2007 Ruston Family Petit Verdot Stagecoach Vineyard

Wine: 2012 Ruston Family Petit Verdot Stagecoach Vineyard

Estate: Ruston Family Vineyards

Vineyards: Stagecoach Vineyard

Region: Atlas Peak AVA, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker: Joshua Krupp
Elevage: Unknown
Varietal: 100% Petit Verdot

Decant: Day Two with Vacuvin

Location: At home on 1/2/2016.

Tasting Note:This was way too tight on day one so we left it till day two. Rich garnet red. Even on day two the nose is still very tight. Started out with a little dark fruit like light cassis. Then became slightly savory and something like a hint of yeast. But definitely more fruity notes than savory ones. As a Petit Verdot should be, there are heavy tannins (7.5/10) backed up by a full bodied. This wine coats your mouth and contains some nice fur texture. Finish sticks with a full body and is long. A good amount of cassis in the finish. Our first time with an 100% Petit Verdot,  even thou we have two others in the cellar, and we were happily surprised. This definitely needs a couple more years to fully develop and open up. Great QPR!

Drink Dates: Until 2022.

Rating: 90+

Price: $ - $15.39

2007 Rust en Vrede Estate Red

Wine: 2007 Rust en Vrede Estate Red
Estate: Rust en Vrede
Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Winemaker: Coenie Snyman
Elevage: 18 months in 85% French Oak and 15% in American Oak.
Varietals: 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Shiraz and 8% Merlot.
Decant: Unknown.
Location: New Year's Day party at the Ballington's house on 1/1/2016.

Tasting Note:

Color: Deep, dark and opaque ruby red.

Nose/Smell: Lots of vegetal notes. A lot of green peppers and a slight iron nose.

Palate/Taste: Heavy tannins (8.5/10) and full bodied. Very powerful wine that has a strong dry finish. Lingers for 10+ seconds.

Opinion: Delicious and we think it can easily go for another 10 years.

Dates: Now till 2026.
Rating: 94
Price: $$ - $41.99

2007 Porter Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine: 2007 Porter Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate: Porter Family Vineyards

Vineyard: Porter Family Vineyard
Location: Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker: Ken Bernards
Elevage: 24 months in 100% new French Oak.
Varietal: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah and 3% Petit Verdot

Decant: One and a half hour in the glass from a coravin.

Location: At home on 11/22/2015.

Tasting Note:
Color: Dark, opaque, deep ruby red and crimson. Clear. Heavy intensity in the color, compact rim,  and no sediment.
Nose/Smell: Still a little tight,  black cherry,  anise and high intensity, we could smell the cherries a few inches above the glass. 
Palate/Taste: Seems to have moderate to heavy toasting of the barrel, it is a little meaty on the palate and smokey. Moderate to full body with moderate plus tannins (7/10). A little dirty and sharp before the finish. Long lingering finish that needs some time to integrate.
Opinion: First time trying Porter Family Vineyards, but have recently tried a few Cabernet Sauvignons out of Coombsville. There was something very interesting in the wine that we could not identify at first, then noted it as Syrah. We would love to try some of their younger vintages to see how they compare but this can easily be cellared for another five to ten years for future development. Time will only help integrate this more fully.
Dates: Now till 2025
Rating: 95

Price: $$$ - On release was around $95.00 now $125.00 from the estate.

2007 Cayuse Camapelo

Wine: 2007 Cayuse Camaspelo

Estate: Cayuse Vineyards

Vineyards: En Cerise Vineyard and Cailloux Vineyard

Location: Walla Walla Valley, Washington State

Winemaker: Christophe Baron and Elizabeth Bourcier
Elevage: 17 months in mostly new French oak.
Varietal: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 8% Cabernet Franc.

Decant: Three hours.

Location: S&E Wine Club - 95+ Point Wines on 9/18/2015.

Tasting Note:
Color: Garnet Red
Nose/Smell: An incredible, not sure what to call it but funk. Not disgusting or a turn off but really interesting. Made us feel warm, like perfect on a cold winter day. Earthy and full of dark cherries. By the way.....we love the funk.
Palate/Taste: Started off with a good amount of dark cherries but thinned out as it breathed. Strong and enjoyable tannins, did not thin out at all. Balanced and full bodied. Finish was smooth and wine did not let up.
Opinion: This was tasted blind. You would not have known it was a bordeaux blend. Absolutely delicious and would love to get some more of this wine! A definitely must try if you love funk, Washington wine, or any wine in general! Easy to see why Cayuse is a cult wine up in Washington.
Rating: 95

Price: $$$ - Around $126.00