"Odedi"

9.5

#AgedWineTuesday

Very pretty color of dark ruby with a reddish/brick rim.

Beautiful nose of black currants, figs, plums, dried fruits, tobacco leaf, eucalyptus, juniper, cedar, licorice, dark chocolates, earth, herbs, spices and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, blackberries, black plums, herbs, cedar, licorice, cola, chocolates, tobacco, mediterranean spices, black tea ,herbs and black pepper.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 27 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is drinking fabulously now. Rich, with great complexity. Elegant and nicely balanced, with a great mouthfeel.

Still drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years. Soft and elegant, with a great nose.

Wine Enthusiasts 94 points. Wine Spectator 94 points. Wine Advocate 93 points.

I did not decant it, and drank it right out of the bottle. Smooth right away, and even better after 20 minutes of airtime.

Thank you Mike for sharing this with me.

I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is always delicious. Such a great experience to drink history in a bottle.

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

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 3% Cabemet Franc. Aged for 26 months in (90% new) French Oak barrels.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

95 points.

$150. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.4

This is a gorgeous 15 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Showing black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates, tobacco, coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

Showing great complexity on the nose and palate.

Peaking now and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 years.

Good right out of the bottle and good by itself. Will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$200. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Ruby in color with a short reddish/purple rim.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, figs, dried fruits, raisins, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, licorice, light earth and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford. Big, bold and elegant. Showing a soft mouthfeel with nice complexity.

Good right out of the bottle and better with airtime.

This Single Vineyard is still very young and will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

Wine Enthusiasts 92 points.

A great sipping wine that will pair nicely with BBQ Meats. Very tasty. A gorgeous wine.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$100. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Founded in 1985 by Staglin Family who produces world class wines. Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe black berry fruits, sweet spice and licorice. On the palate flavors of juicy raspberry, currants and blackberry with cinnamon, cacao, good acidity and mouthfeel, with big intense approachable dusty tannins. Long finish, good balance ending with cedar, fruit and sweet spice, good now but a few years will enhance. — 6 years ago

Kevin Bohlin

9.2

Wow, so ripe and intense. Black and red fruit body almost velvety but juicy and even candied licorice (after tasting Monte Bello earlier in the day) but not the least hot or really even overbearing, just very big and very intense and yet retains decent freshness and balance with hints of Rutherford dust and cedar. Very very good, but I’m learning it’s bigger and sweeter than I like after drawing toward more structured Santa Cruz cabs — 8 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Conn Creek is a boutique winery on the Silverado Trail in the Rutherford district headed by winemaker Mike McGrath. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep red with aromas of currants and floral notes. On the palate juicy blackberry and raspberry flavors with espresso and tobacco tones with big well integrated tannins. Lingering finish ending with cedar and mineral ending. Will benefit from aging. — 9 years ago

Shawn R

9.2

Deep inky purple color in the glass. Flashing, fresh flowers and cut cedar on the nose. Mid palate has hints of candied cherries, smashed black and red fruits and a touch of licorice. Big powerful finish great balance of acidity and tannins. — 10 years ago

Rochelle

10

This is exceptional upon opening just wonderful ! Very muscular tannins juicy jammy bouquet on nose nutmeg cedar and pie! Literal smells like a home made berry pie and tastes so big and wonderful if it was the only wine I could drink I would be fine so happy to have tried a great finish! A plethora of flavor on the palate and pure black on pour ! — 11 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Deep purple/ inky in color with a reddish rim.

Beautiful nose of red and black fruits with cedar, vanilla, licorice, Indian spices, tobacco leaf and chocolates.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with red cherries, currants, black plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, herbs and peppercorn.

Long tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Elegant, fruit forward and exciting. Nicely balanced and complex.

Still very young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, but already drinking gorgeously.

Already drinking beautifully, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 7 years and see how it evolves.

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

A tiny production of only 640 bottles.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$180. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I only own a few Hall wines. But I find the amount of wine(s) they produce while maintaining high quality, especially in their higher end wines…fascinating as I commented on @Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego post a number of weeks ago. I generally taste them younger vs cellared. So, when I saw this lower spectrum Hall Cabernet on the secondary market, I bought it because it’s a 2013 and only $35. I couldn’t pass it up as 2013 is a grand vintage and most of what I taste from Hall is upon release.

I corvined this last weekend and unsure how that fact affects opening it tonight. You could make a case for 92 here, but I won’t based on the fact it is a week coravined.

The nose shows a core of dark currants. Ripe, lush and a bit jammy; blackberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, plum, boysenberries, baked strawberries, raspberry hues with shades of blueberries. Melted dark chocolate, fudge, dark spice, anise to black licorice, mid to dark berry cola, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanillin, dry tobacco, old leather, hints of dry herbs, dry crushed rocks, limestone, dry top soil, hints of moist clay, cedar to sandalwood, touch of peppercorn, fresh & withering; dark, red flowers framed in lavender & violets.

The palate is smooth, round, lush & elegant. The M+ tannins nicely rounded & velvety. Somewhat softer but still big at this stage of evolution compared to most 13’s I’ve had to date. Coravining might have helped. Nearly identical twins the nose & the palate. There’s core of dark currants. Ripe, lush and just a touch jammy; blackberries, the darkest cherries, black plum, plum, baked strawberries, raspberry hues with shades of blueberries. The fruits perhaps picked a little late-slightly overripe…a deliberate decision or lack of timely harvesters. Melted dark chocolate, fudge/pudding, caramel, dark spice w/ medium heat, anise to black licorice, mid to dark berry cola, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, vanillin, dry tobacco, old leather, stronger dry herbs-bay leaf/sage than the nose, dry crushed rocks, limestone, dry riverbed stones, dry top soil, hints of moist clay, softer cedar notes that transition into sandalwood, graphite, touch of peppercorn, fresh & withering; dark, red flowers framed in lavender & violets, very pleasant, round acidity with a well balanced, nicely structured/tensioned, elegant, lush, smartly polished finish that lands on soften earth, spice, herbs and lasts 90 seconds.

Despite its minor flaws, delicious and as it opens, settles in, there is a strong case for a 92.

Photos of; Hall’s huge tasting patio in Rutherford, Rutherford estate vineyard, barrel room and cellar where they hold some fabulous events in a grand environment. They have two locations, Rutherford & St. Helena. — a year ago

Dennis Kellison

9.0

We like this cab, big flavor, cedar and a nice soft tannin finish. A 2016, opened in 9/19. — 7 years ago

with Karen

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Alpha Omega is located in legendary Rutherford in the heart of Napa and is one of Napa's newest boutique wineries. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot & 7% Cabernet Franc. Wow Wine, but needs decanting first. Very dark with purple tints, aromas of complex berry, pepper and herb spice. Flavors of strawberry and blackberry emerge, a touch jammy at times, licorice and cedar notes. Well balanced, big fine tannins, lingering, rich, ending with earthy mineral tones. Very Nice! — 8 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Dark ruby in color with a thin purplish rim. Teeth staining color.

Great nose of blackberries, black currants, blueberries, figs, raisins, oak, vanilla, cooked cherries, licorice, cola, spices, coffee, dark chocolates and peppercorn.

Full-bodied, bold, smooth and elegant, with medium acidity and gorgeous legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, cherries, sweet plums, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, cinnamon, licorice, earth, tar, spices and lots of peppercorn.

Long finish with firm and round tannins, spices and black pepper.

What a great Petite Syrah from Rutherford Grove. This 7 year old, Single Vineyard, is Enjoyable by itself or with a big piece of steak.

Nice and balanced, showing great complexity and layers of flavors. A great sipping wine. Drinking nicely now, and will be good in the next few years too.

Needs 4 hours to open up properly.

14.3% alcohol by volume. — 9 years ago

Jace Frenzy

8.9

The nose brings cedar, green pepper and ripe red fruit. Big, bold palate with notes of juicy black fruits, butterscotch toast with structered tannins. — 10 years ago

"Odedi"

9.4

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby/ Inky in color with a reddish/ brick rim.

Beautiful nose of blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, dried figs, cedar, licorice, chocolates, spices, light earth, black pepper, light vanilla, cola, light metals and black tea.

Full bodied and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

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

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

What a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Rich and nicely balanced. Fruit forward, smooth and complex.

This 16 year old is drinking beautifully now. Elegant and robust at the same time, with a great mouthfeel.

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

Drinking at its peak, and will continue to drink beautifully in the next 5 years.

I had a few vintages of this wine, and it is very consistent. A good quality wine.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food like a big piece of steak.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in all new French oak barrels for 24 months. A tiny production of around 1,000 bottles.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$110. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.3

It's time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep ruby in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose with black fruits, chocolates, cedar, licorice, light vanilla, tobacco and peppercorn.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruit forward on the palate with black currants, cooked plums, cedar, peppercorn, earth, herbs, chocolates, tobacco leaf and black tea.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and cherries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Elegant and rich. Complex and entertaining. Fruit forward and easy drinking.

This 13 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from the great 2012 vintage, is drinking beautifully now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

A good quality wine, with nice complexity and mouthfeel. Well balanced and elegant.

I've enjoyed many different vintages of this wine over the years, from older to younger, and it never fails to deliver.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot. Aged in ( 75% new) French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$300. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.4

It's time for a delicious Cabernet on this #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short purple rim.

Strong nose of blackberries, sweet cherries, figs, raisins, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cola, mocha, pencil lead, alcohol, peppercorn, leather and tobacco.

Full bodied, big, bold, rich and elegant, with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and extremely fruity on the palate with blackberries, figs, cooked cherries, black licorice, cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, chocolates, tobacco, mocha, coke, peppercorn, pencil lead and dark coffee.

Long finish with round tannins, tangy cherries and spices.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from a great vintage in Napa. Rich, powerful and tasty.

Still young, but already very yummy, and will age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years. Will probably be a 96+ point wine in 5 years.

This 6 year old is good right out of the bottle, but better as it opens up. I let it open up for 90 minutes, but I'm sure another couple of hours would have been a better choice.

Thank you Kim and Barry for sharing this delicious wine with me.

Good by itself as a sipping wine. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

14.9% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$70.(current vintage) — 6 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Time for my #MerlotThursday. Here's a great one from Napa Valley.

A nice color of dark ruby with a wide brick rim.

Fruity nose of blueberries, blackcurrants, plums, vanilla, cedar, licorice, spices, pencil lead, peppercorn, chocolates, dark coffee, earth and light vegetables.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and fruity on the palate with black plums, cherries, wood, cloves, vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, vegetables, leather, chocolates, tobacco, beef jerky and peppercorn.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very enjoyable Merlot from Napa Valley. Well balanced and spicy. Fruit forward and big. Showing nice complexity and mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle, and better as it opens up and shows some tannins (1 hour).

This 6 year old is drinking very nicely now. From a great vintage, and is peaking now. Will be good in the next 5 years.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

100% Merlot grapes were aged in 50% New French oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$26. — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Watch out everyone, personal opinion alert 🚨 ...another review for one of my favorite labels out there.

Montagu expanded its portfolio by two this year to include a Sauvignon Blanc and a Syrah. Sticking with the goal of being single vineyard wines, the Syrah is from the famed Hyde Vineyard. This wine is absolutely deliciously impressive and is making a run at being my favorite Montagu wine. Big boy Syrah. Dark purple, almost black, in the glass. Big aromatic nose of smoked meats, blackberries, cedar. The texture is excellent, and is full of blueberries, bacon fat, chocolate and spice. This needs at least a 2-hour decant if you're opening it in the near future. The fact that this is $40 is an absurd value. — 9 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.3

Absolutely lovely; dry and dusty. Great way to kick off our stay at Big Cedar. — 10 years ago

with Krystal