For 3 $50 Napa Valley Wine recommendations and my thoughts regarding the 2020 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, please watch the following video: th-cam.com/video/6vikncup4WQ/w-d-xo.html
@@sanjaypatelmd4669 That is a very difficult skill that takes some practice. It helps to have a history with the wine at various stages. But I also look for balance, acidity and purity of fruit.
Certainly one of the best reviews of Napa Valley wines. You did a real service to the great producers that don’t bend to the opulent / sugary / fruit bomb market , and still do classic and timely wines that made the region one of the most a acclaimed of the world . I would like to congratulate you on that . And also , to mention 3 more examples of this producers : PHILIP TOGNI, CATHY CORISON, and JOHN BREMER ! Cheers and thanks a lot !
Excellent video editing! This is one of my favorite videos of yours John. There is so much work involve to make a wine so we can have it in our table. The skills and vinificaciones methods, the client, the soil where the vineyards sleep and their human care. I always say that in order to appreciate a wine, we have to learn, to study, to try wines. You really share invaluable knowledge John. Your recent purchases of these precious Napa Valley wines are phenomenal!! And I rest my case about learning from your great explanation of that gorgeous Mayacama. WoW! (Mention apart Matacama) 2003 was a memorable experience to me. Santé
So glad to hear that, Gabriela! Yes, there really is a lot both in the vineyard and the winery that goes into the finished product! Every little decision can have a big impact on the wine. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Mayacamas! Thanks so much for watching and the kind feedback!
Love some of the Merlot that comes from Mt. Veeder and Howell Mt. Mt. Brave Chris Carpenter and Robert Foley RF Vineyards make awesome Cab Sauv Like Merlots. I have some 16 and 18 Ontogeny from Bevan that I have yet to open and The Dunn Cab Sauvignon Howell Mt. is a Beast. I would hold at least 10 years before opening that. Enjoyed the Video, Good Stuff 🍷
I thoroughly enjoy your videos and I appreciate them very much. Do you do it online class? Also My Wife wanted me to ask you what are your thoughts on Faust?
@@davidintili6647 Thank you! Very glad you enjoy the channel! No online classes yet. So far everything has been published here or on another platform. Faust is not one I taste very often, but it is definitely a quality wine at a relatively reasonable price point. An excellent choice!
Again great tips. I’ve been doing an inventory and found two bottles of the Dunn HW from the 2012 vintage. I don’t remember where I purchased them, but it was at a retail wine shop I think. I look forward to trying them.
You should have visited Matthiasson. One of my favorite wineries in Oak Knoll. The Phenix Vineyard Cabernet is my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon they make.
Thanks! I did a video on Bordeaux “super seconds” which covers many of them as well as a dedicated video for Pichon Lalande and Pichon Baron. 4th and 5th are on my list to work in. 👍🍷
Great question! I tell people to find a critic whose palate aligns most closely with their own and to rely most heavily on that critic. That is why I include as many scores as possible. People's tastes vary. I have friends who swear by JS, but others who prefer Galloni or someone else. So the critic whose palate aligns most closely with mine won't necessarily be the same as the person who is best for someone else. If you agree with the D ratings, then by all means place greater weight on those. After the JS event in NY, I studied lots of the scores and compared them to my notes. There were some wines where JS was higher than most, but there were also some wines where he gave the lowest score and I thought the score should have been higher.
I enjoy Pride. I have visited several times. Had the 09 Reserve recently and it showed very well! Haven’t had much Larkmead, but do enjoy the Rivers Marie wine from Larkmead fruit.
Napa red cabs are my favourite wine I think. Recently bought some from DAOU and are looking into a few Schrader 2012, T6, RBS and if I'm lucky the old sparky. They are a little more expensive over here in europe but It's worth it I think. ofc I know these are super expensive but have you seen the crazy prizing of the first growths bordeaux this year? Duclot wants $1500 for the top vintages, it's insane.
That is a really good list of collectible wine with some that don't break the bank. I also purchase Rivers-Marie, but mostly their single vineyard pinots, but do have some Herb Lamb, and I think their standard Napa Cab is one of the best values on the market (along with William and Mary). MacDonald is the list to be on, and I would add Kinsman Eades as perhaps one of if not the only wine that commands such high inflated prices in the domestic secondary market in comparison, with a very long wait list. Are your familiar with Ketan Moody's Beta wine project? His offerings are classic low ABV Napa cab, and his Jasud project is just amazing and will be highly sought after when he decides to harvest and release. His first few offerings sold out in hours and they are all under the $100 mark per bottle.
This is such a tremendous review and discussion of Napa Valley wines and producers. It reflects the magnitude and depth of your knowledge and experience about this incredible wine region and its stellar wines. I very much appreciate your reassurance with regard to your recommended wines NOT being cloyingly sweet. I detest Cabernet Sauvignons that are unbearably sweet and syrupy. I think I would definitely enjoy this Mayacama Cab, and I love the label “M” - I feel like I should really own a bottle of this.😂 Also appreciate your discussion of M’s winemaking style and process as well as your review of the wines you have tasted. That combination of balance and freshness sounds so delightful! The rest of the wines and producers that you mentioned are equally interesting and definitely worth seeking out. I enjoyed listening to your stories and wine assessments! Very impressed with the age-worthiness of the wines you have tried/purchased and those that you are collecting. Congratulations on this outstanding, intelligently written, and excellently presented video. I always learn something from your digital content whether here on TH-cam or in our wine community on Instagram. Santé, John!
Merci beaucoup, Margaux! Yes, you definitely need a bottle of Mayacamas given the logo! Very pleased you enjoyed the video! These were all very impressive wines! Appreciate the thoughtful comment! Santè!
@@AttorneySomm I love this very thoughtful comment!😁 Despite not being normally enamored or impressed with most white wines, I very much trust your taste and recommendations. Case in point: the Pecorino wine.😉 So, yes, I will definitely endeavor to find this Chardonnay. Merci beaucoup, John!😊
@@vfolsen I tasted the 2012 and that was very nice too. The winery does have a library collection for sale so they may have some of those vintages left if you source from them directly.
I really enjoyed the Mayacamas 2013 when I tried it, had to get a 2018. I will store it well in my cellar I guess after seeing your video. I really like that rivers marie is really reasonable with shipping too- looking forward to their Cab in the future! Have you tried the Ulysses 2018 by chance? I'm thinking of picking a few bottles since Dominus is so hard to get at this time. Would like some input if you tried them! Thank you!
Thank you! Yes the 18 Mayacamas is excellent and the 18 sunset is even more impressive! Completely agree re RM! Yes the 2018 Ulysses is outstanding! Can’t go wrong.
Great video. I stay away from California Chardonnays because I’m not a fan of the style so it’s good to know that Mayacamas is a name I can add to my list. I really do wish the industry would come up with a way to make clear on the label what style of Chardonnay is in the bottle.
Thank you! Yes, that would make things a lot easier. Even with the Cabernet Sauvignon there are still some divergent styles. Glad the video was useful. The Mayacamas Chardonnay is top notch and at very reasonable prices.
With over 450+ wineries in Napa Valley, curious how did you go about narrowing it down to a select few? It seems like an overwhelming task. There literally has to be several hundred that you haven’t had., genuine question 😊 great content as always 👍🏼
Thanks! This was my 12-13th time. I made a list of places that I’d never visited and that I thought had some excellent wines. Then I started writing them to see if they could/would accommodate me. Lots of emails.
@@AttorneySomm thanks for the quick reply, I genuinely enjoy watching your videos because I always learn about wineries and their wines that I’m not already familiar with 😄 I’ve been 3 times and feel I’ve barely even scratched the surface 🍷 cheers
Hi, quick question: Do You know Black Stallion? Do they produce a wine yet? I found today in basement one bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from 2013☺️ which I bought in 2018 or 2019.
Yes, the Mayacamas oak is neutral large oak casks much like old school Brunello. That one is safe for sure. Dunn does use new French oak but they mature for 4 years before release and the fruit is not overly ripe or cloying. Only 13.9% ABV for Dunn.
I've never been, or even heard of that particular restaurant, but I'm sure it was awesome. I haven't been up that way in several years, and it would be great to make a trip - hard to have a bad time up there if you're into food, wine, and nice weather 😅
I noticed that a lot of my Bordeaux grand cru wines have aluminium capsules to cover the cork with no small holes in it… Isn't this necessary for the exchange of oxygen over time or ventilation of the cork? It seems to me almost impossible for oxygen to pass through an aluminum capsule. And what about humidity? The aluminum capsule is tightly wrapped around it, so the environment can't keep the cork in good condition, can it?
Historically the foils capsules protected the cork from insects, rodents and other pests. Now they are mostly for aesthetic purposes. You can remove them if you like. Corks are not designed to allow oxygen exchange (unlike barrels used for maturation), but there is a very small amount that may enter through a cork each year.
@@AttorneySomm Thanks for your reaction, But I don't see any way for oxygen to pass through an aluminum capsule that sits over the cork. And how can the humidity in the environment affect the cork? The cork is enclosed. And like i said, a lot of them have no holes, just completly closed, even expensive wines from Pomerol and lots of Grand Cru’s.
@@rb1084 I’m not a packaging expert, but I’ve personally never experienced problems due to foil. And I’m quite sure that if a bottle with foil had zero humidity or was stored upright so the cork dried out, it could still get oxidized despite a foil cover.
@@AttorneySomm I agree, but when we talk about the correct storage conditions of wine, a common term is that the cork should be kept in a slightly humid environment, to be precise a humidity of between about 60 to 80 %, I just don't see how the environment through an aluminum capsule can affect the cork. I recently opened a fairly young Bordeaux (2018) and always kept this bottle lying flat, unfortunately the cork broke and it was very dry, this bottle also had a fully closed capsule. That is why I wondered what the environment can still mean for the cork when it is closed by an aluminum capsule without small holes. It is also written that the bottle should not be in an odorous environment, I find all these factors strange because of the aluminum capsule. Usually it is pretty tight around it. I have read an article by a professor who indicates that the cork does not allow oxygen to pass through at all, 0%. The only oxygen that comes into contact with the wine is the oxygen in the bottle and the oxygen in the cork, the cork itself consists of 70% oxygen. The drying out of the cork can therefore only be prevented by storing the bottle lying down. I think many of the environmental factors (other than sunlight, vibration and temperature) are a myth.
@@rb1084 cork does allow some air to pass, just because you can't see the whole doesn't mean oxygen can't pass through it. In fact cork does a fairly good job at stopping transfer. Wine is organic and living in the same manner as juice purchased from a grocery store. But the stoppers on juice bottles are way less efficient than cork. Also in order for evaporation to occur there must be some contact with air. So the dried out cork you had is proof that air had been there.
Why do you consistently show a picture of white grapes when talking about raisiny Cabernet. This is the second video so I had to Google Cabernet Grapes to make sure they actually were red.
They are red grapes pre-veraison. As an attorney I’m concerned about copyright issues so I use my own pics. I typically visit wine regions in their off season before the grapes have changed color.
@@AttorneySomm Gotcha. Thanks for the reply. I too dislike the high alcohol fruit bombs that often come out of Napa (or really all of California). Faust is my favorite recommendation for mid range Napa cabs although i'm limted to what's on the wine list.
If you are talking about the new release, that one is designed to drink in 10-15 years. That one is not for immediate consumption. It is more approachable than it was historically (when it required more than 20 years), but now you should likely be opening the 2010s, 2011s and 2012s.
@@xslash10x Got it. Thank you. Yes the Dunn family themselves advised that they enjoy it 10-15 years post-vintage now. I think the value proposition is much stronger at that point.
@@AttorneySomm wasn't quite triple but definitely marked up. I recently moved to the north Dallas area so hope to run into you at a restaurant and share a glass of wine
For 3 $50 Napa Valley Wine recommendations and my thoughts regarding the 2020 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, please watch the following video: th-cam.com/video/6vikncup4WQ/w-d-xo.html
John,
When you do barrel testing vs bottle testing…how do you determine wine will evolve vs not?
@@sanjaypatelmd4669 That is a very difficult skill that takes some practice. It helps to have a history with the wine at various stages. But I also look for balance, acidity and purity of fruit.
@@AttorneySomm do you want to hire me as unpaid intern? Haha!
@@sanjaypatelmd4669 Ha! If you know how to edit TH-cam videos! That is my biggest need at the moment. 😂
@@AttorneySomm you got me there!
Certainly one of the best reviews of Napa Valley wines. You did a real service to the great producers that don’t bend to the opulent / sugary / fruit bomb market , and still do classic and timely wines that made the region one of the most a acclaimed of the world . I would like to congratulate you on that . And also , to mention 3 more examples of this producers : PHILIP TOGNI, CATHY CORISON, and JOHN BREMER ! Cheers and thanks a lot !
Thanks very much! Very glad you enjoyed it. And thank you for the very worthy additions! I agree with you. Cheers!
Another very thorough and honest video
Thank you! Very much appreciated!
Chappellet is a very underrated cab in my opinion. also check out Keenan. i miss Napa!
@@jorrin007 Thanks! Completely agree. In my podcasts, I have an interview and tasting with the Chappellet winemaker! Definitely one that I enjoy.
Great selection here!!!
Thanks very much! Cheers!
John,
I am in Napa Valley and tried 2019 Sodaro estate cabernet ( not released yet) , they are in Coombsville…I enjoyed this wine.
Thanks for letting me know! I'll have to try that one. Hope you enjoy your trip! Cheers!
Im on the MacDonald waitlist hopefully in 10 years or so ill be able to buy 😅 love Bevan! Great video as always
Thanks very much! Fingers crossed for me as well! Cheers!
Thanks for this! Heard great things about Mayacamas and Dunn, adding them all to my Napa list
My pleasure! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Thanks! 👍🍷
Excellent video editing! This is one of my favorite videos of yours John. There is so much work involve to make a wine so we can have it in our table. The skills and vinificaciones methods, the client, the soil where the vineyards sleep and their human care. I always say that in order to appreciate a wine, we have to learn, to study, to try wines. You really share invaluable knowledge John. Your recent purchases of these precious Napa Valley wines are phenomenal!! And I rest my case about learning from your great explanation of that gorgeous Mayacama. WoW! (Mention apart Matacama) 2003 was a memorable experience to me. Santé
So glad to hear that, Gabriela! Yes, there really is a lot both in the vineyard and the winery that goes into the finished product! Every little decision can have a big impact on the wine. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit to Mayacamas! Thanks so much for watching and the kind feedback!
@@AttorneySomm *Mayacamas. (Auto corrector) Thank you John. I can tell how wonderful that must had been!
Love some of the Merlot that comes from Mt. Veeder and Howell Mt. Mt. Brave Chris Carpenter and Robert Foley RF Vineyards make awesome Cab Sauv Like Merlots. I have some 16 and 18 Ontogeny from Bevan that I have yet to open and The Dunn Cab Sauvignon Howell Mt. is a Beast. I would hold at least 10 years before opening that. Enjoyed the Video, Good Stuff 🍷
Thanks very much! Cheers!
Don't frown. Just Smile. Especially Napa Valley wines always make us smile. :)
Glad you enjoy the Napa Valley wines! I'm a big fan as well. Cheers!
Macdonald!! A big baller wine... I'm a huge Mayacamas guy myself
Thank you! Glad to hear it! Such a terrific producer. 👍🍷
I thoroughly enjoy your videos and I appreciate them very much. Do you do it online class? Also My Wife wanted me to ask you what are your thoughts on Faust?
@@davidintili6647 Thank you! Very glad you enjoy the channel! No online classes yet. So far everything has been published here or on another platform.
Faust is not one I taste very often, but it is definitely a quality wine at a relatively reasonable price point. An excellent choice!
LOVE Dunn!
Thank you! Same here. The visit was definitely one of the highlights of my trip last week! Such impressive wines.
Again great tips. I’ve been doing an inventory and found two bottles of the Dunn HW from the 2012 vintage. I don’t remember where I purchased them, but it was at a retail wine shop I think. I look forward to trying them.
Thank you! A nice find for sure! An excellent vintage. Enjoy!
Drinking 2013 Davis Estates Howell Mountain Cabernet, very good and very ready to drink
Glad to hear it! Thank you. 2013 is such a tremendous vintage. 👍🍷
@@AttorneySomm Thanks for the Bevan cellar call as well. Have 2 2014 Ontogeny that will be moved up to drink. I was figuring 10 years
@@HolmScott Thanks! They should be in a great place!
You should have visited Matthiasson. One of my favorite wineries in Oak Knoll. The Phenix Vineyard Cabernet is my favorite Cabernet Sauvignon they make.
Thanks! On my list for next time. Had limited time due to obligations for Premiere Napa Valley.
Excellent Somm! We will request you to make videos on 2nd , 4th and 5th growth as well, Thank you🙏
Thanks! I did a video on Bordeaux “super seconds” which covers many of them as well as a dedicated video for Pichon Lalande and Pichon Baron. 4th and 5th are on my list to work in. 👍🍷
@@AttorneySomm Thank you again 🙏
Loved learning from this lineup! I just wish I could keep up with some of these. 2 bottles of each please! 😂
Thank you! Some excellent producers. Very glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!
in your opinion , what is the most reliable calificator.. WE JS RP or Decanter? to be honest ... Decanter I think its the most reliable
Great question! I tell people to find a critic whose palate aligns most closely with their own and to rely most heavily on that critic. That is why I include as many scores as possible. People's tastes vary.
I have friends who swear by JS, but others who prefer Galloni or someone else. So the critic whose palate aligns most closely with mine won't necessarily be the same as the person who is best for someone else. If you agree with the D ratings, then by all means place greater weight on those.
After the JS event in NY, I studied lots of the scores and compared them to my notes. There were some wines where JS was higher than most, but there were also some wines where he gave the lowest score and I thought the score should have been higher.
What do you think of Pride Mountain or Larkmead wines? I don’t think I’ve heard you speak about either before.
I enjoy Pride. I have visited several times. Had the 09 Reserve recently and it showed very well! Haven’t had much Larkmead, but do enjoy the Rivers Marie wine from Larkmead fruit.
Napa red cabs are my favourite wine I think. Recently bought some from DAOU and are looking into a few Schrader 2012, T6, RBS and if I'm lucky the old sparky. They are a little more expensive over here in europe but It's worth it I think. ofc I know these are super expensive but have you seen the crazy prizing of the first growths bordeaux this year? Duclot wants $1500 for the top vintages, it's insane.
Thanks very much for weighing in. Yes unfortunately prices for many top wines have gone up dramatically.
Dunn HM is my fav!
Such a fantastic producer! And the new oak regimen makes them more approachable when young.
That is a really good list of collectible wine with some that don't break the bank. I also purchase Rivers-Marie, but mostly their single vineyard pinots, but do have some Herb Lamb, and I think their standard Napa Cab is one of the best values on the market (along with William and Mary). MacDonald is the list to be on, and I would add Kinsman Eades as perhaps one of if not the only wine that commands such high inflated prices in the domestic secondary market in comparison, with a very long wait list. Are your familiar with Ketan Moody's Beta wine project? His offerings are classic low ABV Napa cab, and his Jasud project is just amazing and will be highly sought after when he decides to harvest and release. His first few offerings sold out in hours and they are all under the $100 mark per bottle.
Thanks very much! Appreciate the feedback and additions. I’ll try to check those out. They are new names for me. Cheers!
This is such a tremendous review and discussion of Napa Valley wines and producers. It reflects the magnitude and depth of your knowledge and experience about this incredible wine region and its stellar wines. I very much appreciate your reassurance with regard to your recommended wines NOT being cloyingly sweet. I detest Cabernet Sauvignons that are unbearably sweet and syrupy. I think I would definitely enjoy this Mayacama Cab, and I love the label “M” - I feel like I should really own a bottle of this.😂 Also appreciate your discussion of M’s winemaking style and process as well as your review of the wines you have tasted. That combination of balance and freshness sounds so delightful! The rest of the wines and producers that you mentioned are equally interesting and definitely worth seeking out. I enjoyed listening to your stories and wine assessments! Very impressed with the age-worthiness of the wines you have tried/purchased and those that you are collecting. Congratulations on this outstanding, intelligently written, and excellently presented video. I always learn something from your digital content whether here on TH-cam or in our wine community on Instagram. Santé, John!
Merci beaucoup, Margaux! Yes, you definitely need a bottle of Mayacamas given the logo! Very pleased you enjoyed the video! These were all very impressive wines! Appreciate the thoughtful comment! Santè!
@@AttorneySomm My pleasure, John! Hope to get a bottle of M Cab someday!😁🍷
@@margauxml I know you’re not a fan of whites normally, but the Chardonnay is stellar too!
@@AttorneySomm I love this very thoughtful comment!😁 Despite not being normally enamored or impressed with most white wines, I very much trust your taste and recommendations. Case in point: the Pecorino wine.😉 So, yes, I will definitely endeavor to find this Chardonnay. Merci beaucoup, John!😊
@@margauxml Excellent! Glad you enjoyed the pecorino!
I love all your wine recommendations and other then McDonald wine i have all in my cellar!
Thank you! Glad to hear that you enjoy the wines as well. Hope you can track down some MacDonald!
this October I will be visiting them.
For the mayacamas Chardonnay, more Chablis than Macon? Great info.
Thanks! Yes, exactly right. Very impressive wines.
Also Stony Hill & Hanzell for a Chablis style
Have you tried Dunn ‘El Camino’?
Not yet! Still on my list.
Mayacamas merlot is overlooked and is amazing.
Thanks! I did not try it during my visit, but will have to track some down.
@@AttorneySomm 2019 is really good, 18 too.
@@oscarayala3 Thank you!
Had the Mayacamas cab 2016 yesterday. Super smooth and balanced but I feel maybe there is better choices at that price point.
Thanks for weighing in. They become truly special with more age on them in my view. The 03 was stunning!
@@AttorneySomm did you try any other vintages that you would recommend? 03 not available where im situated.
@@vfolsen I tasted the 2012 and that was very nice too. The winery does have a library collection for sale so they may have some of those vintages left if you source from them directly.
I really enjoyed the Mayacamas 2013 when I tried it, had to get a 2018. I will store it well in my cellar I guess after seeing your video.
I really like that rivers marie is really reasonable with shipping too- looking forward to their Cab in the future!
Have you tried the Ulysses 2018 by chance? I'm thinking of picking a few bottles since Dominus is so hard to get at this time. Would like some input if you tried them! Thank you!
Thank you! Yes the 18 Mayacamas is excellent and the 18 sunset is even more impressive! Completely agree re RM! Yes the 2018 Ulysses is outstanding! Can’t go wrong.
@@AttorneySomm Thank you! Really enjoying your videos. Gonna go pick up some Ulysses :)
@@kkim2557 Excellent! Thank you! I think that you will be very happy with it!
Great video. I stay away from California Chardonnays because I’m not a fan of the style so it’s good to know that Mayacamas is a name I can add to my list. I really do wish the industry would come up with a way to make clear on the label what style of Chardonnay is in the bottle.
Thank you! Yes, that would make things a lot easier. Even with the Cabernet Sauvignon there are still some divergent styles. Glad the video was useful. The Mayacamas Chardonnay is top notch and at very reasonable prices.
Yeah I'm inclined to give this one a try now too.
@@DanForbesAgain Hope you enjoy it! They do a terrific job with it.
You might try Central Coast. Brewer Clifton makes a leaner style.
I forgot to mention some of the Oregon whites also.
I have bought several cases of Rivers Marie cabs in 2018/2019 … too young !
Yes, it is definitely better with more bottle age.I enjoy most Napa wines at least 7 years after vintage.
With over 450+ wineries in Napa Valley, curious how did you go about narrowing it down to a select few? It seems like an overwhelming task. There literally has to be several hundred that you haven’t had., genuine question 😊 great content as always 👍🏼
Thanks! This was my 12-13th time. I made a list of places that I’d never visited and that I thought had some excellent wines. Then I started writing them to see if they could/would accommodate me. Lots of emails.
@@AttorneySomm thanks for the quick reply, I genuinely enjoy watching your videos because I always learn about wineries and their wines that I’m not already familiar with 😄 I’ve been 3 times and feel I’ve barely even scratched the surface 🍷 cheers
@@simply417guy Thank you! Yes learn a lot every time I go. Very glad you enjoy the videos! 👍🍷
Hi, quick question: Do You know Black Stallion? Do they produce a wine yet? I found today in basement one bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from 2013☺️ which I bought in 2018 or 2019.
Yes it is still open. 13 is a great vintage. If not too warm in the basement it should still be good and ready to enjoy!
@@AttorneySomm it's not warm, for lucky👍 thx for all, cheers 🥃
Cheers! 🍷
Thank you kindly! Cheers!
So I should be ok with Mayacamas cab and Dunn cab to avoid the quintessential Napa cab, vanilla/oak-bombs?!
Yes, the Mayacamas oak is neutral large oak casks much like old school Brunello. That one is safe for sure. Dunn does use new French oak but they mature for 4 years before release and the fruit is not overly ripe or cloying. Only 13.9% ABV for Dunn.
@@AttorneySomm thank you sir!
Eat at any good restaurants when you were out there?
Some, but this was planned just a few weeks out and I have done most of the Michelins before. Coqueta and Farm at Carneros were both good.
Who wouldn't want to eat at a farm in Carneros?
@@DanForbesAgain My first time. Very impressive!
I've never been, or even heard of that particular restaurant, but I'm sure it was awesome. I haven't been up that way in several years, and it would be great to make a trip - hard to have a bad time up there if you're into food, wine, and nice weather 😅
@@DanForbesAgain True! Although I had snow touring the vineyard at Mayacamas!
I noticed that a lot of my Bordeaux grand cru wines have aluminium capsules to cover the cork with no small holes in it…
Isn't this necessary for the exchange of oxygen over time or ventilation of the cork?
It seems to me almost impossible for oxygen to pass through an aluminum capsule.
And what about humidity?
The aluminum capsule is tightly wrapped around it, so the environment can't keep the cork in good condition, can it?
Historically the foils capsules protected the cork from insects, rodents and other pests. Now they are mostly for aesthetic purposes. You can remove them if you like. Corks are not designed to allow oxygen exchange (unlike barrels used for maturation), but there is a very small amount that may enter through a cork each year.
@@AttorneySomm Thanks for your reaction, But I don't see any way for oxygen to pass through an aluminum capsule that sits over the cork.
And how can the humidity in the environment affect the cork? The cork is enclosed. And like i said, a lot of them have no holes, just completly closed, even expensive wines from Pomerol and lots of Grand Cru’s.
@@rb1084 I’m not a packaging expert, but I’ve personally never experienced problems due to foil. And I’m quite sure that if a bottle with foil had zero humidity or was stored upright so the cork dried out, it could still get oxidized despite a foil cover.
@@AttorneySomm
I agree, but when we talk about the correct storage conditions of wine, a common term is that the cork should be kept in a slightly humid environment, to be precise a humidity of between about 60 to 80 %, I just don't see how the environment through an aluminum capsule can affect the cork.
I recently opened a fairly young Bordeaux (2018) and always kept this bottle lying flat, unfortunately the cork broke and it was very dry, this bottle also had a fully closed capsule. That is why I wondered what the environment can still mean for the cork when it is closed by an aluminum capsule without small holes.
It is also written that the bottle should not be in an odorous environment, I find all these factors strange because of the aluminum capsule. Usually it is pretty tight around it.
I have read an article by a professor who indicates that the cork does not allow oxygen to pass through at all, 0%.
The only oxygen that comes into contact with the wine is the oxygen in the bottle and the oxygen in the cork, the cork itself consists of 70% oxygen.
The drying out of the cork can therefore only be prevented by storing the bottle lying down.
I think many of the environmental factors (other than sunlight, vibration and temperature) are a myth.
@@rb1084 cork does allow some air to pass, just because you can't see the whole doesn't mean oxygen can't pass through it. In fact cork does a fairly good job at stopping transfer. Wine is organic and living in the same manner as juice purchased from a grocery store. But the stoppers on juice bottles are way less efficient than cork. Also in order for evaporation to occur there must be some contact with air. So the dried out cork you had is proof that air had been there.
Macdonald, have been on their mailing list for 4 years and so far I am still not being able to buy a single bottle :(
Unfortunately there is a long wait list.
1 year later and Macdonald Cabernet 2021 is averaging 1000$ a bottle.
@@Chef_Jake Definitely way more demand than supply. No one on the list wants to part with their bottles.
If you a Frazier fan, like and comment a line.
Daphne: You know, Frasier, you might want to get checked out. You eat a lot of cheese and meat too.
Frasier: Yes, but I also drink a lot of red wine.
@@AttorneySomm .... that my friend, is classic. Bravo
Why do you consistently show a picture of white grapes when talking about raisiny Cabernet. This is the second video so I had to Google Cabernet Grapes to make sure they actually were red.
They are red grapes pre-veraison. As an attorney I’m concerned about copyright issues so I use my own pics. I typically visit wine regions in their off season before the grapes have changed color.
@@AttorneySomm Gotcha. Thanks for the reply. I too dislike the high alcohol fruit bombs that often come out of Napa (or really all of California). Faust is my favorite recommendation for mid range Napa cabs although i'm limted to what's on the wine list.
You should pair up with Elon Musk and produce wine 🍷 Wine on the moon!
🌚🍷
Ha! That is an ambitious project!
@@AttorneySomm he's already done the groundwork , or I guess I should say sky work 🚀
@@AttorneySomm produce wine in Cali with the vines grown in moondust mix
@@wildflorida8007 An interesting idea! So far, I just write about it. Have not tried to make wine. Maybe someday . . .
@@AttorneySomm just hire people
Dunn HW is good but no way did I think it was worth the price.
If you are talking about the new release, that one is designed to drink in 10-15 years. That one is not for immediate consumption. It is more approachable than it was historically (when it required more than 20 years), but now you should likely be opening the 2010s, 2011s and 2012s.
@@AttorneySomm No it was a while ago that I had a bottle. I ordered it at a restaurant so I'm guessing it was on the younger side.
@@xslash10x Got it. Thank you. Yes the Dunn family themselves advised that they enjoy it 10-15 years post-vintage now. I think the value proposition is much stronger at that point.
@@xslash10x My hunch is that the price was likely about triple the retail price at the restaurant as well.
@@AttorneySomm wasn't quite triple but definitely marked up. I recently moved to the north Dallas area so hope to run into you at a restaurant and share a glass of wine
I never drink Cali wine just because of the pesticides they use
There are plenty who farm organically. Not every California producer uses pesticides.