Accolades

Cabernet Sauvignon

  • This deep and brooding wine shows impressive depth and concentration, practically bursting at the seams with black currants, black cherries and dark chocolate while accents of graphite, cedar, and cocoa dance around the edges. The firm structure and powerful fruit flavors bode well for further development. Best from 2028–2038. - Jim Gordon

  • Fairly dark in the glass even for a “pure” Cab, with notes of cassis, wild blackberry, plum, violet, black pepper, and sage; a beautiful mélange on the nose. Luscious and beautiful on the palate as well with all that dark fruit combined with spice, an herbal note, wonderful tartness, and enough tannin on the finish to suggest a lengthy life (10+ years).

    Listen, this is tasty and lovely now, so much so that it warrants a quick pop and pour. But. If one were willing to wait a bit? The reward would be worth it. 

  • A layered cab with notes of black cherry, plum, and cedar. Firm tannins and a nice length. Pretty.

    Weighted to red fruit with notes of black raspberry, black plum, and red raspberry. Balanced and lovely.

  • Swirls of black cherries, vanilla and dark chocolate mark the nose of the current-release 2019 Cabernet
    Sauvignon. Estate grown in Calistoga and aged in 85% new French oak, it’s a rich, full-bodied wine but
    one that doesn’t come across as forcibly extractive or overripe, with easygoing, supple tannins and a
    long, plush finish. It should drink well for at least a decade, quite possibly longer. - Joe Czerwinski

  • I reviewed the 2011 version of this wine a couple of weeks ago, and this latest offering, though made by a new winemaker, shows some commonality.  Add in the fact that 2019 is being heralded as a great vintage in Napa Valley, and you can imagine that this might be a winner.  I will commit to saying that it is indeed, and on all fronts, with lively fruit, supple, age worthy structure, and a light yet firm hand with oak influence.  Very classy stuff! - Rich Cook

  • Very dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of bright cherry fruit and oak. In the mouth, sweetish black cherry and blackcurrant flavors mix with cola and tobacco. Lush muscular tannins wrap around the palate with a velvety texture.

  • Appearance: Opaque ruby with a purple rim.

    Nose: Perfume notes, raspberry, herbal notes including thyme;

    Palate: Velvety tannins, blackcurrant fruit. Pencil lead, baking spice.

  • Lots of fruit like cherry, raspberry, cassis, and black currant. I tasted mocha, licorice, and floral notes as well. Another beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon that will only get better with time.

    Read the full review here

  • This wine made me remember why I joined the Kelly Fleming Wine Club. The wine stands in contrast to land which the grapes hail from, rough and steep hillsides. The wine is opulent, exquisite and refined from the first waft of aromas to the long lasting finish. First on the nose, red and black fruits abound along with a floral bouquet followed by blueberry being the most aromatic. The coloring is not as dark as I remembered, more of a crimson red and medium heavy viscosity.  On the palate, raspberry and fresh firm plum provide an outline for the savory flavors. Secondary flavors of soft and mellow vanilla pipe tobacco and a modicum of cocoa swirls in the mouth. The finish with structure and velvety tannins surround each tooth and roof of the mouth claiming friendly dominance.

    Read the full review here

  • A deep, lively purple color. The nose shows a pretty core of plum, tart currant, suave black cherries, with a wrapped-up mix of violets, cocoa, cedar and eucalyptus. The palate has deep texture, structured tannins and vibrant acidity, all balanced very well. Tart black currant and juicy black cherry fruit blends well with stony, earthy, graphite, violets and anise. Time and air coaxes out so many nuances, and the mouthfeel is pristine throughout – very long finish. The crisp, tart appeal is gorgeous. This will age gracefully for many years, and a great example of the vintage.

    Read the full review here

  • A rush of black coffee and chalky tannins unite for a broad first impression. As it opens up, licorice and lavender add depth to the blackberry and sweet potato. Sandalwood and fig deliver savory notes and the core of minerality makes for a lasting impression. Still youthful with lots of time to flourish.

Library Wines

  • The bouquet on the 2017 Estate Cabernet is well layered and aromatic with cherry intertwined with tobacco, cassis, and cedar.  The palate is a multi-layered ensemble of red and black cherries, black plums, dried herbs, earth, and dark chocolate.  Full-
    bodied and concentrated, it is incredibly focused with densely packed tannins, balanced acidity, and a long and savory finish.  Enjoy now and over the next 10 to 15 years. - Miranda Franco

  • Attractive blackberries and red plums here with fresh cedar and toasty oak on offer, as well as a blackberry-leaf edge. Lots of fleshy blackberries and blackcurrants here, wrapped in supple, long tannins. Drink or hold.

  • From 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a saturated
    purple color as well as a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, toasted spice, dried soil, and cedar pencil.
    Classic Cabernet Sauvignon all the way, with full body, ripe, present tannin, and a great finish, this
    brilliant effort can be drunk any time over the coming two decades.

  • Fleming's 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and dense, with tons of explosive energy driving the red cherry, plum, cedar, licorice and tobacco flavors. A brooding wine today, the 2015 has really shut down since I last tasted it, which is probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects. Pomegranate, blood orange, menthol, spice and new leather build into the potent finish. The 2015 is a total stunner. That's all there is to it. Drinking Window: 2023 - 2040

  • The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is striking for its combination of tension, energy and richness. Graphite, savory herbs, tobacco, licorice and cedar are all beautifully delineated. Tense and vibrant, the 2014 offers terrific balance as well as potential. The 2014 is shaping up to be a super-classic, mid-weight Cabernet. Even at this early this early stage, the 2014 is very nicely balanced. Drinking Window: 2019 - 2034

  • The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is quite primary today. There is considerable depth and roundness to the flavors, but the aromatics that are such a big part of the wine's signature remains a bit in the background. A rich, succulent, Cabernet, the 2012 should drink well pretty much right out of the gate. There is a lot to look forward to here.

  • I think I tasted this wine when it was first released, and I remember giving it a favorable review.  It’s unusual for a library wine like this one to come available twelve years down the road, but it is a testament to the longevity possible in Napa Valley.  This is made in the “old school” Napa style, meaning it is not afraid to show a little green character.  Here it balances the fruit nicely, and even at this age, it’s not taking over the proceedings.  If your cellar isn’t yet full of older treasures, this is a glimpse into what can be. - Rich Cook

  • Appearance: Opaque garnet with hints of brown at the edge of the meniscus;

    Nose: Rich cigar box, French oak, cassis but primary fruit notes are fully resolved into higher-level bouquets. 

    Palate: Enormously powerful blackcurrant fruit, chewy texture. Harmonious flavors spread around the mouth and contribute to a long, harmonious finish.

    Read the full review here

  • A vibrant purple color. Gorgeous aromas of currants, black cherries, dark plums, a compote of deliciousness, mixed with mint, eucalyptus, clove, some coffee and black pepper. Still so alive, but those secondary nuances are really popping. The palate has structured but suave tannins and crisp acidity, and lots of juicy, tart currants and plum fruit. The accents of dusty earth, smoked meat, mint, some black olive, mushroom and spice rub – it all adds a fascinating and delicious display. The fruit is still so full, but has that tangy, edge from the age and vintage, but it’s holding up really well and has a lot more evolution to go. I’d love to re-taste this in five to seven years to see where the savory tones go and how the tannins and fruit integrate further.

    Read the full review here

  • I think I tasted this wine when it was first released, and I remember giving it a favorable review.  It’s unusual for a library wine like this one to come available twelve years down the road, but it is a testament to the longevity possible in the Napa Valley.  This is made in the “old school” Napa style, meaning it is not afraid to show a little green character.  Here it balances the fruit nicely, and even at this age, it’s not taking over the proceedings.  If your cellar isn’t yet full of older treasures, this is a glimpse into what can be. - Rich Cook

  • Dark ruby in color, this wine smells of forest floor, a touch of smoked meats, and dark red and black fruits. In the mouth, minty flavors of black cherry, dates, and blackberry are wrapped in gauzy tannins. Elegant and beginning to enter its next phase of life with dried floral and redwood bark notes emerging in the finish.

  • On the eyes a deep luscious concentrated red brick color and medium heavy viscosity. On the nose, aromas of fresh cherries, almond and soft vanilla pipe tobacco. In the palate, the fresh Bing cherries mixed with plum and herbal notes, including some spice like cinnamon. The finish was extremely soft and with the silkiest tannins in recent memory, that slid down the throat effortlessly. A beautifully balanced and enjoyable wine.

  • When I first tasted it in 2019, I picked up notes of red and black fruit, cassis, spice, almonds, and eucalyptus. It’s rich and elegant. Aged for four more years, it had reached this sumptuous balance of fruit, licorice, tobacco, and spice.

    Read the full review here

  • Fleming's 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts gorgeous depth and precision from start to finish. Hints of licorice, sweet spices and menthol are layered into an expressive core of dark fruit in this beautiful, complete Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromas and flavors are naturally quite primary, but there is little doubt greater complexity will develop with more time in bottle. A rich, textured finish rounds things out in style. This is a fabulous showing from Kelly Fleming. Drinking Window: 2016 - 2030

  • The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a beguiling bouquet of smoke, incense, tobacco, wild flowers and scorched earth. Silky and polished on the palate, the 2009 impresses for the way it balances an overt expression of fruit while retaining considerable underlying structure. I imagine the 2009 will enjoy a broad window of drinkability. Drinking Window: 2014 - 2029

Big Pour

  • Kelly Fleming earned the nickname "Big Pour" while visiting Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (one of Burgundy's most storied Pinot Noir producers).  Her host kept giving her larger pours over her male colleagues, which caused one of them to say, "I want to be next to Big Pour over there!"  The 2017 Big Pour, a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, and 3% Malbec, shows an expressive nose generous with layers of cherries, plums, violets, and an anchoring hint of espresso.  Impressively polished and integrated with subtle tannins that carry the fruit and floral notes from the mid-palate to the persistent finish.  It's enjoyable now with plenty of time left to go. - Miranda Franco

The Bear & The Bees

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