2019 de Négoce Cabernet Sauvignon OG N.192 - USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley (5/30/2025)
Double decanted 30 mins prior to dinner. Set back in cellar as house was a bit warm. Nose: Effusive smell of very fine French Oak. Blend in some dark berries and mocha. Quite enjoyable. Color: Dark red almost purple to rim. Palate: Blackberry, mocha, cassis swirls around mouth. Smooth and resolved tannins lead to a medium plus long finish. This wine being from Knights Valley is not on par with top de Negoce Napa Cabs. However, who cares, it's an absolute bargain at $156/case. Drink now, while your Napa Cabs age in cellar. (91 points)
OG N.17 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Better than ever, last night. A triple delight!!!
For me: Probably good for two more years, plus one last bottle for the library for 2028? with Smokey Country style Pork Ribs*
(Kosmos Q Dirty Bird Rub - is also excellent)
Lot 400 right now (1st bottle of a case for me), minimal decant. So far I gotta this isn’t very giving, seems closed up and in need of time. Lots of spice on this though.
Lot 400 is worth following for a few days - my notes from April 2024 say “big and deep and sultry on Day 4. Dark fruits abound with a toffee/coffee/chocolatey note that bodes for fantastic things in a few years. Need to stop drinking these and start storing. Very promising”
Scott,
Your review of 250 motivated me to open a bottle last night. Completely agree with your review. It’s drinking great now so this is one you don’t need to save especially if you have over a case like I do. I have consumed many bottles of 250 and I am impressed by how consistent the wine is. I have had issues with bottle variation on a couple of lots like 25 and possibly 100. I don’t see any bottle variation with this wine. Drink a bottle every 3 months or so to see how it evolves?
I would put it in my top 10 dN as well, maybe top 5. Not sure aging potential but I hope it can improve over the next 5 years but no reason to not drink now.
Lot 468 | 2018 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
PnP. #5/6?
Deep, dark & fairly delicious. A medium complex wine that is strong, yet balanced!
It is rich and nice, a double yum for me, now. !!
This 2018 seems very ready, PERHAPS it’s cellar worthy for those who prefer their CS’s with lots of age.
Per dN: “You’re getting this wine as it enters a decades-long drinking window – perfect timing. 14.8% alc”.
Personally, I would not age this for more than 2-3 additional years, max. You may feel differently? with Prime grade Tri-Tip
69 and 02. 69 came around after a few hours and was doing just fine day two. 02 is a big tasty chewy mouthful that was still big and chewy day two. Needs some time. Think I have ten of each left, no hurry to get after either of them.
I opened an n.40 last night with pot roast - beautiful big mountain cab with waves of dark fruit that outshone (outshined?) the n.17 we had alongside. Left a glass for tonight and boy what a change - fruit collapsed, leaving just an unattractive acidic core. This was the same as my notes from 2023.
YMMV, but I’m marking my remaining 3/6 to enjoy young!
OG dN Lot 193 2019 Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
4+ years bottled, PnP, #10/12?
Dark colored with red & black fruits on the nose. This delicious Lake County wine has abundant fruit, oak and balanced tannin. Super Yummy, this wine may be the Ultimate Cellar Defender Cabernet!
Easy double Yum! This just keeps getting better, only $120/case!
I additionally got the 2022 version(?) Lot 447 | 2022 Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, I am hopeful for it, too. with Pork Ribs
OG dN Lot 17 2018 Napa Cab
This is a good wine! Good fruit, noticeable tannins, very dry on the finish.
SWMBO says it’s “harsh”, but I take that as a feature, not a bug.
I suspect it will be even better on Day 2, and has a long life ahead.
sorry for quoting myself, but I wanted this in context. Day two, nose was more expressive, palate a tad fuller. Day 3 (today), turning a bit weird - nose is a bit more expressive still, but has developed a slight medcinal note, and palate seeems to have fallen off.
Bottom line, I think these need a lot more time.
Monthly Summit of Cerro Alto #93/113
June gloom, heavy mountain dew & late spring blooms. I usually like to reward myself with beef & a good beefy CS.
So: Lot 322 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Over 2.5 years bottled. #11/12, PnP.
This is top notch and fantastic stuff!! I love this wine!! I am enjoying these while waiting for #321 (the 2018), to further mature.
When I want to indulge myself with a consistently super impressive triple yum, it’s #322! PnP works great!
Complex nose, smooth yet rich flavors. A greatly rewarding experience for me! with 27% fat beef patties(Monday night Wagyu?)
2019 de Négoce Cabernet Sauvignon OG N.253 - USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville (6/3/2025)
3 years since my last update. This is wonderful juice, but my is it still taking a long time to open up. Best on day two. I'd hold this longer if you can.
2021 Eleveur Cabernet Sauvignon Sage Ridge - USA, California, Napa Valley (6/3/2025)
Second bottle update. Wonderful wine, and my previous review still stands. This requires some decanting, but it's got a wonderful balance of rich blue and black fruits with balanced tannin and acidity.
A year and a half since my last review, deserved an update.
for it, too.
