2001 Justin Vineyards & Winery Isosceles (USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles)

This got old since I last had it. Candied cherries on the nose. Palate has some dull red fruits (muted?). From the last time I had this (4 years back +/-) This had gone to a different side and has become a Bordeaux lovers wine. Probably a good thing if you were not me. Hints of chalkiness and sassafras with red raspberries, red cherries and pomegranate. Some tea leaf and worn leather are in there too. Balance slightly lopsided toward heat. Finish holds true. I have had this no less than 5 times before and this certainly shows a horse of a different color today. Too bad. Drink up.  87 pts

2009 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus

Think about how a Maybach Materium gets creamy and plushy with some notes of cola, cocoa powder and warm vanilla? Well, forget all that and meet Maybach Amoenus.


Purple tinged. Nose slightly unyielding. On the palate this is pure Cabernet love. It has red raspberries, violets, black cherry and pomegranate. It glides across the palate with a more square Cabernet approach than round, as the Materium is but there are no rough edges on that square. A nice mouth feel that commands attention. Obviously very young, this needs some bottle time but look out because it will be amazing; there is so much squeezed in the little package; I get some light notes of graphite, eucalyptus and Heering Cherry liqueur. Nice. Balance is pretty deft for its youth with nothing poking you in the eye. Just delicious. This is Robin to Materium's Batman--- who, admit it, was always cooler.

A Dominus Vertical Amongst Friends.

Last night eight happy souls sat down to eat too big a meal and enjoy a decent vertical of Dominus. Here are the results.

A great Aubert Chardonnay was served up top and I can't tell you a thing other than yum.

A blind wine was the red starter. Nano in his usual form is very deft at the aluminum wrap.

Blind: I sensed some cab franc, dustiness and faded fruits. Hints of cedar and graphite were tucked in there too. I figure it to be about 20 years old. Others said a 20 year old Beringer Private Reserve, which I thought a good guess. I said 1991 Mondavi Cab of sort.
Unveil showed it to be a 1997 Napanook. On theme for sure although uninspiring.

1984 Dominus Estate- Corked.

1987 Dominus Estate- fragrant and pretty with youth on its side. Wonderfully structured with black currant, plum and blackberries. This has evolved some nice secondaries of cedar, soy, cardamom and more. This is all about the elegance and I was glad to have experienced it. 93

1990 Dominus Estate- Lighter in color, I would have thought this to be slightly older than the 1987. It started out with decent moderate black fruits and hints of leather. As it sat, it became a bit disjointed. Not a bad drink, but not in the class of the 1987. 88

In this first flight we had unanimous agreement on the 1987 being WOTF.

1991 Dominus Estate- Although this started better than the 1990, it went down the same path within 10 minutes and within those 10 minutes the 1994 climbed the ladder. 89

It had decent fruit and structure. As all others, it was fully resolved. An interesting wine that would have done much better on a table alone. 89

1994 Dominus Estate (decanted 1 hour) - A slow starter, this had a slightly subdued profile of black fruits, cedar, graphite and cassis. As it sat it gained weight, structure and grace. It became deep and fragrant. Tannins still had some life in the and were of the nicely complicated type. It really did go from 0-60 in minutes. Long finish and just an all around pretty and finessful glass of wine, 94

1995 Dominus Estate (decanted 1 hour) - this started out strong and went slightly in the way the 1991 did. It had some nice plushness and a deft balance. It went just a bit flat, but alongside that 1994 even Dolly Parton would be flat. Decant texture and a light to medium weight. Again, probably should blame its younger sibling for its overall showing. 91

In this flight the 1994 had 6 first place votes and the 1995 had 2 votes

1997 Dominus Estate- corked

2001 Dominus Estate (decanted 4 hours early) - This had super black fruits with an intense mouth feel and precision not exhibited yet tonight. Some said riper. I said better ‘vignified’. It was pretty with blackcherries, black currant, cardamom, pomegranate and more. Deep and long, this had miles and miles to go. Perfectly balanced with complicated tannins, a hint of sweetness and cola. I have been following 2001 Napa Cabs for a few years now, and this one does not disappoint. I would seek this one out. Notice this is the first time I said so. 93

2005 Dominus Estate- Tight and unyielding. Once coaxed I got some black fruits showing. Tannins are huge! This truly needs a bunch of time, something I say about most 2005s I encounter. Interesting to see the juxtaposition this created with the older Dominus on the table. Not sure I would place it on a buy list. 90

Overall on the night, (or WOTN votes)
1987 had 4 votes (me as well)
1994 had 2 votes
2001 had 2 votes

Second place:
1991 had 2 votes
2001 had 2 votes (me as well)
1994 had 2 votes
1987 and 1990 had 1 vote each

Going back to the Napanook at the end of the night, it's now become almost Burgundian, very much like a Gevry Wilt Chamberlain, Vieilles Vignes, 1er Crew, Upper Beaune I once had. But that's a story for another time. (It was my first hundred pointer) :)

An interesting night indeed.
Thanks to Nano for setting it up. Harry's on Hanover Square did a great job.

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

Oh Yeah, I did. :)This stuff is amazing..The nose is holding back some (da!). What you can coax out is a sweet (not cloying type) of black cherry and black raspberries. The elegance can be spotted on the nose alone. Hints of kirsch, boysenberry and Framboise are in play. The palate explodes with incredible balance, depth and beauty. If there is a hard edge in the house, I certainly can't feel it. Mouth-coating and medium weight, this creates a wave of intensity bringing on layer upon layer of pure black fruits. Hints of graphite, tar and spring flowers add real interest. Tannins are well defined and complicated, but the overall package is an alchemy of all things good, and all things previous vintages have brought forth; I get the elegance of the 2006, the intensity of the 2005, the poise and structure of the 2007 and the quiet flamboyancy of the 2004. (I have not had the 2008 yet!). The finish just goes on with those layered fruits revealing themselves even more. I love the hint of creaminess that flows through the middle of this. If you've been a fan, you will certainly smile when you get to sample this one. Enjoyable now, I won't touch another of my own for a year. That's not to say I won't of my own for a year ---and not to say I won't taste it for a year...... :) 96 pts

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

Strawberry color with a nose macerated bright red strawberries, pomegranate and spring flowers---pretty great. Palate reveals soft gushy red berry fruits with creamy textured mouthfeel. Acidity rides slightly up-ticks (fantastic food friendliness on this) with tannins being slightly chewy. A wonderful structure controls the second part of the journey which goes from easy to corral to a wild unbreakable maverick. Intoxicating notes of soft coco infused strawberries come out at the half-way mark in addition to some nice minerality and sassparilla. Finish is long and remains focused. Glad I have more. 93 pts

2004 Dutch Henry Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Northfork Reserve Chafen Vineyards Hillside Estate (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Dark and ominous in its thickness. Nose of pure black cherry cola. Palate shows a very restrained (at first) black/red fruit profile with some hints of cardamom and nutmeg. Black cherry, creme de cassis, black plum and black berries are in control with a tiny hint of strawberry--a very interesting combo. As this sits it starts be become fragrant and elegant with a wonderful light to mid-weight mouth-feel, almost belying its color. Some violets, cedar and framboise was showing through with some nice dimension and structure; this drank like a wine well above its station tonight; refined, poised, elegant, precise and focused. Long finish made this a winner. Gotta keep an eye out for more. 92pts

2004 Maybach Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Materium (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

This wine is so in its groove, we need anoth....well you know. Dark and precise Cabernet with black cassis, blackberry and black plums. Hints of creme de cassis, mocha, cardamom and lead pencil run within this ones skin. Pretty and focused. Perfect balance, this middle weight wine shows its breed well in its conveyor-like delivery system and pure joy. I brought this to Berserkerfest NYC and it was the first empty on the table. Enough said. :) 94 pts

2006 Ramey Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (USA, California, Napa Valley)

89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. This is large boned and full throttle. Black cherry nose. Intense and pure this has some way to go yet. Black cherries, black cassis and raspberries rule the moment on this. Some dries black fruits in the background, this has nice balance. A bit of Asian spice and cardamom. Long finish keep the fruits fresh and focused. This was the perfect selection for grilled filet mignon on the deck during the balmy 65 degree NYC weekend we so enjoyed after Thanksgiving. A very admirable Napa Cabernet. 91pts

2000 Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Peterson Family Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Sweet and slightly over-extracted. Black candied nose with hints of cola, framboise and blackberry jam, but the sweetness controls this ride. Balance is decent and this is fully resolved. A slight hint of 'fabricated wine', this was somewhat sweet creamy textured and pleasing in remembrance of say a good Shiraz. One hour in the decanter seemed to help a bit as this fleshed itself out. This has some redeeming qualities, but even at $40 I feel I have over-paid 87pts

2001 Mitolo Shiraz G.A.M. (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale)

Color intense burnt umber. Edges show a small amount of age. Nose of stewed black-cherry, Kirsch Royal and espresso beans.Palate has some real nice black fruits highlighted by black-cherries and blackberries. Notes of creamy Kirsch, this is a very pure and focused expression of a ten year old Shiraz. It sometimes borders jammy. Tannins big boned and acidity is flirty, this is quite interesting tonight. Medium to heavy mouth feel with tons of things 'going on'; some minerality, some worn leather and some sweetness. finish is admirable for an Aussie. You will never mistake this for anything else. 89pts

2001 Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon Blank Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford)

Dark as night with some lighter reddish edges. Nose of pure eucalyptus and black currant and black raspberries. Palate was intense black fruits wrapped within a perfectly matured profile. Great balance with fully resolved tannins. Some cardamom, some cedar box, some espresso and some exotic spices with a very 'Martha's Vineyard' quality on this, one I did not expect: pure eucalyptus. This had a character all it's own today, very unique and distinctive, this is interesting, thought provoking and rambunctious all at the same time. Finish went long, wine got lots of discussion. Loved it. 93pts

1997 Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain (USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain)

Black. Real black. Nose of dried reddish-black fruits. Palate has the drying quality with some black cherries, pomegranate and red raspberries. It's an interesting wine that initially shows some promise, but falls short. It shows some purity and balance is very decent. Tannins are fully resolved. There's notes of worn leather, cedar and cola. Hints of graphite and menthol. Finish is admirable. The distraction is solely the mouth pucker.
PS- Time treated this one nicely. 3 hours open and it rounded out and plumped up a bit losing most of the dryness. Its actually quite nice now. 90pts

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

Tasted at the release party on 11/19/2011.
Double decanted 3-4 hours in advance.
I must say I have always been a fan of Steve's wines since inception and this one does not disappoint. Its super fragrant with a heady dose of Petite Verdot coming through nicely. (Amazing how only 5% can do that). This is the most structured and backward of the three vintages. Black fruits of black cherry, small dense blackberries and cassis with an interesting brambly quality. Long and focused with a complicated array of tannins. Be kind and give this a year at least. It will pay dividends. 92pts

2002 Marco Di Giulio Cabernet Sauvignon Mark K Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain)

30 minute decant. Nose is classic Napa Cabernet with the requisite (in my mind) creme de cassis, currant and framboise. This is pure and focused with some cool & sweet cocoa covered blackcherries and black raspberry. There is some exotic black fruits and a hint of graphite and menthol. Elegant and power all in one, this really brings on the depth and layers that I truly like. Balance is very decent with the acidity flying just a wee-bit high, but this is not a negative thing in this, tonight. Long finish keeps the black fruits going. The more you sit with this, the more you find in it, and it's all good. Grabbed these for a song, and will keep my eyes open for the 'tune' to come around again. 92pts

2002 Double Diamond (Schrader) Cabernet Sauvignon Mayacamas Range (USA, California, Sonoma County)

Black with nose of infused black cherry and violets. This comes in dense and firmly packed with tons of black fruits first and foremost being black currants. After about 15 minutes this was soft but not flabby with tannins nearly fully resolved. Balance was deft. Light notes of graphite, cola, leather and cedar were in the mix as well. Apart from being just a wee-bit one dimensional, this really showed well tonight. It went long and remained true to itself. An admirable showing indeed. 90pts

2005 Kenzo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Ai (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Pretty and pure is what this is all about. Nose of dried red currant and red raspberries with hints of exotic spices, forest floor and sassafras. Deftly balanced with a light to mid-weight mouthfeel. No hard edges. No plush, no gush, no gob and not showy, this just delivers its breed and elegance, the sort that is not so often seen these days. Strangely, when food hit the table this went dry and somewhat astringent, but came back alive once it became the center piece again, going slightly darker now. This is one of the most polished wines I have had all year. Just an incredible wine, and I won't hold the food thing against it. 94 pts

2001 Sherwin Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District)

Pop and pour. Dark in color with edges a bit red, this was totally open and ready for business. Nose of red fruits with cherries and cassis. Palate showed some aged wine stuff of cedar box, tobacco and worn leather. There was a hint of forest floor. Pure and fully integrated, this was near perfectly balanced. Somewhat Bordeaux-like, it's one of those wines that appeals to both old world and new world guys. Pretty and precise with a finish that remained consistently red fruited. After an hour or two in the decanter it got softer and just a wee-bit thinner. I would not hold these too much longer---if I owned anymore that is. 91 pts

2006 Two Hands Cabernet Sauvignon Some Days Are Diamonds (USA, California, Napa Valley)

Wine good. Dark. Chewy. Plush. Full. Intense. Pure. Balanced. Long. Pleasing.
Mike like, still. 92 pts

2001 Hartwell Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District)

Decant for 1 hour. Nose is all cassis and black cherries. The palate shows pure black fruits with loads of lead pencil, kirsch, framboise and juicy black fruits of currant, black cherries and black pomegranate. A very nicely structure that demands your attention. Phenomenal mouth feel that is all elegance and class. Near perfect lithe acidity and a tannin base that really can go many more years. Long black fruit filled finish that never wavers from its black fruit profile. A real stunner. Wish I brought this to CLONYC 28, the 2001 Napa Cab tasting. 93 pts

2000 Ojai Syrah Santa Barbara County (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County)

ose of pure ripe blackberries and black currants. Palate shows a very pure and focused Syrah that has tons of black fruits. There is some red raspberries, pomegranate and Kirsch Royal. Balance is near perfect with tannins nearly fully resolved. Acidity it fresh and bouncy. There is a nie minerality with this one and a real 'roundness' approaching plushiness that really pleases as well as a pretty sarsaparilla quality I like. Taken into account the price paid ($15) I have to say. Wow. 93 pts