Reviews

A generous expression which is not for the faint-hearted! Baked plums and macerated cherries mixed with an indulgent hit of liquorice spice provides a warming embrace.

Friendly and open in feel, offering a burst of cherry and kirsch notes backed by red licorice, floral and garrigue hints. The silky, persistent finish has a nice mineral hint too. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2027. 2,700 cases made, 400 cases imported. — JM

Juicy yet restrained style, with mineral-laced cherry and plum notes mixed with garrigue accents. Hints of tea and incense line the finish. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2027. 1,500 cases made, 100 cases imported. — JM

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. 169 cases made, 24 cases imported. — BS

Bright cherry and raspberry fruit flavors hold court in this light-bodied red, which is firm and persistent, gathering accents of earth and tomato leaf as this delivers a long finish. Best from 2024 through 2038. 385 cases made, 24 cases imported. — BS

Blackcurrant, blackberry and walnut aromas with some wet earth. Medium to full body with round, creamy and firm tannins and a flavorful finish. Softness and focus to this young cab. Drink after 2024.

Ripe-berry and walnut aromas with cedar and spice, following through to a full body with creamy, polished tannins and a juicy finish. Dusty and firm at the end. Better in a year or two.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Chateau Buena Vista is outstanding, with a round, supple, fruit-forward, yet incredibly satisfying style as well as plenty of red and black fruits, spice, and leafy herbs. Brought up 20 months in 45% new French oak, drink this hedonistic bomb over the coming decade.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Chateau Buena Vista is more fresh and focused, with more sappy herbs, violets, mint, and both red and black fruits. It’s not green, yet it certainly has more herbal notes as well as medium to full-bodied richness, ripe tannins, and terrific balance. It should keep for 15 years. Unfortunately, it’s made in tiny quantities.

The 2019 Cabernet Franc Chateau Buena Vista is also outstanding and has a pretty, floral, sappy herb, and red and blue-fruited style as well as medium-bodied richness. I love its balance as well as its sense of freshness and elegance.