5/5/2024 - ledocq Likes this wine:

Excellent analyses of the flavor profile in both notes below. For myself, I wish I hadn't leaned into the "it's accessible!" thing - I mean, sure, you can drink it. But even after a 3-4 hour decant, it doesn't yet show why we are so insane about these wines. The aroma and taste improved with every moment after 4 hours, so maybe a 6-8 hour decant makes more sense if you're going to pop one. I enjoyed and regretted every sip.

4/15/2024 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine:

When MNWJ told me the murderers’ row slate of wineries he’d assembled for our trip, what was the producer I most anticipated? Bond or Harlan, with wines closer to a monthly than an average bottle spend? Nope. Abreu, cheaper (a bit) but so well represented in my collection? Nope again. It was BO, which I hadn’t even heard of until about a year ago until seeing a CT friend’s TN, which made me believe that this wine would be bang on in my wheelhouse. And was it ever. Most of the same vibrant notes of the ‘17, but with lots of deep forest, giving a more blue-ish character, with intensity, persistence and complexity dialed up even more. And yet, much like Alex’s ‘19, which I tasted at a similar time in its evolution 2 years ago, this is stunningly balanced and elegant, everything proportioned perfectly, working together in seamless harmony. With fairly minimal aeration, this was singing from the moment it hit my senses, and while, my #2 wine of the trip, the (far more expensive) ‘19 Harlan, continue to develop during its time in the glass, this stayed consistent, not that I could have imagined any improvement. It’s a gold medal feat to produce wines like the ‘19 and ‘01 Harlans or the ‘15 Prom, but to produce wines of similar (or even incrementally greater, I add, with hopefully unnecessary qualification, all for purposes of my palate) this, the ‘12 Ovid (I can already hear the haters saying that doesn’t belong) or the ‘19 MacDonald at a fraction of the price points, well, as the kids might say, that’s just wrong (or as I might say, so it’s wrong it’s just right). Drink today, tomorrow or leave it for your grandkids. Winner of the trip. 99-100++, and I only throw in the 99 ‘cuz this could get better, somehow . . .

4/13/2024 - AGELVIS Likes this wine:

PNP. Very deep dark intense magenta color. Stale raisin, sage, and subtle cinnnamon scone. Dry, plush palate. Firm, medium intensity tannins on the longish finish.

This was a bonus pour at our Arkenstone tasting and I was getting saturated, so my notes don’t do this justice. It’s very elegant. Focus on my score (not my words). ;)

4/18/2024 - Geaux Tigers wrote:

Kenny Chesney put it best, I went to bed at 2 with a 10, and woke up at 10 with a 2.

On open, the nose was inviting and intoxicating, a real 10. An hour later with a double decant, this woke up as a 2. The nose was still a 10, the palate was at best a 2.

Bought direct from Brand and stored properly since. Fuuudddgge!

3/28/2024 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

PnP from a 375 and wow, just wow! Followed a badass ‘12 Buccella and this wasn’t much of a step down. Spice, red and black cherry, red currant, hint of medical eucalyptus, minimal tannins left, oak receded. Not a lot of time take extensive notes, but not needed the way this drank.

3/27/2024 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine:

At SF Slow Wine. I don’t usually score wines at walkaround tastings (or really any tasting when I don’t have control of the bottle) for myriad reasons (too small a taste, too rushed and no chance to monitor development, can’t pair it with food, don’t know aeration ablutions, etc., etc.), but the 4 Adamus wines (3 ‘19 cabs and a ‘11 Estate) were the belles of the ball at this well above expectations tasting, so I’m making an exception for all 4. I understand that this had been open, but not decanted, a couple of hours before my generous pour. More medium bodied and with far more integrated structure than either of the other ‘19s, this presents a lovely mix of fulsome, mouthfilling dark berries and cassis, dark chocolate, and dark florals leavened by savory notes of dark earth, exotic spice and cedar. While a bit more air, perhaps an hour, would have served this well, it’s basically good to go now, delicious and a pleasure to drink with enough structure and complexity to keep things fairly interesting (though unlikely to be confused with the Quintus or the Estate). Very reminiscent in quality, qualities and price point to the Arrow & Branch Black Label I had at a tasting there and bought a couple of bottles of. Should an entry level Cab go for $135 (winery price)? Above my pay grade, although you could certainly do worse for the money. Is this a qpr banger in a world where you can buy Hartwell Reserves, Riverains and Mt. Braves for $100-, back vintages of Blankiet and Larkmead LMV for this or less and the QC flagship and Flac for this (or even less)? Um, no, not in my book, but you could do a helluva worse. Drink now with lots of O2 or in the next 5-8 years. 94-95+

3/17/2024 - Cablover1982 Likes this wine:

Part of a great evening with @Ian Leath and @Shine J. This was very close in my opinion to the O’Shaughnessy Veeder ‘15. I felt like one thing that set it apart for me was the weight and slight Pritchard Hill depth. It was close. Red and black fruits, floral, iron, rock dust, tobacco, dark chocolate notes. Nice finish.

3/6/2024 - Geaux Tigers wrote:

PnP and drank two glasses over 2 hr. Young, but not gran reserva young. Puckering tannins in place with tart cherry on the palate, pleasant, but simple nose. Medium finish, soft on the palate. Opened more when tasted with a chimichurri chicken kale salad. Will age for another 5-10 yrs but unsure beyond, not overly structured even with the pucker factor. This was good, not great. QPR just ok.

3/2/2024 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine:

First of 3 from an auction lot ($187) 2+ years ago. On the nose and palate, classic vibrant Ovid notes of dark berries, cassis, black currants, forest, fruitcake and exotic spice, violets, dark roast coffee, bitter chocolate, graphite, tobacco and a hint of cedar. Wonderfully deep purple-black, medium to full bodied, thick legs. Long, silky tannins and medium acidity, both well integrated, no heat. And as always, epic complexity, intensity and persistence. Wasn’t sure what to expect here, with (relatively) tepid CT reviews, even from CT friend Geaux, a fellow lover of all things Ovid, and a general disregard for this vintage (which, dog in the manger that I am, I don’t share, at least not mostly), but this was beautiful right out of the bottle and gained just a touch more length, depth and silkiness with 30-45 minutes of air, which it held evenly through the last glass on night #2 (you didn’t really think I’d get 3 nights out of this, did you?). This ranks just above the outstanding ‘08, a little more than just below the transcendent ‘12 in my Ovid pantheon, already perfectly resolved, although still youthful, but with a touch less hurricane ferocity than that ‘12. Like those 2 wines, this stuns equally on its own and with food, in this case a rare carnivorous double header for mostly pescatarian sfwl of lamb chops one night, mixed grill the next, with the food really bringing out the tremendous backbone, the on its own experience doing the same for the resplendent fruit. This is bang on in its drinking window with no babying required, yet if the ‘08 (from a similarly unfairly maligned vintage, in sfwl’s humble opinion) is any indication, this will continue to be an extraordinary pour well into the decade beginning with a 3. At the risk of sounding like a totally uncritical fanboy (oh, WTH, I’ll sound that way), this is why I drink wine and only admit what I’ve paid to my non-winey friends sotto voce. I suspect we could have a pretty good pay per view imbroglio over this cuvee and whether it’s right at the top of Napa with me being joined by CT friends msu, Geaux and QL and opposed by cs and A_M (although I’m not sure they’d completely dismiss it, either). I’ve gotten all of my vintages for $200- (not including the inevitable sales taxes but including everything else), a price significantly lower than my Abreus and Colgins, which, for me, this absolutely stands right beside, if not a nose in front of. Long may you run, Andy and Austin. Stunning, suberb and sophisticated stuff. 98+

7/16/2019 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

Napa 2019; 7/14/2019-7/18/2019: Lovely wine expressing all that Pritchard Hill has to offer, more red fruit slight blue note. Nice mineral note complimentary to the fruit. Some oak in place and tannins have not yet receded enough for this to show its best. Needs 5 years.

2/20/2024 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

Needed a PnP candidate and this delivered in spades. Procured from Progeny during our 8/2023 visit at an inflated price (terrible QPR), but a one time try was ‘kinda’ worth it.

Intense floral perfumed nose, with herbal and dark fruit menagerie. Tannins and oak perfectly integrated. Not a hard edge anywhere on the palate—perfect balance between fruit (blackberry, black cherry, medicinal red cherry, Luden’s cough drops) and earthy (sage, herbs, wet rock, char, faint pine, touch of eucalyptus, forest floor) tertiary notes. Enough acid for a few more years before any downward movement on the drinking curve.

‘Just’ a rounded down 98 today, this was better than a recent ‘13 that was a rounded up 98. No brett in this one. I could easily go 99 here, but this bottle just didn’t have the ‘it’ factor that had me gushing.

Recommend a decant for sediment, though not necessary with a careful pour.

Would not hesitate to pull the trigger in the secondary market for another one at a better price.

2/15/2024 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

Cork split on open, Durand to the rescue. Sediment, sediment, everywhere. 2 hr double decant and that seemed right. Inky and glycerin like. Dark as night with purplish crimson tinge.

Plum, blueberry, fresh crushed blackberry, Asian five spice, cinnamon, charred meat, and faint earthiness. Boisterously elegant, but not big. Not a hard edge anywhere, love what Bevan did with this.

Tench/Harbison is one of my favorite areas in all of Napa, and this is definitely a wheelhouse wine for my palate.

Unfortunately, after 2 hrs, this fell off slightly. 98++ for 60 min, 94 thereafter, 96 overall.

2/17/2024 - Geaux Tigers wrote:

2 hr shake decant. Darker in color than the ‘18.

Initial intense nose of floral musk perfume, cherry jolly rancher, could smell this all day.

The palate was completely muted and giving absolutely nothing. Time to see what more air does.

At 3 hr, the nose was still awesome, and the palate started to show cherry jolly rancher and bitter chocolate.

At 4 hr, no change.

This seems to have potential, would love to try again in 5-7 yrs with a little age and a more expressive palate.

2/18/2024 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

Double decant, first sips at little over an hour. Sediment everywhere so the decant was definitely needed.

Dark, black as night, purple rim. Viscous in the glass.

Nose of floral perfume, crushed raspberries, mocha, hint of spice. Palate yielded a young sharp profile of red and black berries, somewhat muted and a short finish. Didn’t have that juiciness in the fruit. This is definitely young, needs more air, but very promising.

This drank best after 3.5 hrs of air. That being said, it still needs sideways sleepy time. More juiciness and less youth after that much air, but the notes remained consistent. Still some puckering even with that much air.

93 early, 96ish later. 94 overall, mostly due to youth.

2026 earliest for the next cork.

2/17/2024 - SMHalps Likes this wine:

Collectable Wine Night (Tuscany Steakhouse NYC): One of three collectable reds I had with my wine group. Can you be disappointed in a wine you rate 93 points? Yes you can, when it cost over $300 for the bottle and the WA gives it 100 points. Reading the WA review, I always felt that the reviewer felt self-pressure to rate it this high. It is a nice wine, but really no better than many wines that cost under $150. It really paled in comparison to the 2 other reds we had alongside it.

2/11/2024 - poppacork Likes this wine:

High density and somewhat unyielding today with classic Napa Cabernet markers of cassis and fire roasted red pepper. Good acidity and body. These may need more time than I recall of earlier vintages. 93+

1/13/2024 - Auburn Tiger wrote:

I should have listened to Cromwell!

1/20/2024 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine:

Out of curiosity I purchased this bottle when it hit the inbox. Benchmark does a solid job of procuring these bottles and it was in great shape once opened.

I would say the window for this drinking this wine with some fruit is coming to a close. At least that was the case for this bottle and however it was stored.

Cork was in great shape.

92

1/21/2024 - NYCRye wrote:

I just don’t get all these mid 90 reviews. This wine continues to be shut down even after a 2 hour decant and then drinking over a two hour period. I’m experiencing this with every William and Mary wine. How can someone rate a closed wine mid 90s unless you can predict the future. It’s a 89 today. Check back in 5 years , maybe the score goes up if it opens up.

1/18/2024 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine:

Second of 3, a couple of years + past the prior bottle. I really don’t have much to add to my prior TN—not that that will stop me from riffing—or CT friend Geaux’s more recent TN other than to say 1) this is now pretty much singing out of the bottle, but the super complex elements—see below—come into better balance and present with more elegance with about an hour of air, 2) this is even better than the prior bottle, and while I think it’s smack dab in the middle of its drinking window, it’s incrementally more likely to get a bit better than worse in the short term, although one way or another, it should have at least 5, and maybe 10, years of excellent drinking left, and 3) Geaux’s homage to Tench is dead on, and while all I’ve had from there is this and a couple of vintages of Russell’s, the combination of blue/black fruit, red fruit, green (forest floor, herbs, pyrazines) along with exotic spice is something to behold, almost exploding out of the glass. That said, the structure keeps this sexy, as opposed to the Maybach wines, of which I’m quite fond, which tip over into sluttiness, to whatever that concept makes sense and isn’t totally offensive. This and a couple of Hartwell Estate Reserves, which I bought at auction in all cases for under $70/btl, are my greatest qpr champs. But to be clear: they’re not just great values; they’re great wines. 96-97

1/15/2024 - MRonan83 wrote:

Anyone feel the new release price on the Elysian is high along with other releases? Years past they have flown off the “shelf” with an allocation of 3 max but now with an allocation of 6, you can still buy. It never use to get to second tier allocation available. I’d love to support Mike and Leah because they are great people and at this price it’s becoming unobtainable for their long time supporters. Just me thinking this?

1/6/2024 - Whisky&Wine Likes this wine:

Rich and brawny with broad tannic shoulders. This is going to improve over the next decade but it very good now. Deep fruit, leaning toward blueberry and fig over currant on the palate, but currant and luxardo cherry on the nose. Tannins are both dusty/mature in the midpalate and still a little unresolved in the finish. Unusual. I think it needs more time. I like this a lot, but perhaps just a smidge over-extracted? Reserving judgement until 2026-7 when I’ll open the next one to check on progress.

2013 continues to be a year that I think the critics were overly enthusiastic about. Good? Certainly. Tippy-top? No. I much prefer the 2016s and 2018s from most estates so far, including this one.

12/30/2023 - njustl Likes this wine:

Wanted to finish/start the year with a bang. Wow, did this deliver. Decanted for ~8 hours and it was open for business. Darkish fruit aromas, a smidge of underbrush, and is that oak? Hmm, not really, more of that elusive pencil shavings thingy people rave about (and honestly is pretty cool). Still has some grippy tannins (which I love) indicating a long future, but also delicious now. Beautiful balance; both red and blue fruits, long, silky, yet grippy mouthfeel. Awesome. Kept wanting you to go back for more, which, in my opinion, is the sign of a great wine. So refreshing from so many other cali cabs/wines that warrant their own OnlyFans account.

12/23/2023 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

Not a fan of opening young wines, but curiosity was killing the cat.

Double decant the night before and back in the bottle under cork for 16 hr. Horton Vineyard fruit (MacD). Medium bodied.

Briar/brambly, crushed green herbs, violets, red and black cherry, candied dried cherry, hint of unripe black raspberry. Oak is managed very well, nice fine tannic backbone that drives everything along.

If you’re looking for a young buxom hot thing…move along. This is elegant, refined and sophisticated.

Started 93 and hit 95 over another 3.5 hr of drinking today, room to 97-98+ with 7-10 years sideways. Outpaced a ‘15 Paul Hobbs Dr. Crane for most of the night until the Dr. accelerated into high gear.

Young? Yes. Infantcide? Not with that much air.

12/15/2023 - ozziewine Likes this wine:

Had two so wanted to check in on this to see if it continued the trend of 2019s drinking well early, and it is.
Gave it two hours of air and a slight chill around or just below cellar temp.
Typical Bard. That is, delicious with reasonably good QPR.
Licorice notes, dark fruits, still tannic but smooth and creamy at the same time. Tannins were pretty drying but not off-putting.
If you only have one I'd hold off for a few years, if you have many, open one now and you won't be disappointed.

12/16/2023 - Geaux Tigers wrote:

Sometimes you go to Napa and a wine hits your heart and then you’re disappointed when you pull one. This ain’t that ! As good as it was then it was better tonite. Better between cellar and room temp. Jolly rancher of all flavors, tropical fruits, green apples, juicy fruit gum, melon, simply awesome. Awesome mouthfeel, synergistic flavors from the SB, betting this is Sauvignon Musque clones. Better tonite than in August.

2/9/2023 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

2023 Napa; 2/5/2023-2/9/2023 (Napa with a connection in Houston): Barrel sample. A new wine for William & Mary in 2021 from Vine Cliff in Oakville. More darker fruited than the Shifflett wines, a bit softer at this early stage but only slightly less muted than the Cabernet Sauvignon. I’m excited about this wine because I’m a sucker for Eastern Oakville and cannot wait to see what this becomes in a few years time (maybe more than a few years). That being said this will need some time to unfurl so patience is a virtue here.

12/6/2023 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine:

Lately I've been exploring the world of whites and I've been told a good number of times that all roads lead to Burgundy. So I've nibbled around the edges knowing this slippery slope will eventually get me there. I cannot say that I actively seek out domestic Sauvignon Blanc's and I've only bought a handful over the past 14 years of being into wine which until now has been heavily slanted red.

With the surprise release of Aisana and prospect of being able to bring more Kinsman whites into the cellar. I was all in after the Aberro Chenin Blanc that left most of us wishing for a larger allocation of this limited wine. I think it's smart marketing labeling this Sauvignon Blanc but the star of the show in my opinion is the Semillion (especially at room temp) where you get a real sense of this wines beautiful texture on the palate. This suggestion might not be the normal cup of tea for someone who bought this because they love a chilled domestic SB.

I would put this right in the mix of some of the Eden Sadie whites of South Africa. Yes, it's that compelling!

Drink now and hold some back.

95+

12/7/2023 - mflesh wrote:

This one was in the zone. Poured pretty much jet black to the glass. The nose was slightly aged blueberries and blackberries. The entry mimicked the nose, with smoked tobacco, fig, plums, tar, blackberries, blueberries. Delicious wine. Had an ample amount of black pepper on the finish. If you are sensitive to sediment, this is one you might actually want to filter and decant because there is a healthy amount of sediment in the bottle. I'd say that this one is just about right at the top of the hill at 11 years. Could you hold this one for another 10-15 years? I think the answer is absolutely, provided that you cellar It will and don't mind having a beautifully aged Howell Mountain cab in reward!

12/5/2023 - csimm wrote:

Ok, so for those who desire a bit more detail, this is a follow up to my last extremely brief note a few days ago…

A big, sweet, ripe, purple, fruit-driven slather hound. Grab a Red Bull and top with whipped cream, and you got yerself the best Sonic blackberry slushy this side of San Antone. And to be fair, this is along the same lines as what one would expect from this wine. No surprises. If you like Materium, you’ll like this Materium. It’s on the ripe end of the ripe spectrum, was probably picked in late December, and carries a viscosity that Brer Rabbit would envy (see what I did there?... as in Brer Rabbit Blackstrap Molasses? Cute, right?! ……….you get it…). I feel like the last 5 years have made this even richer and more chocolatey. And again, if that’s your jam, this will literally be your ‘jam.’

Designed for those who feverishly elbow their ways through masses of merrymakers to board the flavor-choo-choo and ride it all the way to Miami Beach.

4/24/2023 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

A lovely rendition of bubbles that was loved by me and Mrs Geaux, not necessarily so by others. Toasted brioche, red apple, more nutty than expected. Did not follow over an extended period as this was the opener and went quick as I revisited more than others. Drank better out of flutes than coupes.

11/21/2023 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

I’m going to pile on praise! Delicious from the start, better after an hour. Sneaky good juice. Green apple jolly rancher, melon, tropical fruit, none of the bitter acidic notes I hate in SB, the Semillon tames the SB tiger, the SB makes the Semillon fun.

11/19/2023 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

Picked up at release and slept in the cellar since. PnP—dark purple with just a bit of crimson edge.

Initial nose was lovely blueberries and pungent perfume, and on the palate early notes of whiskey, macerated berries, hint of cola, more blueberry.

After about 30 min, whoa, holy moly! This accelerated into perfection territory and then blew past the line leaving no doubt.

Not a hard edge anywhere, oak integrated, fine tannins providing the structure for this to really strut. Still perfumed on the nose with crushed red and black raspberries, hint of forest floor, touch of crushed herbs. On the palate, blue and black fruits in harmony, heavenly kiss of chocolate on a long finish. With more time, plum and char notes appear.

No flaws anywhere—Ben Franklin is in the house. First bout of perfection in ‘23. This is at peak drinking for my palate, but ain’t going anywhere anytime soon. Next (and last) bottle in 1-2 yrs.

9/9/2023 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

An extension of our Napa Visit - Mi Sueno 2019s: Heard good things about Mi Sueno, so bought three 2019 bottles to try on a side trip to the tasting room—no tasting just picked up bottles—want to determine if I should buy more. This is the first, upcoming are the Herrera Rebecca and Herrera Rolando.

On open, heavy dried fresh blueberries, char, forest floor, charred pine embers, some chalky tannins.

Double decant and back in the bottle under cork for 5 hrs. Nice concentration, dark purple black in color.

After the re-open, dried fresh blueberries still dominate the fruit component, with candied cherries, purple and pink sweet tarts, crushed rock, earthy soil, hint of evergreen pine tree and evergreen brush. The nose reminded me of a very good LPV in the balance. The fruit is bright at this young stage but surprisingly the earthy components are almost equal, great balance at this young age. The tannins are fine and don’t show up until the back of the medium to long finish. The oak has receded.

At 6 hr, this calmed down significantly and the nose really popped. More of the same notes, but more perfume and evergreen on the nose and less blueberry on the palate. 92ish until then 94 after.

Hold for 3-5 years or try with a long decant. QPR is off the charts at $105. For comparison purposes this is behind the Addax Lynne (same vineyard but more $$$) and frankly from a palate and structure perspective closer to Progeny than O’Shaughnessy and/or Pott.

Verdict—in the spirit of cutting back, will likely pick up just a few

11/13/2023 - sfwinelover1 Likes this wine:

First of 2 ($180@) from a recent purchase (then, less than 2 weeks after, I got 3 at an auction for $25@ less, so popping one stat became imperative). Pretty much an all around Ibid from my note of just over 3 years ago, continuing to be bang on in its tasting window. I write briefly in the context of having had a ‘05, ‘06 and another ‘12 in the past several months and the more recent TNs. Unlike others, I found this quite fine off the pour, although it did deepen and smooth even more, and that the last glass on night #2 was incrementally best indicates a bright future for years to come. Equally fabulous as a cocktail wine and with food, spaghetti and meatballs one night, pork tenderloin another. For me, this was clearly a step+ above the ‘05 and ‘06, excellent wines in their own rights, with superior balance and depth, but it didn’t have quite the energy and nerviness of the ‘12, a truly transcendent wine for me, which hangs right there with the best of a remarkable group of CSs and BDX LB blends I’ve been lucky to drink over the past few years from Harlan, Abreu, MacDonald, Latour, Lafleur and Colgin, among others, all at higher price points. While I don’t expect this will improve from here in a meaningful way, it should hold for years, providing exceptional drinking, and I’m extending my drinking window, something I haven’t been doing much lately with repeat bottles, by 2 years. Score of the prior bottle, 97-98, still feels about right. Stunning stuff.

8/24/2023 - Geaux Tigers wrote:

Napa 2023 - The Sequel; 8/23/2023-8/28/2023: PnP and revisited several times over 90 min, but this was locked down by a wall of tannins and oak that let only a bit of blackberry and blueberry through. Deep and dark colored, reminded me of the ‘13 at the same stage, so it has that going for it. Lots of potential but no score today. Give this 5 more years sideways.

11/10/2023 - Geaux Tigers wrote:

Two hr double decant and tried to drink over an hour. Minimal Dr Crane markers and just didn’t get better. Boozy on the nose and palate with everything else taking a backseat. At 60 min gave up, I’m tired of drinking so so wine.

9/9/2021 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

I was expecting something great out of this wine based on the prior CT notes and my own experience, what I got, however, was truly exceptional!

Decanted 4 hrs but was worried it might too much—worry wrongly placed! Dark brown red in color, minimal bricking, though more viscous yet medium bodied than I remember. Oak and tannins fully integrated, acid at perfect levels for ideal drinking. Drank best at 60-65F

Nose of charcoal, touch of eucalyptus, lead pencil, ink, dried herbs, sage, hint of dried cherries, at 5 hrs after open, complimentary cola notes appeared.

On the palate, not a hard edge to be found anywhere. Everything was seamless across all facets. Blue fruit, red fruit, touch on unsweetened chocolate, dried blueberries, sweet red cherry, slight mineral/herbal streak. Medium-long finish with a hint of cherry liquer but not distractingly hot or alcoholic.

This threw off a lot of sediment. Still at or near the peak of its drinking window.

I hate being a points wh*re, but this was a perfect wine for my palate! As I write this, I am trying to think of a reason to find a flaw and a score of 99–there simply isn’t one. 100 pts, and there was never a doubt—not a flaw to be found. Such a great experience! Sadly my last bottle!

10/22/2023 - Geaux Tigers wrote:

2 hr double decant, but really need 3-4 hr. Young, big, tannic, vanilla from the oak, plum, some darker fruit. Really needs more time sideways. Try again in 2027-2028.

10/19/2023 - Geaux Tigers Does not like this wine:

2 hour double decant. Medium body but black as night.

Nose—pine cone, coniferous forest, forest floor, ripe clack cherry, charred embers, spearmint, sage. Love the nose.

Palate—not so much love—subdued, needed swirling to coax flavor, hollow front and mid palate, some black fruit on the finish. No apparent tannic lockdown, oak at bay. Will give it more time.

At 3 hr-no improvement. I kept thinking of the old Wendy’s commercials—- Where’s the beef?

Nose was 94, palate was 80. 87 seems fair. The ‘14 I had a few years ago was light years better than this mess.

10/19/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Does not like this wine:

Very disappointing. First time I have ever had a red with effervescence. Tingling on the tongue. Going through malolatic fermentation again? Not sure. Like drinking a cherry soda (Cheerwine). Could not finish.

9/28/2023 - AGELVIS Likes this wine:

90-minute decant. Nearly opaque electric magenta core. Nestle Crunch bar, blackberry, boysenberry, tangerine bitters, raw coconut, clove, and subtle Worcestershire sauce. Dry, full bodied palate. Firm, satiny tannins on the longish finish.

Another bottle I enjoyed more than I expected. Complex decadence, with some aged notes balancing things very nicely.

10/11/2023 - Geaux Tigers wrote:

PnP, some brett early on along with blackberry and black cherry, charcoal, Asian spice, saline, the brett blew off after an hour. While better than my last bottle, not up to my expectations for one of my favorite Herold wines, This was good not great… ‘just’ 93 today.

9/15/2023 - tyfabes Likes this wine:

Tasted at Wheeler Farms, where this was a surprise drop-in from Nigel.

This was utterly fantastic. Nigel was able to blend both the Sauv Blanc and Semillon to bring out the best of each. It had heaps of fruit, minerality, and a wonderful depth, while still being light on its feet. This wine brought a smile to my face at first taste because this bottle transports you to a sunny day in your favorite Napa vineyard with warm rays of sun glowing on your face, and the only thing you care about is going in for your next sip.

We drank close to 10 different whites during our September Napa trip and this was head and shoulders above the rest. Don't sleep on this one.

9/26/2023 - Cablover1982 Likes this wine:

This is an amazing Cab from Mt Veeder by Bevan. Deep Purple, Thick, rich and plentiful. Lush dark plums, blackberries, chocolate covered cherries, raspberry truffles, mocha, fresh coffee, thinly sliced mushrooms with sautéed brown leaves. The fruit is so mouth coating and supple but never feels overdone or over-extracted. It’s balanced beautifully by earthy notes. Velvety tannins on a nice long finish.

9/15/2022 - Geaux Tigers wrote:

3.5 hr decant, threw off quite a bit of sediment. Translucent maroon in color, appearing medium in body, but a heavier feel in the mouth in a good way. Lovely mix of Pritchard Hill intensity with a sassy sashay of sophisticated elegance. Almost like a gorgeous Amazon fitness model in an evening gown!

Intense floral perfume, fresh cut white flowers, wet rock, licorice, burnt embers, and a hint of brandy on the nose. Flowed seamlessly across the palate with a red fruited menagerie into a medium finish, with a complimentary but faint blood orange note, some bittersweet chocolate. No oak or tannins apparent other than in the lovely structure that held everything together. No hard edges anywhere on this wine.

This drank best at 4 hrs and smoothed itself out even more with the distracting brandy notes gone, and dark red cherry and dark raspberry fruits taking hold.

No evidence of the sometimes off putting ripeness that some ‘15s show.

To quote a famous Austin Powers character, this wine screams at you between sips, proclaiming “I’m dead sexy!”

MSUWine hit the number at 98, but that extra hour bumped this beauty to 99, maybe room for marginal improvement with more time and perhaps some development of secondary notes, but we’re splitting hairs and more importantly, why wait when it’s this good now.

9/13/2023 - MJP Hou TX Likes this wine:

I'll disclose that I'm biased when it comes to this producer. Heather & Bruce are generous host when I roll into Napa and it's one of my top recommendations for anyone visiting the valley. Not to mention Francoise might be one of the best wine makers for my palate. I just love her work and the work of those who have gained knowledge working along side of her.

With all that said, this is the ONLY reason I purchased 2020. Most of the producers I follow choose not to make wine in 2020 and I think in the long run that decision will serve them well. Especially if you're first experience with them is in fact, 2020.

I was curious to taste the latest release made from blocks 1, 3, 4 & 6. So in support of VHR I decided to purchase. I spent two days with this bottle and the second was the better showing. I think FP did the best she could with what was given and it's impressive considering the challenges. From memory this beats out some other producers wine from wonderfully easy vintages. This wine is reflective of the season and will be a part of the conversation for years to come.

Call it science, call it curiosity. I decide to pull the trigger and have no regrets.

Drink or hold.

9/7/2023 - bsumoba Likes this wine:

Composed of mainly Napa mountain fruit and is roughly 96% CS, 4% CF, this is a VERY good QPR for what it is, which is Napa Cab. Very big and indicative of other mtn and 21 vintage wines I have had so far, which are quite tannic early in its life. Will need a healthy decant if drunk now. Good fruit, decent structure and just a good wine at its price point. Would highly recommend for those who love this style.

8/19/2021 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine:

2 hr decant. Poured black opaque and viscous but not thick, glycerin-like and inky.

Nose was Tench all the way, tar, burnt embers, black fruit, white flowers, touch of mocha, lovely mineral/iron ore component.

Palate showed faint tannins on the medium finish no obvious signs of over oakiness ( I love how RB manages oak). Black and blue fruited (I expected red but alas, none), exotic spices, more white flowers. A touch, just a touch, of acidic heat and purple fruit on the back end.

Big, bold and unapologetically delicious. In no way shape or form is the fruit overcooked or the wine overdone! 94 for now, needs to integrate more, hold for minimum of 3 yrs. Try again after 2024. I think JD 98+ is a bit high, 96-97 potential in my mind. I hope JD is right, however!

8/25/2023 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine:

Excited to share this one with Mark as I knew he would appreciate it. But this exceeded all of my expectations, even for such an absurdly priced wine.
70 min sitting in wide glasses (Josephine Huitte Rouge) while we drank the AT Aequorin.
Approachable from the first sip. The nose itself took me to another place. Floral and dark fruity and spicy. Dark molasses and rum, wet stones, smooth tannins, forever finish. Incredibly well made. Tannins seemed to accumulate over the few hours we were drinking it and while incredibly drinkable has structure for the future.
This wine seemed like it had even more to give, tightly coiled underneath. This was a 97-98 at it’s naked rawest self. Can’t wait to see what it does in a few years.