Ghost Block Estates Bonded Winery No. 9 Proprietary Red 2019, Napa Valley, California

Inky in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, chocolates, tobacco, licorice, cedar, black pepper and herbs.

Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, black cherries, cedar, vanilla, licorice, chocolates, tobacco, herbs, spices, earth and light espresso.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a gorgeous Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Elegant and nicely balanced, complex and entertaining. Rich and fruit forward.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 90 minutes of airtime.

This 7 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based blend is starting to drink beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

A great sipping wine that will also pair very nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec and 20% Petit Verdot. A tiny production of only 6 barrels made.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$250.

V. Sattui Winery Rutherford Dust Up Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Napa Valley, California

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Pretty nose of red and black fruits with oak, chocolates, spices, herbs and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cherries, spices, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, peppercorn and tobacco leaf.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Napa Cabernet from Rutherford is drinking beautifully already. Fruit forward and elegant, soft and smooth. Nicely balanced and complex, tangy and spicy.

Very approachable right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Showing good potential to become a 94 point wine.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

Grapes were aged for 19 months in (60% new) French Oak barrels. A small production of only 3,144 bottles.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$185.

Château Canon Saint Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé 2017, Bordeaux, France

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let’s bring Merlot back!

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of cherries, blueberries, plums, Indian spices, light oak, licorice, chocolates, sweet tobacco, herbs and light earth.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, plums, cooked cherries, light oak, tobacco leaf, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, licorice, light earth, eucalyptus, bitter herbs and black tea.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a beautiful Merlot from Saint Emilion. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and elegant. Soft and smooth, spicy and entertaining.

This 9 year old still feels young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, but already enjoyable, even by itself. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Robert Parker 96 points. Wine Spectator 94 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

A blend of 77% Merlot and 23% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (56% new) French Oak barrels for 18 months.

14% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$125.

William Cole Vineyards Stonemaiden 2023, Napa Valley, California

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Red fruits on the nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing cherries, currants, light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, earth, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn and licorice.

Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Rich and fruit forward. Elegant and nicely balanced, complex and engaging.

Still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, but already enjoyable even by itself.

Showing good structure, and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years. Showing good potential to become a 94 point wine.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

185.

Colgin Cellars IX Estate 2004, Napa Valley, California

Deep inky in color with a short reddish/ purplish rim.

Strong nose and full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.

Showing black currants, black plums, blackberries, dried figs, dark chocolates, raisins, peppercorn, licorice, light earth, herbs, light tar, tobacco leaf and light barnyard.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries. 

This 22 year old Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley is drinking beautifully now. Rich and fruit forward, very complex and entertaining. A fantastic wine. 

Drinking at its peak now, and will continue to do so in the next 5 years. 

Wine Spectator 93 points. Wine Advocate 97 points. 

The high alcohol is well integrated by now. 

Elegant, and a great sipping wine. Paired beautifully with my delicious American Wagyu steak. 

A blend of 59% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 6% Petit Verdot. Unfiltered and unfined. 

15.6% alcohol by volume.

95 points.

$400.

Ghost Cellars Proprietary Red 2018, Paso Robles, California

Dark ruby in color with medium plus intensity and a wide reddish rim.

Fresh cherries on the nose with sweet raspberries, black plums, light wood, tobacco leaf, milk chocolates, herbs, spices and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, cooked cherries, light oak, tobacco leaf, light earth, bitter herbs, spices, dark chocolates, peppercorn and cloves.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 8 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Paso Robles is still drinking very nicely. Elegant and still fruity. Nicely balanced and tangy.

At this point it feels like a Right Bank Bordeaux with a touch of California. Still feels fresh and engaging, and I loved the low alcohol level here.

I had this vintage 5 years ago, and it is drinking much better now. Still drinking very fresh, and I could have waited even longer, but you never know until you open it. Unfortunately, it is my last bottle.

Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle. Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

A blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Merlot and 2% Malbec. A small production of only 5,000 bottles.

12.9% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50.

Flam Winery Classico 2018, Judean Hills, Israel

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits with light cedar, earth, herbs, vanilla, licorice, mediterranean spices, light black tea, tobacco, chocolates, light metals and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, stewed cherries, tobacco, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, light cedar, earth, herbs, spices and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This 8 year old Bordeaux blend from Israel is still drinking very nicely, although at the end of the peak. soft and easy drinking, elegant and rich.

Fruit forward with great complexity, especially on the nose. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Feels like a California Bordeaux blend. Very interesting.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 30 minutes of airtime.

I had this vintage 6 years ago, and it is drinking much better now.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

A blend of 36% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 12% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Aged in oak barrels for 10 months. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50 (current vintage).

La Jota Vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Franc 2019, Napa Valley, California

Inky in color with a purplish rim.

Pretty nose with lots of black fruits, chocolates and cedar notes.

Full-bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, chocolates, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, herbs, earth and black pepper.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and pomegranates.

This is a delicious Cabernet Franc from Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. Rich and extracted, elegant and fruit forward. Nicely balanced with nice complexity, and a soft mouthfeel.

Still young, and needs a few more years in the bottle to mature properly, but already very approachable. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Wine Enthusiasts 95 points. Robert Parker 93 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, or with food. Will pair nicely with Lamb dishes.

100% Cabernet Franc grapes were aged in (67% new) French Oak barrels for 21 months. Unfiltered and unfined.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$135.

Vérité Estate La Joie 2021, Sonoma County, California

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Nose of black currants, black cherries, light oak, spices, chocolates, herbs, coffee, licorice, tobacco leaf, earth, black tea and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs

Dry on the palate with plums, black currants, light oak, licorice, chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, coffee and earth.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 5 year old Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Sonoma County is already drinking beautifully. Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and chewy, complex and engaging. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Still very young, and needs at least 7 years in the bottle to mature properly, so be patient. Will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years, and showing good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged for 16 months in (95% new) French Oak barrels.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$500.

Chateau Rouget Pomerol 2016, Bordeaux, France

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose of red and black fruits with light cedar, chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, earth, herbs and spices.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, light earth, coffee, spices, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Merlot from Pomerol. Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and complex. Elegant, and nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

Wine Spectator 92 points.

This 10 year old Merlot is starting to drink at its peak now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 18 months in (33% new) French Oak barrels.

92 points.

15% alcohol by volume.

$90.

Stuhlmuller Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Alexander Valley, California

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose with red and black fruits, light wood, chocolates, light earth, herbs and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, blueberries, plums, licorice, light cedar, earth, milk chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.

Nice length on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. Rich and fruit forward. Elegant and nicely balanced, complex and entertaining.

Very true to the Terroir, and shows very much like an Alexander Valley Cabernet.

Still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime. Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Aged in (50% new) French oak barrels for 18 months.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45.

Dom Perignon Lady Gaga Brut Champagne 2010, France

Light yellow in color, with an engaging and pretty nose.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity and soft, small bubbles.

Dry on the palate, elegant and complex.

Showing citrus, limes, green apples, yeast, herbs, light bread, light vegetables, earth, sea salt and minerals.

Soft finish with almonds and vegetables.

This 16 year old Champagne is absolutely fantastic now. Delicious and nicely balanced. Rich and complex.

I had this vintage before, and this time it is so much better. Or maybe it’s just that this specific bottle is showing better.

Needed an hour to open up properly and show the complexity, so be patient. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Wine Spectator 96 points. Wine Advocate 92 points.

A great wine to sip on, that paired nicely with fresh seafood.

A blend of 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$300.

Oakville Winery DDR 2022, Napa Valley, California

Purple in color with a wide purplish/ reddish rim.

Fruity nose of red fruits with earth, light oak, spices and chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, cherries, plums, light oak, spices, chocolates, coffee, licorice, herbs and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy pomegranates.

This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley. Complex and interesting, spicy and tangy.

Still young and needs 5 to 7 years in the bottle to mature properly. Feels like a Right Bank Bordeaux, at this point.

Easy drinking, and a good sipping wine that also paired nicely with my chicken kebab.

A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50.

Ramey Wine Cellars Westside Farms Estate Pinot Noir 2022, Russian River Valley, California

Reddish in color with medium intensity.

Beautiful nose of cherries, blueberries, earth, light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf and herbs.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, raspberries, currants, light wood, spices, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a delicious Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley in California. Rich, and not too fruity, smooth and soft.

Already drinking beautifully, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

This Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is complex, elegant and nicely balanced. Feels like an old world Pinot.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with food.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged for 15 months in (40% new) French oak barrels. A small production of only 6,000 bottles.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$85.

Yatir Winery Yatir Creek 2016, Judean Hills, Israel

Deep ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Red and black fruits on the nose with light oak, chocolates, coffee, licorice, tobacco, herbs, spices, light black olives and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, coffee, earth, spices, chocolates, licorice, tobacco leaf, herbs and peppercorn.

Long spicy finish, with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a very tasty Syrah blend from Israel. Nicely balanced and rich. Fruit forward and complex.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 90 minutes in the decanter.

This 10 year old unique Syrah blend, is drinking very nicely now, and drinking at its peak. I had this vintage 7 years ago, and it is drinking so much better now.

A great sipping wine that paired nicely with food too.

A blend of 76% Syrah, 12% Tannant and 12% Malbec. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels. Kosher and not Mevushal.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50 (current vintage).

Paul Bara Special Club Brut Grand Cru Champagne 2016, France

Pale lemon in color.

Strong nose and medium in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity, and medium plus size bubbles.

Showing limes, lemons, green apples, light earth, yeast, herbs, light brioche and minerals.

Nice finish with limes and light marzipan notes.

This is a very tasty 10 year old Champagne. Rich and fresh tasting. Complex and interesting.

Still very young, and needs 5 years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Easy drinking, nicely balanced and better after 45 minutes of airtime.

Good by itself or with food.

A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. Aged for 6 years on the lees. Disgorged in 2023.

12.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$130.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, Stags Leap District, California

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Full-bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and very fruity, with a beautiful nose.

Showing black currants, plums, cooked cherries, spices, coffee, cedar, licorice, chocolates, light earth, herbs and pencil lead.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 5 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is starting to drink beautifully now. Spicy and entertaining.

Still very young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years. Has good potential to become a 95+ point wine. 

This is the same wine that won the Judgment of Paris in 1976, 48 vintages later.

This Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is very rich, and ‘in your face’ kind of wine. Complex, opulent and elegant.

Wine Enthusiasts 96 points. Robert Parker 95 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and also paired nicely with my steak frites.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in all new French oak barrels for 21 months.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$250.

Chateau Orisse du Casse Saint Emilion Grand Cru 2022, Bordeaux, France

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let’s bring Merlot back!

Inky in color with a short reddish rim.

Nose of black currants, plums, cooked cherries, cedar, licorice, chocolates, light earth, spices, herbs, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and peppercorn.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with plums, cooked cherries, currants, cedar, vanilla, leather, earth, chocolates, tobacco, spices, peppercorn, coffee and cola.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Merlot from Saint Emilion in Bordeaux. Elegant and fruity, complex and smooth. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel.

This 2022 was a great vintage in the Right Bank, and it is definitely showing. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc.

15% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$45.

Meadowcroft Wines Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Napa Valley, California

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Nose of black currants, plums, blackberries, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco, herbs, spices, light earth and light black tea.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with blackberries, cooked cherries, cedar, chocolates, spices, licorice, coffee, light earth, herbs and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 4 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District in Napa Valley is drinking beautifully now. Rich, smooth and engaging.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 2 hours in the decanter.

Elegant and nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Fruit forward with nice complexity.

Wine Enthusiasts 91 points.

Already delicious, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70.

Clos Saint Michel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Tradition 2015, Rhone, France

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red and black fruits with light oak, spices, chocolates, tobacco leaf, licorice, coffee, herbs and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 11 year old GSM blend from Châteauneuf-du-Pape feels still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 years.

I’ve had a few vintages of this wine and it is very consistent.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

A blend of 40% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 30% Syrah. Aged in large French oak barrels for 12 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$40.