New California / USA wines in the Flickinger Fine Wines inventory http://www.flickingerwines.com/wineregions/californiausa.asp VM 95 (6/2008): Good full medium yellow with a green tinge. Fruit-driven aromas of pineapple, pear, citrus peel and hazelnut. Fleshy, fat and oily, with a thickness of texture leavened by fresh flavors of pineapple and nectarine. Very densely packed and long. Aubert hasn't missed a beat with his Ritchie bottling, which is consistently one of California's elite chardonnays. WA 93 (12/2008): There are just over 200 cases of the 2006 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard. Displaying a more evolved style than usual, it offers up notes of buttered hazelnuts, lemon oil, honeysuckle, and a hint of spice. Drink this full-bodied, rich Chardonnay over the next several years. WS 93 (7/2008): Fresh, fragrant lemon-lime and citrus scents pick up subtle pear, fig and apple flavors that are sleek and refined. Gains richness on the finish, yet remains impeccably elegant. Drink now through 2011.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Aubert.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BeauxFreres.aspWA 97 (12/2010): The stunning 2008 Ontogeny Proprietary Red (a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) boasts an opaque purple color along with notes of kirsch, blueberries, boysenberries, mocha and subtle smoke. Expansive on the palate as well as opulent and fleshy with tremendous fruit, depth and richness, there is some tannin lurking in the background, but it is largely concealed by the luxurious fruit component. Already showy and complex, this stunning red can be drunk over the next decade. One of the major fruit sources for Bevan has been the Showket Vineyard in Napa, which was recently sold to Peter Michael. WS 93 (1/2012): Rich and generous, with layers of dark berry, mocha, spice and cedar flavors. Full-bodied and concentrated, with a long, persistent, mouthcoating finish. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2020. 486 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BevanCellars.aspWA 100 (10/2015): From an 11-acre vineyard sitting near Bond’s winery and the Harlan estate, the 2012 Vecina Proprietary Red is the perfect Napa version of a hypothetical blend of a La Mission Haut-Brion and Mouton-Rothschild. This is riveting Cabernet Sauvignon with great intensity, a killer fragrance of burning embers, charcoal, gravel, blackberry, cassis and earth. Fabulously intense and full-bodied, with majestic flavor intensity, a skyscraper-like mouthfeel, incredible purity and length, and supple tannins, this magnificent wine comes closest to the great Harlan Estate itself. Drink it over the next 35 years. JS 98 (7/2015): This is a Vecina that really builds on the palate with a chewy and juicy texture that melts away. Lots of dried and dark fruits plus fresh bark and sweet tobacco. Dark tea leafs and citrus too. Great finish. This is a wine that only shows a touch of the greatness it will give in four or five years. WS 95 (11/2015): Deliciously pure and polished, with a juicy mix of blackberry, wild berry, currant and black licorice flavors, supported by firm, fine-grained tannins that give this a gentle texture and nice grip. Ends with a dusty, cedary aftertaste. To be released 2016. Drink now through 2028. 651 cases made. VM 95 (10/2015): The 2012 Vecina is deep, powerful and intense. Scorched earth, smoke, leather, menthol and dark spices are some of the signatures. As always, the Vecina presents a powerful, vertical sense of structure, with more than enough tannin to keep for two decades. This is a decidedly brooding Vecina.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/BondEstates(Harlan).aspVM 95 (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is gorgeous. An unusually open, resonant, young Howell Mountain Cabernet, the Estate dazzles with its rich, textured fruit and incredibly welcoming personality. Hints of smoke, tar, licorice and menthol add complexity to the intense fruit. This is a wine I want to drink, not merely taste. All the elements come together in an effortless, inviting wine loaded with class. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Cade.aspWA 100 (12/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard, which comes from St. Helena, has that blueberry, gravelly, wet-pebble note that I often associate with great vintages of La Mission Haut-Brion. The wine has an inky purple color, gorgeous black raspberry, blueberry liqueur notes, licorice and earth. Full-bodied and opulent with silky tannins, this is a tour de force in winemaking and pure perfection. This is absolutely riveting, prodigious wine that has to be tasted to be believed. Drink it over the next 25 years. VM 94 (10/2015): Carter's 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is deep, dense and unctuous on the palate, with plenty of black cherry jam, smoke and graphite nuances. This is an especially rich, sweet Cabernet, but there is plenty of Las Piedras power lurking beneath the fruit.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/CarterCellars.aspVM 93 (5/2012): (mostly cabernet sauvignon, with some cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot; from a Diamond Mountain property planted in 2003): Bright ruby. Pure, expressive, attractively high-toned aromas of cassis, licorice, graphite, mocha and chocolate, with complicating notes of loam and tobacco. At once sappy and seamless, with a saline complexity and a floral nuance to the black cherry and licorice flavors. The big, broad tannins are firm but sweet. I tasted this sexy wine literally hours after it was bottled. Stephen Tanzer.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Checkerboard.aspWS 96 (5/2010): Deliciously complex, rich, layered, intense and concentrated, offering a dense yet elegant mix of currant, wild berry, black cherry and plum, with touches of cedar, anise and melted chocolate. Full-bodied, focused, pure and persistent, winning points for its graceful texture. Drink now through 2020. 375 cases made. WA 95 (12/2009): Corra’s superb 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon’s opaque blue/purple color is followed by subtle aromas of charcoal, white chocolate, blackberries, black currants, and background oak. Deep and full-bodied with impressive texture and purity, this 2007 is accessible now, but promises to evolve for 20+ years. JS 93 (4/2011): Beautiful strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries on the nose. Incredibly floral as well. Full bodied, with loads of fruit and a firm tannin structure. Long finish. This is big, but in reserve. Pop the cork after 2013. 15+23+22+33. Find the wine VM 90 (5/2017): Bright red-ruby. Expressive aromas of currant, raspberry, smoked meat, mocha, licorice, menthol and roasted herbs. Plump, fine-grained wine with still-fresh cherry and redcurrant fruit lifted by cooler herb and licorice notes. Nicely suave wine with well-managed dusty tannins, repeating herb and menthol notes and a bit of finishing warmth. Stephen Tanzer.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Corra.aspJS 98 (1/2017): Loads of dark tobacco aromas with blackcurrants and black olives. Boysenberries, too. Full to medium body, ultra-fine tannins and lots of flavors of smoke, dried roasted chillis, black truffles, mushrooms and fruit. Bright acidity on the finish. Sexy and subtle austerity. Alluring. Very approachable now but better in 2021. WA 97 (10/2016): The 2014s, where the production of Napanook was only 2,200 cases and Dominus slightly more than the 2015 at 4,000 cases, was another early harvest, although somewhat later than 2015. The 2014 Dominus, which is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot really struts its stuff. Moueix’s belief in dry farming seems to be paying off with stronger and stronger vintages, each successive year, and the 2014 is a sexy, opulent, layered, multidimensional wine with notes of red and blackcurrant, cedar wood, tobacco leaf , spice box and licorice. The color is a dense plum/ruby/purple, much like the Napanook. This is a beauty that is already drinking gorgeously – as most 2014s are – and will continue to evolve for 25 or so years. VM 96+ (12/2016): The 2014 Dominus is endowed with tons of depth, power and muscle. Black cherry, plum, smoke, menthol, licorice, chocolate, dried herbs and dark spices are all pushed forward. Deep, pliant and exquisitely layered, the 2014 possesses tons of concentration and mid-palate depth. Like so many wines in this vintage, the 2014 comes across as a hybrid of 2013 and 2012. I very much like the energy and focus in this wine. This is a fabulous wine in every way. With time in the glass, the flavors gain in brightness and focus. There is certainly much to look forward to.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Dominus.aspVM 89 (11/2010): Rough-hewn, but rich and intense, offering complex, concentrated raspberry, blackberry and cherry fruit that is pure and spicy. A touch of anise and red licorice mark the finish. Best from 2011 through 2017. 2,710 cases made. WA 87-89 (2/2010): Still young and unevolved, the 2008 Pinot Noirs are restrained and slightly less impressive and concentrated than the 2007s at a similar age. They all appear to have outstanding potential with the exception of the generic Russian River cuvee. The latter wine possesses lots of sweet cola-infused berry fruit. The 2008s are softer than the 2007s. The heat spikes that occurred in September appear to have given these wines a more forward, plump style without the definition and minerality found in the 2007s. I will wait until the wines are in bottle to provide more extensive tasting notes.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/DuMol.aspVM 94 (11/2013): Fairchild's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Sigaro is drop-dead gorgeous. Grilled herbs, smoke, tobacco, licorice and menthol are all woven together in a silky, impeccably polished Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2011 stands out for its pure textural elegance and class. Sweet raspberries, mint and wild flowers linger on a perfumed, fragrant finish that turns increasingly savory and complex over time. This is a fabulous showing for the year. Larry Fairchild purchased his Sigaro vineyard in 1999. There are two plantings; the original 1 acre parcel, and a second parcel measuring 1.25 hectares. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FairchildEstate.aspWA 100 (10/2015): Absolutely perfect is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Stones No. 1, which comes from the Beckstoffer/Las Piedras Vineyard in St. Helena. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 80% new French oak for 20 months, the wine has that Mission Haut-Brion/Haut-Brion scorched-earth, gravelly, quarry-stone aromatics intermixed with blueberry, cassis and spring flowers. It is full-bodied with magnificent texture and concentration, stunning freshness, and a terrific finish that goes on for close to a minute. This is surreal and compelling Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 30+ years. VM 93 (10/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Stones No. 1, from the famous Las Piedras vineyard in St. Helena, opens with exquisite aromatics. Silky, nuanced and polished to the core, the 2013 shows the more finessed side of this site. Sweet red cherry, pomegranate, mint and sweet spices are laced into the super-expressive finish. The minerality of Piedras comes through most clearly on the finish. Still, it would be nice to see more site specificity here. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/FairchildEstate.aspWA 99 (10/2015): The original wine from the Oakville Estate Vineyard is a relatively small cuvée of 546 cases. The 2012 Proprietary Red Estate is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. This is a drop-dead beautiful wine with an absolutely extraordinary nose of white flowers, blueberries, blackcurrants, licorice and camphor. Stunning forest floor notes also make an appearance in this ripe, full-bodied, opulent wine that is begging to be given a three-digit score. The silkiness of the tannins and the stunning purity of fruit of this unfined and unfiltered wine is simply breathtaking. This is just an incredible effort to drink now or over the next 30+ years. VM 96 (10/2015): The 2012 Futo is just as impressive as it has always been. One of the darker, more brooding wines of the vintage, the 2012 exudes radiance and intensity. Dark fleshed fruit, exotic spices, espresso and menthol are some of the notes that flesh out. The 2012 has really opened up since last year, but it still needs at least a few years to truly come together.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Futo.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Greer.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Greer.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Greer.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Greer.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Greer.aspWA 97 (12/2009): A prodigious effort is the 2007 LMV Salon (a 1,000-case blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot). A proprietary red of this quality with a Napa appellation usually sells for $200 or more. A dense purple color is followed by a beautiful perfume of spring flowers, ink, espresso roast, creme de cassis, and black cherries, a full-bodied, voluptuous texture, staggering depth and purity, and a 50-second finish. This exceptional Napa Cabernet Sauvignon should drink well for 20-25+ years. JS 95 (6/2011): Lots of graphite and lead pencil to the nose and palate. Full yet racy and long with a beautiful backbone of acidity and ultra-fine tannins. Almost a saltiness. Savory at the end. I like this slightly better than 2007. Wonderful length. 530 cases. VM 92+ (5/2017): (14.5% alcohol): Bright full ruby. Slightly high-toned aromas of blueberry pastille, licorice and violet. Very concentrated and rich but clearly tougher than the last two Larkmead bottlings, with dark berry, licorice and herb flavors firmed by a solid mineral underpinning. Finishes with strong but fine-grained tannins and resounding notes of licorice and bitter chocolate. This still needs time. Stephen Tanzer.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/LarkmeadVineyards.aspWA 97 (6/2008): The 2005 Reserve is made up of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, and 17% Merlot. It was aged in new French barriques and a large oval botti for 22 months. Deep purple-colored, the wine presents aromas of pain grille, pencil lead, scorched earth, black currant, plum, and blackberry liqueur. The wine makes a powerful entry onto the palate with great concentration, serious depth, and opulence. The flavors reveal spicy, savory black fruits with a note of chocolate in the background. Long and complex, this superb Reserve is another tour de force for Leonetti Cellar. Give it 5-7 years in the cellar and drink it from 2015 to 2030. VM 95 (12/2008): Bright ruby-red. Deep, multidimensional aromas of cassis, licorice, violet, bitter chocolate and black pepper. Wonderfully sweet and deep on the palate, but with superb ripe acidity and a floral element giving lift and definition to the wine's flavors. The wine's uncanny mouth-saturating concentration and sweetness thoroughly hides its wine's 15% alcohol. Still a baby today but built for a long evolution in bottle. The pH here is 3.65, whereas the '06 cabernets are more like 3.8. From a crop level of about 2.2 tons per acre, according to Chris Figgins. Stephen Tanzer. WS 93 (12/2008): Rich and distinctive in flavor, offering raspberry, cherry and pomegranate fruit that keep floating effectively over the refined structure, which shapes the tannins and acidity beautifully to support, not overwhelm, the flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Best from 2009 through 2015. 906 cases madehttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/LeonettiCellars.aspWS 90 (6/2007): Bold and rich, with an unctuous mouthfeel, letting the ripe fig, butterscotch, melon and spicy floral scents pull you in. Ends with a more elegant balance, with a dash of mineral. Drink now through 2010. 2,100 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/LewisCellars.asphttp://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Miura.aspWA 96+ (10/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard (a separate cuvée is the Elysian Reserve from the same source) has first-growth blueberry, blackberry and an almost a celestial floral note combined with forest floor and uncommon concentration and purity. Stunningly seamless, full-bodied, rich, and a brilliant wine, this should drink effortlessly for 15-20 years. JD 95 (7/2017): I loved the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard and it offers sensational purity and elegance in its crème de cassis, lead pencil, graphite and smoked earth aromas and flavors. One of the deeper, richer and more concentrated wines in the lineup, yet still with the telltale 2014 suppleness and elegance, this full-bodied beauty has polished tannin, no hard edges and is pure class all the way. As with all the 2014s from Mike, it already offers pleasure today, yet will cruise in the cellar on it balance, purity and freshness. JS 94 (7/2015): This is tight and intense with blackberry and black currant character. Full and powerful. Layered and amazing. Try it in 2017. WS 92 (8/2015): The initial mix of loamy earth, road tar, cedar and tobacco notes makes way for a dense core of dark berry fruit, with touches of dried herb, licorice, mocha and toasty oak, showing some heat as well. Big and angular now, but should reward with time in the cellar. Drink now through 2028. 200 cases made. VM 91 (12/2014): Dark red cherries, plums, flowers, mint and spices meld together in Myriad's 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane. The typical Dr. Crane succulence comes through in spades in a soft, beautifully textured Cabernet Sauvignon that is open and expressive today. The 2012 should drink well for another decade or so. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Myriad.aspWA 98 (12/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard tastes like a California version of a La Mission Haut-Brion. Blueberry and blackberry fruit, wet gravel, crushed-rock notes and white flowers are followed by a full-bodied, elegant wine - with not the level of concentration of the Georges III, but with seemingly more ethereal and sublime subtleties and nuances. This is a stunner with sweet tannin that is beautifully, rich full and long. It should drink well for 20-25 years. VM 92 (10/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane is one of the most seamless, polished wines in the Myriad lineup. Sweet floral and spice notes meld into a core of dark red fruit. Supple and open-knit, the 2013 offers plenty of near and medium-term appeal along with silkiness that is perhaps the single most specific signature of Dr. Crane Cabernets. JS 92 (1/2016): A soft, full-throttle style with lots of dried fruits, blackberries and viscous texture. Chewy tannins. Old school Napa red but shows some form. Drink now. WS 91 (11/2016): A robust yet charming effort, with dark berry, mocha, licorice, cedary oak, dried herb and graphite flavors. Turns supple and caressing midpalate before the tannins weigh in. Drink now through 2032. 200 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Myriad.aspWA 97 (10/2014): From the famous George III vineyard, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard has a haunting bouquet of cedar wood, juicy blackcurrant jam and forest floor. A soil note enhances the overall picture. The wine has gorgeously sweet well-integrated tannins, no evidence of new oak (as it’s so well-integrated), a plush, voluptuously textured full-bodied mouthfeel and a knockout finish. This is sensational wine that can easily be a modern-day version of one of the great BV Private Reserves from decades ago, although in this case it’s aged in French oak, not American. Kudos to Mike Smith. Look for this to drink well for 20 or more years. JD 94 (7/2017): The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard is a deeper, richer example of the base Napa Valley release and offers fabulous notes of blackcurrants, graphite, charcoal and licorice. It’s a big, sexy beast of a Cabernet that has full-bodied power, a ripe, unctuous texture, and sweet tannin which are completely cover by fruit at the moment. Drink it anytime over the coming two decades. JS 93 (7/2015): A red with blackberry and mineral character. Some phenolics too. Full and silky. Very stylish. Handmade. WS 92 (8/2015): Centered on a rich, vibrant, lively core of juicy blackberry. The ripeness and acidity complement the raw and coarse texture, with the fruit providing plenty of power and expression. The tannins lean toward the rowdy side. Drink now through 2028. 170 cases made. VM 89 (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III is a relatively ripe, forward wine from this Rutherford site. Dried cherries, tobacco and earthiness flow through to the energetic finish. This is the most overtly ripe and flashy of the Myriad 2012 Cabernets. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Myriad.aspVM 95+ (10/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard is every bit as impressive as it has been on the several occasions I have tasted it from cask. An exotic concoction of smoke, graphite, black cherries and lavender makes a strong impression in a towering, distinctive Howell Mountain wine that is going to need a good few years in bottle to truly come together. This is a fabulous showing from Outpost. WA 94 (10/2015): An intriguing blend, the 2013 True Vineyard Immigrant is composed of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 32% Merlot aged in 67% new French oak for 20 months. This is a great showing in a complex wine, with notes of white chocolate, forest floor, blueberry and black raspberry. It’s intense and full without being heavy, attributable to the Cabernet Franc component. This wine has great color, already burgeoning complexity, and gorgeous texture and length. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Outpost.aspWA 98 (6/2016): An utterly prodigious effort that would most likely be the wine of the vintage if not for its big brother, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard comes all from Red Mountain and was raised in 100% new French oak. Revealing a healthy ruby/purple color and classic notes of sage brush, graphite, black cherries, currants and chocolate, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness; building, present, yet ripe and polished tannin; perfect integration of its fruit, alcohol and oak; and awesome length. This is a powerhouse Cabernet Sauvignon that still holds onto a sense of elegance and finesse. Forget it for 4-5 years and drink bottles over the following two decades. VM 94+ (11/2016): Deep ruby-red color. High-pitched aromas of blackberry, cassis and violet lifted by a pungent licorice note that may come from the very expensive, long-seasoned, tight-grained Taransaud T5 barrels. Tighter and less pliant in the early going than the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon but with a remarkably juicy intensity and superb inner-mouth perfume to the flavors of dark berries, wild rose and Belgian dark chocolate. Still youthfully imploded but boasts uncanny energy for this warm year. The tannins saturate the front teeth. This wonderfully cerebral wine is Lafite to the more powerful, densely packed flagship wine's Latour. Stephen Tanzer.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/QuilcedaCreek.aspWA 97 (12/2015): A real killer effort is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard. This shows nice, gravelly, earthy notes intermixed with a floral component, blackberry and blueberry, a sensationally saturated purple color and fabulous opulence and richness. Once again, this is a great effort and a pretty fair price point for a Beckstoffer Vineyard-sourced wine. This should drink well for 15-20 years. JS 95 (1/2016): So much eucalyptus in the nose with blackberry and white pepper. Full body, round and silky tannins and a bright and fresh finish. Chewy and serious. Fantastic finish. A super wine with focus from the Las Piedras Vineyard. Better in 2019. WS 91 (11/2016): A sophisticated effort, with rich, creamy oak and dark berry notes that are full-bodied and caressing even as the tannins gain presence. Hints of licorice, sage, crushed rock and herb add flavor and textural dimension. Drink now through 2030. 125 cases made. VM 87 (10/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras is rich, dark and intense. The style is opulent, ripe and full-throttle, with plenty of intensity. I don't see much of the typical Las Piedras energy or minerality here, while the distinctly sweet finish is distracting. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/QuivetCellars.aspWA 98 (12/2013): As usual, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is a fabulous effort. The debut vintage of this cuvee was 2004, which is still quite young (I recently rated it 95). From the Oakville appellation, it is aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels, but sadly, only about 260 cases are made. The 2010 boasts beautiful notes of fruitcake, espresso roast, chocolate and black currants in its complex, full-bodied, concentrated, multi-dimensional personality. There is a huge up-side to this beauty as the tannins have not yet fully resolved. Give it another few years of bottle age and drink it over the following two decades or more. VM 93 (5/2014): (includes 15% petit verdot; 100% new oak): Inky ruby. Pungent black and blue fruit aromas show an exotic peaty quality and suggestions of incense, violet and Indian spices. Deeply pitched cassis and blueberry flavors are braced by juicy acidity and pick up a suave floral pastille nuance with aeration. The spice and blue fruit notes dominate the finish, which is firmed by youthful but harmonious tannins. While I have no doubt that this wine is built to age it's pretty showy already. WS 92 (11/2013): Bold and expressive, featuring loads of deep flavors, with a fine measure of restraint and balance. The core flavors are keyed into dried dark and red berry, cedary oak, crushed rock and loamy earth, ending on the dry side. Best from 2014 through 2024. 260 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Ramey.aspVM 96+ (7/2015): The 2013 Monte Bello is super-ripe, exotic and flashy. Dark blue and purplish stone fruits, sweet spices and licorice meld together as the 2013 opens up in the glass. There is plenty of supporting acidity and tannin, but the 2013 is likely to always remain flamboyant within the framework of Monte Bello. In 2013 the inversion layer moved around quite a bit, which resulted in warmer days and cooler nights than is the norm at Ridge, where diurnal shifts typically occur within a narrower range. The drought conditions and a blast of late season heat yielded tiny berries, a small crop and an unusually dark, concentrated Monte Bello that is going to require considerable patience. This is another Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy year, with less Merlot than is often the case. Ridge fans can look forward to Monte Bello Old Vines and Monte Bello Steep Terraces Cabernets that had not yet been bottled when I stopped by the winery this past June. Tasted from barrel, those two limited production wines are both shaping up to be magnificent. Antonio Galloni. WS 91 (3/2017): Well-constructed, with firm tannins and acidity framed by a tight core of dusty blackberry and wild berry, showing cedary oak and woody touches. Slowly eases into a dusty black licorice and anise center. Best to let this aerate or cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2021 through 2031. 5,000 cases made. WA 88 (8/2016): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello Vineyard Estate is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It tips the scales at 13.8% alcohol. (Newly retired winemaker Paul Draper said on the back label that it was the first time in nearly 50 years that harvest took place in September rather than October.) Deep briary blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, with some light to moderate tannin are present in this dark ruby/purple-hued wine. It is medium-bodied and shows good structure, freshness and purity, with the oak clearly pushed to the background. This excellent Cabernet Sauvignon should age nicely for 10-12+ years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RidgeVineyards.aspWA 94 (10/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga, which comes from the so-called Olmo clone (the same as the Eiesle clone), exhibits an opaque purple color, sweet créme de cassis and blackberry fruit as well as licorice, wet pebbles giving it minerality, and a long, full-bodied, opulent texture. This stunning wine comes from a single block of the Larkmead Vineyard. Drink it over the next 20-25 years. VM 94 (10/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga emerges from the most historic portion of Larkmead, where the Olmo clone (said to be the precursor to Eisele clone) and pure Cortina soils yield wines of tremendous pedigree. That is exactly what comes through here. Dense and powerful, with distinctly earthy, savory notes, the 2013 delivers serious intensity and explosiveness. Readers will have to be patient, however, as the 2013 needs time to be at its best. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RiversMarie.aspWA 97+ (10/2015): Another killer effort from Rivers-Marie is the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Lore Vineyard, from a steep and rocky single vineyard in the Vaca foothills of eastern Napa above the Rudd Winery. The wine comes across with fabulous intensity and loads of blackberry, blueberry and cassis fruit, licorice, camphor and incense. This is great stuff, backward, as all of these 2013s tend to be. It’s the smallest of these cuvées, with about 250 cases, or ten barrels produced. This wine is another one to benefit from 4-6 years of cellaring and should keep for three decades or more. VM 97 (10/2015): The undisputed crown jewel in this lineup, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Lore Vineyard is every bit as fabulous in bottle as it was from barrel. Here the impression is of explosive energy and pure verticality. A rush of dark red and black fruit, melted road tar, cloves, licorice and leather punctuates the explosive, creamy finish. All the magic of eastern Oakville comes through in spades. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RiversMarie.aspWA 98+ (10/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard comes from a five-acre, valley-floor vineyard just north of St. Helena near Vineyard 29's Aida. There are 450 cases of this magnificent Cabernet Sauvignon. Notes of Mediterranean herbs intermixed with licorice, blackberry and cassis jump from the glass of this opaque purple wine. Stunningly proportioned, full-bodied, super-intense, with great purity, structure and depth, this wine will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and keep for three decades. VM 93 (10/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard, from a site on the valley floor, shows all the voluptuousness and raciness that is typical of this sector in the northern reaches of St. Helena. Dark red cherry, plum, pomegranate and spice blossom as this full-bodied, racy Cabernet shows off its personality. There is just enough acidity to give the aromatics enough lift to balance the super-ripe fruit. As always, the Panek is a very showy wine. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/RiversMarie.aspWS 88 (7/2016): Both rich and deeply fruited, this delivers competing messages, with extracted licorice, dark berry, plum and currant notes met head-on by chewy gravel- and road tar-driven tannins. Best from 2020 through 2028. 250 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Rudius.aspWA 94+ (10/2016): A vineyard made famous by Thomas Rivers Brown, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from clone 337 in St. Helena. This is a stunner with a beautiful floral fragrance interwoven with blueberry and blackberry fruit, graphite and incense. It is dense, full-bodied with the blue and black fruits continuing across the full-bodied palate. The wine has superb purity and moderate tannin. This wine should drink well for 20-25 years. WS 88 (7/2016): A solid red, if uneasy in the delivery, with fruit that is ripe and juicy but also herbal and dilly, and tannins that are edgy. Time may work to smooth things out. Drink now. 225 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Rudius.aspWA 98 (8/2010): The late-released 2007 Heart Stone, which spent 28 months in a combination of barrels, demi-muids, and pungeons, turned out to be a final blend of 65% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and 14% Mourvedre. Like all of Justin Smith’s 2007s, it is a riveting, sensational wine that carries its heavy weight, profound richness, and intensity very gracefully. That is no doubt an effect of the limestone soils of this region. Blackberry and smoked meats as well as some garrigue and floral notes are followed by a dense, rich, pure, multi-layered wine that just screams for grilled poultry or meats! Bottled unfined and unfiltered (and as I recall, 25-35% stems/whole clusters were used during fermentation), this is a fabulous wine that combines power and elegance. It should drink well for at least a decade or more. JD 98 (11/2010): The lightest and most vibrant of the ‘07s, the 2007 Saxum Heart Stone Vineyard is a blend of 65% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and 14% Mourvedre, from limestone soils, which saw close to 30% whole cluster and spent 26 months in oak. The Grenache really shows and the wine exhibits exceptional aromatics of spiced red fruits, underbrush, flowers, and graphite on the nose. This develops beautifully in the glass and shows awesome purity and precision. Silky and elegant on the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied and perfectly balanced, possessing a layered, rich, yet light texture, vibrant acidity, and a very long, focused finish that highlights fine-grained, ripe tannin. I love the delineation this shows, and while superb right now, I think this will benefit from 2 to 3 years in the cellar and then drink beautifully for 12 to 15 years. WS 97 (2/2011): There's amazing harmony and range of flavor in this red, which offers richness, elegance and finesse, with blackberry, wild berry, plum and cherry fruit that's full-bodied, smooth-textured and layered, opening doors of flavor on an amazingly long, intricate finish. Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2022. 475 cases made. VM 93+ (11/2010): (65% syrah, 21% grenache and 14% mourvedre) Opaque purple. Explosive aromas of black raspberry, cherry pit, pomegranate molasses and Asian spices. Densely packed red and dark fruit flavors show intense spiciness and unfurl slowly to offer sexy floral character. Dense but with unlikely energy and finesse; this is just hinting at its potential. Josh Raynolds.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Saxum.aspJS 97 (5/2016): Amazing aromas of hot stone, iodine, black currants and blackberries. Full body, super polished tannins that highlight the dark fruits, plus white pepper, salt and fruit character. Precise and focused. Better in 2020. WS 94 (11/2016): Offers a powerful, extracted, high-torque core of zesty blackberry, wild berry, anise, licorice and crushed rock flavors. Sails a steady course once underway, ending where it starts, with a dense mix of complex earth and berry notes. Best from 2020 through 2033. 650 cases made. WA 94 (10/2015): The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Lpv comes from clone 337. This is a rather earthy style for a Schrader wine, with less drama and flamboyance, but great fruit, a more meaty, dusty style with underbrush as well as blackcurrants, with spicy oak. It’s dense, full-bodied and promises to age nicely for 20 more years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Schrader.aspWA 98 (10/2016): The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Old Sparky, Fred Schrader’s favorite selection, is clone 4 from the To Kalon Vineyard aged in 100% new Darnajou and seems closest in personality and overall style to the CCS. This is a beautiful wine with great intensity and seems to be one of the superstars of this vintage. Smoky barbecue notes intermix with charcoal embers, blackberry, cassis, Christmas fruitcake, licorice and camphor. This is a complex 2014 that is showing beautifully at the moment and will continue to drink well for another 20 years.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Schrader.aspWA 99 (8/2016): A wine that flirts with perfection, the 2012 Cumulus Vineyard #6 is an interesting blend of 38% Syrah, 37% Grenache, 17.4% Petite Sirah and the rest Mourvedre that saw 33 months in 54% new French oak. There’s a tiny 191 cases made, and it’s one of the most singular, exotic wines I’ve tasted. Spice, cedar, chocolate, exotic flowers and an assortment of dark fruits all emerge from this full-bodied, layered blend that hits the palate with serious richness and depth. Yet, like all truly great wines, it’s light, ethereal and never, ever heavy. There’s big structure here as well, so forget bottles for 3-4 years and enjoy over the following 15+ years. VM 98 (9/2016): The 2012 No. 6 - Cumulus Vineyard might very well be my favorite of Manfred and Elaine Krankl's 2012s, including naturally the wines of Sine Qua Non. This is the warmest site the Krankls work with and the need to harvest on the earlier side seems to also preserve a bit more verve than is often found in some of the other Sine Qua Non wines. A host of cherry jam, pomegranate, sweet spice, rose petal and mint open up effortlessly, all with striking energy that keeps the wine vibrant and wonderfully alive. The blend is 38% Syrah, 37 % Grenache, 17.4% Petite Sirah and 7.6% Mourvèdre, done with 36% whole clusters and aged in 54% new oak. Sold in cases of 3 bottles and 1 magnum at the price of $1,200.00 per case. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/SineQuaNon.aspWA 97 (6/2014): Starting off the Syrah-based wines, the 2004 Poker Face (Syrah) is aging beautifully. A blend of 96% Syrah, 2.5% Mourvedre and 1.5% Viognier (from the Eleven Confessions, White Hawk, Alban, Bien Nacido, and Alta Mesa vineyards) that was aged in 80% new French oak, it offers up a perfumed, fresh bouquet of sweet blackberry liqueur, creme de cassis, spring flowers and licorice that gives way to a full-bodied, seamless, gorgeously textured feel on the palate. Rich and decadent, it has notable, yet beautifully integrated acidity and stays remarkably fresh, detailed and even elegant. It still needs a lengthy decant to shine, and will continue to thrill over the coming decade or so. VM 96 (8/2015): The 2004 Syrah Poker Face remains deep, inky and powerful, even at eleven years of age. A host of black cherry, chocolate, licorice and smoke meld together in this dark, voluptuous Syrah. As good as the 2004 is, it's also quite clear just how far Sine Qua Non has come since the Poker Face was made. The blend is 96% Syrah, with drops of Mourvèdre and Viognier. Vineyard sources are 33% Eleven Confessions, 27% White Hawk, 22% Alban, 16% Bien Nacido and 3% Alta Mesa. Antonio Galloni.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/SineQuaNon.aspJS 98 (7/2015): Incredible blueberry, blackberry, black walnut, mineral, black licorice and flowers. Full-bodied, very tight and structured with hints of hazelnut, fine chocolate, mineral and spice. Layered and very fine. A solid and classic-styled Napa Valley cab. WA 96+ (10/2014): The opaque purple-hued 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a glorious bouquet of crème de cassis, spring flowers, a Pauillac-like lead pencil note, and background new oak. The overall impression is one of restraint combined with richness. This full-bodied effort possesses good acidity and ripe tannin. It has been crafted for the long-term. The hallmarks of great Spottswoode wines are their purity and elegance combined with serious power. The 2012 has that in abundance. This youthful, reserved Cabernet will benefit from 3-5 years of cellaring, and will keep for two decades or more. VM 95 (12/2014): The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as surprisingly medium in body and not as explosive as I had expected, perhaps a reflection of its recent bottling. Today the 2012 shows the more suave, silky side of the year, with considerable early appeal and pure radiance, butt less in the way of structure. Hints of mocha, spices and crushed flowers add nuance on the finish. All things considered, today the 2012 performs in line with the vintage, but does not appear to be the overachiever it has been in recent years. WS 87 (3/2015): Offers a trim mix of red and dark berry fruit, dusty cedary oak, gravel and tobacco leaf accents and stalky tannins. Ends dry and clean, yet clipped. Drink now. 4,000 cases made.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/Spottswoode.aspVM 90 (8/2015): Bright yellow-gold. Aromas of ripe pear, nectarine, honey and toasty lees, with a subtle floral nuance emerging with aeration. Smooth and open-knit, offering sappy pit and orchard fruit flavors and a bracing punch of bitter citrus pith on the back half. Nicely bllends opulence and vivacity and finishes with very good cling and subtle smokiness. Josh Raynolds.http://www.flickingerwines.com/growers/TalbottVineyards.asp