2005 Waypoint Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena)

After one disappointing bottle, this comes back with a vengeance. Still dark and youthful looking. Nose of pure creamy cassis with some blackberries. Palate shows the finely delineated cool-creamy textured profile that I have expected from the best Dr Crane wines; black infused currants with a tinge of cola, violets and framboise. This has a super deft palate that says class and elegance are in control. Long and pure with some pretty notes of asian teas, cedar-box and cardamom.This medium weight wine has a line of creaminess running right through it and reminds me of why I love Dr Crane Cabs; so distinctive and speaks of place like not many others can, this is the real deal.  94 pts

2009 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Corona Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

 Opened 8 hours beforehand. Upon pour this just shoots from the glass; fragrant black currants, blackberry and violets abound. This youthful wine has tremendous appeal with a black fruit profile and balance to spare. Medium to light bodied, but intense and well structured. Notes of spring flowers, framboise, pomegranate and cedar box. Tannins are huge but well in check. Interestingly once food hit the table this took a backseat to the 2003 Pride Cabernet that was enjoyed alongside it. Certainly one to drink while sitting on the deck with some light fare or on its own. A beat behind the Panek in my humble estimation, but super nonetheless. 91 pts

2003 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

 Opened 3-4 hours beforehand. Nose shows the Foley profile nicely. Not too over the top, but certainly some chocolate/cocoa notes with a more red fruit profile. Lovely across the palate save for a hint of dryness toward the finish, just a bit and not distracting. I got some red cherry, red raspberries and currant with a touch of cola and malted. Time has treated this nicely and I had to reconfirm it was the regular bottling….twice. Medium weighted viscous wine with resolved tannins and no sign of a cliff in sight. Long and fragrant, this really too a shine above when food hit the table; some tricky pan-Asian dishes really made this pop. (The 09 RM Corona we had alongside it went the other way). I am almost in regret in not owning any of these. What a great showing. 92 pts

2007 Jean Edwards Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Opened 2 hours previous to note. Nose of red currant with hints of cherries & dried wood.. Palate has a somewhat sweet & creamy texture with red black fruits in control. Initially there is a boozy quality that dissipates quickly. I now find some cedar, boysenberry and graphite. Nice balance and decent structure. Tannins seem youthful. Long finish keep the fruits in play. 89 pts

1999 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Morisoli Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Black as night. nose has pure creme de cassis, cherry cola and blackberries. The palate shows a slight reductive note I usually don't associate with KL Reserves. There is some nice dark fruits with a lively medium body mouthfeel. Tannins seem nicely resolved. Interestingly enough, this showed so much better a year ago at CLONYC 17, the Got Karl dinner. (www.clonyc.com). Maybe I am not of the world of 13 year old wines any longer? Maybe this is slightly damaged? Maybe I have to stop buying anything older than 5 years old? Maybe all of the above.

2010 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)

Super fragrant nose of sour strawberries, Asian tea and cranberry. A very intense delivery on this as the palate shows dried and sour fruits of strawberries, dried red currant and pomegranate. A very lively mouth-feel with so much going on. I get hints of cedar, rubbed tea leaf and spring flowers. Tannins are large but behaved and acidity is just right to carry it all to the crescendo, and what a crescendo it is: focused, boisterous and playful all while remaining as serious as a heart attack. Long finish and I am gonna need……more.  93 pts

2009 Congruence Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Opened about an hour beforehand. Fragrant black and red fruits on the nose; dusty black-cherry, cassis and hints of cardamom. Palate reveals some fresh kirsch infused blackberries, black cherry and cardamom. I get a creamy midpalate that has some exotic tea leaf and lead pencil shavings. Tannins are somewhat edgy but overall balance is admirable. I get a long finish that keeps true. More fragrance than I remember. A 'very' cab lovers cab. This really hits on all the sense today. Glad I have more, although I may wait about a year for my next. If you must, best to decant for an hour. 92 pts

2009 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus (USA, California, Napa Valley)

opened 5 hours and recorked. What I found was consistent with my last night. This is creamy textured, blue and black fruits which include cassis, blueberry and bing cherry. I find spring flowers, cocoa powder, cardamom, and warm vanilla. A very feminine wine with lilt balanced and length. This coats the palate with a blanket of velvet. Nice. 94 pts