This was a local wine group that did 2016 Cabernets from around the world. As always at these bigger events you get a variety of wines with some good, ok and just poorly made with members typically buying via Last Bottle. This was no exception. Also never understood why one member in particular who has a great cellar is always coming in on the cheap and brought the 2016 K Vintners Creator which is going for $40 on Winebid. When the event says $75 and up then please deliver people.
Here are the results:
Starter Wines: Smoky Rose is one of those wineries that get the tourists in but this wine was really not enjoyable.
- 2022 Smoky Rose Cellars Sauvignon Blanc – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
Not very interesting featuring lemon, earth, dust and wafer. Lacks the acidity I am looking for in a Sauvignon Blanc and just rather boring. (84 pts.) - 2016 Tyler Chardonnay Zotovich Family Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
When the 2016 Tyler Chardonnay was the 2nd best wine at the 2016 Cabernet tasting you know it is good. This wine is amazing and balanced. Featuring orange peel, lemon, floral, dust, shells and tropical fruit. Very Chablis like and outstanding value. Up there with Morgen Long from Oregon. (93 pts.) - Note: This was the starter wine I brought and the 2nd best wine of the event.
Bordeaux Flight. The Talbot was not decanted prior to the event and suffered until sampled later in the evening. Not decanted 85 points but with air 92 points
- 2016 Château Talbot – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien
So I told everyone decant their wines prior and this guest did not. This wine was tight but able to revisit this wine 3 hours later and it was so much better. Tobacco, cherry, earth, leather and minerals. Medium plus finish. A solid effort for sure. (92 pts.) - 2016 Château Malartic-Lagravière – France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan
Decanted 4 hours and needed all of that. Pipe tobacco, sour cherry, leather, gravel, tiny berries and oak. Medium plus finish. For sure hold until 2027 and beyond. (92 pts.)
Washington: K Vintners has never made good Cabernet and Merlot. Stick the Syrah Charles.
- 2016 K Vintners The Creator – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley
So of course I suggest bring the 2016 woodward old vines but this is what was brought instead. What a weird and none quality K wine and I am usually a big supporter and fan. Dill? When was the last time you got dill on a wine outside of Rioja? Black olives, pepper and dark fruits. This had almost no Cabernet character and it is 80% Cabernet/20% Syrah. If it was labeled a Syrah I probably would have given it a few more points. Also a bit of heat and no way this is 13.5% alcohol. Easy pass!!!
Also why I love cellar tracker as I had this at the tasting room in 2020 and nothing like this experience. (84 pts.) - 2016 Long Shadows Wineries Pirouette – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
One of the better wines at this tasting. While a little hot up front that blew off. Cherry, dark chocolate, plum, spices, floral and earth. Drinking really well now and this did not get any air prior to sampling. 92+ (92 pts.)
Napa Mainly: The Keever was the runaway wine of the night and suggest by me for another member.
- 2016 Keever Vineyards Inspirado – USA, California, Napa Valley
The star of the night for sure. This reminded me of a super Tuscan. Balanced wine with leather, plum, earth, dried flowers, minerals and blue currants. Decanted 3 hours and medium plus finish. For sure the wine of the night by quite a bit.
71% Cabernet, 23% Merlot, 6% Malbec. (95 pts.) - 2016 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
Solid wine overall with cherry, spices, rose petals, earth and oak/vanilla. Well made wine with some aging potential. (91 pts.) - 2016 Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Oakville – USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville
Big style with oak, cherry, spices, floral and a bit hot. Medium finish. Not a wine I would purchase based on the price. (89 pts.) - 2016 Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon District Collection Rutherford – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Liked this better than the Oakville tasted side by side. Dust, earth, cherry, blueberries, mild oak and spice. Smoother wine and medium plus finish. Drink now to 2028. (92 pts.) - 2016 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley
Forman note 1. Interesting this one was from Total Wine and got a few hours of air time. This wine was so different than the other Forman that was a pop and pour from Haskell’s. Eucalyptuses overload. Floral, buttery oak and some earth. Just not a very good wine but not flawed in any way so just scoring it as it appeared. (82 pts.) - 2016 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Napa Valley
Forman note 2. So, this wine was my second favorite Cabernet of the event and showing great. Cherry, rose petals, blueberries, mild oak, earth and stone. Super concentrated and medium plus finish. Amazing effort. (93 pts.) - 2016 Guarachi Cabernet Sauvignon Meadowrock Estate Vineyard – USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak
This is why I don’t buy anything from last bottle. This is a no Namer winery that threw their inventory over to them and is about the worst Napa wine I have sampled in a long time. Raisins, earth super thin. Short finish and dump this out. Easy pass and should cost around $9.99. I see Wine Spies also carries this and would never buy from them. So many silly sites out there. (71 pts.) - Note: The host said this wine was bad two years ago but still provided this wine. A last bottle garbage wine.
- 2016 Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon Jayson Napa Valley – USA, California, Napa Valley
This was ok but Pahlmeyer is a name I would not drink again for the money they charge. Big wine with blackberries, jam, spice, oak, vanilla and floral notes. Not really balanced but drinkable. Bottom half of the tasting. I see all the high scores on this wine can’t put any words to their notes. Not surprised by that. (89 pts.) - 2016 Eberle Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
To say Paso Robles does not produce good Cabernet is a fact and this one continues that fact. Floral, raisins, earth and some spice. A very weak wine with little concentration and short finish. Way overpriced. (84 pts.) - 2016 Hamel Family Wines Isthmus – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Another last bottle. I am beginning to think they just buy up garbage and pretend it is good. Chocolate, wood, wood and more wood and some fruit. A really boring wine that should be in the Total Wine $15.99 section. (80 pts.) - Another Last Bottle garbage wine.
Great notes.
I have never bought from last bottle either.