August 25, 2017 - Dinner with the Murthy's (Fremont, CA): Some Brett on the nose, underlying black fruit; palate is full bodied, fading black fruit, integrated tannin, slightly drying; short-medium finish. Good, but not great. A bit too much Brett for a California cab. 89
With air, the Brett fades almost entirely. Nice Cali cab now, a bit ripe and tastes even younger than first tasted? This has evolved in an interesting direction. 90
December 15, 2014 - This had a touch of animal on opening, I thought maybe Brett. Two hours in, it cleared to reveal more classic Cali-Cab, ripe currant nose, juicy, fading red fruit and slight rough, drying tannin. Finished dry and moderate in length. Ain't gonna get better, drink soon.
July 30, 2011 - Lovely wine
March 9, 2010 - I am skeptical of Cali super-consultants because they tend to overbake, overalc and otherwise build wine for early, critic reviews, expensive sales and little ageability. But this wine rocks, at least right now. Nose of anise, dark blue berries. Wonderful flavors of chocolate, anise, blueberry, cracked black pepper, oak all well integrated with fine, caressing tannin and a wonderful length. In a really good place right now, especially for around $35 on release. I wish all Cali cabs in this price range could compete.
April 4, 2009 - Been holding this wine for a few years. I think it is drinking very well know. The tanins are diminishing, but it still delivers a punch. It has some pepper and some earthyness to it. I am looking forward to my next bottle.
December 3, 2008 - Very similar to a Frank Family Cabernet in it's richness and good structure. This is a little less concentrated than a frank family cab and a little more elegant. Very nice. Some vegitative notes on the nose that integrated after some decant time. This is a good value high quality cabernet. 90-91Pts.
May 10, 2008 - Cal Poly Pomona Wine Dinner (Kellogg Ranch - Pomona, CA): Slightly underdeveloped aromas of green stems, black currant, and mint. Similarly underdeveloped on the palate, with vegetal notes along with some cassis, graphite, and herbs.
March 25, 2006 - Farpointe Tasting March 25, 2006 (Farpointe Wine Bar, Southlake, Texas): WIML87,NOWA,NOWS,CT91
Tasted March 25, 2006 at a retail tasting. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel restaurant series Cabernet Sauvignon glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose of kirsch, dried herbs, mocha and perhaps some boysenberry. Flavors of Bing cherry and raspberry dominate. Value is unacceptable. Drink over the short term.
February 8, 2006 - At a tasting with the winemaker in attendance. Very bad glasses, so bad that I wish I had a Cyrano de Bergerac nose to compensate: dark red, spicy dry finish. This was my second tasting of this wine and at first, I could swear that there was some zin in it. According to Melka it is almost 100 per cent cab. The first time that I had this was several weeks ago and I was not that impressed. Tonight, I initially felt the same way, but as I nursed my miniscule pour for about an hour, it really got better in the glass where I would actually buy a bottle. This wine requires some patience and / or air and bottle time.
January 21, 2006 - Tasted at Beltramo's today. Light red colored, sweet but light body; a clean and pretty nose; spicy with high acid level with a sweet sour cherry taste.