20 Wine Reviews Found

  • Aromatics: Toasted Oak
97 Points

Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018

Having judged the last 20 releases of this collector favorite, we believe this is the most seriously age-worthy vintage to date. A bit of inquiry with our friends at Silver Oak revealed this is a reflection of the fact that the 2018 vintage now includes two prominent new Cabernet vineyard sources. This 2018 features a...

Read Full Review
96 Points

Vineyard 29 Cabernet CRU 2019

This superbly balanced wine could fool any connoisseur into thinking it cost much higher than its price tag. The aromas of blackberry, cigar box, dried herbs, and toasty oak spices waft out of the glass, and the structured palate with dusty, dry tannins lead to a long, chocolate-covered cherry finish. – October 2022

Read Full Review
97 Points

Argot Chardonnay Le Rayon Vert 2019

Inspired by the wines of Meursault, this Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay exhibits notes of pear, melon, and tropical fruit with layers of toasty creamy oak. It’s extremely approachable and has delicious flavors of freshly baked banana bread, butterscotch pudding, caramel, and white chocolate. Don’t be fooled by the delicious laundry list of desserts we just named;...

Read Full Review
98 Points

Pelissero Barbaresco Tulin 2015

Sampling yesterday, my personal notes were that this treasured red is already a gloriously satisfying, generous wine, possessing remarkable density across a silky smooth texture. Mesmerizing notes of olive tapenade and prosciutto blend delicately with notes of ethereal red fruit. The wine continues to grow in the glass, gradually revealing its superb pedigree with hints...

Read Full Review
99 Points

Institution Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard 2019

A true BLOCKBUSTER from this up-and-coming boutique winery. The alluring bouquet charms with blueberry liqueur, espresso, and pipe tobacco plus toasted oak. This regal wine launches forth with massive notes black forest cake, blue fruit, mocha, exotic spices, graphite and creamy vanilla extract. This is a deeply satisfying + FUN example of young Cabernet Sauvignon....

Read Full Review
98 Points

Patz & Hall Pinot Noir SLH Pisoni 2017

This thrill ride embarks with characteristic Pisoni flavors of racy raspberry, creamy strawberry, lightly toasted oak, and a hint of milk chocolate that flow throughout this sensuous experience. The palate of this monumental crowd-pleaser is deceptively soft and lush at first, then leads into a plethora of ripe blackberry, Bing cherry, clove, smoke and the...

Read Full Review
100 Points

Levy & McClellan Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve 2014

Absolute perfection, this awe-inspiring Cabernet reminds me of the new Mouton Rothschild with ultra-dense texture and grainy tannins that taste like ‘diamonds!’  Cabernet blend dazzles from the start with a soaring, almost Amarone-like bouquet along with toasty oak, cassis, and blackberry liqueur. Monumental in its grandeur, super-rich, and velvety-textured, this is a spectacularly impressive, Cabernet...

Read Full Review
100 Points

Kenzo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Ai 2018

The 2018 Kenzo Ai is a masterpiece that must be tasted to believe the intensity of exotic fruit flavors and cashmere-like texture. The blend this vintage is 90% Cabernet plus a dash of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot to add complexity. The bouquet features warm spices and lightly toasted oak reminiscent of a Summer...

Read Full Review
Carbone
97 Points

Favia Cabernet Blend Carbone 2017

“his oh-so silky & rich new release from Napa’s acclaimed 2018 vintage offers sumptuous aromas of plum, cassis, blackberry and sage evolve on the palate to include dark chocolate and baking spice with some graphite and background oak. It is full-bodied and has a layered, multi-tiered mid-palate (tangy baking spices) leading to a distinguished finish...

Read Full Review