11/19/2018 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

One of my favorite wineries, but this vintage estate cab is not representative of their others, IMO. (Conversely, their small lot from 2011 is indeed worthy)

Same comments as 2016.

3/3/2018 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Great wine, especially for price point. Full body, rich dark fruit, tobacco and leather on long finish.

3/2/2018 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Fantastic nose on this one. Medium body, complex, long finish, tobacco.

11/21/2017 - SmithTXX wrote:

Tastes over extracted compared to prior vintages. Not sure if it well mellow with time...

11/18/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

May have not given this time to open up.

11/7/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Deep rich, big opulent mouthfeel without being overextracted. Long finish, dark fruit and tobacco-y with integrated tannins.

11/3/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

I'm between 91 and 92 on this one. Lots of dark fruit, and long finish of sweet tobacco. One of our favorites at this price point.

11/3/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Not quite as good as '12 vintage, but still a great QPR.

11/3/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Exceptional wine. A favorite.

11/3/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Great vintage, and good wine. Dark fruits, long finish, complex but with integrated tannins.

6/17/2017 - SmithTXX wrote:

This bottle a bit better. Noticed the blue fruit and got a little black tea leaf on the finish.

2/24/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

probably a bit better, I'm just not much on Pinots. :)

1/28/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Drank over two nights. Even though decanted for 2 house first night, was not very expressive. Seemed to develop overnight. Soft, but not juicy. Red and black fruits, medium long finish. Right bank, but paired with steak anyway. Wouldn't work hard to seek out, and probably won't buy more at price I paid (70ish), but we enjoyed, and will enjoy the other bottle in the next year or so.

1/29/2017 - SmithTXX wrote:

Big fan of the Rutherford Cabs from RP, but these Proprietary wines just are not resonating with my palette. Seems to be well made, but attempt to produce a more red fruit, medium body vs the darker, bigger profiles, but just not finding the attraction. Get eucalyptus and red fruit on palette, finish is medium and more pleasant with a little of the spice you expect in a Syrah.

1/26/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

This bottle may have been off...not as good as prior tastings, but still good for $$

1/21/2017 - SmithTXX wrote:

Bottle may have not been stored properly. Would like to try again, but at that price, probably wont.

1/15/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Decanted for an hour. Dark color and fruits. A little tobacco and spice lingering on the slightly dry finish.

1/14/2017 - SmithTXX wrote:

Just ok for me. Not unfriendly, just couldn't find much there at all. Tasting notes from winery describes blueberry/blue fruit on palette and lilac/violets on finish. Maybe I could get that a little, and maybe my palette doesn't have enough old world experience, but for me I prefer Round Pond's Rutherford Cabs. Might hold the other for a couple years and see if anything happens.

1/13/2017 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Good, in line with profile of other vintages. 2009 and 2012 has better fruit, depth, IMO.

7/4/2016 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

good wine, but overpriced IMO. prefer their estate rutherford and less $

7/2/2016 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

good food wine, especially steak

4/5/2016 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Beaurdeaux-ish, a little lighter than typical for this vineyard IMO. Developed a bit after about an hour, so let this one decant 1-2 hours.

2/20/2016 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

great napa value IMO. good steak wine as it's not a fruit bomb and with a bit of minerality on finish. With a 30 minute decant, good everyday wine here.

2/12/2016 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

just a fantastic bottle at the 2012 price. Deep color, a bit jammy, but love the dark fruit and slight sweet tobacco finish that lingers a bit.

2/18/2016 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Decanted 2hr at 55. Still needed 20 mins in glass to come up to temp. Once there, really good nose; just not as good as first bottle. Darker fruit, medium body, nice complexity, long finish.

1/21/2016 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Still like this Cali Malbec. Good nose and dark fruit on palette, then some earth and chocolate on a lingering finish.

1/1/2016 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Was very good, but given 2003 Reserve from FF, expected Great. Good nose, good dark fruit, a little tobacco in mid pallete (yum!), big finish, but not overly long. Again, really good...just nothing wow or spectacular.

12/27/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Still a favorite. Big and lush, dark fruits and chocolate. Yum!

12/25/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Stull a good bottle, but seems to me some.of fruit off it. May be passed it's peak?

12/25/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Medium body and finish...not as big as I remember. Good complexity, more red fruit than dark.

10/26/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Good, but was better last year. May be past prime.

9/20/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Really wine for the price point! A bit jammy up front, but full and round. Some tobacco on the long finish.

9/20/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

some depth and complexity still there, but afraid this one may be turning...drink quick

9/16/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Good wine, great value.

9/17/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

previously a 92 or 93, should drink soon, IMO.

8/28/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

great depth and structure. not too jammy, but dark fruit, and layers of finish with that rutherford dust. this may even get better with some cellar time.

8/30/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

dark fruit, long finish with some tobacco leaf. Fantastic.

7/4/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

great big jammy cab with voluptuous nose. Dark color and dark fruits on palate. a little smoke/tobacco on long finish.

7/3/2015 - SmithTXX wrote:

love this California version of Malbec. Deep color, with chocolate and dark fruits. Long finish.

7/2/2015 - SmithTXX wrote:

california Grenache!

4/2/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Nice, medium body, darker fruits, balanced. Not special, but good value.

4/6/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Good nose. Big, dark fruit (I got black berry and a little black cherry) with rounded tannins. Smooth, long finish with some espresso and a little tobacco. This will get even better as tannins soften. Will open another next year or '17.

2/22/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Very good cali cab style. Good nose. Dark fruit on palette with bit of tobacco on back. Good value.

2/8/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Big Rioja, but good minerality makes it good steak wine.

1/31/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

very nice old world wine; paired very nicely with steak.

1/10/2015 - SmithTXX wrote:

Deep dark nose, and color. I get lots of dark fruit and tobacco, some cocoa on long, full finish. A little "chewy" (wish I really enjoy). Love this winery and this is a great wine, IMO. Could have been talked into a 92.

1/9/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

Drank last year and would have given at least 91, so influenced by that as tonight was more an 89. Nice purple in color. Medium nose that really doesn't stand out. medium body, very balanced mouthfeel, darker fruit on palate. medium-long finish a little dry, lingers a bit with leather and dried dark cherries. benefits from decant; good food wine. may be past prime? (not expert enough on that, just an idea, comments welcome.)

1/1/2015 - SmithTXX Likes this wine:

will preface by saying this is my first to write tasting note. inky dark color with medium nose for PS. Big and jammy on the palette with dark purple fruit, and a little pepper/spice. I picked up some black licorice on the finish, which wasn't as long as expected, but did get better with time (45 minutes). not great steak wine; but perfect for cool evening on deck or around fire. Expect this may be a little too young and will get even better in next year or three.