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

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

2012 Vilafonté Series M

Wine: 2012 Vilafonté Series M

Estate: Vilafonté

Region: Paarl, South Africa

Winemaker: Martin Smith

Elevage: 18 months in 60% new French Oak.

Varietals: 48% Merlot, 35% Malbec and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Decant: Unknown

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

Tasting Note:

Favorite of the two Vilafonte produced wines today. Wine was a thick ruby red with purple hues that coats the glass with each swirl. Very complex nose. First hits you with some black currants and black cherries. Which turned more savory with time. Notes of baking spices, dried herbs, smoke, cigar box and a little leather. Palate was just as savory as the bouquet. Started off with some oregano and moderate plus drying tannins (6.5/10). Full bodied Merlot-led bordeaux blend. Very fry finish that sticks around. Very well balanced and structured. This will definitely benefit from aging and can easily last 10 years. Absolutely delicious and will only improve with time.

Dates: Drink till 2026.
Rating: 93+
Price: $$$ - From Cape Ardor for $80.00

2013 Mystique King of Feasts

Wine: 2013 Mystique King of Feasts
Estate: Rabbit Ridge Winery
Region: Paso Robles, California
Winemaker: Erich Russel and Label by Rick Riva
Elevage: Unknown
Varietals: Around 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Charbonno
Decant: One hour.
Location: Tasting at home on 1/9/2016.
Background: 

This wine was a part of Rabbit Ridge Winery's Artist Series, which was made for their Rabbit Hole Tasting Room and Bubbly Lounge in downtown Paso Robles. All the wines created in this series are made by Erich Russell and the labels are designed by artist Rick Riva. Now onto the tasting note!

Tasting Note:

Initially very tight on the nose. With a mix of dark berries and baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Dark garnet red. The palate threw us off quite a bit. We know it is not supposed to be as full bodied as their main wines but this did not seem like a 95% Cabernet Sauvignon. Yes we were told there was 5% Charbonno but there definitely seems like something Zinfandel related. Moderate tannins (5.5/10) with a medium body. Very rich, thick and jammy. Slightly sweet finish, but starts to thin out by the finish. Hopefully with a little more time the jammy zin - like qualities will subside and give way to the Cabernet hiding underneath. Decent wine for the price point. We are very interested to see how their other wines far. We will definitely mark this down as a wine estate we would like to visit when we make our first trip to Paso Robles later this year or early next!

Dates: Drink till 2018.

Rating: 86
Price: $ - Around $17.80.

2013 Paserene Marathon

Wine: 2013 Paserene Marathon
Estate: Paserene Wines
Region: Western Cape, South Africa
Winemaker: Martin Smith
Elevage: 16 months in 30% new French oak.
Varietals: Blend of Petit Verdot and Carmenere.
Decant: One hour.
Location: Drank at Ian's House on 12/23/2015.

Tasting Note:

Bright ruby red with an opaque purple center. Nose started off very tight with a little bit of chalk. After another 15 minutes or so in the glass it began to open up a little. Starting with some raspberry and baking spices like cloves. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and moderate plus body. Furry mouth feel and thick. Solid acidity with a long and dry finish. This is a big wine that definitely needs a few years on its side to develop and integrate more. We would love to find some more of this wine state side.

Dates: Drink till 2035.
Rating: 91+
Price: $ - R220.00 or around $14.67, trying to find it in the States, will keep you updated!

2012 Luddite Wines Niels Verburg

Wine: 2012 Luddite Wines Niels Verburg
Estate: Luddite Wines
Region: Bot River, Western Cape, South Africa
Winemaker: Niels Verburg
Elevage: 18 months in 95% French Oak and 5% Hungarian Oak, which 30% was new.
Varietals: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mourvedre.
Decant: 30 minutes.
Location: Drank at The Butcher Shop in Sandton City on 12/21/2015.

Tasting Note:

We drank bottle number 708 and 723 at The Butcher Shop. The wine was very intense and deep dark garnet and blood red. The nose was very savory and full of cedar wood and a little smokey. Lots of cassis too. Palate was covered with lots of dark fruits like cassis and blackberries, very thick. Moderate tannins (5/10) with a moderate to light body. Moderate finish that had a solid drying intensity (5/10) that carried through the finish. Well balanced and integrated. Slightly lighter than expected. Drank up against the 2011 Rust en Verde Cape Winemakers Guild Estate and the 2010 Haskell Merlot Cape Winemakers Guild. 

Dates: Drink till 2020.
Rating: 91
Price: $$ - Around $30.00.

2011 Rust en Vrede Cape Winemakers Guild Estate

Wine: 2011 Rust en Vrede Cape Winemakers Guild Estate
Estate: Rust en Vrede
Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Winemaker: Coenie Snyman
Elevage: 22 months in 100% new French Oak.
Varietals: Blend with Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.
Decant: One hour and a half.
Location: Drank at The Butcher Shop in Sandton City on 12/21/2015.

Tasting Note:

This wine was a dark and opaque purple. The nose was full of chalk, cassis, and raspberries. As it opened up there came along some tobacco, and spices. Kind of like a cigar box. Palate was covered with cassis and blackberries, very thick. Moderate plus tannins (6.5) with a moderate body. Full long and lingering finish (10+ seconds easily) that had moderate plus drying intensity (7/10). Beautifully well balances and can easily integrate more but that does not mean you have to wait. Favorite wine of the dinner for sure, drank up against the 2012 Luddite Wines Niels Verburg and the 2010 Haskell Merlot Cape Winemakers Guild. Both excellent wines but just not up to par with the Rust en Vrede CWG Estate. This wine could easily last another 10+ years in the cellar. 

Dates: Drink till 2028.
Rating: 94
Price: $$$ - We believe it went for around R1,400 per bottle at the auction, so around $130.00.

2001 Thelema Cape Winemakers Guild Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Wine: 2001 Thelema Cape Winemakers Guild Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Estate: Thelema Mountain Vineyards
Region: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Winemaker: Rudi Schultz
Elevage: Unknown.
Varietals: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Decant: Unknown.
Location: Drank at Thelema Mountain Vineyards with Gyles Webb on 12/19/2015.

Tasting Note:

This wine was a deep, dark and opaque ruby red. The nose was thick and full of dark berries and cassis. Seemed slightly Napa-like. Very thick and plush, overflowing with voluptuous dark berries. Very extracted, full and rich. Moderate plus tannins (6.5) with a full body. Full long and lingering finish (10+ seconds easily). Full of dark fruits until the end where it goes slightly dry. This was a complete surprise. Gyles completely spoiled us with the two Cape Winemakers Guild wines and two very old bottles from his own cellar! This wine could easily last another 10 years in the cellar. 

Dates: Drink till 2026.
Rating: 97
Price: Unknown, if we could find it we would buy it!

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

2002 Villiera Monro

Wine: 2002 Villiera Monro
Estate: Villiera Wines
Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Winemaker: Jeff Grier and Anton Smal
Elevage: Nearly 2 years in mostly new French oak, Berthomieu and Mercier.
Varietals: 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Decant: Unknown.
Location: New Year's Day party at the Ballington's house on 1/1/2016.

Tasting Note:

Color: Brick red.

Nose/Smell: Cinnamon with dark spices. Green bell peppers and asparagus. Chalk.

Palate/Taste: Moderate tannins (5.5/10) and moderate body. A little short of moderate in the finish. A little tangy from the red cherries then dry in the finish.

Opinion: Very nice enjoyable bordeaux blend. Would drink this now.

Dates: Drink now.
Rating: 88
Price: $$ - $33.95

2008 Hartenberg Shiraz Gravel Hill

Wine: 2008 Hartenberg Shiraz Gravel Hill
Estate: Hartenberg Wine Estate
Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Winemaker: Patrick Ngamane
Elevage: 18 months in 100% new French Allier oak.
Varietals: 100% Shiraz.
Decant: Unknown.
Location: New Year's Day party at the Ballington's house on 1/1/2016.

Tasting Note:

Color: Ruby red. Deep and dark.

Nose/Smell: Meaty with a lot of salami or prosciutto. Smokey as well. Love the nose.

Palate/Taste: Caramel, vanilla in the attack then goes very dry in a very long and lingering finish. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. 

Opinion: Just as delicious as tasting at the estate two weeks ago. Definitely a wine that you can cellar for the long hall. Absolutely delicious.

Dates: Now till 2036.
Rating: 93
Price: $$ - $33.00

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

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