Leaning Post
Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post
Gen Red Central Coast Red Blend 2022
Had the 2022 vintage in Feb 2026. Fruity and spicy taste and nice to drink — 2 months ago
Far Niente Winery
Post & Beam Carneros Chardonnay 2023
From the Far Niente winery. Medium lemon color with aromas of stone fruit, floral, spice and citrus. On the palate apple, melon and pear flavors, with lemon zest, vanilla and toasty notes. Nice balance with bright acidity on long finish, savory with spicy rich oaky mineral ending, slightly creamy, very nice! — 4 months ago
Caymus Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
I have written a few times regarding my tale of Caymus & Caymus Classic. Their vintages post 2011 and their vintages pre 2011.
I have at event tastings that Caymus was pouring, encouraged their staff to talk with Chuck to make both Caymus & Caymus Classic. Recently, I emailed them to pass on my thoughts to Chuck asking him to make both. If you liked Caymus the way it was, I encourage you to do the same. There is a dwelling amount of older, well preserved Caymus Classic vintages. info@wagnerfamilyofwine.com should you be so inclined.
Their post 2011 Caymus Cabernets are picked at higher brix and syrupy sweet. I get why Chuck changed. Many like sweeter Cabernets that drink easy young. That is not my wheelhouse.
In my intermediate wine days, I aged and enjoyed many pre 2012 vintages. This perfect bottle bought on the secondary market at around $70 is extremely well stored. The cork when I cut the foil looked slightly depressed, when I pulled it with an Ah-so was next to new.
I enjoyed this with a Ribcap, not the best wine for that steak but, ok. This 07 is more filet or NY Strip.
The nose shows; a very dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush-blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, mellow dark spices, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry tobacco, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender.
This bottle now nearly 18 years in bottle has not faded. It is at its precipice and will hold a few yrs. 2007 a grand Napa vintage. Decanted a little over an hour and enjoyed over the next 90-120 minutes. With this experience, another hour in the decanter is even better.
M-M+ velvety, rounded, tannins. The palate is round, ripe, lush, ruby fruits of; dark core of sweet currants. Ripe-lush; blackberries, black cherries, the blackest of plum to pudding, stewed plum, black raspberries, poached/slightly baked strawberries, circling raspberries with notes of liqueur overtones, anise to black licorice, woven baking spices-cinnamon, clove, nutmeg & vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, black licorice, dark berry cola, distinct dark, Caynus Classic spices w/ palate heat, herbaceous notes, sweet tarriness & dark earth, dry crush limestone/rock, moist, grey volcanic clays, dry top soil, dry river stone, charcoal, notes of menthol, dry tobacco, leather, dry oak barrel shavings, some sweet graphite, steeped black tea & withering/candied, dark, red flowers framed in liquid violets/lavender, perfect, round acidity with an incredibly; balanced, well knitted-toned-structured, elegantly/smartly polished finish that goes on and on and long sets on beautiful earth & spice.
94+ This experience is becoming rarer & rarer. — 16 days ago
Neethlingshof Estate
Short Story Collection The Owl Post Stellenbosch Pinotage 2018
Dark ruby red color, some purple edges, with aromas of dark fruits and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with vanilla, cedar and cinnamon spice. Fine tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, cedar and spice. — 2 months ago
Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post
Cork Dancer Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2021
Classic Pinot and perfect with grilled Alaskan sockeye salmon and ahi tuna. — 2 months ago
Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post
Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017
We had the 2017 Vintage on 1/3/26. A fantastic Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara. An earthy bouquet with subtle red fruit. Raspberry, strawberry, clove, mushroom and baking spice on the palate. Nice mouthfeel to this Medium bodied, well balanced and still New World wine. Of all the wines we had on our May, 2025 trip to SB, this was the best. We bought this at the winery. — 3 months ago
Julia Indik
An easy favorite. Earthy aroma, with black cherries, figs, coffee and licorice. Tannins are laced with leather, smoke and mild acidity that holds tight. — 2 days ago