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

Pop & pour. This explodes from the glass as you pour it!! It smells like a creamy, brambly and complicated wine. Nose continues with some red cherries, blueberry pie with cool blue underlying fruits. With some talk of late about 'complexity' in wines, this brings a boatload. Mid-palate is long and creamy textured. There is some warm rivers stones and violets on the mix here; the tannins are complicated and resolving nicely (not that they have ever been problematic). Overall balance is spot-on. A long finish where the blue/red fruits remain in control ends this amazingly appealing wine. Probably my 12th or 13th bottle and this just has not disappointed yet (1 had been corked). 95 pts

2004 Frazier Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (USA, California, Napa Valley)

1 hour decant. Somewhat tired color of burnt umber. This had some pretty red fruits dominated by cherries and raspberries. A decent light to medium weighted wine that was nicely balanced and fully resolved. Some camphor, spring flowers and cedar box was present as well but as it sat longer a sweeter almost annoying characteristic dropped by. Not the best showing of this one by far. The hands of time have been cruel to this 2004 Cab, as is what I have been seeing more and more of late. 88 pts

2005 Jones Family The Sisters (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Opened 1 hour. Not decanted. Dark and unwavering on the nose. You really need to coax this to get some fruit on the nose. Then you get some black fruits of blackberries and black currant. This has always been stingy in the nostril area. Palate shows more fruit and some lush cool cola with some black plum and violets. It had actually re-emerged slightly from my last visit. It is a medium weighted elegant cabernet based wine with hints of goby-ness. What has also emerged here is some Kirsch Royal. The tannins are huge and the acid just a notch higher than expected. Finish is super long. Love me a long finish.
Pure and precise, this is still an admirable drink ‘o wine. Not quite up to the 2006 standards, but on its own, this is a good performer with a tale to tell, at least to those will to listen. 93 pts

2001 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Morisoli Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

This had the darkest fruit profile with the most backward attack of this group. Tremendous mouths feel with a lilty balance. Tannins were complicated and at full attention, this danced over the tongue like a ballerina on steroids. Of the group, this was most in my immediate wheelhouse. Long finish kept the fruits alive. 3 people had this as their number 1. I had it as my WOTF. 95 pts

2004 Karl Lawrence Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley)

1 hour decant. Nose of black currant and cola. Palate shows some nice purity. Good black fruits of currants and black cherries and blackberries with some cola. With some coaxing you get some additional depth and pizzazz. There is more than expected amount of sediment with this tonight. Balance is nice. This has some hidden elegance. I think this may be in a slightly dumb stage, (I lived through the 70s, so I know how it feels). Finish is longish with the fruits never really quitting. This is slightly two dimensional really just ‘correct’, not more, not less. I think worth the $40 I had paid. 90 pts

2005 Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon Morisoli Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Pop & poured. Dark colored with an almost mysterious opaque depth. Nose of bing cherries with some sarsaparilla. The nose is bright and inviting. The palate reveals some darker fruits of cassis and macerated blackberries. The nose screams Morisoli with it's sweet & creamy presence. There is much going on here, so bear with me; a plushy mouth-feel which hints of cardamom and velour; a multi-layered attack with purity and focus; leather, lead pencil, pomegranates and Kirsch Royal come to mind. There is a sweetness that remains from inception to finish, and a resurgence of cherries, just now of the blacker variety. Balance is near spot on while tannins are huge and in so need of resolving. Reminds me a bit of the '08 Charlie’s Patch I had last month. A long finish keeps this fresh and lively with just a wee hint of drying. A fantastic QPR, I might have to find a few more and bury them. Yeah, as if that helps. 92 pts

2006 Myriad Cellars Syrah Las Madres Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros)

Nose of sweet blackberries and blueberry. This starts with some intensity. Black & blue fruited with some purity and finesse, I get some pepper and bacon fat on the midpalate has a metallic edge that comes off a little sour as it goes to finish. It then turns messy and unfocused. I expected more form such a heralded fruit source. Keeping what Mr. Michael Twelftree told me in mind: "It's all about the finish...." 87 pts

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

This is now officially.....asleep. Shhh.

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.