District 7 Wines

Spring Mountain Vineyard

Elivette Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2000

Paul K
9.0

I love this producer (we actually got engaged here) and the recent fire sale was an opportunity to pick up quite a few back vintages of what I’d call their previous style for incredibly low prices. Let’s not get into how that made me feel about being a member for quite a long time and paying much more, but I do understand it from the perspective that their library size and go to market strategy of previous owner didn’t quite add up. Anyway, this bottle was a little tired and didn’t hold up as well as some of the older vintages I’ve had. Still had good fruit, balance but structure and tension wasn’t what it is on other vintages. I haven’t had any from the new group. I hope they find the soul of this appellation and place.
— 6 days ago

Steve, Dave and 5 others liked this
Paul K

Paul K

Just saw @Somm David T ‘s review from 6 days ago and gave me hope for magic in remaining 3 bottles!

Clonakilla

Canberra District Shiraz Viognier 2015

No note on Delectable since May 2017 - 473 weeks ago. Smoked meat, Asian spices - an intoxicating nose. On the medium bodied palate - sweet red fruits with spices. Tim Kirk, the owner and winemaker said at the time it was the best Shiraz Viognier he had ever made for what is considered the benchmark for this blend in Australia. 98 points from HH and 18.5 points+ from Jancis. Very detailed as you would expect from Tim Kirk. — a month ago

Juan, Ray and 13 others liked this

Neyers

Carneros District Chardonnay 2021

ESF
9.1

no complaints - enjoyed everything i've had from this producer w/great QPR. Cali style - not too heavy handed, but def manipulated for all the butter oak crowd — a month ago

Dave, Ray and 4 others liked this

Daou Vineyards

Soul Of A Lion Adelaida District Red Blend 2023

A big cab for a big birthday. America 250 🇺🇸 with the last pre-acquisition vintage. — a month ago

Martijn and Daniel liked this

Pine Ridge Vineyards

Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

A fruity brightness that finishes with a light dryness. Slight cherry flavoring and clean finish. Beautiful wine easily drank casually — 2 months ago

Regusci

Estate Bottled Angelo's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Somm David T
9.6

I have mentioned my admiration for this producer when Charles Hendricks was their Winemaker through 2013. 2013 is a great Napa vintage for a swan song. My last Regusci post was their Patriarch and is my second favorite Regusci vineyard. Angelo’s, I mentioned was my favorite and this didn’t disappoint.

Not many well stored Angelo’s or Patriarch Regusci’s made by Charles left on the secondary market. This one was well stored with next to no wine running down the cork.

The nose is inviting. Ripe, ruby fruits of, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, strawberries, raspberries & cherries. Dark chocolate to pudding, anise, malted milk balls, mid berry to red cola, beautiful, nicely layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, moist sage, black olive, dry stem & top soils, baking powder, tree bark with red & dark florals for days.

The tannins are still M+ but rounded & velvety. Ripe, ruby fruits of, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, strawberries, raspberries & cherries. Dark chocolate cake to pudding, anise, malted milk balls, mid berry to red cola, dark, fruit liqueur notes beautiful, nicely layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, moist sage, black olive, dry stem & top soils, limestone, dry crushed rocks, baking powder, tree bark, dark, pronounced spice w/ heat, dryish tobacco w/ ash, leather, lead pencil with red & dark florals for days and liquid violets, beautiful acidity with tall structure/tension, great length & balance and elegance that lasts minutes and long sets on dry earth & spice.

Outstanding.Tasted many Napa Cabernets last weekend at Pebble Beach Food & Wine. Holds its own in all of them except the Harlan tasting; 94, 04, 07, 13, 16 & 20. Even Grace Family.
— 4 months ago

Jay, Scott@Mister and 3 others liked this

Smith Madrone

Estate Bottled Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Earthy nose with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, chocolates, Indian spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee, earth, dark chocolates, green vegetables and herbs.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cherries, oak, dark chocolates, coffee, spices, earth, black tea, light green vegetables and peppercorn.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a young Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain District in Napa Valley. Elegant and nicely balanced. Fruit forward and complex, with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Left Bank Bordeaux.

Needed 3 hours in the decanter to open up properly, so be patient.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 20 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.

I've had a few different vintages of this wine and this vintage seems to be more approachable at this young age.

Delicious by itself, and paired beautifully with the beef brisket.

A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc. Aged in (50% new) French Oak barrels for 18 months.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70.
— a month ago

Tom, Dave and 8 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Always a (relatively) good value for Napa Cab.

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Oak Knoll District Chardonnay

Buttery, creamy, and exactly what I look for in a cali Chard. Yum. — a month ago

Philip Togni Vineyard

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Somm David T
9.6

This is a producer that should be more revered than it is. His 90’s were amongst my favorite Napa Cabernets. Especially, the 94, which is exceptional and I’ve had on 3-4 occasions.

2007 is a grand vintage but this one needs more cellaring. It is still in its adolescence. I would like to try this in another 8-10 yrs. Don’t get me wrong, this drinks nicely now but it’s best is still ahead.

I coravined & decanted this in a big Bordeaux glass for an hour and it is still a 1/2 monster.

The nose shows; dark currents/cassis, blackberries, black plum w/ skin, very black cherries, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries with understated raspberries in the glass edges, dark, rich earth with dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mocha powder, caramel, chocolate baking bar, understated baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, both black & red licorice/cola, moist herbs, tree sap, limestone, dry top soils-river stone and beautiful, withering/candied dark & red florals framed in candied violets.

The M+ tannins are round, velvety, dusty and still meaty. Dark currents/cassis, blackberries, black plum w/ skin, very black cherries, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, liqueur cherries with understated, hovering raspberries. Dark, rich earth with dry leaves, steeped fruit tea, mocha powder, caramel, chocolate baking bar, understated baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, vanillin, both black & red licorice/cola, moist herbs, tree sap, soft, moist cigar box, leather, anise, rounded very dark spices, moist clays, limestone, dry top soils-river stone and beautiful, withering/candied dark & red florals framed in candied violets, very round, pleasant acidity with balance for days, still pronounced structure/tension, great length and a smartly, polished, ruby two-minute finish that long sets on on deep, dark spice, earthiness & ruby, dark currents.

Right now a Filet steak, not a fatty steak, Ribeye or Ribcap.

Still so youthful! Add a point or two in 7-10 yrs. .

Philip is in his 90’s and still involved in the winemaking. He walks the property daily.
— 4 months ago

Jeroen, Scott@Mister and 7 others liked this
Jeroen Koenen

Jeroen Koenen

A personal favorite! The 1997 iteration of this wine converted me, being a classic Bordeauxphile, into American wines some 20 years ago. Thank you for that, Mr. Togni.

Shafer Vineyards

Hillside Select Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

2003 vintage. Opened and decanted without issues or concerns. Used a Durand to open and cork was in great shape. Tasted after 30 minutes. The usual light-medium body. Plenty of polish at the 20+ year marker with unanticipated, ruff splash of chunkiness on the finish. Approx 4-5 years away from the absolute, top of the bell curve now but, given the pedigree, could possibly absorb that timescape another 5-spot and I wouldn't argue. Drink now or later. Either or. Ain't gonna disappoint unless you swing exclusively on Napa mountain fruit vines. 7.1.26. — a month ago

Jeroen, Ted and 22 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

You know I have had this young and I have had it aged like. Oddly for me, some of the younger vintages were really good, which is strange for me. Cheers! 🍷

Hendry

Blocks 7 & 22 Napa Valley Zinfandel 2021

Jon liked this better than I did. I thought it had a funky aftertaste. Still good though. He would rate 10 out of 10 — 25 days ago

Sagee and Neil liked this

Cain Vineyard & Winery

Cain Five Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2015

2015 vintage. Sampled from Coravin. Medium body. The monstrous tannins tamed somewhat...as they meet a decade+. Absolutely, top-notch nose. If you both respect the exuberance of youth and celebrate the wisdom of age, this is for you. A fascinating, case study currently. 6.24.26. — a month ago

Somm, Doug and 6 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Own this $39 recent purchase
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Somm David T Picked up a case.. Gotta dig out the invoice but resto cost was in the $30's. Do recall the 1987 vintage being $13.33 a bottle before the brand decided to make this the benchmark it is.

Clos du Val Wine Co.

Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Purple, ruby, hint of garnet. Amazing tobacco leaf and spice profile. Drinking beautifully. — 3 months ago

Tom liked this

Trefethen Family Vineyards

Oak Knoll District Cabernet Sauvignon

This is the 2022 Block 296 version of this vintage. Truly excellent. Sour cherries and oregano on the nose. Spicy! Sour cherries on the front. Medium to heavy tannic structure. Tangy on the mid palate. Long finish. Not your typical overpowering Napa Cab. — 4 months ago

Gargiulo Vineyards

G Major 7 Study 575 OVX Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

Paul J
9.4

Similar to previous notes but a more restraint bottle with massive blue fruit. — 4 months ago

Andrew, Paul and 5 others liked this