May 22, 2022 - An anniversary vintage for us, double decanted thirty minutes before serving with Morgan Ranch wagyu ribeyes. Deep inky crimson color belies its age. An initial burst of black cherry gives way to kirsch and blue fruit tones. Medium-bodied with some tannin to integrate, with flavors of lavender, black currants, plum and barrel spice. Drinking well. Down to our last two bottles, though we have a couple of mags as well. We’ll be sad to see this one go…a beauty. 92-93 pts.
December 27, 2021 - Fully mature, quality Santa Clara Valley Cabernet fruit here. Very smooth and very fruit forward, here. Not very much complexity except for dark red fruits, though the moderate acidity makes sure that the wine is not too heavy. I think this will be fun to see how, or if, the fruit flavors evolve further.
July 16, 2021 - The fruit has outlasted the tannins, which are throwing a lot of sediment at this point. Still good acidity, but the fruit is unchecked now by the lack of tannic structure.
September 18, 2020 - Too much sweet fruit flavors here.
May 27, 2020 - Really nice cab. Perfumey nose with some spicy notes & a little funk.
October 8, 2018 - PnP but probably needed a decant. Great nose of cherry, kirsch, eucalyptus (don't remember it from previous bottles), tar. There are still tannins to be integrated, but the wine is becoming more lithe.
September 14, 2017 - This has been a really enjoyable cab over the last few years, once the tannins settled down a bit. I'm sad to say, this was my last bottle.
September 7, 2017 - It's been awhile since our last bottle and boy this is good. Ripe black raspberry and blackberries oozing with glycerin. Great mouthfeel and that fruit is so lush and delicious. For once my wife started drinking from my glass to finish the bottle. Makes me wish I had been buying more Stefania wines over the last few years. Need to get back on that horse.
April 6, 2017 - For this bottle the tannins have resolved allowing the fruit center stage. Still plenty of fruity graphite & tar character, this is ready to go.
December 4, 2016 - It's been almost three years since my last bottle of this and it's come together well in the interim. The nose of ripe fruit, spring flowers, and freshly tilled earth leads to a full-bodied palate of juicy dark berries and nicely integrated spice notes. Closes with suggestions of vanilla and quality wood. This has years of good drinking ahead of it and, in fact, may continue to improve as the oak recedes further. It's a great value in CA cab. We'll done, Paul and Stefania.