Wines

Winery Notes:
"Dare you uncork the art of seduction? Dare you succumb to the temptation of a cab so luxurious, rich, and seductive it would make even Casanova blush? Welcome to the world of Menage a Trois Decadence. Here, inhibitions disappear as we indulge your passions and arouse your senses with kisses of exotic dark chocolate and the flavors and aromas of goose-bump-giving black cherry and blackberry. Then, they all mingle with lavish vanilla spice on your palate before climaxing into a smooth, exquisite finish - leaving you forever wanting more. So, we ask again, dare you desire Decadence?"

Quickly becoming one of Michael David’s most sought-after wines, this brute of a Cab is midnight in color and medium in body. A myriad of French oak influenced aromas fill your glass, accompanied by toasted hazelnuts and blackberry cobbler. Flavors of ripe Mission figs and hints of clove and cinnamon give way to velvety tannins, balanced acidity and dark ripe fruits.

Well structured and balanced, this full-bodied wine fills the palate with ripe but not jammy plum and black-cherry flavors backed by moderate tannins. It's a very good, substantial wine to pair with red meat.

The review is on the previous vintage.

92 points Wine Enthusiast
#4 Top 100 Best Buys of 2023
Currently showing oak-forward notes of fresh cedar, vanilla and toasted wood. This is followed by earthy tones of capsicum, black currant, bramble, fresh black cherry and boysenberry. Elevated acidity keeps the wine alive from start to finish; chalky tannins coat the palate.

Organic

91% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Petite Verdot, 3% Cab Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from 3 vineyards: the 60yr old Brigantino Vineyard, the 45yr old Wheeler Ranch, and the 75yr old Tres Pinos Creek Vineyard. The Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc come from Paicines AVA, rocky alluvial deposits above the Tres Pinos arroyo. All vineyards experience warm days, cold nights typical of the Central Coast, allowing these late ripening Bordeaux varieties to be picked at high acidity and moderate sugars. Fermented whole berry with a very light crush in open top fermenters, allowing slower extraction, of tannins into the must and lots of oxygen into the fermentation for polymerization of tannins. Pressed after approximately 20 days. Aged for 11 months on lees in mostly neutral barrels with a couple of active oak barrels sprinkled in. 13.2% abv

Winemaker Notes:
Robert Mondavi crafts this richly textured Cabernet Sauvignon with Monterey County fruit, picked at the peak of ripeness in their coastal vineyards. In a truly original alternative to traditional aging, they set aside a portion of the blend to age in a mix of new and used bourbon barrels. The new barrels give the wine its deep undertones of toasted oak. The used barrels-selected from a renowned Kentucky distillery-exude notes of vanilla and dried herbs, hinting at the fine bourbon that once graced these casks. The result is a bold, flavorful wine, unlike any other Cabernet.
Layered and complex, their Bourbon Barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon leaps from the glass with aromas of blackberry cobbler, graham cracker, brown sugar, milk chocolate, coffee and smoke. A palate of blueberry pie, praline, sweet vanilla custard, caramel and mocha is framed by soft, chewy tannins and a hint of toasted oak on the lingering finish.

Winery Notes:
"There's 20 degrees difference between our northern and southern vineyards, though it's only 40 miles. So, whether grapes like it cool or warm, like our Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, they all grow up delicious. Color: Deep cherry red. Smell: Red berry and spice. Taste: Cherry, blueberry, vanilla. Pair: Grilled steak, pasta."

Winemaker Notes:
Rich with dark cherry, plum, and baking spices. The delicious fruit is accompanied by black pepper notes, crushed violet, and cassis. The palate has medium tannins, lingering spicy oak flavors with a velvety lush finish.
Enjoy this Cabernet with a grilled steak, rack of lamb, or grilled winter vegetables.

90pts Wine Enthusiast:
Brawny blackberry, dark cherry and raspberry make for an inviting entry into this impressively likable wine. It is smooth, rounded and rich in feel. Touches of vanilla and baking spice season the whole, building to a velvety finish.

Tasting Notes:
SIMI Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is dark garnet in color with a ruby edge. Toasty oak frames and adds depth to fruit aromas of dark bramble and dried blueberry, leading into intriguing notes of exotic spices and roasted coffee. Lifted aromas of juniper and subtle violet add generosity, layers, and aromatic complexity to this wine. Black fruit dominates the entry with blackberry and dark plum, followed by black licorice, cocoa, and dried herb, with a spicy, lifted mid-palate. A bit of peppery cassis leads the finish with some dried herb notes and supple yet firm tannins.

90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 3% Petite Sirah, 1% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc

Food Pairing:
Our Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant, juicy, and incredibly food-friendly and it’s not difficult to pair with foods. It will bring out the best in grilled steaks with roasted mushrooms, Moroccan spiced lamb, and braised duck breast with carrot puree.

The generous, sun-kissed wines of Spoken West over deliver on quality and value.
Spoken West was built on the premise of producing delicious wines from California that embody the beauty of the West Coast. Produced by Jamey Whetstone who is no stranger when it comes to producing top notch California wines. Jamey moved to Napa Valley from his home in South Carolina to manage Mustards Grill in 1996. Simply captivated by the community, lifestyle, and culture of wine country, he found himself quickly growing roots. By 1998, he had begun his winemaking education at Turley Wine Cellars where he would remain in his apprenticeship until 2005. During that time, he spent a summer sabbatical working for the Seysses family at Domaine Dujac in Morey-Saint-Denis and laid the groundwork for Whetstone Wine Cellars, which he founded in 2002.

All vineyards are certified sustainable. Grapes are hand harvested and fermented in stainless steel tanks. Aged for 11 months in a combination of tank, and French, oak barrels (10% new)

Winery Notes:
"A classic Cabernet Sauvignon that shows off rich color, layered aromatics and good structure. The wine is smooth and vibrant with cassis, dark cherry and black olive aromas preceding rich fruit flavors of dark plum and cherry preserves followed by a note of roasted coffee bean.
Blend: An excellent companion to aged blue cheese, braised or grilled beef, and roast pork with fruit "