5/14/2023 - JWH6 wrote:

Disappointing, first time opening a 2018, it didn’t get it done. Thoughts that come to mind- thin, watery ( for a big cabernet like this), tannins were present fairly bold. Strange, our least favorite Villa Del Lago vintage in a long time.

12/12/2022 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Just not a memorable wine, good not great. This one misses the mark of being a great Napa Cabernet.

11/9/2022 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Couldn’t resist trying this wine. Cherry bomb, smooth tannins, this wine is in a really good place and it is only a 2019. Wonderful expression of Oakville and is only going to get better.

8/24/2022 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Easy 93, this wine gets you with the aroma, I could sit and swirl this wine for hours.

8/19/2022 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Another solid vintage of Christine. Dark fruit, spice and savory all in one wine, nicely done!

4/16/2022 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Beautiful red blend with all the hallmarks of a great Napa wine.

1/28/2022 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Back to a 93 on this one, bottle we tried last fall just didn’t deliver like this one did. Decanted and drank over the course of three hours, every sip was better than the prior.

1/27/2022 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Agree with BRETTAY’s comment.

1/14/2022 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Really hitting its stride, cherry bomb, 2016 Napa proving to be an exceptional vintage.

1/9/2022 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

This wine is aging beautifully, previous reviews were simply tasting a big Napa Cabernet too early. Tannins are nicely integrated, dark fruit is just right, alcohol is not an issue. Enjoy, we did!

12/20/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

The last time we opened a bottle of the 2012 vintage was 2014. I was a bit disappointed and hoped aging would bring the wine to life and it has, flavors have concentrated, this wine is aging beautifully.

12/8/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Aging beautifully, probably should have given it a 93.

9/7/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

No surprise, getting better with age. This is a classic Napa Cabernet Franc.

7/24/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Aging beautifully.

7/6/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

This is great first effort Cabernet Sauvignon by Donelan. Really nice fruit up front, tannins are well integrated already. Do as Joe said, decant for two hours before you enjoy.

6/4/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Ditto.

5/20/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

The 2017’s just don’t have aging potential, I recommend drinking 2017 Napa cabernet sooner rather than later, their peak in my opinion was 2020.

4/7/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Agree 100% with “cavedivr’s” comments. This is a really well made cabernet.

2/26/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Only one word to describe this wine both on the nose and palate- honeysuckle!

2/10/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Wow! What a difference seven months has made. This wine is drinking fabulously. Enjoy!

1/26/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

As noted in a previous tasting note, this is a “lighter” Napa cabernet, agree very nice nose and finish (cherry). However at this price point, there are many other Napa Cabernets we would choose first.

1/23/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Excellent expression of mountain fruit, finely integrated tannins and still a young wine. If you possess this wine, you should be very happy!

1/12/2021 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

This wine is aging gracefully, you won’t be disappointed.

12/11/2020 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

This wine has a long way to go, not ready for enjoying just yet. In a couple of more years should be able to get to a 93-94 rating. This is no 95 plus wine.

10/9/2020 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

A beautiful wine, getting better with every year that passes bye.

9/23/2020 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Six months of additional aging in the bottle has made a noticeable (positive) difference.

8/25/2020 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

This is a wine some will consider excellent and others funky. A different flavor profile than your typical Syrah given the 10% Viognier that is blended in.

8/14/2020 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

This wine has aged beautifully, enjoy!

7/26/2020 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

CSIMM161 did a great job reviewing the 2016 VDL. Here is a 21 month update- as the wine has continued to evolve in the bottle, the dark fruit is very welcoming, the tannins are smooth yet confirm the wine will age gracefully for several more years. I give the 2016 a 96 rating and believe time will further reward those who are patient.

7/1/2020 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

I think the prior comments from a year or two back were correct, this wine needed some more time in the bottle, it is drinking beautifully right now.

5/4/2020 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

This wine (2013 vintage) has aged beautifully, first bottle in 2018 we enjoyed, time has been a friend, drinking better than ever right now.

4/22/2020 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Chocolate, dark fruit, tobacco. This is a really nice wine, it will be even better in a year or two. Don’t rush, this wine has not reached its peak, give it more time in the bottle, you will be rewarded.

3/27/2020 - JWH6 wrote:

Unfortunately this bottle was corked, bummer!

3/24/2020 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Stretch score giving this wine a 90. We love this wine, I think it has passed its prime. On the nose and palette both are muted, time has run out. Drink now or forever hold your peace.

3/24/2020 - JWH6 wrote:

This rating may be unfair. This wine was a gift, we held on too long to drink, a lack of tannin means drink soon don’t wait. This wine lacked tannin.

3/24/2020 - JWH6 wrote:

Too sweet, for some you will love it, lots of fruit and sugar. For others, no way, sugar water, not a respectable red wine.

12/21/2019 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Drank a bottle 11 months ago, gave the wine a 91 and said it needs a few more years in the bottle. A “year later”, I give it a 92-93, definitely aging well.

11/12/2019 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Dramatic improvement in this wine over the past seven months, this wine is starting to hit its stride.

8/17/2019 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

This wine is aging beautifully, dark fruit and cigar box on the nose, still quite a bit of berry flavors on the palette, nicely integrated tannins, a wonderful wine. In this large format it will age nicely for many more years.

8/11/2019 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Very nice Upstate New York Red. Unusual mix of grapes, but put together well. Dark fruit on the nose and palette, medium tannins, well done.

3/31/2019 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

We have seven bottles so decided to try one to gage the progress of the wine. This wine is no where near ready for prime time, which is not a big surprise. However we are concerned with the wine ever reaching the expectation we have have for “The David”, it will be a good wine, possibly not a great wine.

3/29/2019 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

We have five bottles of this wine so we decided to try one to see how it is aging. Well it is aging very nicely! Deep red fruit on the nose, decent amount of tannin but not over powering upon opening. After an hour, this drank very nicely. 93 in the bottle as of March 2019.

2/21/2019 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

A nice sparkling wine, a little bit drier would have been nice.

1/12/2019 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

We have three bottles of the 2014 Kathryn, we decided to try one to see how it is aging. The wine is very fruity, to me borderline “jammy”. I think several more years in the bottle are needed.

11/21/2018 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Nice Del Dotto Cabernet. Dark cherry, smooth finish aged in French oak. Enjoy.

10/7/2018 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

We liked this vintage of Moriah a lot. A beautiful wine, cherry on the palette, smooth tannins, very nicely built.

9/22/2018 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

2010 was a great vintage, unfortunately this particular wine doesn’t excel like others did that year. Definitely improved after opening, give it at last an hour, before drinking.

9/18/2018 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

This wine is drinking really well considering how young it is. Enjoy.

9/10/2018 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

Agree with ISSACJAMESBAKER’s May tasting note.

9/1/2018 - JWH6 Likes this wine:

I have six bottles of this wine, I decided to try one to see how it is developing. This wine is not ready for prime time (no surprise), very fruity, silky tannins and a beautiful finish, has the potential to get to a 93 or so in my book- time will tell!