2013-2016 Rivers-Marie Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon Vertical

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga, which comes from the so-called Olmo clone (the same as the Eiesle clone), exhibits an opaque purple color, sweet créme de cassis and blackberry fruit as well as licorice, wet pebbles giving it minerality, and a long, full-bodied, opulent texture. This stunning wine comes from a single block of the Larkmead Vineyard. (RP)” (10/2015)

“The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga emerges from the most historic portion of Larkmead, where the Olmo clone (said to be the precursor to Eisele clone) and pure Cortina soils yield wines of tremendous pedigree. That is exactly what comes through here. Dense and powerful, with distinctly earthy, savory notes, the 2013 delivers serious intensity and explosiveness. Readers will have to be patient, however, as the 2013 needs time to be at its best. (AG)” (10/2015)

“The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga always comes from the Larkmead vineyard just north of Calistoga. Aged 20 months in 80% new French oak, its deep purple color is followed by a sweet bouquet of cassis, blackberry jam, liquid violets, and brambly spice. Pure, opulent, and incredibly sexy, it stays elegant and graceful on the palate with awesome purity of fruit.” (12/2017)

“The Cabernets start with the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is from a single block of the Larkmead Vineyard. This is fabulous – 100% Olmo clone that is the same as the Eisele clone. Opaque purple, this wine was aged 20 months in a relatively small percentage of new oak. Blackberry, cassis, spring flowers and vanilla all jump from the glass of this fabulous, concentrated, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that is dense, pure and terrific. (RP)” (10/2016)

“A dark, brooding wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga captures the personality of this site nicely. Smoke, scorched earth, tar, licorice and plum give the wine much of its dark, imposing personality. This is an especially virile wine, but Thomas Brown has done a very good job in softening some of the contours. The Calistoga Cabernet emerges from one of the choicest parcels at Larkmead. (AG)” (12/2016)

“The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga always comes from the Larkmead vineyard just north of Calistoga. Aged 20 months in 80% new French oak, its deep purple color is followed by a sweet bouquet of cassis, blackberry jam, liquid violets, and brambly spice. Pure, opulent, and incredibly sexy, it stays elegant and graceful on the palate with awesome purity of fruit. (JD)” (12/2017)

“The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga has a very deep purple-black color and opens with absolutely seducing crushed black cherries, blueberries and black raspberry aromas plus underlying violets, rose hip tea, spice box, powdered cinnamon and dusty earth notes. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly knit, revealing great tension and depth with the firm, fine-grained frame, finishing long and refreshing. (LPB) 97+” (12/2017)

“Coming from 100% Olmo clone from a single block of Larkmead Vineyard, the very deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga offers up profound notes of baked blackcurrants, blackberry compote, plum preserves and cedar chest with hints of chocolate box, vanilla pod, lilacs and cloves plus a waft of Indian spices. Full-bodied and concentrated in the mouth, it has wonderfully plush, seductive tannins and just enough freshness to support the generous fruit, finishing long and spicy. (LPB)” (07/2019)

“Coming all from the Larkmead Vineyard outside of Calistoga, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga is a richer, more savory effort that has plenty of chocolaty dark fruits, walnut shell, dried herbs, and earthy aromas and flavors. 95+” (01/2019)

“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Calistoga) is driving and intense, with savory, earthy notes that give the wine its distinctive personality. This powerful Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon possesses tremendous depth and muscle, both signatures of Larkmead, one of the top vineyard sites in Calistoga, and Napa Valley, for that matter. (AG)” (12/2018)

“This pumps out fresh, succulent flavors of cassis, plum puree and cherry preserve which are backed up in turn by alder, savory and iron details through the finish. Sneaky long too. Really solid. (JM)” (10/2021)