Jay Kline

8.9

Splash decanted prior to service and presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core, moving towards a light orange garnet rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with notes of ripe and slightly dried red and black fruits: plum, blackberry, raspberry, dried flowers, leather, cocoa, earth and some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend or a Merlot-based blend from the United States or France. Due to the appearance and secondary characteristics, I think this has 15+ years of age. And, because this was leaning heavily towards its fruit, rather than its structure, I’m calling this being from the United States. Final conclusion, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from Napa, valley floor, from a warm vintage like 2009. Dammit, I should have clued into the softer tannins from Alexander Valley. Scoring significant points though. Drink now through 2029. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 1998 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and loads of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of dark cherry, mixed brambles, mixed flowers, mushroom, a touch of funk, pine sap, forest floor, a little VA, and a mix of cool and warm spices for good measure. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin medium+ and acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. F***ing awesome. One of the greatest experiences with Zinfandel that I’ve ever had. Drink now through 2038. — 6 months ago

Chantel Marie Rivera

9.4

Outstanding! Love this wine. Not too oaky. Not too buttery. Just the right balance. — 5 months ago

Rob Brobst III

9.6

Aromas of pineapple, guava, and gardenia. Lemon curd, pink grapefruit, and tangerine blossom form a delicate, creamy wave across the palate. Tropical flowers such as gardenia and plumeria play alongside honeyed pears, dotted with a salty, crisp seashell finish. — 5 months ago

Norman

9.1

Better after it opened. Time to drink. Should have earlier. — 5 months ago

John Malcolm

10

Spectacular. Honey, pear, lemongrass, papaya, and a hint of tangerine. Full-bodied. I love Aubert, and their wines from the Lauren Vineyard are my favorites. This one does not disappoint. — 5 months ago

Danny O'Brien

9.3

Really well crafted Zinfandel-based blend, clearly reads as Zin without being too overbearingly fruity or jammy. Finish has a lot of nice subtle complexity — 4 months ago

"Odedi"

9.4

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Deep purple in color with a short purple rim. Not showing age at all.

Beautiful nose of black currants, blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, light eucalyptus and licorice.

Full-bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate and fruit forward with blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates, black tea, black pepper, spices and cola.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Knights Valley in Sonoma County. Rich and elegant. Fruit forward and very complex.

Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel. Feels like a Napa Cabernet based Bordeaux blend.

Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 45 minutes in the decanter. Really gorgeous once it opens up.

Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Wine Advocate 95 points. Wine Spectator 93 points.

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

A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 13% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

15% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$175. — 5 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.5

Cocoa, blackberry, smoke, and oak. Rich and pepper y. — 5 months ago

Bobbi Jo Broxson

9.2

One of my favorites — 5 months ago

with Brian

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Dairyman Vineyard sits in the southern alluvial plains of the Russian River Valley near the ocean, a region where cooling fog comes in through the Petaluma Gap in the morning and once again in the evening. Medium Ruby color, with aromas of berries, tea and spices. On the palate flavors of raspberry and tart black cherry with herb, cedar and cinnamon. Fine tannins, medium+ finish with lively acidity, good structure, ending with fruit and cedar spice. — 6 months ago

Steve Messinger

9.2

Dark ruby, dense black fruit aromas of kirsch and sassafras w a lingering high note of bergamot. Intense black fruit flavors long finish showing a bit of alc — 5 months ago

Richard Russell

9.0

Spicy oak and pepper. Heavy wine
Tasty. Will drink again. — 5 months ago

Steve Mitchell

9.4

Love this Cabernet and thankful I am a wine club member so I can continue to get club pricing on this Cabernet. — 4 months ago

Dave

9.0

Solid Sonoma Cab that tastes like Left Bank Bordeaux. Supple feel, dark berries, cedar, graphite, tobacco. A little eucalyptus and a little espresso. Lengthy tannins. Drinkable now and will age for some time.
Listening to Radiohead — 5 months ago

Chris Blanchard

9.1

2023 vintage - it opened brighter than expected with bold ripe flavors and more fruit forward than expected. It was a nice surprise. After 30 minutes the flavors balanced a bit and tasted less bright and fruity and more balanced. The wife and I enjoyed the bottle. — 5 months ago

Steve Mitchell

9.3

What not to like about a W&S Pinot? Paired well with fresh Dungeness crab cakes and a salad. — 5 months ago

David Shaw

9.3

Ruby red with a purple tinge. Floral and dusty in nose. Tastes of table grape pulp with dilute cherry initially. Others online mention strawberry and intense cherry flavors but give it time to open, at least 30 minutes. Cedar, cinnamon and orange peel also mentioned and accurate. Balanced structure too. Worth seeking future vintages of this one. Layered flavors are impressive here. — 4 months ago

Steve Mitchell

9.3

Medium body, crisp, fruity and smooth finish on the palate. Paired with a salad and grilled salmon was perfect. — 4 months ago

Ericsson

9.0

What a cool wine mixer with Ridge Vineyards. — 5 months ago