Kirkland Signature Stag Leap District, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

In the latest issue of my wine subm, I had the pleasure of reviewing a hidden gem from the Stags Leap District – a dark ruby, luxurious Napa Cabernet, retailing for just $20 at Costco. This delightful find showcases a medley of vibrant fruit flavors, ranging from blackberries and blueberries to plums and cherries, while also teasing the nose with hints of oak, earthy spices, and velvety dark chocolate. A medium-bodied wine with a well-balanced acidity, it boasts nice long legs that make it an exceptionally smooth and elegant choice.

The Napa Cabernet exudes a certain youthful charm and has a fruity and dry palate, laced with layers of oak, vanilla, and spices that create a complex, harmonious taste. The long finish is punctuated with firm, yet young, tannins, and a touch of tart cherries. Although it is already enjoyable, allowing it to age gracefully for a few more years would undoubtedly enhance its flavors and make it an even more sublime choice to enjoy with a variety of foods, such as smoky BBQ meats.

This particular Cabernet is grown on volcanic clay soil with 50-year-old vines, which explains the captivating flavor profile. Currently, the wine still exhibits some subtle vegetable notes that will likely dissipate with time. Letting it breathe and open for at least 2 hours before indulging will offer the best sensory experience. With an alcohol content of 14.3%, this exquisite Napa Cabernet is an excellent value, satisfying both the palate and the wallet. Don’t miss out on the chance to give it a try!

Rating = 92 Points

Paso Roble, California, Brecon Estate Feral Underclass Reserve 2020

The Brecon Estate Feral Underclass Reserve 2020, from Paso Robles, California, is a stunning wine that has a deep, inky color with a short purple rim. Upon opening the bottle, the sweet and inviting aroma of blackberries, cooked plums, figs, raisins, vanilla, cola, toasted oak, licorice, chocolates, coffee and black pepper immediately hits the nose.

On the palate, this full-bodied wine is smooth, with medium acidity and long legs. The Feral Underclass Reserve 2020 is dry and has a very fruity taste of blackberries, plums, cooked cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, Indian spices, raisins, dried fruits, chocolates, coffee, cola, and peppercorn. The long finish is characterized by fine-grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This Petite Sirah blend is simply delicious, displaying a smooth and elegant profile that is soft and supple. Although still young, this wine already showcases nice complexity. It is good right out of the bottle, but I recommend giving it 90 minutes in a decanter to open up and fully appreciate its flavors.

Aged in oak barrels for 18 months, 40% of which were new, this Single Vineyard blend of 76% Petite Sirah and 24% Zinfandel has a small production of only 8 barrels. With an alcohol content of 15.4% by volume, this wine is a spicy and entertaining choice that will continue to age nicely over the next 7 years.

Overall, the Brecon Estate Feral Underclass Reserve 2020 is an excellent wine that offers a delightful drinking experience. The combination of fruit and spice flavors, the smoothness of the wine, and its aging potential make it an ideal choice for any wine lover looking for a high-quality, yet approachable wine.

Rating = 92 Points

Bodegas Lan Rioja Gran Reserva 2015, Spain

Deep burgundy in color with a short reddish rim. Full bodied and soft with medium acidity. Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, sweet cherries, plums, espresso, sweet cedar, vanilla, spices, cola, tobacco leaf, earth, chocolates, peppercorn and herbs. Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and pomegranates.

This is a very tasty Tempranillo from Spain. Still young, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly.

A blend of Tempranillo and Graciano. Aged for 24 months in American and French oak barrels.

Paired with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

13.5% alcohol by volume.

Rating = 92 points.

Can find at most larger wine stores for around $30.

Charles Krug Cab. Sauv. Napa 2019

I’m on the hunt for bottles I haven’t reviewed yet, and found this Napa Cab from Charles Krug that I’m pretty sure I’ve tasted before, just haven’t posted about it.

Over the years of running this site, I’ve reviewed pasted vintages of the Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc, but not their Cabernet yet. I’ve always found the Sauvignon Blancs to be very good buys.

This one is pretty big and bold, but well executed and Napa wine fans will find a lot to like. It definitely drinks above its pay grade and is a perfect example of the bump in quality you get when you move from the $10-$15 range to the $20-$30.

Straight from the Bottle Rating: 91 points

Layer Cake Primitivo ’14

Ruby in color with a wide reddish/brick rim. Fruity nose of blueberries, cherries, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, herbs, spices, earth, barnyard, vegetables, smoke and black pepper. Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs. Dry and fruity on the palate with black currants, black plums, oak, licorice, cloves, earth, vegetables, vinaigrette, vanilla, […]

via Layer Cake One Hundred Percent Hand Crafted Primitivo 2014 Puglia, Italy — Odedi’s Wine Reviews Blog

Bin 50 Shiraz

Dark ruby in color with a purplish rim. On the nose black currants, black plums, oak, earth, spices, tobacco, leaf, vanilla, medicine and black pepper. Medium plus in body with medium acidity and long legs. Dry on the palate with plums, blueberries, currants, vanilla, wood, spices, tobacco, bitter herbs, vegetables and black pepper. Short finish […]

via Lindeman’s Wines Bin 50 Shiraz 2015, Southeastern Australia — Odedi’s Wine Reviews Blog