Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points: “Next up, the 2018 La Magalena comes from the Oakville Ranch Vineyard and in 2018 is a blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Incredible notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, tobacco leaf, violets, and spring flowers all emerge from this beauty, and it hits the palate with flawless balance, full-bodied richness, a great, great mid-palate, and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. Probably a candidate for perfection in 5-7 years, this is a magical Bordeaux blend from an incredible terroir as well as a great winemaker. Hide bottles in the cellar for 5-7 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 30 years or more.”

Vinous 97+ Points: The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is super-elegant and refined, but also somewhat closed following its bottling, which is not uncommon for mountain wines. That period of stubbornness seems to be part of the evolution here, as the wine tends to only blossom after a few years. Today, the 2019 is marked by its brilliant upper register, striking balance and vibrancy. It is another compelling wine from Cornell.”

Vinous 95 Points: “The 2021 Chardonnay Rosemary’s Vineyard is a classic Brian Talley wine. Rich and creamy, with notable texture, the Rosemary’s is superb in 2021. There’s a bit more oak here than in the other Chardonnays, but the wine has the depth to balance things out. Lemon confit, marzipan, white flowers, and a kiss of new French oak build as this resonant, expressive Chardonnay shows off its considerable charms.”

FMW 95 Points: “Dazzling black stone fruit and chocolate aromas jump out of the glass on impact.   This Bordeaux blend offers deep dark color, with intense aromatics and concentration. The fruit is 100%  sourced from the Hendry Estate in the Napa Valley.  This Cabernet-based blend is concentrated, powerful, yet silky smooth, with a lush and creamy texture on the mid-palate offering up cacao, blueberries, and anise flavors, and its loaded flavors show intense depth,  that leads to a long but silky finish with fine-grained tannins. This wine is drinking well now and should do so for a decade.

TWI 96 Points: “The 2022 Kanzler Vineyard Pinot Noir sports a medium to deep ruby-purple color and flashy scents of fresh raspberries, Bing cherries, and strawberry and rhubarb pie, leading to hints of underbrush, wet slate, and dried thyme. Medium to full-bodied, the palate shimmers with energetic red berry flavors, supported by fine-grained tannins and a refreshing ling, finishing on a lingering earthy note.”

FMW 93+ Points:  Hayfork Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine shows off a  very deep purple hue.  On the nose you are greeted with bright scents of boysenberries, plum preserves, and cassis, This 2020 has a lush full-bodied palate, with bold fruit flavors, a touch of chocolate, a touch of spice, and tons of juicy black fruits leading in a long opulent finish.

Robert Parker 93 Points (2019): “The 2019 Zinfandel Old Vines has a medium ruby-purple color and bright, inviting red and blueberry fruits laced with notes of apricot and dried flowers. Medium-bodied, the palate is silky, soft, super fresh, and approachable with an understated but pure fruit character. Lovely!”

Robert Parker 95 Points: “Disgorged with two grams per liter dosage, Billecart-Salmon’s 2009 Extra Brut Vintage is more giving and demonstrative than its 2008 counterpart, offering up inviting aromas of crisp stone fruit, yellow apple, brioche, honeycomb, and warm pastry. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a pillowy mousse and a generous core of fruit girdled by bright acids, it’s seamless and complete. Indeed, such is its charm and persistence that I tend to prefer it, at least for now, to the 2008.”

Vinous 96 Points: “The 2021 Pinot Noir Starscape is one of the most potent, virile wines in the range. These old vines planted in the 1960s with the wide row spacing typical of the era yield a decidedly potent, muscular Pinot. Most of the 2021s here are quite refined, but the Starscape is all about power and structural intensity. Dark blue/purplish fruit, lavender, graphite mocha, and spice linger on the finish. This is a dazzling effort from Sean Capiaux. “

Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points: “Lastly, the 2021 The Bard checks in as 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah. This beauty has a killer bouquet of cassis, spring flowers, graphite, chalky minerality, and violets. This carries to a full-bodied, seamless, silky, flawlessly balanced effort revealing fine tannins, a good sense of freshness, and a thrilling finish.”

TWI 99 Points: “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of black cherries, blackberries, and blackcurrant jelly spill from the glass, followed by an evocative perfume of black raspberries, red roses, lavender, and cinnamon sticks. The full-bodied palate is taut with muscular, intense fruit, framed by firm, finely-grained tannins and just enough tension, finishing long and graceful. This tiny production (195 cases) of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is made by the very talented Martha McClellan (who also makes Sloan) and it is simply gorgeous!”

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: “Brought up in more new French oak (90%), the 2019 Syrah Indigo is inky purple-hued and gives up a killer bouquet of blackberries, beef blood, bay leaf, iron, peppery herbs, and bacon fat. It’s rich, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, with a dense, rich, powerful, yet also focused style that stays graceful and elegant. This is a gorgeous Syrah in every way that should have 10-15 years of prime drinking.”