Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points: “Moving to the Grand Vin 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, red wine simply doesn’t get any better, and I never cease to be amazed at what winemaker Celia Welch accomplishes with this incredible terroir. Deep ruby/plum-hued, with a kaleidoscope-like array of cr me de cassis, jammy blackberries, spicy oak, graphite, and smoked tobacco, with a kiss of background chocolaty nuances, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a multi-dimensional, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a flawlessly layered, concentrated, balanced profile that has to be tasted to be believed. Given its wealth of fruit and texture, as well as purity and balance, it already offers pleasure, yet smart money will give bottles 4-6 years in the cellar, count themselves lucky, and enjoy bottles over the following two decades.”

Robert Parker 97 Points: “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon MMXIII is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (86%), Malbec (9%) and Cabernet Franc (5%). Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of crushed blackcurrants, wild blueberries and ripe blackberries, plus hints of menthol, violets and dark chocolate. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with juicy black fruits and is wonderfully plush, featuring a lively backbone with loads of spiciness coming through on the long finish..”

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points: “A blockbuster of a Sauvignon Blanc, Bevan’s 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Dry Stack Vineyard comes from an Italian clone planted in gravelly soil in the Bennett Valley and is raised, I believe, in the barrel. Bottled unfiltered so it has a touch of haziness in its gold hue, it offers a heavenly bouquet of caramelized lemon zest, mint, orange blossom, honeyed flowers, and brioche. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, it has incredible concentration, a layered, pure mouthfeel, good freshness, and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It’s not for those craving lightweight aromas and flavors and has the weight and richness of a great Chardonnay. Drink this beauty over the coming 2-3 years.”

Vinous 96 points: “The 2019 Phoenix is a blend of 64% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc. It offers up soaring aromatics and pliant red-toned fruit, all in a mid-weight style that is hugely appealing. This beautifully balanced wine from Lee Hudson and his team is an absolute winner.”

Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points: “In contrast, the 2021 Syrah Il Padrino Bien Nacido Vineyard is more masculine and feral, with ripe black fruits, cracked black pepper, leather, iron, and spring flowers, and a certain bloody character developing with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it has a similar level of polish but is a touch more concentrated and lengthy on the palate, with ripe, building tannins and awesome length. Drink this spectacular Syrah over the coming 10-12 years.”

James Suckling 96 Points: “Aromas of hibiscus, lemon, iron and strawberry follow through to a medium to full body with very fine tannins that melt into the wine. Lovely freshness. Succulent and juicy. Drink now or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points: “The Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard was 80% destemmed, which is a lot of stems by this estate’s standards, and spent 16 months in 40% new barrels. It’s another exotic, complex, incredibly satisfying Pinot Noir in the lineup that offers ripe red and black fruits, black tea, orange blossom, and spice-laced aromas and flavors. I love its texture, and it has terrific mid-palate depth, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish.

Vinous 97 Points: “The 2021 Zinfandel 1910 Block emerges from the oldest vines on the property. Dense, dark, and beguiling, the 2021 packs a serious punch. Succulent black cherry, blackberry, spice, rose petal, pomegranate, and blood orange saturate the palate. The 2021 is distinguished by its density, power, and resonance. This is the essence of Limerick Lane. What a wine!”

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: Coming from Red Mountain and 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Cabernet Franc brought up in 80% new French oak, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Curiositas offers more red and black fruits to go with classic Red Mountain minerality, notes of graphite and tobacco, full-bodied richness, and building, firm, yet ripe tannins. It’s going to need 3-5 years of bottle age, but it’s a classic expression of this terroir.

Robert Parker 100 Points: “Tasted blind, in a lineup that included vintages back to 2010, a barrel sample of Spottswoode’s 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon stood out as being one of the most exciting efforts. Full-bodied, ripe, and rich without being overbearing, it delivers concentrated black cherry and cassis fruit framed by supple, velvety-textured tannins. It’s long on the finish, with an attractively soft, dusty-loamy texture and no overt signs of a fire-troubled Napa vintage.”

The Wine Independent (Lisa Perrotti-Brown) 96 Points: “The single-varietal Altamura 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for nearly 3 years in barrel, is deep garnet-purple in color. It opens with earthy/savory notions of tree bark, black truffle, dried herbs, and Indian spices leading to a core of stewed plums, redcurrant jelly, and boysenberries plus nuances of tobacco leaf, dried mint, and fallen leaves. The medium to full-bodied palate is fantastically elegant and refined, with red berry sparks lifting the dense black fruits supported by plush tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and minerally. This is impressive!”

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!”

Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points:  “First made in 2009 (the first vintage of Maybach was in 2004), the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus offers an incredible, full-bodied, pure, seamless style, and I suspect this is the finest vintage of this cuvée ever made. Gorgeous red and black fruits, toasted spice, brioche, violets, and flowers are just some of the nuances here, and it’s one of those wines that brings massive richness and depth while staying pure, seamless, and as graceful as they come. Don’t miss it!”

Vinous 97 Points: “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Lava Block is a potent, explosive wine. Rocky soils yield a potent, intensely mineral-drenched Cabernet Sauvignon. Crushed rocks, graphite, chocolate, lavender, incense, and crème de cassis all race across the palate, supported by salivating acids and big yet well-balanced tannins.” ”