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Have a wine that you want to talk about that is not already on our website? Post your own review. If you know where the wine is sold and the price, be sure to include that info. Thanks..........VC
2/19/2006 4:33 PM
Gustavo rancho santa fe wrote:
V.C. How come you have not reviewed any Stag's Leap wines? I just had a bottle of the 2001 Artemis and it was awesome, at a fraction of the price of the other Stag's Leap cabs. Reply to this
I like the Stag's Leap Wine Cellars cabernets. I think the Artemis can hold it's own against anything else in the price point. I like it much more than I did in the "pre-Artemis" days (prior to 2001) when it was just called SLWC Napa Cab. When they changed the name, they also changed where the grapes where from, and now feature a higher percentage of wines from the estate vineyards (Fay and SLV). It consistently merits at least a 3.5 stars rating in my opinion. As for the higher priced offerings (Fay, Cask 23, and SLV), all are good. In some years they are great and warrant the high price asked, but in other years I think sometimes they don't deliver for the money. But a good winery, with a good track record. Note to readers, this is Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, not Stag's Leap Winery. They are two different wine companies. (The latter is good also, but not quite as good as the former, in my opinion)...........V.C. Reply to this
2/22/2006 10:41 PM
Rawli wrote:
VinoCritic, Tonight I opened a 1999 Heitz Martha's and I have to say it was fantastic. I have always been a fan of Heitz, but I think the 1999 is drinking really well right now. Yes I realize that it's a top end expensive wine but for a real treat it's at the top of the list. Reply to this
2/22/2006 10:46 PM
Rawli wrote:
I love the Artemis. However I think that 1999 and 1998 are drinking great now and the 2000 is still too young. I've had the Cask 23 1999 and it is a 5 star wine however very expensive.. Reply to this
2/25/2006 7:37 PM
Rawli wrote:
VC, You must try the 1996 Silver Oak Napa. It is fruity with a hint of spice and drinks GREAT right after corking just like you like it. Over time the wine mellows and any hint of tannins has dissapeared. I give it 5 stars. Reply to this
2/25/2006 8:34 PM
VinoCritic wrote:
I have never had the 96 Napa from Silver Oak. 5 stars is serious stuff. Do you know if it is selling anywhere around town? I have had the 96 Silver Oak Alexander and found it delightful. I drank it with my father who is quite a hard critic on California cabs and he gave it a very positive thumbs up also. Reply to this
2/25/2006 11:07 PM
Rawli wrote:
VC, I got mine from direct from Silver Oak. However I will tell you that Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido has Silver Oak from time to time. In fact I purchased a 1.5 l Silver Oak 2000 Napa for $ 219.00. That is a 10% markup from the same bottle I got directly from the winery. Reply to this
3/10/2006 7:22 PM
Rawli wrote:
VC, I think you should try the 2003 Cakebread Cellars Cab. I sampled some and it's very nice. The mix of tannins and spice are very well done. In fact I had mine with a salad of spanish blue cheese and a stuffed bell pepper and it fit very well. i would give it a strong 4. In a year or 2 it may very well be a 4.5. Reply to this
3/10/2006 8:59 PM
VinoCritic wrote:
Where did you get it, and what is the price? I haven't had Cakebread in a looooong time. Wouldn't mind picking up a bottle................ Reply to this
3/14/2006 8:31 PM
r wrote:
I bought this @ Major Market in Escondido fo 57.00. I know it's pricy but I think it's well worth it. Reply to this
3/14/2006 8:33 PM
Rawli wrote:
VC, if you have the chance try a 1988 Dunn Cab. It is so smooth and very well bodied with spice and pepper. A must have for a special occasion. Reply to this
3/15/2006 5:42 PM
VinoCritic wrote:
I have never had the 88, but I have had the 89 Howell Mountain, which was a superb wine from a mediocre vintage. I agree that even the regular Napa Dunn cabernet does not hit its stride for at least a decade, so it does not suprise me that the 88 is drinking well...........V.C. Reply to this
3/14/2006 9:19 PM
VinoCritic wrote:
Yeah, Jake, I like Plumpjack too. In fact, I have quite a bit of their 1996-1999 in my cellar. The only thing I don't like about Plumpjack is how expensive they are getting. It seems as though ever since Gavin Newsome, the owner, was elected mayor of San Francisco, the popularity of the wine has skyrocketed, and so have the prices. But I agree, the 1997 is definitely 4 star quality.
P.S. I also like the Plumpjack cafe restaurant in S.F., which has a great wine list at prices that are not much more than retail.................V.C. Reply to this
3/14/2006 9:10 PM
jake wrote:
I have had the 2001 and 2002 Calkebread cabs and found them both quite good. The 2001 is ready now, the 2002 will benefit from some more age. I have not had the 2003 mentioned above. Reply to this
4/12/2006 9:35 PM
Rawli wrote:
VC, Here is something that i've stumbled on lately. How many times have you opened a bottle of wine and not finished it? Then the next time opened another bottle and not finished that? Well if you not living in a big house the unfinished bottles of wine can take up a lot of space. So in an effort to save space ( and keep the wife happy ) combine them.. I have been doing this for sometime and I think that I have found a few good recipes. For instance I like Pinot's they are the best for let's drink right now red's in my book. Cabernet sometimes takes a bit do warm up. If you take a glass and fill it 1/3 with Pinot followed by 1/3 Cabernet and then 1/3 Pinot you get an Outstanding glass of wine. I think this really works best with the entry level wines. Mondavi Cabernet and Clos Du Bois Pinot work well. I've also noticed that mixing in the above order works the best rather than pouring 2/3 to 1/3. Much like a good Black and Tan the order is important. What do you think VC? Reply to this
8/24/2006 4:22 PM
Rawli wrote:
VC, I have lately been on a hunt for a new Pinot. My travel has taken me to New Zealand. The Brancott 2004 Reserve Marlborough Pinot ( $15.99 ) is a pure joy. It is smooth and with a hint of earth. I also taste some citris and berry. This has now become our red table wine. If you see some give it a try, You'll really like it. Reply to this
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