Community Tasting Note

Saturday, December 2, 2017 - This wine has been a perennial favorite of mine, one of the rare times I stray from my Cabernet comfort zone. This vintage is entering a perfect drinking window, at least based on how it compares to a tasting 12 months ago. Black licorice, spice, boysenberry and plum, with unusually distinctive earth tones. The best descriptors that come to mind are viscous, velvety smooth and very balanced. The 2013 Relentless received lots of hype, but at this point in time I think the 2012 is ahead by a nose. Like many of the CT notes indicate, this wine needs lots of time to open, but time in the cellar going forward may not be as big of a factor.

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5 comments have been posted

Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:

3/8/2019 8:15:00 PM - Could not agree more. Have you tried Keplinger Sumo- I think it is even better and their line up is pretty special. Now add on to that they have an incredible Cabernet, one of my favorites. Keplinger is an amazing wine maker that ran some of the top Cabernets in Napa.
Comment posted by TXRDW:

3/9/2019 6:24:00 AM - I have never tried any of the Keplinger wines, but based on some of the CT notes I have been reading it sounds like something to check out. A hidden gem you might like is the 2014 Sherwin Family Estate Cab. Definitely an under the radar wine at one of the most picturesque locations on Spring Mountain.
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:

3/9/2019 6:32:00 AM - Thank you! I have never heard of them. Will let you know when I try. Do you also suggest the Scraps and Reserve?

Keplinger worked under Heidi Barrett, was the wine maker for Grace Family ($500/bottle) and Bryant, etc. curious to hear what you think of you get the chance.

One other great bottle to grab as their own cab is ultra limited, is Helen’s Carte Blanche (she is the wine maker). The 2015 Cabernet is really something.

Best,
Ryan
Comment posted by TXRDW:

3/9/2019 7:27:00 AM - Thanks Ryan, I’ll see if I can arrange a tasting during my next Napa trip. Scraps is a very good QPR but the Reserve isn’t worth the tariff in my opinion. I’ve been buying their wine since the 2003 vintage and the 2014 Estate cab is my favorite. Make sure you buy the 2014 as I think they are also selling the 2015.

What is special about visiting Sherwin is that Steve Sherwin built a very expansive house with a massive deck overlooking a lake on the top of Spring Mountain, all built for visitors as it is not his residence. Typically I will pack a cooler of meats, cheeses, bread, etc. and essentially have a picnic on his deck. Definitely a unique experience if you get to Napa.
Comment posted by TXRDW:

3/9/2019 8:00:00 AM - Thanks!