| |
Search Flickinger Wine Inventory
Inventory updated: Mon, Jan 26, 2026 04:02 PM cst
Your search criteria:
Regions: USA Red
Vintages: Between 2017 and 2017
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | USA Red |
| Alban Vineyards |
2017 |
Reva Alban Estate Syrah  Corroded Capsule |
$125 |
2 |
|
| |
| JD 97 (9/2021): The beautiful 2017 Syrah Reva has a more elegant, streamlined, layered style that's already drinking nicely. Ample red and black fruits, bacon fat, olive, violets, and briny mineral nuances all define this classic Alban Syrah, and it's full-bodied, with a seamless mouthfeel, impeccable balance, and ripe tannins. It's certainly the more discrete, understated red in the lineup, yet this is a wine that builds with time in the glass and has perfect tannins, a terrific sense of freshness, and a great finish. It will keep for 15+ years in cold cellars. |
|
| Alpha Omega |
2017 |
X Cabernet Sauvignon |
$299 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Ancillary Cellars |
2017 |
Sangiacomo Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$29 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (1/2020): Lastly, the 2017 Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard is also from the Sonoma Coast. It’s a sweetly fruited, medium-bodied effort that has classy raspberry and strawberry fruit to go with plenty of floral and spice notes, fine tannins, and outstanding length. It too has a solid 7-8 years of prime drinking. |
|
| B Cellars |
2017 |
Beckstoffer Georges III Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$195 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 92-94 (10/2019): A barrel sample, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard is very deep garnet-purple in color and has an exuberant nose of baked plums, raisin cake and crème de cassis with underbrush, pencil lead and fertile loam plus bay leaves hints. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated, firm and chewy with just enough freshness and an herb-laced finish. |
|
|
2017 |
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Becklyn Cellars |
2017 |
Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Cabernet Sauvignon |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 95 (1/2020): More tobacco, leafy herbs, chocolate, and obvious minerality emerge from the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, which has a ripe, sexy, powerful style that you don’t often find in the vintage. With stunning blue fruits, ripe, building tannins, and terrific balance, it’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and cruise for 15+ years. |
|
| Bella Oaks |
2017 |
Proprietary Red |
$289 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (12/2023): The 2017 Proprietary Red Wine is a wine I tasted from barrel that I then missed from bottle, as the estate chose to release the 2018 first, and this wine fell through the cracks. Several recent bottles of the 2017 have all been sublime. Readers will find a wine that shows the mid-weight, approachable style of the year off to great effect. Silky tannins wrap around dark-toned fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and chocolate. The 2017 is an elegant, beautifully balanced Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next decade or so. If I have any quibble with the 2017, it is that the oak is a bit evident. I suspect much of that has to do with the mid-weight structure of the wine itself. (Drink between 2023-2032). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Betz Family Winery |
2017 |
Heart of the Hill Cabernet Sauvignon |
$79 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Booker Vineyard |
2017 |
Ripper Grenache |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 96 (10/2019): Bottled in February of this year, the 100% Grenache 2017 Ripper has a beautiful perfume of black raspberries, white flowers, licorice, and subtle background oak. Rich and medium to full-bodied, it has wonderful purity, fine tannins, and a great finish. |
|
|
2017 |
Vertigo Proprietary Blend Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$74.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 99 (10/2019): I loved the 2017 Vertigo from barrel, and it didn’t disappoint from bottle. A blend of 63% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre, and the rest Grenache and Petite Sirah, brought up in 65% new French oak, this full-bodied, massively endowed 2017 has complex notes of blue fruits, blood orange, violets, and exotic spices. As with all Eric’s 2017s, it’s rich and concentrated yet has remarkable purity and elegance at the same time. It’s one of the finest GSM blends out there and will shine for at least 8-10 years. (Drink between 2019-2029).
VM 96 (2/2020): Brilliant purple. Blackberry, blueberry, cola, exotic spices, vanilla and pungent flowers on the deeply perfumed, mineral-accented nose. Compellingly sweet, lush and broad in the mouth, showing hefty dark berry preserve, candied violet and fruitcake flavors that pick up mocha, vanilla and star anise nuances on the back half. Finishes extremely long and smooth, with velvety tannins, lingering florality and outstanding clarity. 60% new French oak. (Drink between 2024-2034).
WA 93 (2/2020): The 2017 Vertigo is a blend of 65% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache aged in 65% new French oak. Deep ruby-purple in color, the nose opens with tar, chargrill and loamy earth scents, slowly offering up game meats, black currants, dried violets and dried black cherries with a chocolatey undercurrent. Full-bodied, rich and slowly blossoming in the mouth, it has a firm, grainy frame and just enough freshness, finishing long and still youthfully coiled. |
|
| Caymus |
2017 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Torn Label |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Continuum |
2017 |
Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$441.35 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 96+ (1/2020): The 2017 Proprietary Red Wine Sage Mountain Vineyard comes across as remarkably primary. Bright red-toned fruit and floral notes give the 2017 striking freshness as well as nuance. Deep and layered on the palate, with superb depth, the 2017 Continuum is easily one of the wines of the year. Even in the early going, it is truly magnificent. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Diamond Creek |
2017 |
Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon |
$225 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96 (1/2021): Starting with the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace, this blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc spent 22 months in new barrels. Its dense purple color is followed by a captivating bouquet of blueberries, cassis, camphor, cedarwood, and dried tobacco leaves. Beautifully textured and medium to full-bodied, with present yet ripe tannins and just about flawless balance, this gorgeous Diamond Mountain Cabernet offers pleasure today yet is going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and should evolve for two decades or so. It's a 2017 well worth seeking out. (Drink between 2025-2046).
WA 95+ (9/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc and was aged for 22 months in French oak, 100% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose opens with profound notions of blueberry preserves, Black Forest cake and black olives with hints of camphor, pencil shavings and fragrant earth. Full-bodied, rich, ripe and concentrated, it has a solid structure of grainy tannins and a lively line of freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
VM 93 (1/2021): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace is soft, open-knit and inviting, especially for a Diamond Creek wine. Inky red/purplish fruit, iron, cedar, tobacco, licorice, sweet French oak and dried herbs add pretty layers of nuance. The French oak (100% new) seems a bit much. It will be interesting to see how the 2017 develops in the coming years. (Drink between 2024-2037). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Donelan |
2017 |
Sonoma County Rose |
$25 |
5 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Drouhin |
2017 |
Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir |
$55 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ehlers Estate |
2017 |
1886 Cabernet Sauvignon |
$75 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Faethm |
2017 |
Fingers Crossed Syrah |
$189 |
2 |
|
| |
| JD 98 (10/2019): The 2017 Syrah Fingers Crossed has lots of Bien Nacido character (although there’s plenty of The Third Twin and Cumulus Vineyard fruit in the blend) in its olive, marine, bloody meat, and violet-laced aromas and flavors. Deep, full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and, as with the Grenache, flawlessly balanced, it stays tight and compact on the palate and is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age. |
|
| Fairchild Estate |
2017 |
G III Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$229 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Far Niente |
2017 |
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Frank Family |
2017 |
Carneros Pinot Noir |
$20 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 86 (1/2020): The 2017 Pinot Noir Carneros is a solid effort, showing plenty of spiced cherry and earthy notes as well as a medium-bodied, slightly hollow, firm style on the palate. Drink it over the coming 3-4 years. |
|
| Hundred Acre |
2017 |
Few and Far Between Cabernet Sauvignon |
$450 |
2 |
|
| |
| JD 99 (2/2023): I’d wager the wine of the vintage, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Few And Far Between Vineyard is knockout stuff and has incredible aromatics of spiced currants, leafy tobacco, crushed stone, flowers, and lead pencil shavings. It’s rare to find this level of purity and seamlessness in 2017, and this is full-bodied red has a deep, layered mid-palate, awesome tannins, and a great, great finish. If you want to taste the best of 2017 in Napa, this beauty is it. |
|
| Nicolas Jay |
2017 |
Momtazi Family Vineyards Pinot Noir |
$85 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (7/2020): Vivid ruby-red. Powerful black raspberry, cherry and floral scents are complemented by hints of incense and dusty minerals. Fleshy and concentrated but animated as well, offering juicy, sharply focused red and dark fruit and spicecake flavors that firm up with air, all sharpened by a spicy jolt of spiciness. Finishes smoky, chewy and impressively long, with resonating spice and floral notes, building tannins and subtle sweetness. 50% new oak. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Justin |
2017 |
Savant Proprietary Blend |
$45 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (10/2020): The 2017 Savant is a blend of 65% Syrah and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 21 months in about 50% new French oak. It has a medium ruby-purple color and pretty notes of graphite, licorice, cedar and mint leaves with blackcurrant fruit. The palate is medium to full-bodied, grainy, ripe and juicy with a long finish. It's approachable right now but will age for another 3-5 years in bottle. |
|
| Linne Calodo |
2017 |
In My Dreams |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 96 (12/2020): Deep, brilliant ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented red and dark berry and spice-cake aromas are complemented by suave floral and incense accents that expand as the wine opens up. Appealingly sweet and broad on the palate, offering sappy black raspberry, cherry liqueur, star anise and lavender pastille flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Smoothly plays richness off energy and finishes spicy and extremely long, with lingering florality and smooth tannins that add shape and subtle grip. (Drink between 2024-2034). Josh Raynolds. |
|
|
2017 |
The Martian |
$40 |
12 |
|
| |
|
| Meyer Family Cellars |
2017 |
Spitfire Cabernet Sauvignon |
$39 |
6 |
|
| |
|
| Myriad |
2017 |
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vyd. Elysian Cabernet Sauvignon |
$195 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 97+ (1/2020): Certainly, one of the wines of the vintage, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian comes from a first growth site outside of St. Helena and is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in new barrels. It has that classic earthy, gravelly minerality that’s the hallmark of this terroir as well a full-bodied, concentrated, yet backward vibe on the palate. The tannins are sensational, it has incredible purity of fruit, and it’s packed with potential. A solid 4-5 years of bottle age are warranted, but count yourself lucky if you have bottles in the cellar. (Drink between 2025-2045).
VM 94 (1/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian is dark, plush and sumptuous to the core. Chocolate, leather, plum, black cherry and spice bring out a darker side of Dr. Crane. The 2017 is decidedly sumptuous and flamboyant, with all the elements in the right place. (Drink between 2022-2032). Antonio Galloni.
WA 94 (10/2019): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Elysian is deep garnet-purple colored with notes of plum preserves, baked cherries, crème de cassis and mocha plus hints of leather, Chinese five spice, bouquet garni and cast iron pan. The palate is full-bodied, firm and chewy with a good core of fruit and spicy finish. (Drink between 2021-2040). |
|
| Next of Kyn |
2017 |
Cumulus Vyd. No. 11 Proprietary Blend |
$275 |
5 |
|
| |
| JD 100 (8/2020): Pure perfection, the 2017 No 11 comes all from the estate Cumulus Vineyard around the estate in Oak View and is 48% Syrah, 24.8% Grenache, 12.7% Mourvèdre, 10.6% Petite Sirah, and the balance a mix of white varieties including Petit Manseng and Roussanne. Fermented with 23% whole clusters and aged 32 months in 68% new French oak, this incredible 2017 boasts a saturated purple hue to go with full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, bouquet garni, ground pepper, white chocolate, and cured meats. Incredibly complex, flawlessly balanced, and with a seamless texture that needs to be tasted to be believed, this is a magical blend from California that can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for 15-20 years. Hats off to the Krankl family for another truly special wine! |
|
|
2017 |
Cumulus Vyd. No. 11 Proprietary Blend |
$449 |
8 |
|
| |
| JD 100 (8/2020): Pure perfection, the 2017 No 11 comes all from the estate Cumulus Vineyard around the estate in Oak View and is 48% Syrah, 24.8% Grenache, 12.7% Mourvèdre, 10.6% Petite Sirah, and the balance a mix of white varieties including Petit Manseng and Roussanne. Fermented with 23% whole clusters and aged 32 months in 68% new French oak, this incredible 2017 boasts a saturated purple hue to go with full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, bouquet garni, ground pepper, white chocolate, and cured meats. Incredibly complex, flawlessly balanced, and with a seamless texture that needs to be tasted to be believed, this is a magical blend from California that can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for 15-20 years. Hats off to the Krankl family for another truly special wine! |
|
|
2017 |
Numero Um Touriga Nacional (1.5 L) |
$550 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Ovid |
2017 |
Experiment F2.7 Proprietary Blend |
$119 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Patria |
2017 |
Price Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$109 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (1/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Price is sensual, racy and inviting, as wines from St. Helena tend to be. Super-ripe red cherry, red plum, spice, mint and floral notes all meld together in an unctuous, dense Cabernet that will drink well with minimal cellaring. There is so much to like. The Price is, once again, the most immediate of the three wines in this range. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Peacock Family |
2017 |
Dona Margarita Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$59 |
4 |
|
| |
|
| La Pelle |
2017 |
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon |
$119 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Joseph Phelps |
2017 |
Insignia Proprietary Blend (1.5 L) |
$479 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 96 (10/2020): The 2017 Insignia is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc coming from: 46% Las Rocas vineayrd (Stags Leap District), 22% Barboza vineyard (Stags Leap District), 13% Suscol vineyard (South Napa Valley), 10% Yountville vineyard (Oak Knoll District) and 9% Home Ranch (St. Helena). It was aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Deep garnet-purple colored, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant scents of Black Forest cake, preserved plums and blueberry pie plus touches of redcurrant jelly, potpourri, clove oil and dark chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has gained weight from it's in-barrel offering, boasting rich, decadently perfumed black fruit preserves flavors with a racy backbone and velvety tannins, finishing long and spicy. 7,400 cases were made. |
|
| Plumpjack |
2017 |
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon |
$145 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 91 (10/2019): Made of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is deep garnet-purple colored with intense black currant cordial, sautéed herbs and plum preserves with hints of underbrush, dried bay leaves, tilled soil, chargrill and truffles. Full-bodied, rich and with a plush texture, it has a lovely herbal note lifting the palate and finish. |
|
| Pulido-Walker |
2017 |
Melanson Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$189 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 97 (1/2020): Even better, I suspect the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon might be a candidate for the wine of the vintage with 4-5 years of bottle age. From a vineyard on Pritchard Hill, just across from Colgin, and 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this inky colored beauty offers loads of blueberry and blackcurrant liqueur-like fruits as well as lots of spice, flowery incense, and subtle herbal undertones. Textbook Cabernet on the nose, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a great, great finish. It’s one of the few wines in the vintage that comes close to rivaling its 2015 and 2016 counterparts. The cellar will be your friend on this one, though, and a good 4-6 years of bottle age are warranted. |
|
| Quivet Cellars |
2017 |
Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$130 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 96+ (1/2020): These Quivet Cellars releases are made by Mike Smith, who, for any Napa lover, probably needs no introduction. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is rocking stuff and comes from a brilliant vineyard just outside of St. Helena, not more than a stone’s throw from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard. This is a classic Cabernet with loads of blue fruits, tobacco, spring flowers, and a terrific sense of minerality. It shows more floral notes with time in the glass, is medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, has remarkable purity, and a great finish. It should pick up additional nuances and complexity with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 20+.
VM 90 (1/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is pushed to the max. Ripe, jammy fruit and a muscular feel that is so characteristic of Las Piedras Cabernets yields a wine that is quite distinctive. Super-ripe dark fruit, leather, menthol and chocolate are pushed forward in this overt-flamboyant Cabernet. Antonio Galloni.
WA 91 (10/2019): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is deep garnet-purple colored with medicinal, baked black and blue fruit, herbs and cedar. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and juicy with good expression. |
|
| Realm |
2017 |
Houyi Vyd. Proprietary Blend |
$189 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 95 (1/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Houyi Vineyard comes from Pritchard Hill (from the Nine Suns property) and is all Cabernet Sauvignon brought up in roughly 85% new French oak. It has a rocking blue fruit character as well as full-bodied richness, notes of liquid violets, liquid rock, graphite, and spice, medium to full body, beautiful purity, and outstanding length. It's not a blockbuster, but it’s beautifully balanced and just a classy, elegant wine. |
|
| Union Sacre |
2017 |
La Passion du Legionnaire Merlot |
$12 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Saddleback Cellars |
2017 |
Chloe’s Blend Red Wine |
$49 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Schrader |
2017 |
CCS Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$285 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 98 (1/2020): Another wine in the running for the wine of the vintage is the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS, which, as always, is all Cabernet aged in new Darnajou barrels. This full-bodied, magical 2017 has incredibly polished, silky tannins as well as a mammoth-sized texture and mouthfeel. Loaded with notions of blueberries, white flowers, graphite, candied violets, and incense, it’s one of those wines that carries incredible richness and depth yet never seems heavy or cumbersome. The 2017 doesn’t get much better, and this beauty can be drunk today or cellared for two decades. |
|
|
2017 |
MB To-Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon Bin-Soiled Label |
$315 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (1/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard Monastery Block is always terrific, yet I always find it more linear and foursquare compared to some of the other releases in the lineup. Nevertheless, it offers a terrific bouquet of gravelly earth, ground herbs, chocolaty dark fruits, and some obvious minerality. This full-bodied Cabernet is going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 15-20 plus. |
|
|
2017 |
Monastery Block To-Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$265 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 94 (1/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard Monastery Block is always terrific, yet I always find it more linear and foursquare compared to some of the other releases in the lineup. Nevertheless, it offers a terrific bouquet of gravelly earth, ground herbs, chocolaty dark fruits, and some obvious minerality. This full-bodied Cabernet is going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 15-20 plus. |
|
|
2017 |
T6 Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon Bin-Soiled Label |
$295 |
1 |
|
| |
| JD 98 (1/2020): In the top handful of wines in the vintage, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard T6 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (which was harvested the morning of the fires) that spent 20 months in 92% new French oak. This is a powerhouse of a wine that’s loaded with fruit and richness, yet it still just glides across the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. Dense purple-hued, with lots of chocolaty black and blue fruits, incense, and spice as well as unsmoked tobacco, give bottles 3-4 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following two decades |
|
| Seaver Vineyards |
2017 |
GTS Cabernet Sauvignon |
$185 |
5 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (1/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon GTS is powerful, dense and brooding, with massive tannins that may never be balanced. Game, licorice, tobacco and graphite add layers of complexity, but it is hard to get past tannins that are huge and overpowering, even within the context of Diamond Mountain. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2017 |
GTS Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$370 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 88 (1/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon GTS is powerful, dense and brooding, with massive tannins that may never be balanced. Game, licorice, tobacco and graphite add layers of complexity, but it is hard to get past tannins that are huge and overpowering, even within the context of Diamond Mountain. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Sine Qua Non |
2017 |
The Gorgeous Victim Grenache |
$219 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 98+ (8/2020): Tasted from bottle, the deeply hued 2017 Grenache The Gorgeous Victim checks in as 76% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah, and the rest Petite Sirah and Viognier. This deep purple Grenache boasts a savory, almost bloody style that delivers full-bodied aromas and flavors of kirsch, blackberries, ground pepper, graphite, and iron. It has loads of depth, a stacked mid-palate, and enough tannins to warrant 2-4 years of bottle age. This sexy, perfumed, complex, singular beauty will drink beautifully for 20 years or more. Always one of the highlight tastings of my year, this report looks at the 2016, 2017, and 2018 new releases from Sine Qua Non. While splitting hairs, I think the 2016s are the finest wines here since the 2013s and have that rare mix of power, richness, complexity, and elegance that defines all great wines. While relatively approachable, the 2016s have the balance to evolve gracefully for 15 years or more. The 2017s are slightly more showy, sexy, and sunny wines, and where 2016s have similarities to 2014s, the 2017s remind me slightly of the 2015s with their huge aromatics as well as plenty of underlying tannins. These are worth hiding in the cellar for at least a handful of years. While tasted from barrel, the 2018s showed brilliantly and have a purity and elegance similar to both 2014 and 2016. All three vintages show incredible richness, flawless balance, and the purity and structure to age gracefully.
WA 98 (8/2020): The 2017 Grenache The Gorgeous Victim (first tasted last year as a barrel sample and before it had been named) is composed of 76% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Syrah, 3.8% Petit Sirah and 1.2% Viognier. The vineyard sources are: are 46% Cumulus Estate, 29% Eleven Confessions Estate, 6% Molly Aida Estate, 17% The Third Twin Estate and 2% Bien Nacido Vineyard. It was aged for around 23 months in 23% new French oak, 48% used oak (various sizes) and 29% concrete. Forty-six percent (mainly Grenache) was fermented using whole clusters. |
|
|
2017 |
The Hated Hunter Syrah |
$219 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 100 (8/2020): Named after Manfred’s grandfather, the 2017 Syrah The Hated Hunter is 82.4% Syrah, 7.8% Petite Sirah, 5.2% Mourvèdre, 2% Grenache, and the rest a mix of white varieties that spent just over 23 months in 59% new French oak. A classic 2017, it has an incredible nose of spice red and black fruits, ground pepper, dried flowers, and sandalwood. With full-bodied richness, no hard edges, gorgeous purity of fruit, and a finish that won't quit, it has everything you could want from a bottle of wine. This cuvee comes from a mix of the The Twin, Eleven Confession, Cumulus, and Molly Aida vineyards, and was bottled in August of 2019, with 1821 cases produced.
WA 98+ (8/2020): The 2017 Syrah The Hated Hunter (first tasted last year as a barrel sample and before it had been named) is composed of 82.4% Syrah, 5.2% Mourvèdre, 7.8% Petite Sirah, 2% Grenache, 1.2% Petit Manseng and 1.4% Viognier that was fermented with 26% whole cluster. The vineyard sources are 32% Eleven Confessions, 41% The Third Twin, 25% Cumulus and 2% Molly Aida. It was aged for around 23 months in French oak, 59% new.
VM 96 (8/2020): The 2017 Syrah The Hated Hunter is a dense, powerful wine. Super-ripe black cherry, leather, spice and licorice are all amplified by the warmth of the year, which is very much felt. Unctuous, exotic and flamboyant to the core, the 2017 offers tons of immediacy if a bit less of the delineation found in more balanced years. Then again, that is 2017. The blend here is 82.4% Syrah, 7.8% Petite Sirah, 5.2% Mourvèdre, 2.0% Grenache, 1.4% Viognier and 1.2% Petit Manseng. Vineyard sites are The Third Twin Estate, Eleven Confessions, Cumulus and Molly Aïda. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Somnium Cellars |
2017 |
Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$150 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Spring Mountain Vineyard |
2017 |
Cabernet Franc |
$40 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2017 |
Elivette Proprietary Blend |
$95 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2017 |
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
$59 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Staglin Family Vineyards |
2017 |
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5 L) |
$475 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 94+ (12/2018): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is an attractive, racy wine with plush fruit, soft contours and tons of sheer immediacy. Sweet red berry fruit, floral notes, spice and mint are all nicely lifted in this enticing, mid-weight Cabernet Sauvignon from Staglin. The 2017 offers lovely freshness and aromatic presence in a medium-bodied Cabernet that can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Stags' Leap Winery |
2017 |
Napa Valley Merlot Bin-Soiled Label |
$25 |
1 |
|
| |
| WA 89 (10/2020): Composed of 96% Merlot and 4% Petite Sirah, the 2017 Merlot was aged for 19 months in French oak, 35% new. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it offers open-knit, expressive notes of baked plums, boysenberries and fruitcake with touches of hoisin, clove oil and bouquet garni. The soft, satiny, medium-bodied palate is chock-full of juicy black fruits, lifted by a lively line of freshness and finishing satisfyingly spicy. |
|
| The Third Twin (Sine Qua Non) |
2017 |
Third Twin Vyd. Graciano |
$325 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2017 |
Third Twin Vyd. Nuestra Senora del Tercer Gemelo |
$279 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98+ (8/2020): This is the second edition of this single-vineyard cuvee from The Third Twin estate in Los Alamos, as a follow-up to last year’s “Nuestra Senora Del Tercer Gemelo,” but this time the core of the blend is Grenache as opposed to Mourvèdre. Due to a possible trademark dispute, this wine may get a name change prior to release, potentially to be called, “The Other Lady.” The small proportion of Viognier in this blend was co-fermented with red grapes, but interestingly, because it ripens earlier than the reds, the white berries were frozen and added to the reds at the time of fermentation. As an added bonus, these frozen grapes help to cool and, therefore, slow the fermentation. This wine was recently bottled, on May 22, 2020, after spending 32 months in French oak, 12% new.
JD 98 (8/2020): Coming from the more sandy soils of the estate The Third Twin Vineyard and just bottled, the 2017 The Other Lady TBD checks in as 42% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre, 15% Petite Sirah, 12% Graciano, 11.5% Syrah, and the final 2.5% Viognier. It saw just a touch of stems (18%) and spent 32 months in just 12% new French oak. Deep purple/blue, it offers a stunning bouquet of blueberries, black cherries, bay leaf, smoked game, pepper, and violets. Rich, full-bodied, and beautifully concentrated on the palate, with ripe tannins, it shows the more focused, structured style of the vintage beautifully and is going to be long lived.
VM 94-96 (8/2020): An explosion of floral and spice notes lifts from the 2017 Nuestra Señora del Tercer Gemelo. Crushed red berries, flowers, mint and cinnamon give the 2017 striking aromatic intensity to match its mid-weight personality. Silky tannins and lifted aromatics add to a feeling of weightlessness in this very pretty, nuanced wine. The blend is 42% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre, 15% Petite Sirah, 12% Graciano, 11.5% Syrah and 2.5% Viognier, using 18% whole clusters. Aging of around 32 months was done in mostly used oak, with 12% new wood. Antonio Galloni. |
|
| The Vineyardist |
2017 |
Calarcadia Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$160 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 97 (1/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Calarcadia Vineyard is dense, plush and super-expressive. Super-ripe red cherry, red plum, white flowers, mint, blood orange and cinnamon all run through the 2017. I am really impressed with the wine's freshness and nuance, both of which took considerable effort to achieve. Medium in body, exotic and alluring, the 2017 is one of the best wines of the year. Sadly, production is just above 200 cases—which is about half of normal. (Drink between 2022-2037). Antonio Galloni. |
|
| Turnbull |
2017 |
Amoenus Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon |
$135 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 97 (1/2020): The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus Vineyard is a big, powerful, brawny Calistoga Cabernet. Black cherry, grilled herbs, leather, menthol, licorice and cured meats give the 2017 striking aromatic nuance to play off a core of huge black fruit. Big, muscular tannins frame this decidedly virile, potent Cabernet Sauvignon. This is an especially rich, masculine wine. It is also the only pure Cabernet in the Turnbull range. (Drink between 2024-2037). Antonio Galloni.
WA 92+ (10/2019): Deep purple black colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus Vineyard offers up notes of plums preserves, blueberry pie and spice cake with hints of Indian spices, fallen leaves and tobacco plus a waft of potpourri. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with spicy black fruit preserves, framed by chewy tannins and finishing savory. |
|
| Vincent Wine Co. |
2017 |
Bjornson Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$35.99 |
23 |
|
| |
| VM 93 (8/2020): Brilliant red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red fruits, potpourri, exotic spices and candied rose, along with a hint of smoky minerality. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering penetrating raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that show fine definition and back-end lift. Intensely flavored and finely delineated, with an impressively long, perfumed finish that delivers firm mineral cut and resonating florality. (Drink between 2022-2029). Josh Raynolds. |
|
| Williams Selyem |
2017 |
Olivet Lane Vyd. Pinot Noir |
$99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2017 |
Papera Vyd. Zinfandel |
$55 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2017 |
Russian River Valley Pinot Noir |
$69 |
3 |
|
| |
| JD 92 (6/2019): In the same thread, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley shows classic Russian River fruit (although not much cola) as well as plenty of spice, underbrush, and floral notes. Giving up plenty of wild strawberry and Bing cherry fruit, medium to full body, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. it has plenty of upfront charm, yet I suspect capable of lasting for 8-10 years. |
|
|
2017 |
Sonoma County Pinot Noir |
$59 |
4 |
|
| |
| JD 93 (6/2019): The appellation 2017 Pinot Noir Sonoma County sports a medium ruby color as well as classic sweet red fruits, flowers, incense, and dried forest floor. Readers looking for a beautiful introduction into this estate can't go wrong with this and it’s medium-bodied, has a light, ethereal texture, integrated acidity and tannins, and a beautiful finish. It's classic, old-school, and damn good. |
|
|
2017 |
Westside Road Neighbors Pinot Noir |
$79 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (5/2019): The 2017 Pinot Noir Westside Road Neighbors is another wine in this range that is all about understatement and nuance. Medium in body yet also quite deep and resonant, the Westside Road Neighbors is succulent and inviting from the very first taste. Black cherry, plum, violet and cloves all add to the wine's dark-ish leaning flavor profile. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|