Reviews

The 2018 Chronology checks in as a mix of mostly Petite Sirah, Syrah, Merlot, Grenache, and Malbec, yet has small amounts of other red varieties. Beautiful blue fruits, violets, spice, and some earthy, herbal notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant, undeniably delicious red. I’d drink bottles in their youth, but it should keep for at 3-5 years.

The 2018 1 1/2 Acre Red comes from an estate vineyard in Rutherford and is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Malbec, 9% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Merlot, all of which was harvested at the same time and co-fermented. Beautiful blue fruits, violets, spring flowers, and sappy herb notes emerge from this medium to full-bodied red, which has good acidity, silky tannins, and outstanding length. Aged in a mix of barrels and amphora, give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 15+.

A new wine from this team, which is headed up by Stephanie Putnam and consultant Philippe Melka, the 2017 Napa Valley Reserve Red Blend checks in as a kitchen sink blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot, 9% Zinfandel, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Merlot, Petite Sirah, and Malbec. It offers a beautiful complexity and nuance as well as classy notes of blackcurrants, spice box, dried flowers, and leafy herbs. Medium-bodied, with solid Cabernet character, it's balanced, charming, and delicious.

Another outstanding wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve comes from over 20 different sites and was brought up in 37% new French oak. Redcurrants, leafy tobacco, and spice notes define the bouquet, and it’s lush, fruit-loaded, and ready to go. Enjoy bottles any time over the coming 7-8 years or so. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it evolve longer.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Malbec, the 2018 Leopard Red Blend has a lively, perfumed style offering lots of red and black fruits as well as beautiful floral nuances. Nicely textured on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness, it has a good spine of acidity and is well-balanced. Enjoy it any time over the coming decade or more.

The 100% varietal 2018 Cabernet Franc JCB #17 is a beauty, offering pretty Franc notes of red and black fruits, dried flowers, barbecue smoke, and spice. Coming from a vineyard on the east side of St. Helena and aged in 50% new French oak, it’s a character-filled, medium to full-bodied, elegant wine that will last for 10-15 years.

The 100% varietal 2018 Cabernet Franc JCB #17 is a beauty, offering pretty Franc notes of red and black fruits, dried flowers, barbecue smoke, and spice. Coming from a vineyard on the east side of St. Helena and aged in 50% new French oak, it’s a character-filled, medium to full-bodied, elegant wine that will last for 10-15 years.

All Merlot from volcanic soils on the east side of St. Helena, the 2018 Merlot JCB #4 offers lots of ripe black cherry and currant fruits intermixed with plenty of leafy herbs, chocolate, violets, and sappy herbs. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and juicy on the palate, with silky tannins, it's a balanced, charming Merlot to enjoy over the coming decade.

Hailing from the outstanding 2018 vintage, each glass of this wine teems with heady cassis and cocoa powder aromas layered with nuts and poached plum. The same allusions echo on the palate in a velvety-structured, well-balanced whole that lingers with a touch of grip on the finish—holding the flavour in place. This is a fabulous food wine for all those long, slow braises, hearty casseroles and Instant Pot ribs. 

A full-bodied juicy Cabernet Sauvignon with ripe dark fruit, cocoa, spicy and savoury on the palate. Tannins are velvety. Pour with a roast beef. Cabernet Sauvignon food pairings: veal chops, rosemary lamb, barbecued ribs in sauce, chicken cacciatore.