viader and tasted this wine in July, 2012 before the label had been attached to the bottle. It was young but extremely well-balanced with very soft tannins for such a youthful wine. Solid but subtle fruit at the beginning with lush berry at the mid-palette. This is an absolute winner and a 92 rating maybe low!

11/14/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Lovely, lingering, slightly sweet aromas on the nose. Soft tannins, well balanced and mouth-filling with coffee, toasty flavors. Just opened the bottle and wowed by how good it is without any breathing time.

11/5/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

love the exotic fruit flavors; the combination of butterscotch and hazelnut along with a touch of malolactic fermentation (50%) makes for a beautiful, soft, mouth-filling wine.

11/4/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Big Cab. Amazing fruit on the nose with soft velvety tannins. Extremely well balanced.

11/9/2012 - avwiner wrote:

I have to agree with River Rat. A great $65 Napa Valley Cabernet.

11/4/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Amazing stuff...See my comments in the Community Notes.

10/17/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Although youthful, this is a perfect example of wine from Beckstoffer vineyard. Sourced from Block F, a premium section of the vineyard, the wonderful balance of the wine certainly shows through the boldness of the fruit, with soft tannins. A classic Cabernet Sauvignon.

10/15/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Big for a Merlot. Young and little brash right now; needs 4-6 hours of decanting. Deep, dark and dense with aromas of black cherry, cassis, olive, and spice. Lush on the palate with layers of black fruit, hazelnut and cocoa. This wine shows incredible structure for a Merlot and will benefit from a long decant for drinking now or could even be cellared.
Mostly Merlot with a touch of hillside Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.

10/3/2012 - avwiner wrote:

63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc, 4% Petite Verdot.
Wonderful balance with some spiciness to add some real character. Lovely long finish. Reminded me of Paella. Wish I had more.

10/1/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

This is the most dynamic, well balanced, tasty merlot I've had in years. I should have bought a case.

10/1/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Pretty good Santa Barbara County wine. Crisp, clean with a good finish. Great for a $15 bottle of wine.

10/1/2012 - avwiner Likes this wine:

Stephen Tanzer rated 94 and I agree wholeheartedly.