Thank you for commenting on this wine at this point in time. I so want this wine to be amazing, but from what others are saying as well, I just don’t think it’s ready. Not totally impressed with my first bottle.
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Yep Gil!
#401 is Very “Interesting” indeed!
Yet, still optimistically hopeful….
Not really a Cab Franc fan……
However, I ONLY found the Abundant Pigmentation truly uniquely amazing!!
Ha, now you know.
Previously on 7/2/24:
Looking for a special wine to celebrate my monthly (July) Cerro Alto summit! 102 summits in 82 months, nice. So, decanted for 1+ hours at noon, back into the bottle for serving. With 93.4 points on Cellar Tracker, and Cams rave review: “ I’m here to tell you this is, without question, the best dN wine we have ever produced. “Boom boom sheet” as my French friends would say.” Soooo, I was hoping for something amazing. This first bottle of the case was rather disappointing. Sorry to say, but even my wife said, “even ice cubes won’t help this one. Hmmmm….The wine is without flaws, I drank the bottle in 2.5 hours. No day 2. I believe the Cab Franc flavors are there, but it’s not my favorite varietal. Plenty of nice (100% new) oak. Very Thick, really did stain my wineglass in an extremely unique and powerful way, absolutely amazing. Black Pigments were everywhere. This 2021 is just shy of one year in the bottle, time should help. However, I’m not sure I will be able to develop a proper appreciation of Cab Franc (40% Merlot) before bottle 12? Yet, I’m determined to try….88, B-, no Yums today. Decent QPR IF it were $15/bottle. Personal opinion……
Scott with Harris Ranch USDA Prime grade bbq’d Tri-Tip 
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I LOVE me some cab franc especially Napa cab franc. Trespass has an amazing blueberry pie take on CF that is transcendent. And Pride / Keenan have lovely mountain renditions.
but 401 was unlike any cab franc I’ve had. Similar offputting reaction as others. Aggressively not ready to drink when I opened for Christmas 2023, and I’ve set the remaining bottles down to lie for a long long sleep. Maybe 2027-28 for my next one?
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Ha! I’m the one that called 401 “Christmas dinner worthy” in December 2023. It had a healthy 24 hour decant and was truly rocking! I drank another around mid 2024 (with less of a decant) and thought it was just as great, but I haven’t had one since. Was actually going to open another one soon to check back in, but you guys have me second guessing. But then again, I have a lot and life is short! Will report back!
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Two more years for N.401. That’s all I’m sayin’
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Haha - I followed it over 4 days and at no point did I feel like it was approachable 
Possible bottle variation? I am only 1 / 24 bottles, so time will tell.
I do however very much enjoy 400 with a good decant now, smoke taint or not.
May at some point need to buy the actual Boom boom Sugarloaf to compare to 401…
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I had my 7th bottle of 400 last week, and really enjoyed it. I’m glad I went for 3 cases.
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Nice! I’ll have to revisit #400 again soon. Thanks!
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Enjoyed #419 2022 Moon Mountain/Montecillo Cab Sauv last night. It has really improved after a year in bottle, and likely has more room to meld and become the wine advertised/expected. Looking back at the original description, I think it is accurate, I picked up a lot of herbal/eucalyptus notes, along with more traditional Cab Sauv profile, which makes it interesting to me. Will wait another year to open another.
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Recently enjoyed (guzzled):
OG Lot 157 2019 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
This big PN, could/should be aged longer. I will try.
OG N.68 2018 Sonoma County “Mountain” Cabernet Sauvignon
This very nice Cab, is ready!
Chateau Serlihan 2019 (sourced from dN)
This nice BDX, is ready! for me.
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Lot 200 Day 2. Excellent.
Perfect viscosity, great flavor, all around delicious wine.
Gonna open up a Lot 179 PS for something to have with our Lamb Chops,
'cause we killed the Cab.
Yes, Lot 179 is also fantastic.
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My, how the tables have turned. When I tried 400 and 401 ten months ago, 401 was not overly complex, but delicious and 400 was a hot mess. It will be interesting to try them both again, but sounds like I should wait.
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Randy,
Glad you liked #179 2019 Napa PS!
We loved it, too!
But, we were sleeping in tents in the Sierras. 
Nearly Everything tastes extra double yum in the wilds?
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OG N.129 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
4+ years in the bottle, PnP.
This seems ready now, middleweight & easy to drink it all up.
This $156/case yum has vastly improved as of recently.
with beef back ribs
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Mathew, I can’t believe it. I have 12 50’s and I’ve been holding them because no seems to think they’re worth a damn. I decided tonight to choose one with my son in town to share watching the Masters golf and could not believe how much I liked it. 50 yums from me with ribeye . It didn’t last until day 2. Also love #68. but saving for special occasions.
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MikeN,
Thank you!
My most difficult decision everyday is that evenings wine selection!
You just made it easy for me…
N. #50 tonight with the previously planned Ribeye!
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Friday evening dinner wine: Lovely Coombsville Cab
- 2018 de Négoce Cabernet Sauvignon OG N.05 - USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville (4/11/2025)
Decanted back into bottle 30 mins prior to dinner.
Consistent with previous tasting November '24 listed below:
Poured very dark and opaque in wine glass. Notes of red rock (minerality), licorice, blackberry/cassis all around the glass and dinner table. Really aromatic Cabernet. Wine provides more blackberry and minerality in the mouth. Notable beefiness here as well- typical of Cabernets from Coombsville. Iron Fist in Velvet glove fits this wine. Smooth finish, acidity balancing tannins and fruit on a long finish. 2nd bottle of 12. This Cabernet should stay on course to get better in next 1-2 years and drink well past that. (92 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
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Lot 385 2019 St. Helena/Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
2+ years in the bottle, 3/12, PnP.
Well I’m disappointed, I thought this awesome double yum would go to a triple, nope, it went down to a generously given, single Yum .
My expectations were very high and I found it like a previous taster. Stephen Lee wrote, “Very ripe, almost candied. Not particularly complex.” I agree, plus a highly alcoholic nose.
hmmm, 9 remain, so time will tell? The food was better than the booze.
with Rack of Lamb
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Sounds like a weird phase like 401. 
Supposed to be a $185 bottle, so hopefully it will come around!!!
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I had one this week as well and was underwhelmed. A generous one yum indeed. Previous tastings showed promise, I was surprised by it’s lame effort!
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