Press Room

The Surrealist Reviews

Score: 100 | December 29, 2017 | JebDunnuck.com

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Surrealist is pure perfection in a glass. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petit Verdot brought up all in new barrels, it has a sensational perfume of crème de cassis, toasted spices, vanilla, and hints of toasty oak. With a huge, full-bodied, opulent personality, no hard edges, incredibly polished tannin, and a huge finish, this tour de force has everything you could ask for in a Napa Valley Cabernet! Drink it anytime over the coming two decades or more. Hats off to winemaker Stephanie Putnam!

Score: 92 | November 15, 2017 | Wine Spectator

Notably smoky and toasty, with a strong yet integrated oak presence joining a chorus of blackberry, black licorice, dried herb and cedar flavors, ending with a chewy lead pencil edge. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.

Score: 94 | November 30, 2016 | JamesSuckling.com

The surreal packaging of this wine with its baroque bottle and kissing heads suggest something very unique. Indeed. It shows balance and pleasure with black currant, spice and cedar undertones. Give it three or four years and see the love.

Score: 98 | October 26, 2016 | The Wine Advocate

The 2014 Proprietary Red Surrealist, a blend that is intriguing in itself (59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Petit Verdot, with only 350 cases produced), is a wine with huge tannins, massive concentration, lots of cassis and blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with licorice and subtle toast. It is a big wine that should drink well for 30 or more years.

Score: 93 | May 31, 2016 | Wine Spectator

Beautifully crafted, offering the vibrant presence of a barrel sample, this is rich, dense and opulent, with stylish, jazzy mocha-and espresso-scented oak extending the dark berry, licorice, road tar and savory underbrush flavors. Ends with chewy tannins that end a sense of elegance. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.  — J.L.

Score: Best of Class | January 28, 2016 | American Fine Wine Competition

Best of Class Bordeaux Blend

Score: 95+ | October 1, 2015 | Wine Advocate

The most expensive cuvée is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon JCB Surrealist, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville and 25% Petit Verdot. There are 181 cases of this wine, which was aged 19 months in 55% new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. This is a gorgeous, sensual wine with an opaque purple color and a beautiful, sweet kiss of blackberry liqueur intermixed with crème de cassis, violets and subtle spice. The wine has a terrific texture, genuine opulence and wonderful palate presence. Drink it over the next two decades.