8/8/2021 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

What a surprise! This isn't even the highest end Cab blend from Penfolds, but it certainly held it's own. This guy tied with 2009 Ducru in a blind tasting of 2009 Bordeaux blends from around the world including Sassicaia, Insignia, Le Desir, and Meerlust Rubicon. Absolutely the best bang for the buck in our lineup. It's drinking really well now, however it probably doesn't have the structure to keep up with the Ducru for the long haul. Suggest drinking within the next 5-10 years. Overall a very, very good wine from Penfolds delivering high quality at a reasonable price point for high end Cabernet.

8/6/2021 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

Luscious, unctuous, and perfectly integrated. Full of copious dark fruit with spice and smoky notes. Tannins are present but so soft and silky. A fantastic wine that will drink beautifully for another decade, if not more.

10/23/2018 - parkerbj wrote:

Enjoyed this at Atera along side a 1995 Shafer Hillside Select. Both wines were showing very well, with the Harlan taking the SHS by a point. Decanted the Harlan for about an hour; noted surprisingly strong, but refined, tannin, and notes of darker fruits on the nose with a hint of black cherry. An excellent wine, but for me it's not worth the premium over the Shafer.

12/8/2017 - parkerbj wrote:

I’ll admit I love Schrader wines. I think you can’t find better Napa Cabs than what Thomas Brown is putting out there. With that said, this certainly did not disappoint. Like the 2002 Abreu Thorevolis, this is very youthful for all three of color, nose, and taste. Both of these wines can last another 25 years easily. On a tangent subject, it would be interesting to try some of the aged, modern Napa Cabs like this against a first growth Bordeaux in years where both had excellent vintages... like 2009 and 2010. The only problem is we need to wait another 10 years to do it. Getting back on track, the Schrader is a beautiful wine, also 100 pts. It’s one of those wines that gives you goosebumps when you drink it. Again, velvet is the best way to describe the texture and the fruit, acidity, and integrated tannin just explode in the mouth. I’m lucky to have a few more of these to try over the next few years.

12/8/2017 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

This was some tough competition against some of Napa’s best and someone has to finish last. Even at 98 pts against Abreu Thorevolis, Schrader Beckstoffer To Kalon and Shafer Hillside Select. This wine exhibits a bit more of the higher altitude qualities that come with the thicker skins from the cooler temps. The tannins are very soft though not as integrated and silky as the others. It’s also more herbaceous with some grassy / cut hay notes that come through on the palate as well. A very good wine at this price point, if you’re willing to spend it.

12/8/2017 - parkerbj wrote:

It gives me a heavy heart to rank this wonderful wine 3rd (kind of). Really, 1-3 are all on the same playing field. (Abreu Thorevolis and Schrader were 1a and 1b). I’ve had this before a few years ago and thought it was amazing and graded it 100 pts. Tonight it had 99 pts but man this was some seriously stiff competition. The nose is much more floral but backed up by some serious dark fruit and black cherry. When tasting, you get the sense of free run juice with no stems and the tannin is so smooth but obviously from the 30-35 months in oak. It finishes for at least a minute. This is definitely one of the best Shafer vintages, and they’ve produced some spectacular wines over the years. As an aside, I highly recommend visiting them if you’re ever in Napa.

12/7/2017 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

No surprises here. I’ve had this before and at that time it was the best Bordeaux I had ever had. It still is. This is an incredibly youthful wine with the classic left bank notes of cassis, leather, pencil lead, but it still has powerful dark fruit and integrated tannin that coats the entire mouth giving a velvety long finish. Still youthful and nowhere close to its end. Another 50 years at least. Definitely a 100 pt wine.

12/8/2017 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

An unbelievably good wine. 100 pts though it tied with the Schrader. Massive dark fruit on the nose with some subtle herbs and minerals. Perfectly integrated, velvety tannin to compliment the cassis and even a little brighter fruit like strawberry. The finish is amazing lasting over a minute with the oaky notes slowly fading with the fruit. Plenty of acidity that coats the whole palate. Truly a mouthful that you want to try and chew. Amazing wine. I’d love to have another bottle (or 10) but it’s so hard to find. Highly recommended.

3/25/2016 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

Very impressive, but youth, youth, youth. I can't wait to try this again in 5-10 years. Decanted for 2 hrs. Tons of fruit, more pepper and spice than I expected, loads of tannin, extremely long finish. I expect another 5 yrs will soften the tannin and let the fruit and spice dominate the show. Another excellent wine from SQN.

3/25/2016 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

This was a favorite of the ladies and I can't say I blame them. Drank next to '95 Mouton and '09 This is Not an Exit Syrah. Silky smooth, loads of fruit, and just enough tannin to fill the palate. Decanted for 2 hours and it was drinking beautifully. Wonderful right now and likely has another 5-10 yrs if not more.

3/22/2016 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

Wonderful example of a classic California Cab. Drinking perfectly just now. Decanted for about an hour and drank over the course of 3 hours. Smooth tannin, lots of dark fruit, and a long, impressive finish.

3/23/2016 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

This was an absolutely stunning wine. In a week that featured '95 Mouton, '09 Le Meal, '08 The Line Grenache, '09 This is Not an Exit Syrah, and '01 Lokoya Howell Mtn, this guy was up there near the top of the list. Decanted this magnum for 2-3 hours. Exhibited superbly smooth tannins and a long, pleasant finish. Classic Bordeaux nose and taste for this wonderful California blend. Drink it now if you've got it because it's right in it's sweet spot though it likely has several more years left.

3/24/2016 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

Although I feel like we committed infanticide with this magnum, it was definitely a fantastic wine. Decanted for 2 hours and served at about 65 deg F. Loads of dark fruit with some spice and pepper on the palate. Tight tannins with a long 60 second finish. I'm glad I have another bottle which will keep nicely for the next 10-15 years.

6/17/2015 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

Excellent, but nearing the end of its drinking window.

10/3/2015 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

This is an absolutely beautiful wine. Tasted side by side with 1990 Beaucastel Hommage Jaques Perrin and 2003 Scarecrow, this was hands down the best wine of the night. Stunning in its complexity and finish but also soft and sexy. This is in my top three wines ever tasted.

11/14/2015 - parkerbj Likes this wine:

Truly incredible wine. The star of the night that included 1990 Hommage Jaques Perrin, 86 Mouton Rothschild, 2003 Scarecrow, and 71 and 75 d'Yquem. This is the most stunningly impressive white that I've consumed. Full palate, long finish, notes of minerals, straw, bright fruit, and that lovely funkiness that makes white Bordeaux so unique.