Re: OG N.28 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
This is from my oldest note in July 2023:
“Very approachable for a 2018. Cam’s note said: kiss of Brett ( i was warned and worried). Currently, at this point the minuscule brett adds to the overall complexity. It’s a benefit, not a bug, for my tastes. I am very happy with this (60-70% NEW French Oak) ponderously delicious Napa CS!! The whole bottle was gone by 9pm, no Day2.”
Having drank about 5 bottles of #28, every time I had the same glorious oenological journey.
N.525 popped it open after getting it a couple days before. Nice wine. And even more integrated on day 2. I was surprised, however, by how short the finish is. The second you gulp it, the taste is gone. Like a dull bell that stops ringing the second the hammer comes off it.
N.352 after decanting it for about 3 hrs, I tasted it to a strong and definite taste of fernet. It has that herbaceous Dandelion note.
Yep Mitchell!
I had a #352 the other night and got lots of herbaceous flavors like Eucalyptus (fennel).
Just finished case 1 of 2. It’s coming around much better than I expected. Go figure?
$99/case sticks in my mind. Bargain!
Bottle 8 of 9, PnP.
This Superb Cab is delicious right now!! No decanter needed.
It’s very complex and easy drinking and triple extra excellent with tame acidity. This 2019 is now Very Good for current consumption. Doh! Only one left here.
Triple Yum!!! with Beef back Ribs
Had this a few days ago as well. Its in a completely different place than 2 years ago. I decanted it for a few hours and was very happy with this $8 offering.
344 was fanatic. I only got two bottles as part of a mixed pack, and I drank the first one and loved it, but the friend I was having it with loved it even more so I gave it to him… The rest of the syrah Offerings from Australia or all 2021 So have taken a little bit longer to integrate, but my last couple of bottles have been absolutely fantastic. 354 comes to mind, but I think I have two other cases of other offerings that I have also enjoyed (maybe 343 and 349)
I have enjoyed the Australian Syrah more than I have enjoyed the cabs. 340 I don’t like. 341 seems to be the highest quality. 352 Is fine (Especially for the price). But it’s hard to complain about them since I got most of them as $99 case sales
2021 de Négoce OG N.370 - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley (1/11/2025)
What a difference a year has made. Much better balance and richness. Alcohol is a bit hot, but this is excellent for the money. (90 points)
Brief write up on which dN wines are ready to drink now vs. giving them more cellar time. Not intended as a review but to assist in determining what wine to open next.
In order from most drinkable now.
251 -Drinking great even with short decant but improved with over an hour plus decant. Will likely still improve with more cellar time but this is a top dN cab and should be at the top of your list on what to open now. Drink or hold.
198 - Also drinking great with just a PnP. Improved over time in decanter. Held its own vs a 2016 Beringer Marston Ranch Spring Mountain, suggested retail $150 but not as complex as the Beringer. I would rank this equal to 251. Drink or hold.
212- Thanks to Bryan for suggesting this one. Drinking well with moderate decant but not as ready as 198/251 but a very good wine. Drink or hold.
22- Significantly improved over last bottle from 18 months ago. Could still use more time but big improvement as I was initially disappointed in this one. Benefited from long decant. Hold for 6/12 months.
40- Still not ready. Has potential to be one of the top dN cabs but I would not open yet. Great pedigree and structure and should improve significantly over time. Does get better with long decant. Hold for 2 years.
173- I know others like this but its not ready for me. Most likely I did not allow enough time for the decant. Hold.
Hughes,
Thank you for your relevant reviews!
I would like to add #68 to the drink now listings.
I had #68 last night. It is definitely ready to enjoy now.
I don’t see any benefit in additional aging. For “My” tastes, it’s a Drink Now.
Feeling generous: 68=One yum barely… with Beef patties
Yesterday’s Leg of Lamb was accompanied with a rather lackluster dN N 93 Mendocino SVD 2018 Zinfandel. Our first bottle opened Feb 2023 raked in average scores of 86ish (B). Yesterday, possibly an 88, but still just a B score wine with no advertised personality. Not anywhere as nice as our recently opened Russian River Wilson Sawyer Vineyard 2020 Zinfandel (90 / A). As for the N 93 Zin, Cameron did say it’ll age nicely well over the next 5-7 years. Being a supposedly $40 example bottled Dec 15, 2020, maybe I should just hold onto this and try again in 2027???
Thanks for the feedback; I might check in on one later this year as I prefer a little more age on my shiraz and like the way both 279 and 344 are drinking right now.
Last Friday evening: Wifey just had a splash, but said “mmmm chewy”.
2019 de Négoce Cabernet Sauvignon OG N.200 - USA, California, Napa Valley (1/10/2025)
Double decanted 1 hour prior to serving with grilled NY strip and sauteed mushrooms. Nose: Quite aromatic here. Mix of black and red fruit blended in with fine barrel spice and some sage? Color: Nearly opaque dark red. Palate: Blackberry and dark plums splashed with some blue fruit from Petite Verdot. I suspect that Bob is correct that the extra Bordeaux varietals will add complexity with bottle age. For now, this is a very enjoyable Cabernet, not as good as top 2018 de Negoce Cabs (yet?). Time will tell. At $30 a bottle, once again, de Negoce delivered a wonderful bargain. (93 points)
Friday evening starter wine (at Wine 30 of course). This proves the old adage “Buy Low & Drink NOW” Lol.
2022 de Négoce Sauvignon Blanc OG N.347 - Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast (1/10/2025)
Poured for Friday evening dinner prep. Nose: Lifted with lemon/lime aromatics typical of Kiwi Sau Blancs. Color: Light/pale yellow in glass. Palate: Zippy acidity, mouthwatering lemon and lime plus a touch of papaya here. Finish is long and acidity begs you for another sip. Hard to believe that that was JUST over $7 a bottle at release. Today, the CH Wine website has it for $22 with tax included. (93 points)
