July 1, 2023 - Great straight from the bottle, required very little air. In a really nice spot.
February 11, 2023 - A little closed at opening but improved to showing outstandingly well after a 1 hour decant. I can not say enough good things about Cariad. My only regret is not having enough of it in my cellar!
September 10, 2021 - This intense and layered Cabernet blend is drinking beautifully right now, with incredible power and finesse that still has years more of development ahead. Garnet in color and full in body, the wine offers aromas of boysenberry, tar, leather, and mulberry. Flavors of black cherry, cocoa powder, peppercorn, bay leaf, and baking spices, with an earthy and integrated finish. Blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 14% Cab Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot. 14.9% alcohol. Decant at least two hours, but better in 2022 or later.
June 20, 2020 - 10th anniversary. Open up nicely after 4 hours of air.
December 19, 2019 - Decanted an hour prior to tasting. Very large-scaled and rich. Certainly well made, and would be very good by itself (or with a steak), but next to the French wines this seems a little over the top.
October 24, 2019 - Decanted and served with dinner. This took 2.5 hours to really start singing and show through the unbalanced fresh apple on the palate. But oh wow, did it sing after that. Thick, balanced palate of light cassis, earth, licorice, fine tannins, mellow acid. I'd probably hold for the near term to see if it gets even more sublime.
May 27, 2017 - Decanted for 3 hours. Beautiful deep red dark purple color. Long legs and Surprisingly light body for the complexity. Chalky and leathery to the smell, berries all around. At first taste you feel the silky smooth texture, Complex taste of vanilla, coffee with a hint of chilly at the end. Amazing wine.
April 5, 2016 - Power and lightness for a Napa Cab...if that is possible! Full of elegance and so many many more years ahead...and I believe this most definately will improve. Amazing!!
Double decanted 2.5hrs
February 27, 2016 - Astonishingly rich without being flabby. Thought I'd just sample with a coravin but with the help of my wife, ended up drinking the whole thing. The wine should have been decanted, in hindsight -- but this is a phenomenal Napa Cab with a fair amount of structure to it. Should please all but the most anti-Napa palate.
September 9, 2013 - From a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot with fruit from the Madrona vineyard, this stellar wine is smoky, with earth, black plum, boysenberry, dark chocolate and coffee bean aromatics. Plush, sensuous, dense, rich and long, there is a lot of intensity in this wine. The finish must last for at least 50 seconds. This wine really coats your palate.