2010 Maze Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine: 2010 Maze Cabernet Sauvignon

Estate: Maze Wines
Region: Napa Valley, California
Winemaker: Mark Herold
Elevage: 100% New French Oak.
Varietals: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Decant: Coravin.
Location: Trying out some new wines on 1/26/2016.

Tasting Note:

Second time trying this wine. First time as at Mark Herold's Wines in downtown Napa where it had been given a 24 hour plus decant. Today we gave it seven hours out of a coravin. Bright ruby red with violet hues and dark red foam. Lots of chalk and bell peppers. Overall still very tight even with seven hours, but slowly began to open up with a little cassis. Moderate plus tannins (6.5/10) and moderate body with dust and cassis with a touch of cinnamon. Rich and slightly extracted. Moderate plus dry finish. We noticed that this wine was not insanely fruity like most Napa Cabs, but still insanely strong and young.

Dates: Drink till 2025 easily.
Rating: 92
Price: $$ - $60.00 at MacArthur's Beverages in Washington, D.C.

2008 Ruston Family Vineyards La Maestra Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine: 2008 Ruston Family Vineyards La Maestra Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate: Ruston Family Vineyards

Region: St. Helena AVA, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker: Joshua Krupp

Elevage: Unknown.

Varietals: Unknown.

Decant: 4 hour decant.

Location: Tasted at home while watching James Bond on 1/21/2016.

Tasting Note:

Dark purple red. Nose was covered in blackberries and blueberries. Light cassis and slight acetone. Nose finished with a little chalk. Moderate tannins (5.5/10) with a moderate body. Solid acidity in this body, with black cherries and creme de cassis. Slightly sharp in the moderate finish, lingers for around 10 or so seconds. Solid wine for the price point, we might have to grab another one or two just to put away. Can hold together until 2019.

Dates: Drink till 2019.
Rating: 91+
Price: $$ - From MacArthur's Beverages for $27.49

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

2004 Pax Syrah Cuvee Christine

Wine: 2004 Pax Wines Syrah Cuvee Christine
Estate: Pax Wines
Location: Sonoma County, California
Winemaker: Pax Mahle
Elevage: 17 months in mostly new French oak.
Varietals: 100% Syrah.
Decant: PnP.
Location: Drank at Home on 1/2/2016.

Tasting Note:

This wine was a garnet Red with some bricking beginning to start. The nose was very complex. Started off with some slight meaty notes. Very light notes of cinnamon, caramel and baking spices. Smokey. Lots of wood, chalk and black olives. Very earthy and green tastes. Woody, white pepper, olives and undertones of red fruit. Nice and savory in the attack. Moderate tannins (5.5/10) and moderate body. Slightly dry in the finish. Moderate but thins out. Very well integrated and well balanced. We read up a little bit on this wine before hand and honestly oyr expectations were low on this one. Wine Advocate said drink by 2011, Wine Spectator by 2012. Very smooth and a little light. 

Dates: Drink Now.
Rating: 91
Price: $$ - $32.99

N.V. Colmant Brut Réserve

Wine: N.V. Colmant Brut Réserve
Estate: Colmant Cap Classique & Champagne
Location: Franschhoek Valley, South Africa
Winemaker: Nicholas Follet
Elevage: 30 months in lees at a constant temperature before degorgement.
Varietals: 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay.
Decant: None, placed in ice before serving.
Location: Il Canale in Georgetown on 12/31/2015.

Tasting Note:

Color: Pale yellow and moderate fizziness.

Nose/Smell: Slightly savory to start. Otherwise very tight.

Palate/Taste: Slightly dry,  and no minerality! 

Opinion: So much fizz, cork exploded before the metal was even off. No minerality which we love.

Dates: Now till 2017.
Rating: 90
Price: $$ - $26.39