52 Wine Reviews Found

  • Tasting Note: Chocolate
98 Points

Textbook Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve du Dumas 2019

This dreamy new release captures your attention from the start with a velvety-rich & creamy texture, a result of the glorious integration of underlying oak. In fact, the 2019 Reserve bottling is the most deliciously age-worthy Textbook we’ve sampled as it reminds us of opulent favorites trading for $200-$300 per bottle. This barrel sample already...

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97 Points

Rhys Pinot Noir Mt. Pajaro Vineyard 2017

This is a velvety smooth and sumptuous Pinot Noir with ample substance, full of juicy pomegranate, cranberry, hints of earthy truffles, potpourri and pipe tobacco. These flavors crescendo into notes of boysenberry, black tea and baking cocoa on the majestic finish. Effortlessly elegant and complex, this will provide enjoyment now and age gracefully for the...

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97 Points

Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Altagracia 2018

This is another majestic release from this lauded vineyard and reminds us of our most recent favorite, 2016. This new 2018 Altagracia displays concentrated dark fruit flavors, truffle, and pipe tobacco. Sultry and luxuriously smooth tannins give way to notes of black berry, plum, espresso, exotics spices and hints of mocha on the prodigious finish....

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Toymaker
99 Points

Toymaker Napa Cabernet Diamond Mountain 2016

This brand new release of Toymaker Cabernet is a deep, dark and dazzling winner from Napa’s unanimously acclaimed 2016 vintage. The texture reminds me of luxuriously smooth cashmere in a glass and is guaranteed to delight fans of Napa’s most intensely rich Cult-style reds. The full-throttle  fruit favors display notes fresh figs, blackberry compote, and...

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Joseph Phelps Cabernet
97 Points

Joseph Phelps Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2018

One of Napa Valley’s finest values year in, year out, the ‘Baby Insignia’ returns in full form with the oh-so-lovable 2018 vintage. A silky smooth texture launches forth with notes of creamy vanilla and hints of rich milk chocolate! Bold dark fruits include black cherry, plum, cassis, sage, blackberry, baking cocoa, exotic sweet spices, graphite...

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Vega Sicilia/Lafite Macan Rioja Clasico 2010
95 Points

Vega Sicilia/Lafite Macan Rioja Clasico 2010

This is what happens when you get two masters together. A robust bouquet of ripe, red fruit, new saddle leather, but with New World polish. The palate is loaded with chocolate, caramel, black cherry liqueur, toast, smoke, coffee, vanilla, balsamic, smoked meat, and plenty of sweet fruit. This is ready to go right now and...

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99 Points

ToyMaker Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

The debut release of Toymaker Cabernet is a silky smooth tour-de-force, guaranteed to delight fans of Napa’s most intensely rich Cult-style reds. The luxurious + fresh dark fruit favors display the opulent characteristics of favorite Diamond Mountain vineyard neighbors such as Checkerboard and Levy McClellan. Hints of black currant and plum sauce combine with complex...

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Arise
94 Points

Blackbird Arise 2016

Blackbird’s Arise is a Merlot dominant blend and it shows off the strengths of the varietal. Too often an underused voice in the orchestra, the Merlot here grounds the blend with a mouth-filling velvet texture which is layered with enough brightness to keep the wine feeling fresh on the palate. This is a more-or-less entry-level...

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96 Points

Textbook “Mise en Place” Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Reminiscent of the 2013 vintage, this new release soars from the glass with captivating aromas of potpourri and melted dark chocolate that lead to a luscious, deftly-balanced experience featuring layers of black fruit complimented by seamlessly integrated, creamy French oak and firm tannins.

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Pahlmeyer Jayson Cabernet 2014
95 Points

Pahlmeyer Jayson Cabernet 2014

Rich and full-bodied, this wine’s tannins provide a reassuring grip underneath their supple, velvety mouthfeel – an indication of age-worthiness and promise of evolving complexity with years of additional cellaring.

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