12/29/2022 - Bill sims Likes this wine:

Still a great wine . Drinks well . Is ready to enjoy

8/25/2022 - Odedis.Wine.reviews Likes this wine:

Dark ruby in color with a reddish rim.

On the nose black plums, currants, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, tobacco, herbs, earth, dark chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cherries, wood, spices, peppercorn, dark chocolates, coffee, pencil lead and black pepper.

Tangy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a tasty Merlot based blend from Saint Emilion. Tangy and interesting. A nice food wine and good by itself.

This 7 year old from the great 2015 vintage is still young, and will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, but good right out of the bottle, too.

Wine Enthusiasts 91 points.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 82% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon.

14% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$40.

8/22/2022 - shellylowen Likes this wine:

Silky, dark fruits, long finish

8/17/2022 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine:

The first vintage I had of this wine was 2013 and I thought it was absolutely fantastic (especially for $50 which was the price then). Same went for '14 and '15 vintages. I feel like '16 - '18 have just not had the same "oomph" (yes, that is a wine term!) This is my 5th bottle from 2016 and although a good wine with a score above 90, I do not believe it warrants the $70 price... there are several wines I prefer to this at a much lower price point. Interestingly, I saw that I do not have the 2019 in my cellar or on order, perhaps I missed an email allocation?

6/2/2022 - mdennison wrote:

Still my favorite winery.

2/4/2022 - dontime wrote:

Might have waited a bit too long on this one. Drinkable and reasonably enjoyable, but it had probably seen better days. Candied red fruits. Not rating.

8/14/2021 - Mark1npt wrote:

Tasted at a Vine Vault tasting in Austin.......prep time may have been an issue? Light green/weedy nose, which I personally find very offputting. The wine has the requisite smoothness of a Bevan product, but is there such a thing as green berry fruit? And tart, at that.....not a fan. Not this bottle. Tight and nowhere near ready. Gotta lose the green for me to get near another bottle.

6/16/2021 - mjdixon Does not like this wine:

Strange taste
Waited for hours but no change.
Maybe I don’t understand this grape

1/21/2021 - tlbarr Likes this wine:

This bottle held up nicely and is still a standout Washington Syrah for me. Tannins have mellowed but the dark fruit and spice are still on point

5/12/2020 - pinotpounder Likes this wine:

88 points

9/29/2020 - BRR Likes this wine:

Purchased a few from Full Pull from a "redacted" offering. Glad I did. This is tasty stuff and an easy-drinking quaffer. Great dark fruit, a little spicy oak, and not much in the way of tannins.

10/30/2020 - Big Dog E Likes this wine:

We drank the 2018. Probably the highlight from a tasting we did at the winery in PR. A bit more freshness and character than the other wines which were a bit too big and oaked for my taste generally (but I loved the labels!!).

7/7/2020 - Yack Man Likes this wine:

Still hitting on all cylinders for me, I like this one (see previous note).

11/15/2019 - Tym4wine wrote:

Disappointed with this bottle. Over the top sweetness and almost tasted like drinking grape juice - with alcohol. Very fruit forward grape, little tannin, little structure, and almost no finish. Quite linear. I certainly hope my remaining bottles are not like this as I anticipate very little aging potential from here.

Updated 11/24/19
I removed the 85 score on this note as the bottle was most certainly bad. Please see updated comment on 11/24/19 which reflects the wine more accurately.

10/18/2019 - Cristal2000 Likes this wine:

Aromatic and expressive nose of blackberries, raspberries, black cherries, violets, hints of char and scorched earth. This needs some time to work through the alcohol, as at present that is somewhat dominating. Displays fine, silky and solid tannin structure, with excellent layering, especially for this vintage. As has become a signature of 2017, it's a bit more red fruited, more acidic and goes higher on the register than 2012-2016. There's lot of minerality and earthy notions that give it excellent character. The fruit is nevertheless pure and vibrant, without the harsh and bitter mid-palate that has felled some higher end valley floor cabs from this vintage (and may very well be not just underripe, but the taboo smoke taint in some). Nice, medium length finish. All in all, this is a winner for the vintage but needs some time in bottle to bring the elements together.

2/17/2019 - Angiem31 Does not like this wine:

We were so disappointed in this bottle. My husband and I love French wine. All of the reviews were wonderful. We piad 23.99 at a grocery store. First taste was so sour almost like grapefruit on the end. We decanted it then let it sit and even swirl a small glass for a whole minute. It wasn't corked, cooked or vinegar. .... so sad we paid this much for a terrible bottle.

12/31/2018 - WineRay05 Likes this wine:

Very well balanced. Amazing QPR for $30
2016 is one of the best Juan Gil 18m I have ever tasted

9/24/2018 - csimm wrote:

Just as solid from bottle as it was from barrel. Previous notes apply. There is certainly some wonderful oak influence going on with this wine at the moment, with further integration to come with some shot-term cellaring.

It is amazing how texturally sexy this wine is in its youth (a number of Mike Smith's 2016s are indeed showing amazingly well considering their ages). It really depends on how you prefer your Napa Cabs. If you like those beautiful Darnajou and Taransaud spices injected in your wine, then it's not a crime to pop one of these now. If you prefer less of that on the front end, best to hold another 12+ months. Regardless, this is fabulous juice that rewards now, and should continue to evolve over the coming years. 98-100 points, likely locking in on a perfect score after another 12+ months in bottle.

9/3/2018 - TannicBeast Likes this wine:

Decanted, due to the presence of sediment. Medium (+) ruby, with a garnet edge and thick, stained tears. The nose is clean, with medium (+) intensity, developed, complex, and of fine quality, with aromas of black cherry, cinnamon, mocha, indian spices, dried herbs. The palate is clean, dry, with medium acidity and medium plus tannins. The alcohol is high, but nicely integrated. Overall, the wine is very smooth, balanced, full-bodied, with medium (+) intensity and length. Contrary to prior some prior reports, I don't think this is anywhere close to the end of its optimal drinking window. I think WS missed this one with their prediction of "drink by 2016." WS 91.

6/14/2018 - Joe Kane wrote:

2nd time tasting after proof. Dude, huge! Overripe, rich massive, and bold! Got some tannin to it! This is the 2014 BTW.

5/6/2018 - macerlend Likes this wine:

Good one, fruity with long finish.

2/1/2018 - ogres3 Likes this wine:

Decanted two hours in Maui.
Opaque. Pleasant nose. Ripe full-bodied black and purple fruit. Still with legs. Powerful finish.
Very new world.

12/26/2017 - chbeaumont wrote:

Dark; classy, fulsome, fresh black currants, direct; clean, refreshing palate, tannins remain but wrapped in ripe, dark fruits. Forthright, sturdy & vigourous finish. Should drink well for close to a decade.

12/21/2017 - scott w Likes this wine:

2013 Quivet Cellars Syrah Hulda Block Las Madres Vineyard. First of all I would like to thank Yogi8938 my secret santa for this bottle! popped this bottle tonight and gave it around 3 hrs in the decanter, if you are a meat and olive lover this wine is for you! (and I am) The fruit is pure and great balance of acid and tannin, IMHO still has a long life to go but it was delicious now. Loved this bottle!

10/27/2017 - logos Likes this wine:

figgy, caramelized, aldehyde nose with an attractive, fairly delicate lift; taste is fairly rich but dry, medium bodied, nutty, caramel, pentrating acidity; long, clean finish continues the flavour profile. a bit simple, but quite satisfying. best slightly cool.

7/23/2017 - Frank Murray III wrote:

45% Zin, 40% Syrah, 15% Petite. Served blind, I guessed Petite. I didn't take to this wine very well, as it shows heat to me, which I don't enjoy in my wines. Lots of purple fruit, jam, iron, milk chocolate, with a chewy finish.

7/12/2017 - dontime wrote:

Wednesday Wine - Special Edition (The Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes.): A young wine, with great potential. Red and blue fruits, with some spice and a hint of sweetness. Smooth for its age with some chocolate on the finish. Probably not fair to rate this as it was number six of six big Napa Cabs consumed. Never-the-less, if scoring, 90-92.

7/19/2017 - csimm wrote:

Pow!! PnP was a smack of intense black cherry liqueur, red and black licorice, cassis, kirschwasser, vanilla bean, and alcohol. A young and sultry wine.

After about 1+ hour in the decanter, this wine really showed its true potential. Smoothed out in a much more seamless way. Still a rambunctious juvenile, but not clunky; just intense and big. Black and red licorice became more apparent. The alcohol subsided, allowing the fruit to show even more. Some asphalt on the finish, adding interest.

This was the only 2015 Quivet wine I hadn't tried yet... so naturally I couldn't let it just sit in the cellar. Forget patience. I had to know if it delivered...and delivered it did indeed! This had even more intensity and power than the 2015 Myriad NV at this stage.

Some may find this wine to be too much right now in terms of candied fruit and alcohol. As such, wait for AT LEAST another year. Hold until 2019. I know ya'll want to check it out... and that's fine and all... but just know this needs some time to develop into something more than big, sweet fruit and alcohol. But I'll say this... for an appellation Napa Cabernet at this QPR, the quality and concentration can't be beat. 93+ points with upside after 2019.

7/15/2017 - tjross Likes this wine:

Another gdub offering. "Every poet is a thief." Decanted and poured. I'd say nearly at peak maturity. Smooth, no rough edges. A solid effort, but not brilliant.

7/3/2017 - Z1nnfull Likes this wine:

One of the best California sparklers we have ever had.
Slightly creamy, nutty, not sweet, not too dry, not too austere, light citrus notes.
Mouth-filling but not overpowering. Well-balanced.
Highly recommend for a sparkling wine @ $20 or less.

5/17/2017 - Henry Miller Likes this wine:

Dripping with fruit, cascading down a solid core, into a plush, hedonistic, cab-fest. Apart from Insignia, it would be hard to find a Napa bottling that provides such resonance of the varietal, without being monochromatic. A national treasure of a pre-phylloxera vineyard, sadly in the twilight of its years. (Rattlesnake was not replanted during the phylloxera epidemic. P-resistant new rootstocks have been planted next to the old vines, but will need to mature.)

4/22/2017 - Keeping It Real wrote:

WineLA event: Bordeaux vs. Cabernet tasting (Los Angeles, CA): Tasted blind. This was the crowd's WOTN by an overwhelming 50% or so. New world nose and very seductive. Tight and tannic but a very round finish that packs a punch. A total stunner.

3/25/2017 - csimm wrote:

It's been nearly a year and a half since I last had the 2013 Crane. This was a PnP at a restaurant. The first thing that grabbed me about this wine was its chiseled core of red and purple berry fruit and beautiful interplay of acid and structure. It was young but not tannic or astringent in any way whatsoever. The fruit was an almost elegant push of simmering intensity that slowly, steadily carried on through the finish. A nice touch of acid on the back end framed out the red/purple fruit, which repeated on the back end.

The attack on this wine was not the Tyson vs. Galifianakis knockout Hangover punch of fruit, sweet, and alcohol that can sometimes blast up initially from young, unresolved wines that are teeming with unbridled intensity. This is FAR from that. Though it still presents young, this Dr. Crane seems to currently be in a phase where its delivery is starting to really align in a much more adult fashion. It's becoming a more cerebral wine than I had anticipated. This is a big wine (for most), so know that going into it, but it has the ability to frame its core with a higher degree of finesse than I've seen in some of Myriad's younger wines. I caught some nice additional notes of cassis, black cherry liqueur, cacao nibs, and even a floral component after about an hour of air. It continued to subtly transition over the course of an hour+ of consumption.

This wine shows huge promise and upside. For those concerned that favoring some "big" wines equates to a seemingly overt fruit slap in the face every time, fear not. This is not that wine. This wine is a firm hand shake that doesn't try to pull you in any further for that awkward half-man hug at the end. It stays at the ready, and presents the way a qualified, confident professional might walk into a job interview. Not stuffy. Not sloppy or spastic. Just that perfect balance of specialist and amazing artist.

I still think 2018/2019 is probably the best period to really see what time in bottle has done for this wine. 96-97+ points, and I'm likely underscoring. I'm still thinking about this wine...

2/18/2017 - dontime Likes this wine:

Decanted for 90 minutes. Spectacular wine with notes of black fruit, currant, raspberry and cherry, licorice and chocolate. Additionally, flowers and earth notes add dimension. 40+ seconds on the finish. Rich, lush mouthfeel. About as good as it gets. Lots of life left, may score higher in a couple of years.

3/12/2017 - ageverett Likes this wine:

Stood up for an hour. Drank an hour later.

Not quite as good as last visit -- purely a reflection on the vintage and my tastes for it. The herbal notes are pushing through, and the mouthfeel is not as sexy. Decent, medium finish. This sounds critical -- it is not. More than anything, it is a reflection of the vintage, which is not my favorite. This is still in the upper echelon of Napa cabs for 2011. Also opened its neighbor (2011 Rivers-Marie Panek) and this was easily preferred by all of us.

Not sure that further time is going to do this a lot of good. But might reveal something different, so no rush to revisit.

2/20/2017 - WineGold wrote:

So, my tastes are changing. This is excellent, obviously extremely well-made wine. We've tasted with Mike Smith, the winemaker. I have a lot of his wine in the cellar. I appreciate his work and his rather prolific accomplishments.

That said, this was sweet before my tastes started changing. And now, it basically tastes chocolate sweet to me. Mike's wines are the sweetest non-desert wines in my cellar. My wife loves his style and I generally still enjoy it, but it's less for me than it used to be.

Big, rich, voluptuous, decadent. Mike described it as pillowy. It's soft not muscular. But there are layers and structure, it is just soft. And SWEET.

When I asked Mike why he makes wines with this approach, he answered, simply "because I think that's what people want." I get that completely.

I'm not going to score this, because it's not his (or the wine's) fault I've taken great interest in Pinot and white wines, and have started to enjoy grace and elegance and understatement. They are not mutually exclusive of course, but this particular wine has become a bit too much for me.

1/10/2017 - dontime wrote:

Best $11 of domestic Pinot Noir I've had. If scoring 88-90.

11/23/2016 - RockyII Likes this wine:

Dark inky purple with a translucent rim. Medium legs. 90 min decant. Nose of black cherry and cedar with notes of chocolate. Taste is similar with blackberries and cracked black pepper. Medium to heavy bodied with good balance of tannins and acidity leading to a nice dry tart chalky finish. Just a little overly tart. Great QPR on sale at about $40.

2nd glass notes: Flavors more integrated. Improves with air time. 91+

8/9/2016 - Yack Man Likes this wine:

A stunning standard Mike didn’t miss a beat on this 2014 Quivet Napa Cab! A stunning standard Napa Valley Cabernet that does not drink that way. This is a yet another remarkable wine for the price point. A nose of violets with a color that is deep dark reddish purple. On the pallet, its big and full bodied. Sweet dark fruit showing a touch of a tart note, dark berries, sweet anise, spice with a nice tannic backbone and good balance. This wine is a powerful, full bodied and ready to go right now!

7/9/2016 - andolini wrote:

Probably held on to this too long. Sweetness, raspberry/grape jelly is the initial flavor profile, and then nothing afterwards. Very monolithic and left me wanting more. Fairly smooth and didn't get much heat despite alcohol content. While there was nothing wrong, I was left hoping for more, especially given the price point.

5/9/2016 - Yack Man Likes this wine:

This baby is gorgeous! Great floral nose, red fruit and dark, deep fruit, currant, plum and blackberry fruit with round nice tannins. Anise, lite tobacco notes. Mike’s 2013 portfolio of Napa Cabernets are simply outstanding. 95 Points.

4/2/2016 - klmarshall wrote:

Not going to rate this. The wine tasted exceptionally young and I did not open it early enough in the evening. Not harmonized. I would let this one sit to get several more years of bottle age and then see what happens.

Result of the tasting assistant: The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like bell pepper and cherry. It tastes like bell pepper. The body is medium. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has medium acidity.

3/19/2016 - brianofthevine Likes this wine:

Tasted at the winery. Bold black cherry and blackberry fruit, great structure here throughout. Nice long finish and firm tannins. This wine will be great over a long period of time. This was tasted alongside the 2012 and my vote definitely give the '13 the nod here!

1/9/2016 - theferb wrote:

Corked

12/2/2015 - SMHalps Likes this wine:

Part of a ten person Cabernet wine dinner - we had (in order): 2011 Paul Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage Blanc Chevalier de Sterimberg , 2009 Soos Creek Champoux Vineyard, 2007 Andrew Will Sorella, 2007 Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Lewelling Cabernet Savuginon Wright Vineyard, 2010 Larkmead Cabernet Solari , and 2006 Bodegas El Nido Jumilla El Nido. All the reds were opened 45 minutes prior to our pouring the first one, and all but the Soos Creek were decanted. By the time we reached the El Nido, it had been in the decanter for more than 90 minutes.

Its a very good wine, but at this price, and its online reviews the entire group was expecting so much more. Honestly, I had the regular Larkmead Cabernet (2010 vintage) the night before and liked it better. Out of ten people, no one voted this their first or second favorite of the night. I had the 2008 Solari in Dec 2014 and was loved it, so this was a disappointment.

10/27/2015 - dontime wrote:

I thought this held up well at its price point. Certainly won't change your life, but has the required components for a solid $25 Cabernet. If scoring 87-89.

10/14/2015 - BobMilton Likes this wine:

A fabulous wine (and from a "bad" vintage). Blend of multiple vineyards produces a wine with a fruit forward initial attack, then a rich, full mid palate, and followed by a long lingering finish.

10/1/2015 - Yack Man Likes this wine:

Rich, purple burgundy color. A pleasantly odoriferous and fragrent nose. On the pallet dark fruit, anise, sweet cassis, dark berrirs, cocoa powder. Upon opening, a some what youthful and underdeveloped, but given some time airtime this wine got considerably better. Day one with time I score this Cab 93 points. A nice effort and a very good price point.

Day 2, excellent. if you want to drink it now, give it a nice decant. This 2013 is destined to improve buy a couple of points with bottle age. 92.6 Points

9/18/2015 - Yack Man Likes this wine:

Delicious! It is too bad that the cost of their standard Napa Cabernet is at the $125 price point. I have 4 bottles left and I will enjoy them. There are Cabs out there that are just as good (or better) for less money. I have enjoyed these wines, but they have priced themselves out of my league at this time. Too bad. WS gives this vintage 86 Points? I don't like the price gouge, but this wine is one of best Napa Valley Cab's I have tasted from them. I'll say it once more, too bad Larkmead..... Arrivederci!

4/21/2015 - dontime wrote:

Outstanding! Bright and friendly upon opening - with air deepened and sophisticated. Tart red fruits, a bit of spice. I didn't find any oak. Long finish. If scoring 92-94.