2018 Kinsman Eades Cabernet Sauvignon La Voleuse Du Chagrin Geeslin Vineyard
Community Tasting Note
csimm wrote:
Friday, April 30, 2021 - 3 days in Napa: Arkenstone, Memento Mori, Maxem, The French Laundry, Christopher Tynan, Kinsman, Harlan, Vice Versa, Accendo, Fairchild, Macdonald, and a truckload of others (Napa): You want an Eisele that went on a major Miami Vice bender, pararescued its way out of an Apache AH-64 on to Pablo Escobar’s zooming SCARAB, tripped on 60 kilos of Bolivian marching powder, speedboated its way to Bordeaux, returned to the states with a jug of crazy St. Emilion juice in its hands, detoured to Coachella to watch Flea do a 60-minute bass solo, and finally land back at the motherland in the Valley to spit blackberry motor oil all over a blissful little plot in Calistoga? Well then, you’re in luck, because the 2018 La Voleuse is the answer to all of your prayers.
Signature black cherry, blackberry, cassis, dry tobacco, pulverized granite, and double espresso notes pop and lock with an unreal grip-speed-grip-go momentum to keep it all buzzing within and around its core. Super grippy (did I mention grip?) with popping (did I mention popping?) acidity. With air, an elegance and controlled depth emerges, providing insight that this party animal has sophistication and class that is undoubtedly on the cusp of blossoming if given some short-term cellaring. How can a wine have both excitement and refinement working conjointly, a pairing none have seen the likes of since Crockett and Tubbs? I dunno. Just drink it and let me know how that works out for ya. Signs point to awesome. 97-98++ points.
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76 comments have been posted
14 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue (9,466 views)
Comment posted by msuwine:
4/30/2021 4:28:00 PM - That is the best first sentence of a review I have ever read on CellarTracker. Wow, well done! Looking forward to trying this wine (and many others you guys have sampled recently). Thanks for all the great notes.
Comment posted by csimm:
4/30/2021 4:46:00 PM - Hi MSU. I was obviously very smitten with Kinsman as a whole. This 2017 is quite the outlier in this vintage in my opinion. Crazy good!
Comment posted by PIZZAandBAROLO:
4/30/2021 6:06:00 PM - LMFAO!!! I can't even...
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
4/30/2021 6:28:00 PM - Let me be the first to Welcome you to the Kinsman Boy Band Fan Club.
So glad you were able to taste their lineup. They are producing some killer juice and this one in particular spoke to how well he knows this vineyard. Great comedic and knowledge transfer notes as always.
Comment posted by csimm:
4/30/2021 10:09:00 PM - Hi Pizza and Lite! I was very fortunate to taste these wines. Now I actually have to get off the waiting list and score an annallocation one day! Dare to dream!
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
5/1/2021 7:19:00 AM - These write up's are fantastic!
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
5/1/2021 8:51:00 AM - I was lucky enough to order a 3 pack and a magnum of this wine. Excited to hear great reviews as I visit in June!
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
5/1/2021 9:06:00 AM - I bought everything that was offered and still wasn't enough.
Greed is good.
Yours truly
Gordon Gekko
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
5/1/2021 9:17:00 AM - GG in the house!
Comment posted by csimm:
5/1/2021 9:32:00 AM - I envy anyone who wasn't late to the party here like I was. I'll be in my corner waiting patiently... :)
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
5/1/2021 10:01:00 AM - I thought about the 3L but was a bit much at that point. Glad I picked up the maggie though
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
5/1/2021 10:17:00 AM - The Kinsman 3L are stunning. I have one of few made of 16 Rhad. The ink on the bottle was made from crushed rock from the vineyard. Kicking myself for not picking up the 3L La Voluese.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
5/1/2021 10:20:00 AM - It's hard to pick up a 3L as well when other releases were in the same timeframe. I had bought greer and piper at the time as well...
Comment posted by csimm:
5/1/2021 10:21:00 AM - You dudes are BALLERS! I genuflect in your general direction :)
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
5/1/2021 10:25:00 AM - MJP- WTF you didn’t pick up a 3L? We can no longer be friends as I typically drink 4 bottles of the exact same wine or I don’t drink at all.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
5/1/2021 10:39:00 AM - I actually think 4 packs are the best number. Not 3 or 6 imo.
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
5/1/2021 10:49:00 AM - I prefer friends with 12, but that’s just me.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
5/1/2021 10:49:00 AM - ballers & morons might be interchangeable
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
5/1/2021 10:55:00 AM - A 3L wouldn't last long with this group. That might be the plan if we put it together.
Comment posted by csimm:
5/1/2021 11:01:00 AM - ALL IN over here. Of course, I'll have to bring something other than Kinsman (until I one day can get an allocation). However, I'm sure I can find more than a few worthy nuggets to share from the 'ol cellar!
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
5/1/2021 6:16:00 PM - Don't worry, CSIMM can stock the room high with French coward juice. You'll pop the 3L Kinsman and he'll saunter in with a Grand Cru Chablis and think he just made everyone's day. Not speaking from experience...:) Kidding...
Comment posted by csimm:
5/1/2021 10:54:00 PM - And to think I once loved you Cristal... :(
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
5/2/2021 10:10:00 AM - When you cheated on Napa with the slutty French temptress, you broke my heart...:)
Comment posted by csimm:
5/2/2021 10:14:00 AM - When you introduced me to Harlan, you broke my wallet....
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
5/2/2021 10:17:00 AM - When I tried Promontory my mind was blown. I knew then there were levels to this game of wine ha.
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
5/2/2021 10:24:00 AM - Check your email CSIMM...once again, I hooked you up, even after you went turncoat. Unrequited love creates such sorrow...
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
5/2/2021 10:30:00 AM - Come’on get a room! Hey I want to be hooked up too.
Comment posted by csimm:
5/2/2021 10:37:00 AM - Cristal2000 is a God! I even have him liking some white Burgs, so don't be totally fooled by the white flag and expat Frenchie hate he fires off. I will say he brought my attention even more back into Napa with this last trip....with a vengeance. He was right. I was wrong. Relish in that my friend!
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
5/2/2021 11:09:00 AM - Lol. I am glad you came back from the dark side, at least a little bit CSIMM. We'll have to expand the group on one of these Napa visits. Make the wineries really sweat with a bunch of amateur wine critics and big buyers circling the wagons at the same time...
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
5/2/2021 11:15:00 AM - They wouldn’t know what hit them. Most importantly, how would they handle the major comedic display happening in front of their eyes... I mean in groups of 6 it’s manageable but anything larger...
Comment posted by csimm:
5/2/2021 11:27:00 AM - I’m not a fan of circuses, but that is one circus I might actually want to see come to town! Ha!
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
5/3/2021 7:30:00 AM - Circus folks. Smell like cabbage. Small hands....
Comment posted by Wubai:
5/9/2021 9:25:00 PM - Wow, what a note, all this imagery will be going through my head when I do open a bottle.
Comment posted by csimm:
5/10/2021 7:10:00 AM - Wubai... For those fortunate to have scored an allocation, it’ll be difficult to sit on these wines once they arrive, I’m sure. All the Kinsman wines we tasted were so outstanding, but this was my personal favorite - as if you couldn’t tell :)
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
5/10/2021 8:45:00 PM - Dang I can't wait for my tasting in June!
Comment posted by csimm:
5/11/2021 8:19:00 AM - gymnastpro. It also doesn't hurt that the Kinsmans are very fun and gracious people. You will have a good time in June I'm sure.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
5/11/2021 8:45:00 PM - Good to know thanks!
Comment posted by overspeed62:
11/19/2021 5:46:00 PM - Wow. What he said Easily the best review ever posted. The Kinsman Eades wines are certainly special
Comment posted by Wubai:
11/19/2021 5:54:00 PM - Mine arrived Yesterday. Will follow Shae’s advice and hold the 18’s along with the 16’s and open my first ‘17 next month for the holidays.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
11/19/2021 6:09:00 PM - I won't touch one until 2028, 6 years to goooooooooooo
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
11/19/2021 7:25:00 PM - Of the 3, this is the one to open earlier. I say give it 8 hours of air and run with it...carpe diem!
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
11/19/2021 7:36:00 PM - Interesting, I found the 18 Anjea the most open out of the 3.
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
11/19/2021 7:40:00 PM - No harm in popping all three now and seeing what holds true, right? :)
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
11/19/2021 7:42:00 PM - Definitely not opening one until 2028. They need lots of rest. The VV's on the other hand... :).
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
11/19/2021 7:47:00 PM - You may eat some wood, but it'll be tasty!
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
11/19/2021 7:50:00 PM - They are so open right now. I'll prolly do something with a little more ago :).
Comment posted by csimm:
11/19/2021 10:04:00 PM - Since there is no clear consensus on which ‘18 to open, someone clearly has to open all three simultaneously and post a comparative tasting. That makes the most common sense here. :) ...You’re welcome.
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
11/19/2021 10:15:00 PM - And invite the necessary group of course.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
11/20/2021 12:41:00 AM - I volunteer Lite! Let me know the date!
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
11/20/2021 6:01:00 AM - My haul arrived late Thursday. Pulling one bottle of each is on the agenda. I did end up pulling the trigger on a 3L the La Voleuse and the bottle is BEAUTIFUL!!
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
11/20/2021 7:26:00 AM - Sharing is caring MJP. Happy to assist with putting down that 3L in addition to the rest. :)
Comment posted by csimm:
11/20/2021 7:51:00 AM - See... Just look at all this beautiful community support for such a noble cause! I get misty witnessing the generous wine philanthropy before me...
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
11/20/2021 8:22:00 AM - AZ is perfect this time of year, let’s make it happen. Happy to contribute as well, maybe a back vintage. Pick dates and will set it up at a killer restaurant for a pairing. In!
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
11/20/2021 10:18:00 AM - Couldn't pull the trigger on the 3L, but did get the 1.5s for Voleuse and Anjea!
Comment posted by csimm:
11/20/2021 10:33:00 AM - By the way... Whoever posted that second photo on this wine is soooo wrong for that. Ya'll are just bragging now with the $10K+ in Kinsman wine you scored and propped up like an Olympic medal ceremony. Ha! Nicely done!
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
11/20/2021 10:51:00 AM - CSIMM won't even buy a 1.5L because he doesn't like to share. I appreciate you showing him how it is done MJP. Looking forward to your generosity!
And yeah, whomever posted that second pic needs to out themselves. That is ridiculous. I am thinking MJP is the culprit...
Comment posted by csimm:
11/20/2021 11:01:00 AM - Hurtful words Cristal... I'm a care-er and a share-er. And I gots me a 3L of Anjea, so just slow yer roll.
...Though I'm with you on the culprit... My vote is 'the don' MJP, though if you look at community holdings, there's some mega-baller "baraujo" who must have donated a liver to Nigel or something, cuz he's got all sorts of holdings.
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
11/20/2021 11:10:00 AM - Ummm CSIMM, my guess is that is Bart Araujo...you know, the guy who owned and sold Eisele and now owns Accendo? Lol...:)
And I don't believe you bought a 3L of Anjea. But I am willing to find out.
Comment posted by csimm:
11/20/2021 11:17:00 AM - Hahaha. I think it's hilarious that he posts his holdings on CT.
Funny how you criticize others for not sharing, but all I see here is you saying how helpful you intend on being to drink other's wines. Interesting.
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
11/20/2021 11:31:00 AM - CSIMM: perhaps I can bring you back a few months, admittedly long ago in wine years, where someone was enjoying a 2010 Harlan opened by none other than this guy...Hmmm...few other bottles in there too I believe.
I did appreciate the 375ml of Caymus you brought however. :)
Comment posted by csimm:
11/20/2021 11:37:00 AM - Hahaha. Caymus ... is... so....... rank... And it was a 2012 Harlan, not 2010. If you're going to remind me how generous you always are, at least do it accurately. My friend, you know mí cellar is tú cellar whenever and whatever you want.
Comment posted by LiteItOnFire:
11/20/2021 11:44:00 AM - I think he purposely said 2010 so you would have to remind him… great move Cristal.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
11/20/2021 11:48:00 AM - That second pic tho. Beauty
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
11/20/2021 3:03:00 PM - I might or might not be the culprit. If you find yourself in Houston let's break bread and pull some of the wines we've all been so very fortunate to collect.
Also, with a quick search it is very interesting that "baraujo" wines are posted on here with no privacy settings.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
11/20/2021 3:27:00 PM - True! My uncle actually lives in Houston and was a huge wine collector. If I'm down again we should meet up!
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
11/20/2021 3:49:00 PM - Seriously, bring it on! I hope to host another wine event soon.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
11/20/2021 4:12:00 PM - Absolutely let me know!
Comment posted by csimm:
11/20/2021 10:35:00 PM - MJP is legend! Gold medal to you sir for CT photo of the year.
Comment posted by gymnastpro:
11/20/2021 10:41:00 PM - True True well done. I mean I got 2 1.5s, but not 3.0Ls, not enough dinero with all the other allocations!
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
11/21/2021 6:11:00 AM - I've dialed back the general shotgun spending and focused in on few producers to go big on knowing that 2020 is around the corner. I dropped most of the Melka portfolio outside of VV and a few others so that really free up the budget to focus on Kinsman, Abreu and VHR. Also, 2020 BDX futures and North Rhone.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
11/21/2021 7:09:00 AM - Thanks guys. Kids might not go to college but they’ll be drinking good wine when I go out of town. Lol…
Comment posted by csimm:
11/21/2021 7:48:00 AM - Ah, the ol’ 2020 rationale! I’ve been using that justification too for my overspending. I tried that in 2017 also. I just spent even more on 2016. Ha!
Comment posted by Cristal2000:
11/21/2021 8:00:00 AM - I want to be MJP when I grow up. I need me one of those crazy 3L bottles (or two...or three). I don't think I know enough people who love this quality of wine to open it and not waste it, but I need them nonetheless.
Seems I will be rolling through Houston in late Oct next year. I will shoot you a note to see if the timing works out MJP. There's some Chris Shepard dinner and festival I won at a wine auction that we'll be attending.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
11/21/2021 8:04:00 AM - Excuses are like…..well, you know the saying. I’ve been surprised by 17’s and think there is some value. Not sure that’ll be the case in 2020. Outside of Kinsman, MacDonald and a few others I’ve been buying through distribution which saves considerable $$$.
Comment posted by MJP Hou TX:
11/21/2021 8:20:00 AM - Chris Shepard is a fantastic Chef and great ambassador for Houston. Last time I caught up with Chris was at the fatted calf in Napa. Hopefully you can double it up with Wine & Wagyu we host with Keplinger. I look forward to meeting you.
Comment posted by csimm:
11/21/2021 8:45:00 AM - I won a mini cheese board and a fannypack filled with Jelly Bellies once at a wine auction, so I pretty much know where you guys are coming from...