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.

2006 August Cellars Hawks View Vineyard Pinot Noir

Wine: 2006 August Cellars Hawks View Vineyard Pinot Noir
Estate: August Cellars 

Region: Chehalem Mountains AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Winemaker: Jim Schaad

Elevage: Unknown

Varietals: 100% Pinot Noir.

Decant: 2 hour decant.

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

Tasting Note:
Gave this bottle a two hour decant before trying. Wine was garnet red and very close to brick red especially around the edges. Very floral and full of lilacs. A little bit of raspberries and metal near the end. Moderate tannins (5/10) and light refreshing body coated with some solid acidity. Moderate finish that is slightly metallic and tangy. Light red berries. Very smooth and fresh. Just what we expected a well made Oregon Pinot Noir to be like. Could improve past 90 if the metal wears off. 
Dates: Drink till 2017.

Rating: 90+
Price: $ - $24.00

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

2012 Burgess Cellars Merlot

Wine: 2012 Burgess Cellars Merlot
Estate: Burgress Cellars
Vineyards: Triere Vineyard

Region: Oak Knoll District AVA, Napa Valley, California

Winemaker: Kelly Woods and Matt Reid

Elevage: Unknown

Varietals: 100% Merlot.

Decant: Day two.

Location: Tasted at home on 1/20/2016.

Tasting Note:

Deep red with violet hues. Complex nose that started with lots of earthy and woody notes. Such as tobacco leaves, wet barrels, dirt, acorns, and a cigar box. Additionally had some red cherry undertones. Moderate plus tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Slightly savory with lots of red and black cherries that add a refreshing acidity to the long lingering finish. Great body and could easily last for another five years.

Dates: Drink now till 2023.
Rating: 90
Price: $ - $24.99

2012 Sparkman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Holler

Wine: 2012 Sparkman Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Holler
Estate: Sparkman Cellars
Vineyards: Dionysus, Klipsun, Olsen and Obelisco Vineyards

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State

Winemaker: Linn Scott and Chris Sparkman

Elevage: 22 months in 33% new French oak.

Varietals: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc.

Decant: Coravin.

Location: Tasted at home on 1/19/2016.

Tasting Note:

Guessing this is the week of coravinning some new wines. Deep garnet red. Nose started out a little savory with some light meaty notes. The savory notes changed and became a little Aussie Shiraz like with a ton of dark berries, light brown sugar and some cinnamon. Very refreshing with great acidity. Moderate tannins (6/10) and a moderate body with quite a bit of dark berries. A little bit of heat in the finish. Hopefully with another year in the bottle this wine will become more fully developed and integrated. This could easily age for a few years or good to go now with a long decant.

Dates: Drink 2017 till 2022 or with a three hour plus decant.
Rating: 90+
Price: $$ - $34.00

NV Marietta Cellars Lot Number 3

Wine: NV Marietta Cellars Christo Lot Number 3
Estate: Marietta Cellars

Region: Sonoma County, California

Winemaker: Chris Bilbro

Elevage: Unknown.

Varietals: 70% Syrah, 17% Petite Sirah, 10% Grenache and 3% Viognier.

Decant: Coravin.

Location: Tasted at home on 1/18/2016.

Tasting Note:

Decided to coravin something new tonight. Come out of the coravin a think purple that coated the sides of the glass. Nose started with lots of red fruits like red cherries. As it opened there were a ton of floral and perfume notes such as lavender and lilacs. Very refreshing with solid acidity from beginning to end. Moderate plus tannins (7/10) with a moderate body. Lots of red berries throughout. Slightly savory near the finish with a little dark cocoa. Furry and dry moderate length finish. Insanely refreshing. This could easily age for a few years or good to go now with a short decant.

Dates: Drink now till 2022.
Rating: 91+
Price: $ - $17.59

2013 Vilafonté Series C

Wine: 2013 Vilafonté Series C

Estate: Vilafonté

Region: Paarl, South Africa

Winemaker: Martin Smith

Elevage: 22 months in 60% new French Oak.

Varietals: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec.

Decant: Unknown

Location: Tasted at Vilafonté on 12/18/2015.

Tasting Note:

Not as approachable as the 2012 Series M. Wine was an opaque purple that coats the glass. A little tight to begin. Started out with cassis, anise, wet stones and a little savory meat. Palate was a little harsh to start. Slightly savory with some meat and black pepper notes. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Grips the front of your mouth and the mid palate, also has some nice fur to the mouth feel. Long and lingering finish. Needs time to fully integrate, give it at least another year or two and continue to drink over the next 15 or so years. A ton of potential in this bottle!

Dates: Drink from 2017 till 2032.
Rating: 91+
Price: $$$ - From Cape Ardor for $95.00