Somm David T 
Covert Estate
Sage Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Julien Fayard makes the Covert. He worked with Philippe Melka for yrs before going out on his own. Julien also makes the Nicholson Jones wines.
I went to taste’s the Nicolson Jones wines but they set up the coverts for me. My host said they upgraded me.
The Covert wines are spendy. North of $225 at the winery. This is my first experience having them.
Having said that, most of the 23 Napa reds show amazingly beautiful fruit. This had that. These are really soft and nicely layered but they just didn’t stand up-out at their price point. For me, just not compelling.
This was slightly better & showed a bit more but rounding up to 94. Definitely, shows the herbal sage on the nose. — 4 days ago
Maybach Family Vineyards
Vocabulum Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
The Vocabulum is the sure bet to win the long game of 20 plus yrs because of it big structure. Window of 20-40 yrs for its best depending on how you enjoy them. Another candidate for a perfect score when the ratings come out Spring-Summer next yr. — 4 days ago
Cobb
Emmaline Ann Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Something to help the transition from Champagne to Cabernet.
Cobb & Hirsh Pinot Noirs are quite similar to me. Both well made, are good but have never astounded.
This 2014 is near its precipice.
The body is round & inviting. I sense a touch of tannins. Black cherries, blackberries, poached strawberries, pomegranate, just a hint of rhubarb, hovering raspberries, plum, and black raspberries. Tree sap, hints of eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, dry twig, light clove, some nutmeg, cinnamon, and feathery vanillin, lightly grilled meats, mix of fresh and used tobacco with soft ash, old used leather, soft, black pepper, mid dark spice, sandalwood, sandstone, red, purple and dark flowers, nice acidity with a softly tensioned, nicely balanced, elegantly, soft finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands softly on mid toned spices on the long set. — 3 days ago
Nicholson Jones
Sleeping Lady Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
I went to Covert to taste the Nicholas Jones Sleeping Lady. I have two vintages (14 & 16) in my collection but have never had one. I bought on recommendation from @Paul T HB.
I had hoped to try their 2023 but they are still tasting their 2019. Per my host, they hold back their Sleeping Lady awhile longer to age further in bottle.
This 2019 was the best in the tasting. It demonstrated to me that I could open my 14 or 16 or continue to hold awhile longer.
I would say that the Nicholas Jones demonstrate more depth & character over the Covert. — 4 days ago
Covert Estate
Covert 337/191 Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
@Delectable This is the Covert 337/191.
Julien Fayard makes the Covert. He worked with Philippe Melka for yrs before going out on his own. Julien also makes the Nicholson Jones wines.
I went to taste’s the Nicolson Jones wines but they set up the Coverts for me. My host said they upgraded me.
The Covert wines are spendy. North of $250 at the winery. This is my first experience having them.
Having said that, most of the 23 Napa reds show amazingly beautiful fruit. This had that. These are really soft and nicely layered but they just didn’t stand up-out at their price point. For me, just not compelling. — 4 days ago
J. Lassalle
Special Club Brut 1er Cru Champagne Blend 2012
The 2012 J. Lassalle Special Club is made from 60% Pinot Noir & 40% Chardonnay. The vines average 50 yrs old. Hails from Chigny-Les-Roses. Winemakers Chantal Decelle-Lassalle and Angéline Templier farm using the practice of Lutte Raisonnée, which means they fall just short of organic. Sustainable but use minimal chemicals. Rain during and at the end of the season when Mother Nature doesn’t dry the grape clusters, chemicals are often necessary to prevent mold. This isn’t Sauternes!
Texturally, it is quite nice. Beautiful fine mousse and micro oxygenation. Lively but not aggressive acidity.
Green & golden apples, pear, pineapple, lime/lemon with zest, orange citrus blend, green melon & kiwi. White spice, bread dough, nougat, limestone bits, thick chalky powder, graham cracker crust, melted caramel, vanillin, saline, sea fossils, understated herbaceous notes, fruit blossoms, spring flowers with an elegant, smartly polished, well balanced, nicely structured-crafted finish that lasts 90 seconds & lands on volcanics & spice on the long set.
You could make case for 94 here. Perhaps fully with a few more yrs of bottle age.
Pairs well with the Jasper Hill Farms Limited Edition of their Champagne washed Harbison soft white. — 3 days ago
Cellar Arts
Nicholson Jones Selection Napa Valley Proprietary Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
This was a nice Cabernet Franc. I enjoyed the style of the Nicholson Jones slightly better than the coverts. Although the overall style is similar. It was smooth, elegant and consistent wire to wire. But again, just never popped like I felt it should. — 4 days ago
Covert Estate
Clone 341 Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Julien Fayard makes the Covert. He worked with Philippe Melka for yrs before going out on his own. Julien also makes the Nicholson Jones wines.
I went to taste’s the Nicolson Jones wines but they set up the coverts for me. My host said they upgraded me.
The Covert wines are spendy. North of $250 at the winery. This is my first experience having them.
Having said that, most of the 23 Napa reds show amazingly beautiful fruit. This had that. These are really soft and nicely layered but they just didn’t stand up-out at their price point. For me, just not compelling. — 4 days ago
Maybach Family Vineyards
Materium Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
Another amazing 23 Napa Cabernet. This one will reveal its best self in the mid game window of 15-30 yrs. When this gets scored, it has high potential for a 💯. — 4 days ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
I have posted on a number of occasions that Charles Hendricks is the most underrated Napa Winemaker. It happens in every world region. He made Regusci’s wines through 2013. The relationship ended midway through the 2014 vintage. Patriarch & Angelo’s are their best cuvées when he made them. 2013 an amazing vintage.
I scour the secondary markets for his James Cole and Regusci vintages. Recently, there were many and I bought them all. They are harder and harder to find. Becoming very rare.
This 2013 in fine shape. The cork perfect as is the state of the wine.
Charles’s magic is he makes wines that are elegant young and will age effortlessly & get better.
This 2013 is still in its ascending phrase and will drink well for another 5-10 yrs.
The entry is lush-juicy-ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black cherries, black plum skin, plum, poached-baked strawberries w/ hues of raspberries-blueberries-pomegranate. Dark chocolate to cake, mocha powder, caramel, mid berry cola, softly layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg-cinnamon-vanillin, dark, mid tensioned spices, dry twig, limestone powder, dry stone, grilled meats, moist volcanic clays, mostly sandalwood to soft cedar notes, dry tobacco, old leather, hues of graphite, dark rich earth topped with dry earth & leaves, notes of mint-eucalyptus, dry to withering dark, red, blue flowers framed in fading red roses, excellent acidity with a finish that shows firmness, balance, beautiful structure-tension with elegance, lasts minutes and falls on spice & earthiness on the long set.
This will work its way towards 96-97 in the next few yrs. — 3 days ago