2018 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon, Barlow Vineyards, Calistoga, 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
2019 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon, Barlow Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Dark cherry abounds in the nose and on the palate. Deeply inky in color, this wine really wants to be paired with a meal. Aged for 15 months on 40% new French Oak, there is plenty of tannins that will help this wine age for 15 to 20 years. Decanting will help soften this wine up for early drinking, or cellar for several years. Drink by 2039.
Specs
Vintage: 2019
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Calistoga, Napa Valley
Vineyard: Barlow Vineyards
Appellation: Calistoga, Napa Valley
Alcohol: 14.6%
pH: 3.66
Production: 260 cases
What’s Included
4-bottles:
2x 2018 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon, Barlow Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley
2x 2019 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon, Barlow Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley Case:
6x 2018 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon, Barlow Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley
6x 2019 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon, Barlow Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley
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, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VA, WA, WY
Laura Michael Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Mini Vertical
4 bottles for $119.99 $30/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $319.99 $26.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
@klezman@ttboy23
I don’t remember when she spilled the beans but if you look at the previous offer link you will see references to and best wishes on her retirement.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Laura Michael Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Mini Vertical - $40 = 11.10%
I am supposed to be a Lab Rat - the 2018 and 2019 just arrived a few minutes ago, far too warm not to put it in the wine fridge for a (relatively) gentle cool down before opening…
If I don’t get a decent review up in time and you’re wondering…I 'ratted the 2019 last August and said:
OVERALL RATING / RECOMMENDATION:
18 / 20 Points - An outstanding bottle of wine.
BUY A CASE if you can
To reiterate my teaser: This is Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon made the way rpm thinks it should be. Bright red ripe fruit, picked early enough; well-integrated structure, made to age gracefully.
The 2019 is at a point in its life that everyone should experience: just released with its fruit fully alive, but well-balanced showing the structure that will permit it to age well. The best Cabs will sometimes (not often enough anymore) have an early drinkable phase on release where they are just absolutely charming, especially with food.
This wine is exactly the style and kind of Cabernet I hoped Laura’s wines would evolve into.
It’s important to drink at least one or two bottles of this wine within a month or so (letting it rest up just a bit) because really good young Cab at this taste point is not at all common any more - I’d bet few Casematers have experienced it yet, but I really hope you use this opportunity to expand your horizons! Even SWMBO, who really does not like young Cabernet Sauvignon much at all, and who really, really dislikes overripe and hot Cabernet Sauvignon, loved this!
Then put at last 8 bottles down, try one around 5-6 (when I suspect it may be losing youthful charm and settling down for its “nap”, then one or more around 10 (e.g. in early 2030), and being to drink based on development and your own health/cellar situation.
@klezman - can’t help, unless something drastic has happened, the 2019 at least is one hell of a wine…I have two knowledgeable friends arriving in about an hour to taste with SWMBO and me and hope to be sober enough afterwards to get something up before the end of the offer…
Our tasting team (rpm, SWMBO and a couple who have fine palates) has just finished initial tasting: too little time open, and the wines being recently shipped are not as clear as they would be if they had a week or two to sit…
Consensus scores: 2018 18.5
2019 19
Biggest difference is the 2018 is much more Bordeaux-like and very strongly food oriented. Not sure it would go 25 years, but 15-20 certainly. The 2019 is richer, more traditional California Cabernet (as mentioned before - the way it used to be made) and is without question a 25 year wine.
Previous off had a comment late January where someone opened a bottle and it was corked. I haven’t opened any from my case. Anyone else have issues? Seriously considering another purchase.
@kaolis@rpm@Winedavid49 By the time UPS gets to my rural location, the wine has been in the back of the truck until 5pm or later. I have had wine come in at 90+ degrees, which is quite undesirable.
OK, as promised here is the rpm/SWMBO/pk/tk combined Lab Rat report for both the 2018 and 2019 Laura Michael Barlow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
2018
Appearance
1 (3x) 1.5 (1x) - good clarity, but keep in mind the wine had just been shipped; ideally, it would rest a week or two before judging clarity.
Color
2 (4x) very nice color, characteristic for Cabernet that’s not overly extracted.
Aroma and Bouquet
5 (2x) 5.4 (1) 5.5 (1x) - lovely, floral and savory notes, hint of rosemary, hint of leather, pepper or clove, fruit comes out after 45min as dried black currants - brings Bordeaux classified growths to mind, rather than typical California Cabernet/
Total Acidity
2 (4x) excellent balance for style Sweetness
1 (4x) no perceptible sweetness, appropriately dry Body
1 (4x) good body, a medium body, but works with the wine - in keeping with a very Bordeaux-like style. Flavor
2 (4x) smooth, currants, rosemary, again Bordeaux-like, absolutely a food wine. Bitterness; Astringency
1 (4x), 1 (4x) Not bitter, appropriate tannins; ‘just right’ General Quality
2 (4x) lovely wine, a food wine, needs 1-2 hours to open at this stage, lovely for its age, expect a ~15 year wine for full maturity, but will hold. Overall
18-18.5
2019
Appearance
1 (3x) 2 (1x) Clear, but keep in mind just shipped
Color
2 (4x) Good, deep characteristic color, deeper than 2018
Aroma and Bouquet
6 (3x) 5 (1x)
Pronounced red ripe fruit, black currants, raspberry, lovely - nothing overripe or jammy, very clean, no hint of alcohol or oak - Just what a really fine Napa Cabernet made 40+ years ago would smell like at this age in a good year.
Total acidity
2 (4x) excellent balance both for current drinking and aging Sweetness
1 (4x) appropriately dry Body
1 (4x) more full bodied than 2018, lovely.
Flavor
2 (4x) - characteristic black currants, herbs, spice (clove?/pepper), long finish, clearly young and will develop, wonderful red rip berry flavor, not oaky
Bitterness; Astringency
1 (4x), 1 (4x) not bitter, tannins pronounced, but appropriate for age and ageability.
General Quality
2 (4x) Serious wine with fine aging potential, a 20-25 year wine that will continue to develop for a long time. Very reminiscent of 1970-78 California Cabernet.
Overall
19 (4x) A wine to taste now for youthful charm (as described more fully last August), but also to age. Something of a gem best known to us from Woot days and a wonderful wine with rack of lamb or duck.
Bottom Line
This is an rpmAUTOBUY!!! You are unlikely to get Napa Cab this good at anything like this price. With Laura retiring, this can be considered the ultimate expression of her art with Cabernet. Kudos.
@rpm Where are you shipping to? I’m assuming your autobuy consideration takes in weather and shipping considerations? In case you haven’t noticed it’s pretty warm out…
@rpm Sooooo you bought this, are shipping to Florida, no worries that it is not coming summer shipping but regular ground? Do I understand that correctly…you kind of went silent
2018 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon, Barlow Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
2019 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon, Barlow Vineyards, Calistoga, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $672/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NV, NH, NM, NY, ND, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, VA, WA, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jun 26 - Tuesday, Jun 27
Laura Michael Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Mini Vertical
4 bottles for $119.99 $30/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $319.99 $26.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2018 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon, Barlow Vineyards
2019 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon, Barlow Vineyards
Previous offer and Rat Reports for the '18 and '19 where the '17 was also included.
I’ve not opened any of them yet…
Who is the consulting winemaker?
@tercerowines When visiting, (on one of the RPM tours) some years ago, we were, iirc, led to believe it was just Laura.
You think otherwise?
@rjquillin @tercerowines the write up says consulting winemaker…
@klezman @rjquillin bingo
@klezman @tercerowines
Remedial reading class for me this weekend
@tercerowines
And where is Laura?
@rjquillin oh don’t get me started…. Too busy baking cookies and bread for my pick up party tomorrow…and I’m even having a magician!!!
@rjquillin @tercerowines a magician?! Nice! Wish I could make it.
No IN, no OH?! This offer qualifies for a “W- - tleg”!
@ttboy23
I guess they are letting licenses lapse as they wind down. OH was always a ship-to state for Laura Michael.
@chipgreen @ttboy23 CT gone as well
@chipgreen @ctmariner @ttboy23 One of the rare times I’ve not seen NC on the approved states to ship to.
@chipgreen @ttboy23 they’re winding down? I think I missed that memo.
@klezman @ttboy23
I don’t remember when she spilled the beans but if you look at the previous offer link you will see references to and best wishes on her retirement.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
Laura Michael Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Mini Vertical - $40 = 11.10%
I am supposed to be a Lab Rat - the 2018 and 2019 just arrived a few minutes ago, far too warm not to put it in the wine fridge for a (relatively) gentle cool down before opening…
If I don’t get a decent review up in time and you’re wondering…I 'ratted the 2019 last August and said:
OVERALL RATING / RECOMMENDATION:
18 / 20 Points - An outstanding bottle of wine.
BUY A CASE if you can
To reiterate my teaser: This is Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon made the way rpm thinks it should be. Bright red ripe fruit, picked early enough; well-integrated structure, made to age gracefully.
The 2019 is at a point in its life that everyone should experience: just released with its fruit fully alive, but well-balanced showing the structure that will permit it to age well. The best Cabs will sometimes (not often enough anymore) have an early drinkable phase on release where they are just absolutely charming, especially with food.
This wine is exactly the style and kind of Cabernet I hoped Laura’s wines would evolve into.
It’s important to drink at least one or two bottles of this wine within a month or so (letting it rest up just a bit) because really good young Cab at this taste point is not at all common any more - I’d bet few Casematers have experienced it yet, but I really hope you use this opportunity to expand your horizons! Even SWMBO, who really does not like young Cabernet Sauvignon much at all, and who really, really dislikes overripe and hot Cabernet Sauvignon, loved this!
Then put at last 8 bottles down, try one around 5-6 (when I suspect it may be losing youthful charm and settling down for its “nap”, then one or more around 10 (e.g. in early 2030), and being to drink based on development and your own health/cellar situation.
@rpm asked earlier…
Any thoughts who may have been consulting winemaker?
@rpm you’re making me want to break the buying freeze!
@rjquillin No, sorry
@klezman - can’t help, unless something drastic has happened, the 2019 at least is one hell of a wine…I have two knowledgeable friends arriving in about an hour to taste with SWMBO and me and hope to be sober enough afterwards to get something up before the end of the offer…
Our tasting team (rpm, SWMBO and a couple who have fine palates) has just finished initial tasting: too little time open, and the wines being recently shipped are not as clear as they would be if they had a week or two to sit…
Consensus scores: 2018 18.5
2019 19
Biggest difference is the 2018 is much more Bordeaux-like and very strongly food oriented. Not sure it would go 25 years, but 15-20 certainly. The 2019 is richer, more traditional California Cabernet (as mentioned before - the way it used to be made) and is without question a 25 year wine.
Bottom Line: If you didn’t buy before, buy now.
@rpm And, if you did buy before, buy some more!
/giphy fun-green-quiet
Amazing wine. This is the quality of offer I come to this site for. Thank you.
Who’s buying in SoCal?
@klezman
already have 4 each, I suppose a couple more could work if you need the help
@klezman @rjquillin Buy more, put it away.
@klezman @rpm @davirom
relieved-frosty-puffin
@winedavid49
This had better NOT ship hot or not in styro!
And no over the weekend stunts either.
@davirom @klezman @rjquillin @Winedavid49
ABSOLUTELY not wines to be left in the heat.
@davirom @rjquillin so what’s the split?
@klezman @rjquillin 4-4-4?
@davirom @rjquillin whatever you guys want - I’m good for 2-4 sets given rpm’s review.
@davirom @klezman
seems reasonable
It’s heading up there, no room, or time, here.
Previous off had a comment late January where someone opened a bottle and it was corked. I haven’t opened any from my case. Anyone else have issues? Seriously considering another purchase.
@pseudogourmet98 The corks in the two bottles we had were high quality and in perfect condition.
I could go for 1 or 2 of each. I’m willing to accommodate demand.
Any word on summer shipping? Might get me to pull a trigger or two…ha!
@kaolis You might want to tag @Winedavid49. Summer has definitely hit here in mid-MO.
@kaolis @Mark_L @Winedavid49 and in Florida - wine arriving today was in the 80s…
@kaolis @rpm @Winedavid49 By the time UPS gets to my rural location, the wine has been in the back of the truck until 5pm or later. I have had wine come in at 90+ degrees, which is quite undesirable.
@Mark_L @rpm @Winedavid49 92 in central Wisconsin today…perfect wine shipping weather
@kaolis @Mark_L @Winedavid49
Summer shipping usually starts with the first offer of June, IIRC.
@chipgreen @kaolis @Mark_L @Winedavid49 According to the other thread the Monday offer is the first this year.
OK, as promised here is the rpm/SWMBO/pk/tk combined Lab Rat report for both the 2018 and 2019 Laura Michael Barlow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
2018
Appearance
1 (3x) 1.5 (1x) - good clarity, but keep in mind the wine had just been shipped; ideally, it would rest a week or two before judging clarity.
Color
2 (4x) very nice color, characteristic for Cabernet that’s not overly extracted.
Aroma and Bouquet
5 (2x) 5.4 (1) 5.5 (1x) - lovely, floral and savory notes, hint of rosemary, hint of leather, pepper or clove, fruit comes out after 45min as dried black currants - brings Bordeaux classified growths to mind, rather than typical California Cabernet/
Total Acidity
2 (4x) excellent balance for style
Sweetness
1 (4x) no perceptible sweetness, appropriately dry
Body
1 (4x) good body, a medium body, but works with the wine - in keeping with a very Bordeaux-like style.
Flavor
2 (4x) smooth, currants, rosemary, again Bordeaux-like, absolutely a food wine.
Bitterness; Astringency
1 (4x), 1 (4x) Not bitter, appropriate tannins; ‘just right’
General Quality
2 (4x) lovely wine, a food wine, needs 1-2 hours to open at this stage, lovely for its age, expect a ~15 year wine for full maturity, but will hold.
Overall
18-18.5
2019
Appearance
1 (3x) 2 (1x) Clear, but keep in mind just shipped
Color
2 (4x) Good, deep characteristic color, deeper than 2018
Aroma and Bouquet
6 (3x) 5 (1x)
Pronounced red ripe fruit, black currants, raspberry, lovely - nothing overripe or jammy, very clean, no hint of alcohol or oak - Just what a really fine Napa Cabernet made 40+ years ago would smell like at this age in a good year.
Total acidity
2 (4x) excellent balance both for current drinking and aging
Sweetness
1 (4x) appropriately dry
Body
1 (4x) more full bodied than 2018, lovely.
Flavor
2 (4x) - characteristic black currants, herbs, spice (clove?/pepper), long finish, clearly young and will develop, wonderful red rip berry flavor, not oaky
Bitterness; Astringency
1 (4x), 1 (4x) not bitter, tannins pronounced, but appropriate for age and ageability.
General Quality
2 (4x) Serious wine with fine aging potential, a 20-25 year wine that will continue to develop for a long time. Very reminiscent of 1970-78 California Cabernet.
Overall
19 (4x) A wine to taste now for youthful charm (as described more fully last August), but also to age. Something of a gem best known to us from Woot days and a wonderful wine with rack of lamb or duck.
Bottom Line
This is an rpmAUTOBUY!!! You are unlikely to get Napa Cab this good at anything like this price. With Laura retiring, this can be considered the ultimate expression of her art with Cabernet. Kudos.
@rpm Where are you shipping to? I’m assuming your autobuy consideration takes in weather and shipping considerations? In case you haven’t noticed it’s pretty warm out…
https://www.weather.gov/forecastmaps
@rpm Ok, just caught your post…you bought and are comfortable shipping to FL?
@kaolis Yes as long as WD is doing summer shipping…
@rpm So you purchased this offer, today’s offer? I see no mention of summer shipping
@rpm After that review, I couldn’t bear letting this go by without getting at least 4.
/giphy royal-nosy-kitten
@rpm Sooooo you bought this, are shipping to Florida, no worries that it is not coming summer shipping but regular ground? Do I understand that correctly…you kind of went silent
Attn Chicago group. I bought the case. Let me know if you want any. If not, more for me.
Y’all are nuts ordering and shipping in the summer…
@kaolis @winedavid49
There is that…
Remember the coupon?
“TrustInUs”
@rjquillin @Winedavid49 deaf ears…sigh
@kaolis @rjquillin 2 day works.