2015 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, 14.4% alcohol
Got the notification last week and received the golden ticket bottle last Friday, giving it some time to rest before needing to crack it for y’all. All tasting done at my room temp of 21°C or so.
Tuesday night, on first opening, I was greeted with a nose full of plums, cherries, and similar ripe fruits. A minute later some mint and dust joined the aroma party. Then I got a hint of chocolate/cocoa that signified (to me) that this wine is more in the modern camp than the older school tradition. Modern, but nothing in the colour (a typical red-purple) or aromas suggests that this is in the overripe fruit bomb category, which accords with my prior experience with Laura’s wine.
First sips, again the fruit takes centre stage at the start, repeating the aromas I got initially. But after a few minutes in the glass, that cocoa note showed up as well, and it never let go the entire first evening. At times the cocoa was the only thing I could taste, but then other times the fruit came back and so did hints of mint, eucalyptus, dried herbs, and the famous Rutherford dust. Finish was moderate in most cases, but the occasional lingering finish did change and evolve to show more of the wine’s herbaceous qualities rather than the focus on cocoa.
On night one, the acidity and balance were good for me - appropriate for the wine certainly. Tannins started as rounded and muted but then picked up both in intensity and harshness with air. After being open for an hour or so the tannins were firmly in control and it was hard to get much else. However, after another hour or two of air they began to soften again.
I wished I’d had my original plan handy of beef ribs to go with this glass, but for reasons I won’t go into here I ended up having a bagel with lox and cream cheese. This was not a good pairing. Do not recommend. We will not speak of it further.
Half the bottle stayed on the counter, recorked with normal air, for second day tasting.
Day 2, this has clearly smoothed out a bit. The cocoa is still there, but now it’s working in more harmony with the other flavours and aromas of the wine. The mint and dusty notes are more obvious now, and quite a nice balance to the ripe (but not overripe) fruit. This confirmed my expectations that I’d find this wine a bit on the young side for my tastes but that it would evolve for the good over the next several years.
The beef ribs did happen tonight, and the pairing was certainly better than with that which shall not be named. I made a tactical error, though, and seasoned the ribs with Montreal steak spice, which can (and did, in this case) easily overwhelm just about any wine. Nonetheless, the wine complemented the smoke on the ribs nicely and of course cut the fat in a delightful way. The bottle did not last until the next day, (un)fortunately.
I see now that this is a two-appellation offer, and wish I’d have been able to compare and contrast the two. It’s a rare and delightful opportunity whenever it arises.
So in sum, this is a nicely balanced and fairly fresh tasting modern-styled Napa Cabernet for $25 or $30 that should also age nicely for at least another 5 years. So why are you waiting to press the big red button?
As always, thanks to Alice and WD for sending a bottle my way! molarchae was not feeling great the last few days, so this time you only get my opinion.
I was thrilled to receive this as I have the 2014 bottles cellaring from a previous deal on casemates.
Background on me: I worked in a wine shop for ~4 years and currently co-host a wine podcast (Table Wine Podcast, check it if you’re interested!). That experience made Cab a more peripheral wine, as it’s typically more expensive, especially the good juice.
Now, I think this cab lives up to its Napa origins: full-bodied, rich, ripe cab. Layered, chalky (and chewy) tannins, delivering concentrated blackberry and blueberry. The nose is inviting with vanilla and chocolate, which translate to cocoa and vanilla bean on the mid-palate. There is a lovely bit of acidity that seems to rest on the heavier base. This would pair lovely with some juicy meat to complement the tannins. I might even go so far as to say the chocolatey richness of this cab lends itself to pairing with the right dessert.
Drinking a day after opening (kept in the fridge) and it’s held up incredibly well. The interesting note I picked up while drinking last night after opening was fennel seed on the finish–which I absolutely adored. I’m not getting that so much today (but perhaps I was having a fever dream last night!).
Overall, a Napa Cab for acolytes of the big and rich style Napa has become known for. I’ve recently encountered some more medium-bodied, red-fruit driven Napa cabs, and this provides real contrast. As cab isn’t my go-to, I have some bias, but see this as a real pleaser for folks looking for elevated, big, rich wine. Especially great in the winter months.
Tragically I’m not a lab rat today, but I feel obliged to chime in to say that I tasted the 2016 Rutherford cab at the winery earlier this year and it was good enough to justify paying full retail to ship it home. I have no tasting notes, nor do I have any information about the 2015, but I am happily buying this case sight unseen. Laura’s wine is that good.
Laura Michael Wines Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
4 bottles for $119.99 $30/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $299.99 $25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2015 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Just south of the estate, by about 3 miles, we find Barlow Vineyards from whom we source delicious cabernet sauvignon. The color profile is a gorgeous ruby red while the nose is dominated by dark ripe fruits with a hint of tobacco – plus raspberry, Bing cherry, and dark chocolate. Full-bodied with rich, chewy tannins that will open up with decanting to drink now or will age well in your cellar.
Specs
Vintage: 2015
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Calistoga, Napa Valley
Aging: 17 months in 40% New French & 60% Neutral French
Alcohol: 13.7%
2015 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
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 cellar to soften the structure and drink by 2035.
Specs
Vintage: 2015
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Rutherford, Napa Valley
Alcohol: 14.4%
What’s Included
4-bottles:
2x 2015 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2x 2015 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Case:
6x 2015 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
6x 2015 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, 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.
“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, 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
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2015 Laura Michael Wines Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $60 = 16.66%
I wasn’t that impressed with the 2014 Calistoga but have not yet had the Rutherford (ranks higher generally). On the fence here but if any Houston ites want to split a case 2 or 3 ways let me know
My assistant wine taster discovered a bottle of the 2017 Calistoga I gifted last year. It was saved for a “special occasion” which was Thanksgiving dinner – sadly I missed the dinner and tasting as I was on the incorrect coast.
Comments: “Special Occasional, special wine. This one is fantastic!”
“Juicy, fruity, rich, and slightly tannic”
In this case [1/3 case in this “case”] I’m eager to try the Rutherford.
2015 Laura Michael Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, 14.4% alcohol
Got the notification last week and received the golden ticket bottle last Friday, giving it some time to rest before needing to crack it for y’all. All tasting done at my room temp of 21°C or so.
Tuesday night, on first opening, I was greeted with a nose full of plums, cherries, and similar ripe fruits. A minute later some mint and dust joined the aroma party. Then I got a hint of chocolate/cocoa that signified (to me) that this wine is more in the modern camp than the older school tradition. Modern, but nothing in the colour (a typical red-purple) or aromas suggests that this is in the overripe fruit bomb category, which accords with my prior experience with Laura’s wine.
First sips, again the fruit takes centre stage at the start, repeating the aromas I got initially. But after a few minutes in the glass, that cocoa note showed up as well, and it never let go the entire first evening. At times the cocoa was the only thing I could taste, but then other times the fruit came back and so did hints of mint, eucalyptus, dried herbs, and the famous Rutherford dust. Finish was moderate in most cases, but the occasional lingering finish did change and evolve to show more of the wine’s herbaceous qualities rather than the focus on cocoa.
On night one, the acidity and balance were good for me - appropriate for the wine certainly. Tannins started as rounded and muted but then picked up both in intensity and harshness with air. After being open for an hour or so the tannins were firmly in control and it was hard to get much else. However, after another hour or two of air they began to soften again.
I wished I’d had my original plan handy of beef ribs to go with this glass, but for reasons I won’t go into here I ended up having a bagel with lox and cream cheese. This was not a good pairing. Do not recommend. We will not speak of it further.
Half the bottle stayed on the counter, recorked with normal air, for second day tasting.
Day 2, this has clearly smoothed out a bit. The cocoa is still there, but now it’s working in more harmony with the other flavours and aromas of the wine. The mint and dusty notes are more obvious now, and quite a nice balance to the ripe (but not overripe) fruit. This confirmed my expectations that I’d find this wine a bit on the young side for my tastes but that it would evolve for the good over the next several years.
The beef ribs did happen tonight, and the pairing was certainly better than with that which shall not be named. I made a tactical error, though, and seasoned the ribs with Montreal steak spice, which can (and did, in this case) easily overwhelm just about any wine. Nonetheless, the wine complemented the smoke on the ribs nicely and of course cut the fat in a delightful way. The bottle did not last until the next day, (un)fortunately.
I see now that this is a two-appellation offer, and wish I’d have been able to compare and contrast the two. It’s a rare and delightful opportunity whenever it arises.
So in sum, this is a nicely balanced and fairly fresh tasting modern-styled Napa Cabernet for $25 or $30 that should also age nicely for at least another 5 years. So why are you waiting to press the big red button?
As always, thanks to Alice and WD for sending a bottle my way! molarchae was not feeling great the last few days, so this time you only get my opinion.
@klezman thanks for the rattage and the best part of the story was that you DID get those beef ribs after all.
@klezman
ROFLMAO.
A most excellent labrat!
I’m the lucky rat for the
2015 from Calistoga!
I was thrilled to receive this as I have the 2014 bottles cellaring from a previous deal on casemates.
Background on me: I worked in a wine shop for ~4 years and currently co-host a wine podcast (Table Wine Podcast, check it if you’re interested!). That experience made Cab a more peripheral wine, as it’s typically more expensive, especially the good juice.
Now, I think this cab lives up to its Napa origins: full-bodied, rich, ripe cab. Layered, chalky (and chewy) tannins, delivering concentrated blackberry and blueberry. The nose is inviting with vanilla and chocolate, which translate to cocoa and vanilla bean on the mid-palate. There is a lovely bit of acidity that seems to rest on the heavier base. This would pair lovely with some juicy meat to complement the tannins. I might even go so far as to say the chocolatey richness of this cab lends itself to pairing with the right dessert.
Drinking a day after opening (kept in the fridge) and it’s held up incredibly well. The interesting note I picked up while drinking last night after opening was fennel seed on the finish–which I absolutely adored. I’m not getting that so much today (but perhaps I was having a fever dream last night!).
Overall, a Napa Cab for acolytes of the big and rich style Napa has become known for. I’ve recently encountered some more medium-bodied, red-fruit driven Napa cabs, and this provides real contrast. As cab isn’t my go-to, I have some bias, but see this as a real pleaser for folks looking for elevated, big, rich wine. Especially great in the winter months.
Tragically I’m not a lab rat today, but I feel obliged to chime in to say that I tasted the 2016 Rutherford cab at the winery earlier this year and it was good enough to justify paying full retail to ship it home. I have no tasting notes, nor do I have any information about the 2015, but I am happily buying this case sight unseen. Laura’s wine is that good.
Laura Michael Wines Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
4 bottles for $119.99 $30/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $299.99 $25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2015 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
2015 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
Laura Michael is an autobuy for me. I’m buying a case all for myself! Now if we could just get the Zin as well in the near future.
2015 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
2015 Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$702/Case at Laura Michael Wines Inc for 6x 2015 Laura Michael Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 6x Laura Michael Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, 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
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Jan 3 - Thursday, Jan 6
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2015 Laura Michael Wines Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $60 = 16.66%
The Calistoga bottling was offered here July '20. The specs are slightly different but pretty sure same wine. No rats but some winemaker discussion:
https://casemates.com/forum/topics/laura-michael-mixed-reds
Calistoga also offered January '21 here. Rat report:
https://casemates.com/forum/topics/laura-michael-calistoga-cabernet-sauvignon-vertical
Anyone in Chicago want to split a case?
@jmdavidson1 I’d be into that.
I wasn’t that impressed with the 2014 Calistoga but have not yet had the Rutherford (ranks higher generally). On the fence here but if any Houston ites want to split a case 2 or 3 ways let me know
dang. cases sold out!
@jasisk few more cases have been added
My assistant wine taster discovered a bottle of the 2017 Calistoga I gifted last year. It was saved for a “special occasion” which was Thanksgiving dinner – sadly I missed the dinner and tasting as I was on the incorrect coast.
In this case [1/3 case in this “case”] I’m eager to try the Rutherford.
/giphy resplendent-chilly-camel
/giphy freezing-spectacular-trimming
Now the 4 bottle shows sold out.
It’s been awhile. Low quantity made available?