First post! So many great wines mentioned. +1 on Checkerboard, Vice Versa, Memento Mori. We opened a Vineyardist ‘12 Saturday night and it was superb. We’ve been there twice and it’s a great experience. For those that like Russell’s style, Bevan are well-priced for the ratings they get. I’ll add Spottswoode to the list as well as Kapcsandy. The latter not inexpensive but some amazing wines with both the Grand Vin and Rapszodia.
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I am now questioning why I replied to this thread. No offense, and I see many familiar names on the thread. Similar to all these kind of threads asking about favorites etc, responses reflect all responder preferences re:style, e.g., lean vs traditional vs modern vs super-ripe vs over the top……and how our preferences place wines into any such (or other) categories. Good Luck sorting through it all, although I suspect you know your palate and preferences enough to do that!
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I don’t know much about Napa Cabs except that my experience has confirmed the stereotypes. So, I’m reading this thread with some curiosity.
I think the only one I currently own is regular Detert. I bought it based on its own thread here to see if I could overcome the stereotype and I was shocked at the high ABV when I received it, though I have yet to open or taste any and was assured I won’t notice any heat.
From that perspective, I would humbly ask that everyone explain why they like a wine they recommend instead of merely rattling off names. What makes them special? What sort of ABV are we talking about? And importantly, what’s your palate like more or less? It’s really hard to keep track of so many different tastes, especially in a region one doesn’t follow. (You can edit your prior post too.)
I’m sure I’m not the only one who would be very grateful if you guys took the time to do this.
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The vineyard was sold ? Or the grapes were sold ?
I was really looking for something more along the lines of the Jasud listed above, which I didn’t know at all.
Some of these are good reminders (like the William & Mary, which I have always loved). Things like the Pott and Checkerboard I hadn’t had before, even though I think they are well known (on this board).
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[quote=“Bdklein, post:84, topic:300673, full:true”]
The vineyard was sold ? Or the grapes were sold ?
[/quote] Merrill still owns the vineyard. Fruit is under contract to Elusa from 2021 forward
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With all the threads here on Beta / Jasud how did you miss it 
There are only approximately 20 cases of the 19 so not much to around.
For those that don’t know Beta is the project that Ketan’s has been working on while the Jasud vineyard comes on line. Purchased fruit from cool climate sites. The first commercial release of Jasud will be 2019.
To answer @Guillermo_M question I like the Beta wines because they are close to old school California cabs from the 70s. Lower in abv, hints of green, dusty tannins, cool climate characteristics and food friendly. Extremely fairly priced at around $85.
And the winemaker is a friend and great person.
As for Jasud, Ketan’s model is Diamond Creek from the 1970s and those are my favorite Napa wines. Even though the abv is not that high they are still powerful wines due to the site / farming.
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Im waiting for the release and hoping to get some allocation. Its probably the most highly anticipated wine on the board right now
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I stopped reading the Beta thread, it’s too long!
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Good point.
The Di Costanzo was for me the prototype of a great Cab as I imagine them 40 years ago (not that I had them then): No jam, no ooze, just very integrated and elegant oak profiling, lower ABV, fine tannins and just with that tension and freshness I love. A wine that evolves in the glass continuously as you drink it. You keep going back for more just to check what it’s doing now.
As a reference, for me, the Ceritas Peter Martin Ray Cab is the prototype of how a great Cab should be - fresh, earthy, slightly coiled and not too extroverted or trying to please or woo you. Very little discernible oak.
And btw, I’ve never tasted bell peppers or pyrazines on any Cab I’ve drunk. I don’t think I have that taste bud in my tongue. Just like I can never taste dill in American oak or butter in Chardonnays. My tongue is broken… 
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Maybe, your pyrazines taste buds were replaced with sugar taste buds 
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Thanks for the correction re Elusa & Merrill.
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As I believe I am the only one to mention Corison Kronos yet -
Some of the oldest Cab vines in the valley, tended with care and generally harvested early. Tyically comes out in the 13s ABV, i have seen a couple riper vintage bottles at 14.2% or so.
I lean way towards aged Bordeaux palate wise (my sweet spot is classic estates in a vintage like 1996 right now), and to me Corison isn’t necessarily Bordeaux-esque but it speaks to the Napa fruit and earth profile in its own way. Never overpowering, usually delicate, floral then fruit driven, crystalline. Understated tension and drive. Had back to 96 i think, they age gracefully and no bottle has been “over the hill” but the sweet spot may be in that 10-15 year range.
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Carter is another winery. 2021 box set was just released. Deciding if I should grab one
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2nd for Carter, one of my personal favorites.
I think Russell Bevan is now winemaker
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Just thought of one more. Morgado Cellars. She trained under Russell Bevan. Same style
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If I’m looking for old school Napa like @Robert_Dentice mentions (which I love) I think John’s wine at Enfield are a great QPR and seem like they will eventually turn into that aged Napa that I love.
When I’m going for that Cult Napa profile I"ve found that Maybach way outperforms for its price point. I"d put a Materium up against any Napa cab.
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I don’t buy Carter anymore for various reasons, but I had a 2019 Carter To Kalon (forget which one) and Saturday, and it was great!
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I recently tried BELLA Oaks and found it to drink a lot more like an old world wine. I too am not a huge fan of the stereotypical cabs.
Worth checking out….
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