November 6, 2023 - This has definitely improved from last bottle that I drank over a year ago. Still beautiful color of dark cherry. Nose has improved and alcohol on the nose has tapered down from the first bottle. Drank over two days and it held up well. Wonderful fruit forward taste. Really enjoyed this one from Wine Access. 92 points.
April 18, 2022 - This seemed coarse, oaky, and brutish after a Northern Rhone Syrah. It may have suffered from the comparison, but not particularly pleasant on this showing.
March 11, 2022 - Friday night blind tasting with family and pizza.
4 bottles:
2018 Wine Access Wolf Grade (suspected to be from Diamond Mountain Reverie vineyard)
2018 Cornell Courtship
2018 Lerner Project 18
2019 Hillside Cabernet (WTSO wine purchase).
This was my 2nd favorite on the night. The Lerner was definitely my favorite and was typical Bevan over the top, but I liked that. Dead ringer for Bevan. This was surprisingly ousted the Cornell which I think needs more time/decant than what it was given.
January 24, 2022 - Beautiful deep cherry color. Initial nose needed some of the alcohol to blow off. However, after about 30 minutes, the nose did not appear to be too prominent. Unlike other tasters, the wine didn't appear too tight for me. What I did notice was nice somewhat soft tannins and a fruit forward taste of cherry, blueberries and some black berries. Purchased this Wine Access wine for $40 per bottle and its a great buy. Glad I have more bottles and looking forward to trying out the next one a year from now.
January 9, 2022 - There is not question, as I drink one 2018 Napa Cab after another, that 2018 is a special year. These wines have incredible fruit, great body, are all dark purple and have flavorful soft tannins in the finish. This a one of these great wine. At Wine Access with a 25% Halloween discount, This wine was a steal.
December 30, 2021 - As others have pointed out, this wine is a bit backward at the moment. This should come as no surprise for such a young bottling. Visibly dark and viscous, the 2018 Wolfe Grade offers a shy nose of dark fruit, clove, and vanilla. The palate is ripe, broad, and envelopes the tongue. But seems a tad simple. I'd wager that a few years in the cellar will do wonders.
Currently going for $37 a bottle, this wine remains a tremendous deal. I've paid twice as much for wine with half the quality.
90-91+
December 17, 2021 - I agree with others that this came across as tight the first evening. That said, it really evolved overnight and was quite excellent day two. Darker, bigger and broader on the palate - cassis and vanilla started to show themselves in a more pronounced way. Good stuff, worth the $
November 14, 2021 - Really excellent showing. Guests were very impressed. This punches WAY outside its weight class.
October 1, 2021 - First of 9 bottles purchased from WA. First impressions (informal notes) - did not try side by side with the word choice. A bit sweet, bit of tannic heat on the finish. Not overly complex upon PnP but I think could gain some weight with time. Is this Kinsman Rhad? No, but it’s well made, solid buy at the WA price. I think this will end up a winner but recommend readers give it some more time. I will try my next bottle in 6 months.
September 17, 2021 - Of all the WA NDA Cabs I've tried this is the most backward right now. Dark, brooding fruit, firm tannin, medicinal notes. No particular oak showing though, which is good. I think this could be quite nice in time, as there is ample material present, but I'd forget about it for a year. Several WA cabs have showed plush and easy from the outset, but this is not in that mold.
As a caveat, I opened this bottle now because it endured a serious odyssey in shipping, arriving hot to the touch with a slightly depressed cork, but no signs of seepage. It will be interesting to try one of the remaining two bottles in a year or two and compare to three bottles coming from another batch. Should serve as an interesting experiment in how resilient wine can be to high shipping temps over time.