Reviews

Zesty; fresh pear; well balanced; mouth watering; blanched almond.

Silky and loaded with black cherry, black currant and wet earth flavors. Delivers dusty tannins along with tar and iron accents. Compact, yet it lingers nicely on the finish. Best from 2025 through 2043. —B.S.

Located in Sonoma County, Buena Vista winery was founded in 1857 and is now owned by the Boisset family, which operates a growing number of estates in its native Burgundy and California. This polished and concentrated cabernet sauvignon is made with grapes grown in Napa Valley. The style is rich and flavourful, offering layers of fruit, spice and earthy notes, with serious structure and a lingering finish. Fans of bold reds should appreciate this style. Drink now-2028. Available in Ontario at the above price, various prices in Alberta.

Tarot 2018 is a supple, medium-plus-bodied red blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot with the balance in Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Lovely on the nose with ripe red berry, cherry, dark plum, cassis dried herbs, chocolate and toasty oak spice flavours silky on the palate. Tannins are fine-grained. Enjoy with striploin steaks from the grill. 1/7/22

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Selection is a blend taken from 14 sites across the valley. Succulent red cherry, spice, mocha and new leather are all kicked up in this juicy, mid-weight offering. The Reserve Selection is a terrific introduction to these wines.

-- Antonio Galloni

Rich, luscious aromas of mocha, bramble berry, ripe Bing cherry and mineral notes waft easily from the glass. It envelops the palate with of surge of pure ambrosia made up of dried cherry/berry fruit, black plum compote, mulberry and crème de cassis. This glides over the palate with good texture, good mouthfeel and plenty of charm and appeal. This is medium-full bodied and showcases fine-grained, polished tannin that gives structure and body to the wine. Pour with a premium cut of beef or lamb, grilled medium-rare. 12/7/21

The 2019 Knockout once again lives up to its colorful name. This Petite Sirah/Cabernet Sauvignon blend packs a tremendous punch. Inky dark fruit, spice, lavender, chocolate and grilled herbs saturate the palate and all the senses as this heady, opulent 2019 takes hold. What can I say? There is nothing subtle about the Knockout, that is for sure. And yet, it most certainly delivers the goods.

-- Antonio Galloni

The 2019 JCB #17, 100% Cabernet Franc, emerges from a site on the eastern side of St. Helena. This racy, exuberant Franc delivers good varietal character and tons of personality. The 2019 is opulent, but also an incredibly elegant wine that might benefit from being opened just a bit earlier. There is real potential here.

The 2019 Phi is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in specially designed barrels from the Hermitage cooperage. Rich and explosive, with terrific energy, the 2019 has a lot to offer. Inky blue/purplish fruit, licorice, lavender, cloves and menthol lend gravitas to this potent Cabernet.

-- Antonio Galloni

The 2019 JCB #10 is an opulent, full-throttle wine packed with super-ripe red fruit, sweet spice, white chocolate, blood orange and mint. Readers will find a classic Jean-Charles Boisset Napa Cabernet built on texture and density.

--Antonio Galloni