2016 Ultimate Cabernet receives 90-92 from The Wine Advocate
In the October 29, 2018 issue of The Wine Advocate, the 2016 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon is reviewed: 90-92 points Composed of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate (a barrel sample) is deep purple-black in color and opens with notions of crushed black cherries, blackberry pie and warm cassis plus suggestions of lavender, black tea, bouquet garni and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a very firm, chewy backbone supporting the red, black and blue fruit layers, finishing on a compelling herbal note.
2016 Ultimate Red receives 88-91 points from Antonio Galloni
In the March 2018 issue of Vinous, Anthonio Galloni reviews the 2016 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon: 88-91 points: Dark, pliant and rich, with lovely mid-palate richness, the 2016 has quite a bit to offer. Hints of lavender, spice and new leather add nuance to the textured finish. The 2016 points to a very bright direction here. https://vinous.com/wines?sort%5Bdirection%5D=asc&sort%5Bname%5D=id&wine_filter%5Barticle_id%5D=1791&wine_filter%5Bproducer_id%5D=23441&producer=true
2016 Ultimate Red receives 90-92 points from The Wine Advocate
The Wine Advocate reviewed the 2016 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon in its December 2017 issue: 90-92 points: A barrel sample with a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate shows a deep garnet-purple color and nose of cassis, blueberry coulis and black forest cake with hints of dried herbs and vanilla. Big, full, rich and fruity in the mouth with a nice frame of grainy tannins, it finishes long and refreshing. https://www.robertparker.com/wines/7GMEDCWo4PFCgSxGe
2015 Ultimate Red receives 92 points from James Suckling
James Suckling reviewed the 2015 Ultimate Red on December 21, 2017: 92 points: A clean and bright red with currant, blueberry and mineral character. Medium to full body, bright acidity and fine tannins. Fresh finish. Delicious now. A blend of 74.9% cabernet sauvignon, 12.1% cabernet franc, 11.2% merlot, 1.8% malbec. Always delicious. https://www.jamessuckling.com/wine-tasting-reports/napa-valley-dials-balance-hot-2015-vintage-2014-makes-easy/
RockinRed reviews the 2012 Audax and 2013 Ultimate Red
Calla Lily is a new project of Napa Valley icon and true wine Renaissance man, Cary Gott. If you are a northern California wine fan you have likely encountered Cary’s Midas touch throughout Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Coast. With so many great wine accomplishments, I must confess my favorite is Gott’s Roadside, nothing beats a juicy burger after a day of wine tasting in Napa Valley. Calla Lilly is Cary’s latest joint project with Hong Kong based entrepreneurs Anthony Fung and Andy Chui. The 2013 Calla Lily Ultimate Red is crafted of 81.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.8% Merlot, and 7.6% Cabernet Franc. This Bordeaux style blend is a deep blackish-purple with layers of complex notes including dark berries, leather, baking spice, dusty earth, cocoa powder, dried lavender and fennel; it is lush on the palate, rich and powerful, yet well integrated with supple tannins and a long finish. The 2012 Calla Lily Audax is crated of 89.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Petit Verdot, 4.1% Merlot, and 0.1% Malbec. Audax, meaning “bold” in Latin, aptly describes this wine. This wine is deep and seductive, pronounced earthiness of black pepper, medicinal, asphalt, leather, and cocoa powder stand front and center, while cherries, plums, blackberries play
2015 Ultimate Cabernet receives 91 points from The Wine Advocate
In Issue 233 on October 31, 2015 Ultimate Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded 91 points from The Wine Advocate. The review: A blend of 74.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.1% Cabernet Franc, 11.2% Merlot and 1.8% Malbec, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate is scented of warm plums and crushed cherries with hints of vanilla, chocolate and cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, it's nicely balanced with bags of poise and firm, fine-grained tannins, finishing long and lively with some earthy nuances coming through. https://www.robertparker.com/search/wines?assignment=KtztQi4Ku3tetopfq&producer=Calla%20Lily&expand=true&show-tasting-note=true
2013 Ultimate Red is reviewed at Vinography
Dark garnet in color, this wine smells of black cherry and chocolate. In the mouth, rich black cherry, cola, and cocoa powder flavors are muffled under a fleecy blanket of tannins. For those who like big wines, this is a crowd pleaser. A bit massive for my tastes, but reasonably well balanced, nonetheless. Could use a little more acidity, but there's enough to keep everything moving across the palate. http://www.vinography.com/archives/2017/09/vinography_unboxed_week_of_aug_8.html
2014 Audax receives 93 points from Terroirist
93 points: Deep purple color. Concentrated fruit on the nose (black currant, blackberries and blueberries), with deep violets, spiced black tea, earth, cocoa and mint. Full-bodied, a bit more powerful in its presence than the 2013, but still vibrant acidity, and the tannins are sturdy but show rounded edges. Pretty depth of fruit (currants, blackberries, plums), but it’s still nice and fresh. Notes of anise, cocoa, earth, mint and cedar. Plush and forward but lively. This could use five to eight years in the cellar, but it’s a lovely wine. 14.7% alcohol. http://www.terroirist.com/2018/12/wine-reviews-california-new-releases-7/#more-27558
2013 Audax receives 93 points from Terroirist
93 points: Deep purple color. Nose shows tart black currant, juicy blackberries (gorgeous depth of fruit), with complex notes of mint, scorched earth, cocoa nibs, violets, deep but vibrant scents in here. Full but not heavy (14.5% alcohol), held together with sturdy tannins and surprisingly fresh acidity. Deep, concentrated but tangy black currants and dark plums, the fruit is juicy but really vibrant, and laced with a nice mix of earth, mint, dark chocolate and cedar. Fresh enough to be enjoyed now, but strength for the cellar, surely. http://www.terroirist.com/2018/12/wine-reviews-california-new-releases-7/#more-27558
2015 Audax receives 92-94 points from The Wine Advocate
The Wine Advocate reviewed the 2015 Audax in its December 2017 issue: 92-94 points: A barrel sample composed of 92.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.6% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc and 0.6% Malbec, the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Audax has a complex nose of exotic spices, baked cherries and blackberries plus mulberries, baking spices, fallen leaves and pencil shavings hints. Full-bodied, rich and lively in the mouth, it has a firm backbone and a long finish with layers of herbs and spices. https://www.robertparker.com/wines/nSaXfsx8wL6JRy5rX
RockinRed reviews the 2012 Audax and 2013 Ultimate Red
Calla Lily is a new project of Napa Valley icon and true wine Renaissance man, Cary Gott. If you are a northern California wine fan you have likely encountered Cary’s Midas touch throughout Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Coast. With so many great wine accomplishments, I must confess my favorite is Gott’s Roadside, nothing beats a juicy burger after a day of wine tasting in Napa Valley. Calla Lilly is Cary’s latest joint project with Hong Kong based entrepreneurs Anthony Fung and Andy Chui. The 2013 Calla Lily Ultimate Red is crafted of 81.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.8% Merlot, and 7.6% Cabernet Franc. This Bordeaux style blend is a deep blackish-purple with layers of complex notes including dark berries, leather, baking spice, dusty earth, cocoa powder, dried lavender and fennel; it is lush on the palate, rich and powerful, yet well integrated with supple tannins and a long finish. The 2012 Calla Lily Audax is crated of 89.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Petit Verdot, 4.1% Merlot, and 0.1% Malbec. Audax, meaning “bold” in Latin, aptly describes this wine. This wine is deep and seductive, pronounced earthiness of black pepper, medicinal, asphalt, leather, and cocoa powder stand front and center, while cherries, plums, blackberries play
2012 Audax is reviewed at Vinography
Vinography reviews the 2012 Audax: Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of raisins, chocolate and oak. In the mouth, the fruit is fresher than the nose would suggest, with cherry and cola and tobacco flavors tinged with oak and surrounded by a suede blanket of tannins. Decent acidity makes for that fresher quality, and the oak is more restrained than it first appears. http://www.vinography.com/archives/2017/08/vinography_unboxed_week_of_jul_12.html
