2007 Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Within the last line of my previous note, you will find this little nugget of wisdom: "Should drink well for the next 6 or so years.", so what do I do? I open one 375 days later, that's what.
30 minute decant. The color is intense and deep carmine. The edges show youth in all its glory. The nose shows pretty cola, lead pencil, black currant and black berries. There are hints of violets, clove and blueberry pie. Interesting. I find this more giving and lovely today than my last outing with it. I also find some drying in the mid-palate which worries me a tiny bit. Mouth-feel is plushy and medium weight with a deftly balanced amount of acidity. Tannins are humongous. In re-reading my last note, I can say the iron glove/velvet fist thing really is in play here--or is it iron fist/velvet glove? Anyway, it's here. Here is also where you find a longish finish and overall purity that almost makes up for the drying/alcohol thing. Almost. The Mike on my left shoulder says 91. He's the devil-Mike. On the other shoulder sits a 92. I feel like honoring the latter tonight because, hey, it's Friday. 92 pts

2002 Rudd Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Oakville (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

A five grape Bordeaux styled blend (78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec) hailing from Oakville, this shows some real nice breed and class. Its color shows slightly bricking on the edges. The nose is all Bing cherries and red currant with hints of cassis. The palate shows a deep red fruit leaning profile of the aforementioned Bing cherries and currant, but brings some real nice red raspberries. There is some lead pencil and some tar, with hints of cedar and oak. There is a finely delineated flush mouth feel with tiny hints of ‘gobby’ fruit--very typical of vintage. Tannins are involved and a bit showy with the acidity standing slightly above. A long and perfectly balanced finish. If served blind, I might have called this one Bordeaux today. I think Parker nailed this as it does come across as a Napa version of top-flight Pauillac. It really is a beautifully elegant and classy wine and an expression of Oakville I don’t see too often these days. 91 pts

2004 Eric Kent Wine Cellars Syrah Dry Stack Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley)

Dark with a liqueur-like nose of fresh blueberry compote and black cherries. On pop & pour this showed a bit reticent, but within 5 minutes it bloomed to life and the word on this is 'joy'. It's pretty and floral with hints of sassafras, raspberries, kirsch, white pepper and root beer in the nose. It's exotic and intoxicating; nicely balanced and pure with tons of life left in it. Tannins are chewy and purity reins. Finish goes on and on. I am now finding white flowers in here too and am really liking this one today. A perfect mid-fall treat and a 'true find' on WB for $15. 92pts

1995 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

Edges show some age, but the overall color is still strong for a 16 year old. Nose is bright red fruits of red currant and bing cherries. Palate shows a pretty red fruit Cab with hints of cardamom, tobacco, cedar and damp earth. Balance is decent and this is fully resolved and ready to enjoy alongside a nice piece of red meat. This could be a bit 'longer in on the tongue' and bring more dimension than it does, and while it certainly will never win any contest for 'Best in Show', it is what it is: A quiet 'Friday at home with the Missus' and 'just filled 8 bags with leaves' type of Cabernet. (an extra point for 'the effort'). :) 90pts

2005 Pillar Rock Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District (USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District)

Dark, yes. Nose: sweet cassis, black cherry and kirsch royal. Black fruit attack on the tongue; Unfortunately, there is a lot of drying as well. I was hoping that by letting this sit in the decanter would have brought it out more. After 2 hours this remains one dimensional and hallow centered. Too bad as I sense this had many of the components of a good to great wine, but falls short. My score reflects hope for an emergence of sort; we still have that...... 88pts

2001 Girard Red Wine (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Interesting nose of cocoa and cherry. Palate brings in dense chewy currant with a super plush mouth-feel. A polished showing of a very attractive 2001 cab blend. Some sweet fruit evident. Tannins are fully resolved with not a rough edge to be found. Acidity rides a bit high. Midpalate shows the slightest bit of dryness and some wood become apparent. Finish goes long with all the red fruits in tow. Grabbed this over the summer from LastBottle for $22. Well worth the tariff. 90pts

2006 Sans Permis La Petite Colline (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)

So, the FEDEX guy drops this off at 4pm, why not open one when I arrive home at 5? (you couldn't come up with a reason either, huh?)
Nose is all pure strawberries and cherries. Palate is very pure and focused and pretty. Nice balance, red fruits and more. Cedar, soy and earth (not too much!). Tannins are chewy and acidity spot on. The key to this is its lush-pure mid-palate. Finish last a long time. I tried these based on the winemaker alone (false I find) and I am happy I did. Grabbed from LastBottle last week and wish I had bought more. 92pts

2000 Seavey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Nose is pure and focused with red-black fruits high-lighted by black cherry and black currant, and spring flowers. Pretty spring flowers. There is a creamy cola note peeking out as well. Palate shows a pretty and elegant wine thats balance defies the vintage which it hails from. Purity is really key here. There is a certain breed that really plays well here; lead pencil, worn leather and slight cedar-box is present. This has the lilty acidity that does well with food. I am shocked that such a great wine can come from such a disaster vintage. The really has enjoyment on its side. If I had to find a flaw (and really now, must I?), there is just a hint of mid-palate dryness that really does not distract. Finish really goes long and those fruits stays alive, long time. One of the best 2000s I have had, ever. 92pts

2000 Two Hands Shiraz McLaren Vale (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)

Some browning on the edges give away its age. Nose is all infused blueberry and cherries. Palate shows a fully resolved and pure-plush Shiraz with cherry-cola, the new recipe. Lots to really like here: pure and large boned but this weightlifter knows its needs to behave. Tannins are in full bloom and acidity runs a tad high, but does not really distract from the joy this brings tonight. Deep black hole of blackberries, black raspberries and black plum, with a light note of of blueberry compote. There is also worn leather and just a hint of spiciness,....just a hint. The key to this wine, and it's obvious is the ability of the wine-maker to bring this wine to the precipice of something else, something that would possibly not appeal as much. They have evoked the full soul from these grapes. There is no mistaking this for anything but what it is. It will not make you think California. You know where you are with this and also embrace it for what it isn't as much as what it is: It's Shiraz, here it roar. Kudos goes out to Mike and Rich on this, the inaugural vintage of their Two Hands Shiraz. 92pts

1999 Fox Creek Shiraz Short Row (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)

What a wonderfully, fully resolved and just so nicely balanced Shiraz from McLaren Vale.
This was floral nosed with blue/black fruits of blackberries and black cherries with some currant and blackberries. A hint of cocoa with some damp forest floor, complete with wet pine-needles. A wonderful expression of Shiraz that really over-delivers, this had a hint of sweetness with a light-medium weight mouth-feel with a velvet glove delivery that really made this....rock. Near perfect balance and a perfect Thursday night drop. Great QPR too! 91 pts

2005 Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard

OK, rubber, meet road. If you do not like big black fruited and ominous wines, please stop reading. This wine should come with a defibrillator.Still wtih me? Good, because this is a really nice wine to sit and contemplate with. It will show itself on its terms, not yours. Blackberries, black raspberry, dark plum, black currant, its all in there, and more. The fruit medley is enough to make your nutritionist happy. All deeply woven and pure with no gobbiness or heavy-handedness (16.4%!). Big structure with lots of stuffing hanging on those bones, there is some warm apple compote, leather, tar, hints pf white pepper, and spring flowers. On the night, this gained some redder fruits and total cohesion of all parts, I wish I had paid even closer attention. Long and pure, count me as a fan.I find many of these Petite Sirahs right up my alley lying somewhere between my 'dearly beloved' Napa Cab and my 'mistress', Cali Syrah. 93 points

2004 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve

The nose is intense with pure red and black fruits exploding from the glass. The palate shows ripe black and red currant, black cherries, blackberries, boysenberries and more. There is a hint of cola and some real nicely welcomed minerality present. The purity is insane as is the balance. It is true to the vintage, with a slight 'fatness' that I really really like. It has some lead pencil, creme de cassis (Kirsch) and some Cherry Herring Liqueur. This is both elegant and wildly rambunctious all at the same time.. The finish is nutty long, with those fruit notes just continuing on and on. I like the combo of vintage typicity with the hallmark Beringer Reserve profile. I grabbed a bunch of these last month for a song, and glad I did.

2000 Andrew Murray Syrah Roasted Slope (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley)

Some age showing in the color. Nose of sweet cola, blackberries and kirsch. Palate shows same and then some; nice warmish blueberry tart w ith a hint of cinnamon, river stones, some flintiness and tar with a ever so small hint of steamed meat. This really performs well above expectations. It has a fully resolved tannic structure with some really lilty acidity. Long and pure, if I had to find a flaw, there may be a hint of heat, may be. Fifteen dollars never went down so....easy. BIG difference from my last bottle purchased at the same moment....BIG. 90 pts

2001 Ruston Family Cabernet Sauvignon La Maestra (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Pretty nose of lead pencil shavings, black cassis Color is an 'advanced' stage, but not old. The palate has a sweet reddish black medley of fruits with cassis and red cherries up front and pomegranate and red raspberries in the background. Some worn leather and hints of tobacco and cedar box really add dimension. There is a hint of cola and early spring flowers, you know, like the ones you really notice after winter. Balance is perfect with tannins evolved and resolved to cabfection (don't look it up. It's not there). A long finish keeps the fruits in motion all while crescendoing nicely.
I really love how this is showing on this night. I wish some of the wines I had last night showed like such. 93 pts

2003 Double Diamond (Schrader) Cabernet Sauvignon Mayacamas Range (USA, California, Sonoma County)

And it's still vibrant yet. (open 30 minutes) The nose is all pretty cherry cola and red raspberries with cardamom and soil. The nose is incredibly focused with deep plushy fruits. This is pretty consistent with my last note. There is some red/black fruits of currant and cherries with plum pumice and hints of Kirsch. Balance is decent with the lean toward acidity heavy. Tannins are resolved and all in this this really is an incredible deal for what I paid. ($15).
I really can't find much to fault this other than being slightly foursquare and lacking just a bit more elegance, but for what it is, it is (and it is a 2003 Napa Cab). I score this 91 in for its QPR value tonight. I will keep my eyes open for----more. Thomas really does rock.

2004 Scholium Project Scythia Donati Vineyards (USA, California, Central Coast, San Benito County)

Fathers day----dad's choice. This was as amazing as always. Its pure, dark and full of good.....Syrah stuff. Still youthful, this seems to be moving about as quickly as the glaciers, and that's ok. Other than that, my other 6 notes here on Cellertracker.com sums it up about right. 95 pts

1997 Château Latour Grand Vin (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac)

Served blind. Not sure how long it was decanted, but it was. A pretty garnet color with hints of age. Nose said most definitely bordeaux, ok, lets' play. This had some nice fruits both red and black with some pure cassis and blackberry, but the real story on this was it's elegance, finesse and purity. It had some soil, leather and a hint of tar. There was some lead pencil in the background as well. A long finish kept be beckoning me for more. Time to place feet in mouth, but strangely I did ok on this night: I said older bordeaux maybe 15 years and from Pauillac! Most surely left bank and knowing the host, a possible ringer fro a First Growth. I then changed my Guess of age to older, maybe an 1986 or 1989. Unveil and yes sir, let me try it again!

1999 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select (USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District)

After having the 2001 SHS on Thursday and it showing as It did which was good, just not great I was happy to peek in on this one.
It had soem real pure black fruits with some kirsch and cola, but there was some real evident vanilla as well. usually I can deal with oak, but sometimes it is so noticeable, I have to call it out: This was a bit oaky. It had nice mouth-feel and purity with some pretty floral notes. I think this has not fully resolved, but tannins on this night we in check and well behaved. Some good acidity and a longish finish completed this nicely, I just wanted....more, so shoot me. 90 pts

2001 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Herb Lamb (USA, California, Napa Valley)

These are all about the nose. I opened this one outdoors and I tell you, the air immediately around me had the pretty smell of Cabernet perfume. If this had happened indoors, it would be tell-worthy, but outdoors? I let it sit for a few hours. I knew I did not need to sample it just on that.

This is pretty black with red tinged edges. On the nose there is the purest expression of black currant you would ever fins. There was some cola, cardamom, souy, new leather, hints of cocoa, and lead pencil. An amazing mouth-feel with deft balance and structure. Tannins are intricate and in control of all else here, in a good way. I love the purity and the perfume that shoots from the glass as you bring it in. Its long, and flamboyant without being heavy handed or obtrusive. These really are a perennial crowd pleaser. Just a enjoyable and fulfilling drink of wine, perfect for friends. 94 pts

2007 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

As 2007 Cabs go, I must add this one to my 'like' list. The list is about 4/35 (like/don't care for).
This really is similar in profile to the Schraders, and its no wonder now is it? It has a similar nose and approach onto the palate. Where is differs is in its length.
There is some reall pretty black and red fruits of cassis, black plums and black cherries with some cola and Creme de Cassis liquor. It has some great structure with a mid to mid-plus weighted wine with some voluptuous mouth-feel.. Tannins are pretty huge, and hidden right now behind some of that fruit cornucopia. There are those rumors out there that you want to believe: The one about the extra Schrader, (or lets call it a 'cut') going into this is not a stretch...... 91 pts