2018 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Cabernet from Barlow Vineyards always exudes dark cherry notes on the nose and on the palate. Aged in 35% new French Oak barrels, the oak frames the beautiful aroma and adds balance to the wine. Still a youngster, this wine really needs to be decanted or saved for several years in your cellar. Drink by 2038.
Specs
Vintage: 2018
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Calistoga, Napa Valley
Vineyard: Barlow Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.2%
pH: 3.65
Production: 284 cases
2018 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Dark red fruit, a touch of smoke and pepper on the nose, and a delightful finish.
Aged on 100% French oak, and 30%-40% new barrels for 18-20 months.
Our Rutherford Cabernet comes from a beautiful site on the western hills of Napa Valley, in the heart of the Rutherford Bench. Dusty characteristics predominate on the palate, with supple tannins framing the bold style of this wine. Red fruit bursts from the glass offering a subtle vanilla note from the French Oak barrels used to age the wine. Decant if you plan to drink in the next few years, or a cellar to soften the structure and drink by 2036.
Specs
Vintage: 2018
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Alcohol: 14.2%
pH: 3.63
What’s Included
2-bottles:
1x 2018 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
1x 2018 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
Case:
6x 2018 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
6x 2018 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Laura and Michael Swanton know the many challenges of establishing a boutique winery dedicated to crafting small quantities of fine wine in the Napa Valley. They have experienced them all in their demanding, yet delicious, journey from fledging winery to award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel producers.
A long-time wine enthusiast, Owner and Proprietor Laura Swanton purchased the Calistoga winery estate that would become Laura Michael Wines from the Traulsen family in 1999. At the time, Laura was a sales specialist with Cisco Systems in San Jose. It was a career that required intimate knowledge of high-tech product application. Knowing how the technology worked was critical to her success in selling the product.
At the time Laura purchased the winery, Michael had embarked on an independent career in power generation and services, a career that spanned nearly two decades. When they came together in 2006, their current journey started and continues to this day.
Today, their tenacity for learning systems and science is directed at running their small winery and vineyard estate dedicated to limited-production, premium red wines. Since 1999, Laura has managed all winemaking processes from grape sourcing to the logistics of launching and operating a winery. Her zeal to understand winegrowing at its root has her pruning, picking, irrigating and collecting samples in the vineyard. A thirst for winemaking knowledge encourages her participation in crush, pump-overs, racking and bottling.
“We do it all,” says Laura. “It’s so important that we work alongside every member of our team from the temporary harvest help to our consulting winemaker. We are not ones to stand on the sidelines, and fortunately because we are as small as we are, we can be actively involved in every aspect of this business.”
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Laura Michael Mixed Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley
2 bottles for $54.99 $27.50/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $279.99 $23.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Yay! Excellent wines. Execllent winery. Excellent price (Is that a mistake?) Let’s sell it out!
After letting the 2018 Calistoga Cabernet get some air and settle down as much as could since it only just arrived today, had this with dinner and it blew us away.
Such a nice dark color and body. Still a little tight, young, travel, etc, not getting to much on the nose but it eventually opened up with some black cherry and spice, slight oak. Lush and bold but balanced and so tasty. Really just great structure and decent acid but not a lot of alcohol noted which is always appreciated. Not one thing stands out above another meaning not too fruity or too hot or too much oak or anything else. This would be good with or without food but definitely give it a some more age or a proper decanting for best results.
A well made example of a Napa Cabernet at a great price, you would typically pay 30, 40 even $50 for.
For the case price open a bottle once a year or so for a semi-special occasion and enjoy for the next 10 years and you will also have a nice learning experience.
After having visited the winery in the past this brought back great memories so thank you!
This showed up this afternoon. Box was very hot, 102F here in Glendora today but wine was more room temp so no issues with the wine spoiling.
Opened up around 8:30 tonight after getting home from the boys hockey practice, initially very closed, this lasted fur about an hour. Very muted dark fruit, some noticeable alcohol., fairly astringent. I already had covid this summer or I would have thought something was wrong with the sniffer but the wine just needed air.
After an hour the wine is much more approachable and expressive. Very solid Napa Cabernet here, not in your face, more subtle than most are used to at this point in California wine.
I liked this quite a bit and would recommend a buy, you can absolutely lay these down.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Laura Michael Mixed Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley - $50 = 15.14%
I’m one of the LabRats for the Rutherford Cab, but it is going to be a few hours before I reunite with my computer to write my report. For now, let me just give a heads up that this wine is delicious, really yummy. More details coming a little later …
Laura Michael Wines, Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Napa Cabs are among my very favorite wines, right up at the top along with Cote de Beaune Burgundies, so I was pretty much predisposed to like this wine and it certainly did not disappoint.
The wine is a rich, lovely garnet color with medium legs. The first sniff brought out the word “Delightful” from my co-Rat wife. Cherries and blackberries are noticeable along with raisins and some earthy/woodsy spice. Nothing is jarring, it is all really well balanced. There was no hint of the 14.2 % alcohol.
The first taste elicited the word “Fantastic” from my partner. The flavors are powerful and super smooth at the same time. The blackberries and cherries are evident as well some richer flavors, the raisins noticed in the aroma. There are some tannins, but light. There is also just the right amount of acidity. Everything you would want out of a really nice Cabernet Sauvignon!
We had homemade pizza as an accompaniment and the wine and the food complimented each other nicely, but this wine is also just fine by itself.
Because we were heading back up to the lake in the morning we did not save anything for Day 2. We certainly didn’t have to force ourselves to finish the bottle! This wine is delightful and fantastic! We are in for a case!
@PRH2 Okay, was off this morning and came back to 3 offers. I could do a 1/3 but not want less than that. I can order with free shipping, but okay if some one else wants to. So, I see Jean would do 1/3. That leaves Andrew and ampeloquin to respond. Or we could do 2 cases and split into 4 halves.
Laura Michael Wines, Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Sorry for the delay. Bottle didn’t arrive until today and as luck would have it, I am really sick and actually went to the Dr. as well as stayed home from work today. (2 things I rarely do) I recruited my family that normally help me Rat wine, to do the tasting. Mom-likes mild tannic reds, Dad likes big bold tannic reds. Here are their thoughts:
Pnp:
Color- Deep garnet red
Aroma- mild, cherry
Flavor- mom- dark cherry, very tannic,
Dad- black cherry mild tannins
Vinturi
Flavor- both said they liked it better after vinturi and agreed it would benefit from decanting for a while
mom still thinks it was a bit to tannic and lost some of its full body.
Dad thinks it lost some of the cherry flavor, but preferred it to PNP.
Both thought it was a good everyday wine.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Alice and WD for the opportunity to Rat!
Okay, was off this morning and came back to 3 Twin Cities offers. I could do a 1/3 but not want less than that. I can order with free shipping, but okay if some one else wants to. So, I see Jean would do 1/3. That leaves Andrew and ampeloquin to respond. Or we could do 2 cases and split into 4 halves.
Laura Michael, Rutherford, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018. It was for lack of a better word, thin, not robust in mouth feel and weak in flavor. I hope that helps. Have been a member for years and this is at the bottom of my selections. Hah, and don’t know whether it is flawed but certainly not up to expectations.
@rjquillin unfortunately I do not do the same for all the wonderful wines I have experienced over the years here. I will try to do better on positive feedback too!
2018 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
2018 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Price Comparison
$756.00/Case for 6x 2018 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon + 6x 2018 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon at Laura Michael Wines Inc
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Sep 9 - Tuesday, Sep 10
Laura Michael Mixed Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley
2 bottles for $54.99 $27.50/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $279.99 $23.33/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2018 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon Barlow
2018 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
Previous offer:
6/2/23
There’s some juice over at meh.com
2018 Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Yay! Excellent wines. Execllent winery. Excellent price (Is that a mistake?) Let’s sell it out!
After letting the 2018 Calistoga Cabernet get some air and settle down as much as could since it only just arrived today, had this with dinner and it blew us away.
Such a nice dark color and body. Still a little tight, young, travel, etc, not getting to much on the nose but it eventually opened up with some black cherry and spice, slight oak. Lush and bold but balanced and so tasty. Really just great structure and decent acid but not a lot of alcohol noted which is always appreciated. Not one thing stands out above another meaning not too fruity or too hot or too much oak or anything else. This would be good with or without food but definitely give it a some more age or a proper decanting for best results.
A well made example of a Napa Cabernet at a great price, you would typically pay 30, 40 even $50 for.
For the case price open a bottle once a year or so for a semi-special occasion and enjoy for the next 10 years and you will also have a nice learning experience.
After having visited the winery in the past this brought back great memories so thank you!
2018 Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
This showed up this afternoon. Box was very hot, 102F here in Glendora today but wine was more room temp so no issues with the wine spoiling.
Opened up around 8:30 tonight after getting home from the boys hockey practice, initially very closed, this lasted fur about an hour. Very muted dark fruit, some noticeable alcohol., fairly astringent. I already had covid this summer or I would have thought something was wrong with the sniffer but the wine just needed air.
After an hour the wine is much more approachable and expressive. Very solid Napa Cabernet here, not in your face, more subtle than most are used to at this point in California wine.
I liked this quite a bit and would recommend a buy, you can absolutely lay these down.
Still no room but have to give this a try.
/giphy poignant-meager-hound
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Laura Michael Mixed Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley - $50 = 15.14%
I’m one of the LabRats for the Rutherford Cab, but it is going to be a few hours before I reunite with my computer to write my report. For now, let me just give a heads up that this wine is delicious, really yummy. More details coming a little later …
Laura Michael Wines, Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Napa Cabs are among my very favorite wines, right up at the top along with Cote de Beaune Burgundies, so I was pretty much predisposed to like this wine and it certainly did not disappoint.
The wine is a rich, lovely garnet color with medium legs. The first sniff brought out the word “Delightful” from my co-Rat wife. Cherries and blackberries are noticeable along with raisins and some earthy/woodsy spice. Nothing is jarring, it is all really well balanced. There was no hint of the 14.2 % alcohol.
The first taste elicited the word “Fantastic” from my partner. The flavors are powerful and super smooth at the same time. The blackberries and cherries are evident as well some richer flavors, the raisins noticed in the aroma. There are some tannins, but light. There is also just the right amount of acidity. Everything you would want out of a really nice Cabernet Sauvignon!
We had homemade pizza as an accompaniment and the wine and the food complimented each other nicely, but this wine is also just fine by itself.
Because we were heading back up to the lake in the morning we did not save anything for Day 2. We certainly didn’t have to force ourselves to finish the bottle! This wine is delightful and fantastic! We are in for a case!
Laura Michael has become an auto- buy!
/giphy ludicrous-flavored-gold
Yeah that ain’t right…
/giphy ludicrous-flavored-gold
@por944sche Don’t settle for less than Plaid.
Anyone in the Twin Cities interested in splitting a case?
@PRH2 - I could be convinced!
@PRH2 Me too! I live in Edina.
@PRH2 halves or thirds works great for me! andrewbrion@gmail.com
@PRH2 Okay, was off this morning and came back to 3 offers. I could do a 1/3 but not want less than that. I can order with free shipping, but okay if some one else wants to. So, I see Jean would do 1/3. That leaves Andrew and ampeloquin to respond. Or we could do 2 cases and split into 4 halves.
@PRH2 I’ll take any amount. Very flexible here.
/giphy poignant-lyrical-owl
Just popped a 2017 Rutherford.
It’s the real deal!
@FritzCat
From CM?
If you recall which offer was that from?
@rjquillin Apparently not…couldn’t find it in my purchases. Just a Calistoga vertical 3-pack.
By the way, it’s very good.
Laura Michael Wines, Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Sorry for the delay. Bottle didn’t arrive until today and as luck would have it, I am really sick and actually went to the Dr. as well as stayed home from work today. (2 things I rarely do) I recruited my family that normally help me Rat wine, to do the tasting. Mom-likes mild tannic reds, Dad likes big bold tannic reds. Here are their thoughts:
Pnp:
Color- Deep garnet red
Aroma- mild, cherry
Flavor- mom- dark cherry, very tannic,
Dad- black cherry mild tannins
Vinturi
Flavor- both said they liked it better after vinturi and agreed it would benefit from decanting for a while
mom still thinks it was a bit to tannic and lost some of its full body.
Dad thinks it lost some of the cherry flavor, but preferred it to PNP.
Both thought it was a good everyday wine.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Alice and WD for the opportunity to Rat!
@mommadeb Which bottle?
@rjquillin
That would help! it was the
Rutherford
@mommadeb I hope you feel better.
@marjoryk
Thanks. One of the "benefits " of working at an elementary school, little darlings sharing their germs.
Anyone up for a split in Wilmington NC?
Must. Resist.
@klezman Resistance is futile.
in central texas if anyone wants part of a case…
/giphy silver-prosperous-minotaur
These would be an rpmAUTOBUY…
@rpm that doesn’t help me resist!
@klezman @rpm LOL
@rpmRPM has spoken
…in for two
coy-occlusive-nitrogen
@PLSemenza
cases!?
outstanding!
Okay, was off this morning and came back to 3 Twin Cities offers. I could do a 1/3 but not want less than that. I can order with free shipping, but okay if some one else wants to. So, I see Jean would do 1/3. That leaves Andrew and ampeloquin to respond. Or we could do 2 cases and split into 4 halves.
Hope they ship refrigerated.
It’s 110F here today.
I think mine got lost…
We Have Your Package
Petaluma, CA, United States
09/09/2024, 4:56 P.M.
Current Event
On the Way
Vernon, CA, United States
09/10/2024, 1:27 P.M.
Opened first bottle, disappointing.
@aarphacker
Which bottle?
Flawed, or just not up to expectations?
Laura Michael, Rutherford, Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018. It was for lack of a better word, thin, not robust in mouth feel and weak in flavor. I hope that helps. Have been a member for years and this is at the bottom of my selections. Hah, and don’t know whether it is flawed but certainly not up to expectations.
@aarphacker thanks
Good to have follow-up comments here in the offer thread, good or not-so.
@rjquillin unfortunately I do not do the same for all the wonderful wines I have experienced over the years here. I will try to do better on positive feedback too!