2001 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Morisoli Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (5/22/2010)

Tasted blind. A beautiful dark crimson color. A nose of black cherry, sassafras, and creme de cassis. An incredible purity and balance, this wine really showed its breed early, and evolved into something almost other-worldly in the 2 and and a half hours I sat with it. A black fruited medley led with the black cherry. There was some kirsch, leather, & graphite. The tannins are fully resolved, but a long life remains, this had a coy almost inperceptable acidity, again emphasizing the balance and structure--but then, that's what you signed up for with these, and this did not disappoint. One of the single best Cabernets I have come across. Phenomenal. (98 pts.)

2002 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (5/22/2010)

A carmine brickish color. This was much showier and blowsier than anything else on the table. A very intense nose of flowers and red fruits, the palate continued the theme, which was strange to me as it seemed much 'darker' profiled last time I had it. The tannins were somewhat raw and not lined up as I remember either. The acidity seemed elevated and the overall feel was somewhat 'fat' for a Forman, which I always expect elegance from-- it really showed the vintage characteristics like a big red letter. Others liked it better than I on this showing. (91 pts.)

1997 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley (5/22/2010)

Tasted blind. Some sediment afoat, but did not detract. A darkish purple edged wine with tons of cassis and cherries flowing out into the nose. A black and red fruit wine of red & black currants, plums, bing cherries and some chinese apple. There was a streak of vanilla with a hint of cardamom, this was fully resolved and nicely balanced. A good start on an evening that just never let up. A meium body wine with a long balanced finish rthat kept some soy and leather on the line. Interesting (92 pts.)

2005 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Select Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley (5/22/2010)

After the '01 Morisoli, this sure had to hold up. It did. It was super dark almost opaque. A somewhat blackish red fruit profile with cassis, pomegranate, plums, and black cherry, this did not show quite the balance and intensity, but the mark had been set early, so fairness may not be on its side. It was intense with a plush mouthfeel. A bit showy, this showed its To-Kalon lineage. A finish that was long and clean, with the black fruit lingering. Very nice indeed. (93 pts.)

No notes, no photographs, yes a good time.

Sometimes its more than the tasting note. Sometimes it’s just a few (or more) glasses of wine with some friends over some good grub. That’s the 'sometimes' it was this past Saturday when a few friends converged on my home for homemade pizzas and wine. While the wines were great, I did not take detailed notes. Heck, I took no notes at all! But I can tell you what I enjoyed--with friends--sans notes.

2001 Justin Vineyard Isosceles was amazing. Precise and focused with very dark and character filled black fruit profile. 93
2004 Schrader TKL Cabernet Sauvignon. A very blowsy type of cab with tons of cocoa powder, crème di cassis, and vanilla. Pretty much in line for how I remember it to be. Not for everyone, but sure for me. 91
2004 Beringer Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright and very fruit forward this was beautiful and focused. More so than the Schrader. Black and red fruit profile with some wonderful depth and purity. 92
2002 Quintessa. About my 6th time with this and probably the best showing yet. Glad I have 3 more; sad my other 9 are behind me. Blackish fruits with kirsch and leather. Some pretty floral notes. Wow. 93

The pizzas were pretty good as well. I did my usual traditional round cheese and San Marzano tomato pie (almost Neapolitan), the Grandma’s pie with flat dense crust, 3 cheese combo of mozzarella, Scamorza and provolone, all with some red wines vinegar marinara sauce and basil infused olive oil drizzle. Thirdly was the Palermo pie, my newest creation of thick square dough (almost 1.5 inches thick!) with fresh mozzarella, sautéed sweet Vidalia onions and the San Marzano sauce. (My favorite on the night), and lastly the Great Kills pie: round crust with provolone cheese, cooked until slightly charred and then topped with prosciutto, Arugula, and sweet aged thickened balsamic vinegar.

Between the pizza and the appetizers, it was a tough day for my Lipitor, which sure worked overtime.

All in all a nice evening.

2006 Two Hands Cabernet Sauvignon Some Days Are Diamonds - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/23/2010)

Having had all three available Two Hands Charlie's Patch Cabernets withing the last 6 weeks or so, I was very curious to try this which is ostensibly the 'second wine' of the Charlie's patch. Vinified and cellared/bottled at Outpost winery under the umbrella of Thomas Rivers Brown, how could I not be interested? Especially when I was offered it for $17.91 earlier this week.

Super deep and dark brooding color. The nose has much black cherry, currant, and creme de kirsch. The palate is all black fruits clumsily arranged in the cornucopia. Its somewhat reminiscent of its older brother, but lacks the class and elegance. Keeping in mind the price point: this is burly and big boned with some back end oak and a hint of heat, but with a grilled steak, it sang. It was round and full bodied with much 'oomph'. So there you go: save the 'Charlies Patch' for company but open that 'Some Days' before you hit the deck with your grilling tools, and for $18 per, its gonna be a good summer. Warning: Not for the faint of heart-- or the 'haters' :) (90 pts.)

2005 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Marjorie’s - Premiere Napa Valley

Wholly crap! This was super fragrant of all things good: blackest cassis, chocolate covered cherries, spring wild flowers, leather, some pomegranate and more. It was deep and elegant with layers upon layers of cabernet goodness. The tannins were brawn hidden by flash, but never did it out flash itself. Phenomenal. 95

2005 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red

I was interested in trying this just having the 06 a week previous. Wow. Super dark in color with brooding viscosity, this had such a medley of mixed fruits. Currant, black and red cherry, kirsch, fresh ground coffee, camphor, leather, and more. All nicely balanced within a super structure of tannins, true to the vintage. Long and elegant with food, pure and precise. 94

2001 Pride Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Wow, pure and elegant with some wonderful lush blackish-red fruits. There were some hints of creamy vanilla, soy, and leather. A finely meshed tannin base with perfectly balanced acidity. Wonderful medium weighted mouthfeel, super long finish. What a treat. 94

2007 Jean Edwards Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Seventy Four - Forty One Napa Valley - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/17/2010)

This has a bright red/carmine color. A fantastic nose of sweet style-darkish red fruits and cola, a combo I really love. Somewhat bright and lively, there is a pure elegance that shows on the nose alone. On the palate there is the red leaning fruit profile: black cherries, some dark currant, some red plums and a hint of Chinese apple. A super expressive wine that has tons of life ahead. A hint of vanilla and cherry cola. There is a touch of kirsch as well! The tannins are just a wee edgy but the balance of the whole package is so satisfying and pure. A medium to medium-light weight which is a welcome from a Napa cab. Structured and pure, this has life and vitality. A long finish that keeps the fruits going straight on through to the other side....
I am thrilled with this. Can you tell? (93 pts.)

2006 Pahlmeyer Proprietary Red - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/16/2010)

Intense Reddish ruby color, almost opaque. The nose is all camphor and sassafras with cola and black cherry. The palate shows an intensity and plushness I truly enjoy. A red and black fruit medley of red and black currants, plums, black cherries, and more. Pure and clean , this is a showy and juicy wine with a medium weight mouthfeel and a deft structure. A multi-layered and expressive wine that has so much joy to give. The tannins are elegantly aligned and the acidic perfectly balanced as if on a high wire. The finish is super long as in minutes, not just seconds. A very complete and enjoyable '06 -- a vintage I have been very in love with in the last bunch of months to a year.

Grabbed a half dozen 375s from the RueLaLa sale last month. $38 per and I am very glad for it. (94 pts.)

2007 Two Hands Cabernet Sauvignon Charlie's Patch (USA, California, Napa Valley)

pop & pour- Intense color of super garnet, almost opaque, almost black. The nose is pure clean cassis driven with subtle black cherry. The palate has a super silky texture with gobs of black fruit. The currants are there, as is the black cherries. A hint of pomegranate and creme de cassis. More approachable than the '06 at this moment, but twice as elegant and pure. Does not have the viscousness of the '06 either. Beautiful medium to heavy weight plushy mouth feel with linear and coordinated tannins, behaving themselves. A hint of oak, just a hint. Perfect balance and a pretty good finish to boot. When a wine taste this good, what is the upside for the 5-10 year sleep? Its pure hedonistic indulgence brings a smile this birthday weekend.

94 points

2006 Two Hands Cabernet Sauvignon Charlie's Patch (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Deep dark and ominous. On swirl the wine holds the side of the glass like nobodies business. Some pure black fruits on the nose. The palate has some great blackberries, currant, cassis and a hint of pomegranate. Very nice lush medium to heavy weight wine that had just a hint of a green-streak out of the gate, and ended just a wee bit dry. After about an hour (50% of this was decanted 4 hours earlier) this really fleshed out to a wonderfully balanced and elegant classic cabernet, sans green, sans dry, one that shows breed and class. Tons of potential and clearly true to the vintage. Although reminiscent of the 05, I certainly like the '06 a bit better at this juncture. Now onto the '07...

92 points

2005 Go Figure Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 3 (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

The slumping economical environment can sure be felt in all corners of life, and wineries are not immune. Combined with yet 'another' vintage of the century, many California wineries still sit with stockpiles of great wines from recent vintages such as 2005 & 2006 in their cellars, much of which have no labels affixed -- yet. The purchasers of said wines can then place their own name on the bottles, and the term 'shiner; is born. Good for us. For the savvy buyer there are some good deals to be had. This is one such from Gary's Wine & Marketplace in New Jersey. In the case of the GF Lot 3, I have, and still do maintain that it is Rudd Estate, a wine 3 times the $35 price tag I paid. Since there is a no-disclose agreement between retailer and winery, there is no way to know for sure. These shiner programs are popping up all over the place. Where else would you be able to get top name Napa wines for a fraction of their cost from their source? Don't blink...

Dark and deep, the nose has some pure cassis and cardamom. The palate exhibits the clean precise cassis driven black fruits with blackcherry, plum, and kirsch. A very regal showing indeed. A medium to heavy weighted wine, this has nice balance and structure without ever really going wayward-- I say so because the bottle I shared a few weeks back with the CLONYC clan was a bit messy and awkward, but the company it shared on the table was wines 3-5 times its price-point, so there you go. A long finish and just a wee bit of dryness on the end is the only flaw I detected last night. Now I am really glad I have 5 more in the cellar. Rumors to be Rudd Estate, some say Oakville Ranch, and the back label says Gerard? I believe it could be the Rudd, as I have had both quite often.

Here is the link to the Gary's Wine Go Figureline-up. No affiliation.

2006 Rockledge Cabernet Sauvignon The Rocks

1.5 hour decant. This is a serious wine. Its medium amber with carmine tinged edges. Very pretty indeed. The nose shows some red and black cherries, red plums, some sweet pomegranate, and a hint...just a hint of very elegant and regal kirsch. Nice. Needs coaxing, because it's all such a tightly wound package, but nice. The palate has much of the same, with some added Creme de Cassis, dark ripe currants, some chewy but controlled tannins, rubbed leather, soy, and lead pencil. A decent acidity and just about perfect balance. This is pretty muchin line with many of the Rockledges I have sampled before: Firm structure, long, very long finish that just does not quit, medium weight mouthfeel and a fruit medley sure to please. Not showy, but commands attention, this is a winner. Mike Hirby who now gets the fruit going from 2007 on, is an incredible artisan who really knows how to let the fruit speak for him. Outstanding classic cabernet sauvignon. 93 points

1999 Frazier Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

Matured edges. Sweet nose that starts slightly green, but dissipates as the wine reaches serve temperature and sits for about 1 hour in decanter. Nice cassis driven profile of a medium weight, always keeping the sweet cassis/black cherry quality. Very pure. Some leather and lead pencil. A very great showing indeed. Very balanced and very 'yesteryear' in its style. 90pts

2002 Kuleto Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

1 Hour decant- A pretty garnet-amber-reddish-brick color. The nose is has a sweet and tart cherry/currant pie component that I find ultra interesting and I am truly in love with, and its ability to really balance itself so deftly. The palate shows structure, grace and elegance all wrapped in the plushest reddish black profile I have encountered in a while. I get dark cherry cola, reddish currants, spring flowers, some lead pencil, worn leather, and a hint of soft mocha. Again, that sweet-tart thing really is working for me. The tannins are fully evolved and the overall balance is exquisite! As I am writing this, I still sense the wine on my tongue, almost 3 minutes later, it just does not want to end, nor do I want it to. Class and charisma with breed and structure, all while being fun, giddy and playful. Incredible. 95pts

Dinner with friends---and Spottswoode

1986 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate: Sweet cassis nose with old wine, some dirt, some funk. The palate shows beautiful red/black fruited profile with some creme de cassis, blackberry, tar, and worn leather. The mouth feel was lively and focused with the sweet fruit always keeping control. What a great old wine still wearing its own flesh nicely. Great balance with fully inter-twined texture and a long finish completes completely. 91

1987 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate: Weird nose with a reduction quality and almost being port-like. Some fruit still evident but awkward balance and mouth feel kept this from really showing itself at all. n/a

1988 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate: Similar to the 86. A bit darker and a bit lusher, this had all the components with a little less sweetness in its profile, which make me the contrarian of liking it more amongst the group. I live the contrarian lifestyle comfortably. 92

1989 Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon Estate: First bottle was tainted with something, the second, although better, still reminded me of the 87, just a bit more drinkable overall. 88

2002 Lewelling Wight Cabernet Sauvignon: This was super dark and concentrated with a pure overlaying vanilla-oak layer that you either love or hate. I am in the love camp.It had some very lush reddish black fruits of currant, blackberries,plums, and a touch of blueberry. Some elegance with really intricate tannins, I can see this really being a prize in about 3 to 4 more years. Interesting contrast on the night. 92

2003 St. Helena Winery "Sympa" Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Mark Herold, Winemaker): The nose on this was simply amazing. Very concise and precise as being a Mark Herold wine in the vein of similar vintage Merus and Kobalt. As a matter of fact, this was reminiscent of the 2003 Kobalt I had a few years back. All black fruits with some dark cola, black as night currant, a hint of kirsch, some lead pencil, some leather and a hint of cedar. A very admirable mouth feel just coming in a bit short.Overall an almost stunning wine. Near perfect on the nose, and almost the same save the length. 93

2007 K Vintners Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard

USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope (2/15/2010)
Lets jump right into it: The nose: pure and bright nose with tons of bounce and shine. Red cherry, blackberry, black currant, some warm blueberry, pomegranate, earth, sun, and skill is what I get. The palate has a very intense and pure attack of same, but magnified. All precise. All pure. All in tune with what Syrah should be within these shores. There is a very intense acid level that tells you its awake and ready for business. The tannins, although slightly chewy are aligned and refined. I get some river rock, and some earthiness, with some pine, menthol, lead pencil shavings and spring flowers.The finish is in tune with what came before. This is the single best Milbrandt I have had in 3/4 vintages. Period. QPR contender for sure. (92 pts.)

2007 Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa Valley

Sweet black fruit nose. Very pretty indeed. The palate has a super refined and semi plush mouthfeel with a creamy edge. Some wonderful black currant with black raspberries and camphor. Some creme de cassis, cherry cola, hints of vanilla and violets. This is long on finish. More than two minutes long. A wonderful acidity that keeps it alive and a tannin base that is pure and elegant. Super refined and expressive to the level of defying its own price-point. This has always been a favorite of mine, and this is the best yet. Wow.
$22 dollars never tasted so good. (92 pts.)