4/25/2024 - haldolugr wrote:

I couldn't resist. This is actually a beautifully structured wine for it's youth. It doesn't have the depth of fruit or tannic (in a good way) body that it's bigger brothers have but don't overlook this bad boy. Delicious red fruit with a light and racy middle note closing with a silk smooth finish. Super easy drinker! I mean it, silky smooth to drink.

4/14/2024 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Spectacular wine. The multiple 100 ratings from the wine pros on this wine are justified. Solid on all levels. If you like big Napa new world fruit bombs that are not only big but also nuanced and balanced, this is you wine.

4/17/2024 - Mark1npt Likes this wine:

A mere shadow of its former self 8-10 years ago, imo. Not sure if it's the vintage or the maker now, but it's a hollow impersonation from days gone by. It's still nice in that it makes people question what they're drinking, but it's somewhat hollow and weak compared to the highly thick and viscous vintages of years past. Needs to go back to more malo!

4/14/2024 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

2 hour decant. Consumed over 4 hours. The fruit on this was more refrained than I was expecting. Definitely not as big or fruit upfront as compared to other years of Carter OG I have had. But it still has that signature To Kalon nose and mouthfeel that I love. Medium long finish. Will try to wait a few years before revisiting.

4/8/2024 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Didnt show quite as well as last few bottles of these. Perhaps entering a dumb phase? Time will tell.

4/8/2024 - ChrisinCowiche wrote:

Too young, and I hope it comes around, but this was not an impressive wine. A bit hollow in the middle and not much going on anywhere else on the palate either. I'm hesitant to score, but I did assign where I see it now. Can only improve with time... I hope.

6/22/2023 - TastesGoodToMe wrote:

A lot of green/vegetal undertones that took away from it's potential to shine. Underlying glimpses of a nice cab lurking below the green notes.

3/6/2024 - TastesGoodToMe wrote:

Not sure what to think on this one. This is one of the first 2021's I have from Mike where I felt that it was way too early to drink (compared to Myriad and even the Q Kenefick) . This wine tighter than a gnat's arse right now. Not rating as a result as even after 4 hours it was still not showing great. I think the potential is there. But I will wait at least 6 mos before revisiting any of my other bottles.

2/18/2024 - TastesGoodToMe wrote:

I am going to hold off rating. But I would give it an 87 rating at this point if I did. I am a huge fan of both Kinsella and TRB. But this wine tasted very artificial and fabricated. Did they add a lot of Mega Purple? Because even the color of this wine was a little unnatural. I am hopeful that these either just need a lot more time to come together or that this was an off bottle (as I have about 10 more bottles of this to drink). Hopeful they will improve.

2/19/2024 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Excellent as always!

1/15/2024 - MRonan83 wrote:

Anyone feel the new release price on the Elysian is high along with other releases? Years past they have flown off the “shelf” with an allocation of 3 max but now with an allocation of 6, you can still buy. It never use to get to second tier allocation available. I’d love to support Mike and Leah because they are great people and at this price it’s becoming unobtainable for their long time supporters. Just me thinking this?

1/7/2024 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Good wine. But halfway through the bottle, we unfortunately got this thick mouth coating like perhaps Mega Purple (too much) was added and the wine started tasting artifical. 93 for first half of bottle and 91 for second half of the bottle.

12/18/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

This wine was an easy drinker and decent value for the price.

12/20/2023 - Yack Man wrote:

This wine has been and remains stuck in neutral after 5 years in the bottle. 3+ of air, and still tight, inhibited, muted. Muted dark fruit, tart acidity on the pallet. This wine remains on hold, who knows how long it will take to come around. Definitely my least favorite Myriad G-3 vintage st this stage.

12/10/2023 - TastesGoodToMe wrote:

Found these on line. I was not familar with the label. But very familar with BS Georges III vineyard and seeing fruit from there at this price point ($75)...well I had to give it a try. The old saying, if it seems to good to be true than it probably is applies here. I know in Napa, it all starts with quality fruit, but this goes to show it is also important as to the rest of the process. This was all fruit - just a gooey mess. If tasting blind, I would have thought a $20 bottle

11/25/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

I got an offer to purchase more of these today but I wanted to try one first before committing. Let's just say, I have purchased more! These are outstanding.

11/25/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Drank following a 2013 Schrader LPV and this was the preffered wine by all. What a great vintage of Lewis this has been! I bought 3 cases and am unfortinately down to my last 6. Now that Lewis has been sold, I hope the quality of this wine and price points remain the same. I know that Randy Lewis is staying on board at least for the time being.

7/14/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Had an '18 Myriad Dr Crane alongside a '19 Arrow & Branch Dr Crane. Both wines were double decanted and slow ox'd for 3 hours before taking to restaurant. This was a great matchup.

The A&B came out of the gates fast, and stayed in the lead most of the evening. It was more full throttled, had bigger fruit with a longer finish than the Myriad. But at about the 2 hour mark at the restuarant (we had many courses and made an evening out of it) the A&B started to get loose in the turns (to stay with my NASCAR racing analogy). This is a special wine. Worth trying one now if you have several. But the best for this is yet to come. I recommend drinking 2025 - 2030. I think in another 2-3 years, the A&B might score 99...maybe even a 100 (I do not give out many 100s).

The Myriad DC was a little more subdued at first. To continue with my racing analogy, I think this wine was "saving it's tires" for the final leg of the race. Because just as the A&B was getting a little loose in the turns, this wine seemed to gain laser focus. And what I described as being subdued earlier in the evening turned out to be hidden nuance that just needed time to show its stuff. Dark fruits, with a controlled brooding backbone, and a deep nasily finish that helped to show up what this wine has below the hood - a turbo charged 358 cubic inch, 750 HP engine that pushes you back in your seat when you step on the gas. I do not think this wine has the upside of the A&B, but not sure you can ask for more than the score I am already giving this one. I do recommend 3-4 decant minimum at this stage. But I recommend drinking in next 3 years to get the most out it.

In the end, my wife and I had to go to photo finish as these wines were neck and neck at the end of meal. In fact, we could not pick a winner. Both were equally excellent for different reasons. I score both wines: 97

11/7/2023 - brady.lambert Likes this wine:

$90. Not a 2019, nor a 2018. A little disappointing after all of the hype and pre-release push to purchase.

10/24/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

This is a solid wine at a decent price point (for Napa). True to the style. All blackberry. Good mouthfeel. Medium finish.

9/25/2023 - Drankthewholebottle Likes this wine:

Top notch Zinfandel that’s ready to be drunk. Went great with pasta Bolognese and held up for night two.

9/22/2023 - Cablover1982 Likes this wine:

Glass decant, darkest red to purple, ripe plums, blackberries, toasted cherries, white pepper, spicy oak, little chocolate and vanilla, leather and crushed pebbles. Still young and I’m running out. Always impresses.

9/7/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Sensational. Gave 2 hours of air. This has heft and such purity of fruit along with tremendous balance. Although this has a nice thick viscosity mounthfeel it just glides across the tongue. 90 second finish. Awesome wine.

9/9/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

I have gone through a case of this wine but it's been over a year since I have added a note. This wine if fabulous and holding up wonderfully. Still another 5 years minimum before I would see any falling off. We let it breath for about 1 1/2 hours before taking to restaurant. Paired extremely well with a grilled Elk Denver Leg served with bleu mac n cheese.

5/11/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

If you like Rombauer Chardonnay then you will like this one too. Definitiely on the "buttery" spectrum. But not over done. Good balance. Baked apples, vanilla, cinnamon and pear notes. Enough acidity to offset the sweetness. Went well with Thai food.

9/3/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

And another one bites the dust! These are so good I am just going to continue to pop them as long as they are drinking this well...and then the debate about these getting better or not will not apply to me :-)

8/31/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Smooth as a baby's butt. Only was able to give it an hour and half of air - drank over 2 hours and it continued to improve. So I recommend either a long decant of wait a while longer on this wine. This Syrah is excellent. Big but oh so smooth with a haunting finish. Woke up the next day thinking about this wine - it was that good.

8/14/2023 - Yack Man Likes this wine:

Love it! 95+/ 96 Points.

7/14/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Had an '18 Myriad Dr Crane alongside a '19 Arrow & Branch Dr Crane. Both wines were double decanted and slow ox'd for 3 hours before taking to restaurant. This was a great matchup.

The A&B came out of the gates fast, and stayed in the lead most of the evening. It was more full throttled, had bigger fruit with a longer finish than the Myriad. But at about the 2 hour mark at the restuarant (we had many courses and made an evening out of it) the A&B started to get loose in the turns (to stay with my NASCAR racing analogy). This is a special wine. Worth trying one now if you have several. But the best for this is yet to come. I recommend drinking 2025 - 2030. I think in another 2-3 years, the A&B might score 99...maybe even a 100 (I do not give out many 100s).

The Myriad DC was a little more subdued at first. To continue with my racing analogy, I think this wine was "saving it's tires" for the final leg of the race. Because just as the A&B was getting a little loose in the turns, this wine seemed to gain laser focus. And what I described as being subdued earlier in the evening turned out to be hidden nuance that just needed time to show its stuff. Dark fruits, with a controlled brooding backbone, and a deep nasily finish that helped to show up what this wine has below the hood - a turbo charged 358 cubic inch, 750 HP engine that pushes you back in your seat when you step on the gas. I do not think this wine has the upside of the A&B, but not sure you can ask for more than the score I am already giving this one. I do recommend 3-4 decant minimum at this stage. But I recommend drinking in next 3 years to get the most out it.

In the end, my wife and I had to go to photo finish as these wines were neck and neck at the end of meal. In fact, we could not pick a winner. Both were equally excellent for different reasons. I score both wines: 97

7/4/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

This is not like the Myriad GIII I have come to love through the years. Medium on everything. No nuance or complexity. This would be a great wine if this was priced at $50. But not worth the entry costs on this vintage...at least not currently. I suggest waiting on these. Maybe some time laying down will help (it cretainly wont hurt)

6/20/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

The 2020 NV is so damn good! The Calistoga rocks too. For the money, some of the best I have had from the '20 vintage (sadly, did not buy a lot as I was worried about smoke taint). No smoke taint on these. Deep and dark black and blue fruit, great balance, long finsh.

6/15/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Just WOW! Mike Smith / Quivet killed it in 2020. This wine is big, bold, balanced and beautiful (that's all the "B" words I could think of!)

6/6/2023 - csimm wrote:

TOP SHELF WINE WEEKEND: Tannic and drying, the chest on this thing is bumping and thumping with push, thrust, grip and clutch, but the fruit has a difficult time elbowing past the bro-code bullishness of the frame. Black fruited, mostly of the unripe and crunchy kind, with black rock adding to the impression of angularity and coarseness. Finishes dry and… dry…

That was day one. There was a hair of this left over for day two, which was a night-and-day experience. The fruit had finally managed to shove past the skeletal armor and offer exciting mineral-laced blackberry, blueberry skin, and black raspberry flavors. The energy here is exciting. Still, like running your palate along a cobblestone road at a farmer’s market, the 2016 HSS is gonna need another decade at least to figure out how to fan out the goods. This is a long-hauler for sure.

5/20/2023 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine:

I have to concur with the other 2 reviews here. This is just a stunning stunning wine. Delicate florals on the nose as MJP describes (and interesting to know that White Hawk soil is sand based). Ripe and pure fruit on the palate, some deep green savory notes, velvety smooth and a long finish. I don’t regret drinking so young but I do regret not having wished for more when I purchased.

I put this into 2 mini decanters about 30 min before dinner. I have found this is the best way to ‘share’ with my husband without him chugging the whole bottle, or me drinking too quickly because maybe he will chug the whole bottle. But he wasn’t chugging this one. I had left the decanters out and hadn’t told him much about the wine yet. As soon as he tasted he was blown away, and impatient for me to try it. He is not often so impressed and I have to say I shared his sentiment when I did eventually taste it!!!

5/22/2023 - Isaac L Does not like this wine:

Napa Walkabout Tasting @ Park 90 – this wine presented a very strange, chemical profile that I had never tasted before in chardonnay. Peter Koff MW may have been right. over-made and over-oaked?

4/27/2023 - Winowhyno wrote:

PNP...nicely balanced...smooth finish...not too hot...good fruit and body. So far it is tasting like a great deal on sale at $19.00 Would pay more. Bought 1 bottle to try...looks like a case purchase is justified!!!!

4/26/2023 - Yack Man Likes this wine:

Fantastic Cab, 94+/95 Points out of a Corivan pour.

4/24/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Better on Day 2. I thought this wine was really promising out of the gates when I first tried it in 2020. But then it really shut down. Only now is it starting to get a little better. 2018 was supposed to be the perfect growing season - but it has been a frustrating vintage to me overall with some spotty bright spots. But this is a Mike Smith wine - so still better than most with big structure and good mouthfeel. Just not up to his usual higher standard from a fruit perpective. Interestingly enough, I have loved everything I have tried of Mike's '20s - in a year I was worried about smoke taint. Just goes to show that you never know!

4/1/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

This wine is awesome. I knew I was going to be in for a treat when I saw how black the bottom of the cork was for a relatively young wine. Dark purple to black in the glass. Thick like syrup...like glass staining thick. Reminds me of some of the wines Herold made when I first found him (Merus, Buccella) and why I am a fan. Great balance with long finish. This wine is not for the faint of heart. It's a heavy weight packed with fruit. We loved it.

4/9/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Excellent wine. Could use more time or a longer decant.

3/19/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

My 10th bottle from this vintage and feel like they are getting better and better. I can't keep my hands off of them.

1/26/2023 - AGELVIS Likes this wine:

PNP at local steakhouse. Milk chocolate, blueberries, blackberry, and baking spice on the rich nose. Plush, dry, full bodied palate. Firm, full tannins on the medium long+ finish.

This is my third or fourth bottle and this is so reliable. What it lacks in complexity it makes up for in richness and mouthfeel. Very easy drinker.

1/26/2023 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Finally! I have been waiting for this wine is starting to come around. My 4th bottle and the first time I am rating.

1/16/2023 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:

Blind tasting of 19 Realm Dr Crane, 19 Myriad Elysian, 19 Memento Mori Crane and 19 Schrader Heritage. All Crane except for the Schrader. These were double decanted and consumed over a 10 hour period.

Initial impression after about 4 hours of air had Elysian in the lead, followed closely by Memento Mori with Realm next and Schrader last. The Elysian and Realm were the most similar (surprisingly), with both displaying chalky tannins and deep concentration along with the vanilla and oak most typically seen in the Mike Smith wines. The Elysian had a more expressive nose and a longer finish, which gave it the edge. Meanwhile, the MM had excellent acidity and lift, with a stronger tannin profile and slightly less body. The Schrader was most similar to the MM, but had redder fruit, less concentration and while elegant, overall was a bit more forgettable.

By hour 10 things had changed quite a bit. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Realm developed a gorgeous nose, tons of energy and a super long finish, while the Elysian started to recede, shortening up on the finish and not developing with more time. The MM kept integrating and getting better, with a great mix of elegance, energy and sophistication. The Schrader also improved in a similar way to the MM, just with a redder profile and less body, which again made it less interesting to me.

The takeaways here are pretty consistent with my view of these producers/wine makers and the source. The Realm ended up the best of the bunch, but it will hit you with oak, vanilla etc and can come across heavy handed at times. While it's not as over the top of Elysian, and certainly comes with better development than most from this site, you probably don't need to pour it for your French wine loving buddies. I've been buying this wine since 2012 and it has literally never lost a Crane blind, despite running it in about 10 of them over the years.

The Elysian is typical of Mike Smith's style. Hard to ever beat his wines young, as they start amazingly gorgeous and expressive, with pure fruit that is super hedonistic. The downside is in my experience, they top out young, and don't have the complexity or balance to age well. They are a wine to drink in the first few years and think of as dessert in a bottle.

Both the MM and Schrader are elegant, with a style that probably appeals to a larger crowd. They aren't stuffed with massive concentration, but they are more seamless, have less overt vanilla and oak, and display crisper acidity. I prefer the MM, not just because it was Crane vs TK here, but because the profile is darker and I think Sam gets more concentration out of the wine. I'd bet on these aging the best of the bunch.

One thing I will note is I do think especially for Dr. Crane, these are wines to drink young. In my experience, they don't really age super well and once you get past the unreal purity of fruit, the rest becomes less interesting, and you are just getting a sharper wine with less going on.

11/26/2022 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Just a great wine! I bought 2 cases of the 2018 since it was the perfect growing season - and that wine (so far) is just ok - not great. So with 2020, I was afraid to order too many of 2020 due to fears of smoke taint and so now it figures that this would end up being great... If I buy a stock, you need to sell immediately. :-)

12/5/2022 - Yack Man wrote:

The 2018 Myriad Georges III is the weirdest release that I've ever experienced since I started drinking this label. I'm not sure where this wine will go, but the best way I can describe this wine is it's on lock down, suppressed. As a pop and pour, the wine was mildly approachable. After about 3 hours of air it seems to have regressed. With more wine remaining, who knows how it will show (Coravin). Conclusion? It will be awhile before I crack another bottle. I'll let the remaining bottles cellar, for how long, who knows? Personally, I've found that many the 2018's started out strong however, a majority of my favorites Cali Cabs are on long term hold or seem to have regressed.

11/13/2022 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

My 7th bottle from this vintage. These are so good that I cannot keep my hands off of them. I have come to be of the belief that if a wine is drinking great, why take a chance that it "may" improve. Dark, almost black in the glass. Intoxicating nose, all dark fruits. Great extraction and depth with a long finish. Excellent wine.

11/7/2022 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Recommend waiting a while longer on these. Great wine - but still tightly wound. Upside potential for sure. Will wait at least 6 mos, if not a year, before revisiting.

10/31/2022 - TastesGoodToMe wrote:

I have been really disappointed in these '18 Myriad NV's. I bought 2 cases upon release. Mike Smith's normal advice is to drink the NV young while the single vineyards mature. But this has not been great experience to date. We have had a few bottels of this that were so bad (bitter and astringent) that we used for cooking (that's expensive cooking wine!). Tonight we decanted for 2 hours and it was still not great (that same bitterness). Score of 90 is based on hour #3 and that may be generous. It is not a horrible wine. It is just not what I expect from a Mike Smith wine or at this price point. I am beginning to wonder if these are ever going to come around - or if I should just give up waiting and use them as stocking stuffers in 2 months :-)

7/3/2022 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

Upside potential with more time. These are far from ready to drink, so if opening now, plan on a long decant. Upon opening, this was closed down and very muted both on the nose and the palate. So we opened and drank a different wine while waiting for this one to open up. Only after about 4 hours did it start to come around and shows that it has the potential to live up to the Heirloom's precedents of earlier vintages. Unlike other NV '19s that are drinking well early, this is one I would suggest holding off on for a year.