Expert articles and wine tasting videos profiling wines from California, California wine regions, Napa Valley, Sonoma County, & more.

2009 Futo Oakville, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$207.00USD

Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is big with cassis, cedar and graphite.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, this is mature although it will still develop.  Flavors of cassis, slight blueberries with slight oak/cedar.  Long  finish.  This is drinking well now and should have another ten to fifteen years.  It is great on its own and will work well with bigger foods.  It would go well with Prime Rib.  

2013 Opus One, USA, California, Napa, Oakville, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
98
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$500.00USD

This is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 6& Cabernet Franc and some Petit Verdot and Malbec from Napa.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with cassis, blueberries, black cherries, tobacco, spice and char.  Thick tannins.  Good energy.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is tasty as well as complex.  Flavors of cassis, black cherries, blueberries, chocolate, and spice.  Long finish.  This is a bit youthful but should drink well for another twenty years.  It is great on its own and will work with big foods such as a grilled Ribeye Steak.  

2014 Lancaster Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Sonoma, Alexander Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$79.00USD

This is a very nice Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight on opening.  With air, it shows cassis, black cherries, spice and slight char.  Full bodied.  Soft texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, flavors of cassis, black cherries and slight blueberries.  Good finish.  This is drinking well but it won't get better, just more mature.  Drink over the next five years.  It is nice on its own but probably better with food.  This would work very well with a (Veggie) Burger.  

2023 Kutch Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Cruz

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

Santa Cruz has become my favorite spot for Chardonnays from California.  And, Jamie Kutch and Trout Gulch Vineyard are a perfect match.  Medium golden in color, clear and bright.   The nose is great with slight lemon, lemon cream, char, spice and a hint of grapefuit.  Full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, this is delicious.  The lemon and lemon cream come thru with a touch of oak and minerality.  Long finish.  This is still young and will develop but is delicious now.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  It will be perfect with Grilled Salmon.  

2014 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a classic, old school Napa Cab that has not gone crazy on pricing and now it is a relative value.  At age 12, this bottle is mature and drinking beautifully (if well stored).  Purple in color with a ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, earthiness/forest floor, leather and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  Complex.  On the palate, flavors of cassis with slight black cherry.  Good finish.  This will drink well for another decade but it should start heading south in the next few years, so maybe drink well.  A nice choice for Roasted or BBQ meats.  

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