Cabernet Syrah Blend

The Prisoner Wine Company

The Prisoner Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend 2016

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Strong nose of black fruits with cedar, vanilla, leather, spices, earth, chocolates and black pepper.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cooked cherries, light green vegetables, spices, pencil lead and peppercorn.

Long finish with soft tannins and tangy cherries.

This 10 year old red blend from California is still drinking beautifully. Complex and interesting. Nice to see that it aged nicely.

Showing slight RS on the palate, but I can live with that.

Easy drinking and good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Charbono.

15.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$60.
— 2 days ago

Andrew, Ted and 7 others liked this
Dick Schinkel

Dick Schinkel

Big Cheers dear Winefriend 👌🍷

Château Talbot

Saint-Julien Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

Château Talbot 2023 – Saint-Julien, Grand Cru Classé en 1855, BDX France 🇫🇷

Overview
A youthful yet promising Saint-Julien showing early elegance, fine balance, and clear upward trajectory. The blend delivers freshness, precision, and layered fruit while still carrying a few youthful edges that signal excellent aging potential.

Aromas & Flavors
Red currant, black cherry, raspberry compote, graphite, cedar shavings, crushed herbs, light cocoa dust, subtle floral lift.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with fine-grained tannins, lively acidity, polished mid-palate, slightly angular finish that tightens at the end, a clear marker of youth and future integration potential.

Food Pairings
Herb-roasted chicken, duck breast, pork tenderloin, grilled mushrooms, mild aged cheeses (Tomme, young Comté).

Verdict
A high-quality, early-showing Saint-Julien that already flashes elegance and balance, but will benefit significantly from a few years of cellaring to soften edges and broaden complexity.

🍷 Personal Pick
The talent is obvious, can be enjoyed now. I’d happily cellar this and come back when smooths out a bit more and when aromatics stretch their legs.
— 13 days ago

Tom, Ted and 2 others liked this

Dominus Estate

Dominus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2021

Somm David T
9.5

Fruit is brighter, more brilliant than many other 21’s I’ve had. Texturally & fruit-wise senses more like the 23’s I’ve had. It’s gorgeous. Again, needs a decade or more in the cellar.

Round, lush, creamy blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, both plums, poached strawberries, dry, crushed rocks, limestone powder, nice balling spices, caramel, mocha, dry herbs, dry tobacco, lead pencil, dry river stone, leather, melted, dark chocolate, dark spice, fresh & withering dark flowers, red roses, nice round acidity, well balanced, bigger tension & structure, excellent round, excellent finish that last minutes and lands on spice, wet clay and Christmas cake.
— 21 days ago

Tom, Juan and 19 others liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

Château Lynch-Bages 2023 – Pauillac, Grand Cru Classé, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A powerful, structurally driven Pauillac showing serious depth and long-term ambition, built on a 71% Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blend with 22% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot support. The wine carries muscular architecture, dark fruit density, and firm tannic authority, currently showing some youthful rough edges but clearly positioned for future greatness with proper cellaring.

Aromas & Flavors
Blackcurrant, cassis liqueur, blackberry skin, graphite, cedar plank, crushed gravel, tobacco leaf, dark cocoa and subtle savory spice.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied with firm, youthful tannins, strong mid-palate grip, vibrant supporting acidity, dense core concentration, and a long, structured finish that signals serious aging capacity.

Food Pairings
Dry-aged ribeye, grilled lamb chops, beef short ribs, rosemary-crusted venison, aged hard cheeses, slow-braised meats.

Verdict
A high-potential Pauillac still in its formative phase. The structure, depth, and terroir signature are undeniable, but integration will require time. A climber rather than a polished performer today, patience will be rewarded handsomely.

🍷 Personal Pick
This feels like a future star in development, powerful, slightly raw, but absolutely loaded with upside. Not a wine for instant gratification, but one that will evolve into something truly special with time. I’d happily cellar this and revisit around 2029 when the polish finally matches the horsepower.
— 13 days ago

Ted, Tom and 4 others liked this

Continuum

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

Paul J
9.6

PnP. Dark, deep wine. Nose is dominated by coconut and vanilla. Lots of sweetness on the palate with a silky texture. This exceeded expectations although the bottle variation continues! — 11 days ago

Manish NagarBrooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Manish and Brooke
Manish, Paul and 9 others liked this

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Isosceles Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

New vintage of Justin’s flagship blend. A bit more constrained, but elegant and delicious as always. At 86% cab, is it really a blend? lol. Nice cassis notes. — 5 days ago

Martijn liked this

Boekenhoutskloof

The Chocolate Block Cinsault Blend

Really good wine but remembered it better. Maybe I aerated it too well but lacked some of its usual smooth punch. — 3 days ago

The Mascot

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Deep purple color. Aromas of blackberry pie, red currant, leather, menthol, crushed gravel and bell pepper skin. Hefty wine, black fruit on the palate, tobacco, cherries and black tea notes.

🏅95 Points - Kevin Vogt
— 5 days ago

Ed, Tom and 19 others liked this

Marchesi Antinori

Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore Red Bordeaux Blend 2015

Super Tuscans are always a treat. Especially with some age in bottle. Needs time in the glass to aerate to scents of tobacco, spice, black fruit and cedar. Cheers. — a month ago

Daniel, Juan and 10 others liked this

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

This Opus is polished with aromas of blackberry and spice. On the palate it’s rich, with velvety tannins, dark fruit, cocoa, and a hint of espresso. The finish is long and flavorful. — 3 days ago

Daniel CammarataMichael Cammarata
with Daniel and Michael
Dave, Andrew and 4 others liked this