Memento Mori, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Double decant with 2+ hours. Tannic early on but opens after 2 hours. Many years left. Good dark fruit and cassis flavor. Oaky on PnP but blows off after longer decant. Great with prime filet mignon.

2013 vintage

Absolutely fabulous Cab! Loved it. Worried about smoke taint with it being a 2020, but then found out grapes were harvested one week before the fires that year. Dark berry, cassis, floral, tobacco and spice - all woven together brilliantly. Decanted about 45 minutes before first taste. Definitely opened over the course of the next few hours. MM never disappoints. Will hold on to my additional bottles for a few more years before trying again as I imagine this one …

2020 vintage

Smooth, velvet on the palate, perfectly balanced fruit tannins and acid.

2020 vintage

Need to decant for at least 30 min otherwise some tannins. After 30 it is a true delight of a Cali cab.

2013 vintage

Excellent wine here. I opened the bottle, and let it sit there for an hour. I wanted to let the wine settle into its own. This is a big wine. Plums, blueberries, and oak for sure on this. I get on the palate dark fruits, black currant, tobacco. I prepared a hickory bacon burger, with a drizzle of home made BBQ sauce. The beef was at a high quality to match a quality wine like this. Cheers

2020 vintage

See notes from previous reviews.

2020 vintage

Had high expectations coming in and this wine did not disappoint! An incredible wine from an incredible vintage. Decanted and sampled every 30-60 minutes over a few hours. Seemingly in its prime at 12 years old, with an expressive nose of dark fruits, graphite, and a savory component. The palate is very rich and fruit forward, well developed tannins, and a silky mouthfeel with a long finish. Definitely what I would consider a big showstopper Napa wine.

2013 vintage

AMAZING!

2013 vintage

Sam Kaplan likely made some of the best cabs from the 2020 vintage. This wine is smooth as silk, and although it doesn’t measure up to the ‘19 or ‘21, it was a very good bottle of wine. Notes of vanilla, black cherry and raspberry. Not a lot of minerality.

2020 vintage

Bold Napa Valley bouquet of black fruit, graphite and notes of blueberry and violets. Full-bodied with complex flavors that evolved after a 1-hour decant and over a 2-hour dinner! Just delicious!

2020 vintage

Popped this thinking tough vintage and not the best notes below. Hour+ initial decant at cellar temp and then drank over a couple hours. This well exceeded expectations. If they picked earlier than usual (I have no info that was actually the case) because of the fires that really served this particular wine well because it had a freshness and complexity I hadnt expected that admittedly was slightly different than the typical MM profile but it worked extremely well here. …

2020 vintage

After getting a phenomenal news I wanted to crack open a phenomenal wine, the problem was not too much time for long decanting. Double D for about 30 minutes, the wine was acid, very primary, sort of flat, not showing any character. Placed back in the decanter and waited another hour… a notch better but no good enough for the caliber of this wine/vintage. Had cheeses with it, nothing helped so I put it back in the bottle, vacuumed and …

2013 vintage

Maybe some bottle variation here but this 2013 didn't match the 2012. Not even remotely. Dark and inky with chewy tannins, but I was missing the fruit. I have more so we'll see when I open those.

2013 vintage

Similar experience to 13 months ago. While this is a very tasty wine, it does not meet the level of all the other MM's that I've had over the years. Normally I would be bummed that I only have one remaining bottle of any wine, but in this case, I'm just happy to have more of the other vintages. 94 steady, and I think if you have some, to start ripping corks because I cant see it really gaining much …

2020 vintage

Enjoyed at MM during visit last week. This was the surprise winner for me as the 18, 19, and 21 still need some time to mellow, and when everything comes together they will also be great. The 2020 is ready to go right now, though.

2020 vintage

My #1 pick from a blind tasting with a '13 Scarecrow, '13 Quilceda Creek, '16 Revana, '19 V29, and others.

2013 vintage

Absolutely stunning. Opened for 3 hours before drinking, and it was phenomenal over the next 2 hours. Definitely one of the best bottles I've had this year (compared to Diamond Creek "lake", Realm "Absurd", and Colgin). The 2012 was good, but this is through the roof. Lots of muscle, great mouth feel, and fantastic fruit.

2013 vintage

2nd bottle of 3 pack purchase. After talking with Hayes at MM he assured me that the fruit was picked the week before the 2020 fires and safely stored deep into the wine cave completely sealed from smoke. He suggested it was likely slightly corked and will replace the bottle. This bottle was double decanted and filtered, returned to the bottle and served over 2-4 hours. This bottle was very good and has the structure for aging gracefully. Balanced light …

2020 vintage

Decanted 1/2 btl 3 hours and had 1 glass. It was the first MM CS I've tried so I wasn't sure what to expect besides others reviews. What I got was a bit of iron and campfire aroma without discernible fruit absent detectable tannins. It was unlively. Rebottled and tried another glass the next day: Same earthy iron campfire on the palate, but with a hint of black raspberry and a bit softer. Decided to leave the balance (375) in …

2020 vintage

Superb grape juice. Full bodied, fruit forward, yet complex. The best of CA CS. For some reason reminded me of a Schrader RBS from excellent vintage.

2013 vintage

A little fruit forward than some other vintages. Soft, purple fruit, nice acid (though not high). Good and very drinkable.

2020 vintage

While a pleasant bottle of wine, it seems a bit thin lacking body.

2013 vintage

Simply a magnificent Cabernet Sauvignon. Black fruit, violets and graphite with a complex array of flavors and a 30-second finish. Chocolate, licorice, black cherry and plum with silky tannins laced with minerality.

2013 vintage

Intense plum, currant, chocolate and fine tannins with incredible length and finish

2013 vintage

delicious wine. No indication of smoke to me, tasted twice with similar results.

2020 vintage

Brought to La Bonne Table, the best French spot in all of San Diego. Decanted for two hours at home, drank over next two. I am PLEASANTLY surprised by this, as going in I wasn't expecting to be wowed due to vintage concerns. Typical MM deliciousness with dark fruits, inviting nose, medium mid, and a decent not but great finish. Maybe the latter is due to its infancy, or due to the weather in 2020, but I do think it …

2020 vintage

First Memento Mori- tasted over 2.5-4.5 hrs of slow ox. Beautful nose. Abundance of black and blue fruits. Soft tannins. Finish has to work itself out a bit but this is such a young wine. Absolutely no smoke taint from what I can tell. Everything I hoped it would be and will be more in the next few years (2025 is so far yet so close). Will revisit this bottle again tomorrow. Very happy with this and helps ease my …

2020 vintage

Sweet rich currant, plum and fine tannins with a long finish

2011 vintage

Very good. Silky smooth.

2013 vintage

Initially closed and reductive on the nose. The first sip was dense, closely packed and not very revealing. 15 mins in the glass I can sense cedar, pencil shaving and the initial vanilla fades into the background. Palate is cassis framed by fine grained tannins. Quite long, compact with good acidity. Hard to pick up tertiary notes but looking forward to try this again in 10 years. Can go up to 95. Even though I drink mostly old world now, …

2020 vintage

Decanted 2 hours, which was much needed. Wine became incredibly soft and smooth as tannins seemed to have softened. Perfect drinking window right now.

2013 vintage

Napa Valley comes to Philly wine tasting at Lilah with Memento Mori, Covert/Nicholson Jones, Adamvs, Simon Family, William Cole, and Chappellet. I will offer a few notes on what stood out -- the highlights and lower lights. This was a really nice event that showcased different winemakers and different wines from all over Napa; including the valley floor and Vaca Mountains. I was able to meet and taste some of the wines with fellow CT'er sean7711 and Fiancé' as well! …

2020 vintage

Part of a tasting at Lilah in Philly with Memento Mori, Covert, Adamvs, Simon Family, William Cole, and Chappellet. No formal notes on all the wines tasted but will offer a few notes on what stood out. Overall a great night, and was able to meet fellow CT'er #1winelover as well! 2020 Memento Mori- I was impressed with this. I held off on purchasing this back in the fall without tasting. Per Travis at MM, no Weitz or Oakville Ranch …

2020 vintage

Return to Napa; 3/6/2022-3/13/2022 (Wineries and various restaurants) : A small pour and really just goes to show you what a bit of patience can do for the wines because this was really quite nice. More complexity. Sweet black fruits still around. It’s still on the young side for my tastes but definitely appreciated the layers that a few more years can add.

2013 vintage

So good - drink asap

2011 vintage

Paired with the 2016 VV Chard; I’ve been diligent about holding my 2013s as they softened and I think with recent experiences they are ready for consumption - this offers up an incredible smooth drinking experience, soft tannins, with dark cherry, blueberry, blackberry and a bit of oak. This is a deep, poised, and structured cab - drinking easily now with a short decant, but has years ahead of it.

2013 vintage

Ripe and bold fruit, rich and dense, soft tannins. Delicious.

2013 vintage

Had two distinct phases over 5 hours. Initially, more fruit forward with nice minerality, some earthiness and a long smooth finish. Let it sit in the decanter a while longer and returned to it. It turned to beast mode with more pronounced structure, minerals turned to crushed rock, and earthiness was minimized by black raspberry dark chocolate bar. Very long, serious finish. We happily finished the bottle, so didn't save any for day #2 to see what the "final" evolution …

2013 vintage

silky smooth tannins, blueberry, cherry, plum, see salt, wonderful finish very intriguing

2013 vintage

Rich dark fruit with plum, currant, minerality, graphite and well integrated tannins. Great with Kev's steak

2013 vintage

Mini blind tasting: Vermeil Rosedale Block 2015, Trespass Intrigue 2017 and Memento Mori NV 2013. I listed the wines in the order that they placed. Very close between Vermeil and Trespass and a distant 3rd for Memento Mori. Memento Mori was similar to my last bottle, which was not cool. Over ripe and under delivered. This came in a distant 3rd place and I am being generous with my 93 rating. Nothing wrong with this wine; it smelled nice and …

2013 vintage

Stella has got her groove back - this is an amazing, impeccable, and beautiful wine. Tight and subdued last summer (6/20 - 94+ points), this wine has returned as a force to be reckoned with, with incredible fruit, balance, and tension, paired with a deepness it didn't achieve even in its precocious youth (5/17 - 97 points). This reminds me of a more precise version of Benoit's Realm single vineyards in 2013, which had a similar ripeness and energy, though …

2013 vintage

This was okay last night. It was fruity and jammy and I couldn't get past that. I did try to work with it; I decanted it, I used an aerator but it tasted the same. Not sure if it is past its peak or if I had a bad bottle. It looked nice and it smelled good. Weirdly, it tasted more like a Smith wine than a Kaplan wine.

2013 vintage

Lovely nose - floral notes and enticing - mid palate was medium - and acidity in the finish, I hope that the body continues to develop over time as it needs a little more roundness. This has potential to increase but depends on the body roundness and balance.

2013 vintage

decanted for 2+ hours, inky and dark, deeply fragrant, showing off scents of mountain flowers, camphor, cedar and brambleberry, softened edges, deep and layered, gothic personality, the palate shows blackberry, cassis, spices, bundles of herbs, mint and cacao bark, the finish clings onto the taste buds, indeed a complex wine with big character and explosive flavors, had with a mixed meal but the best match was actually with BBQ baked beans, certainly will continue to age for the next decade

2013 vintage

Decanted for about 2+ hrs. Silky, smooth, fine tannins already well integrated in the wine. Incredible nose, not too fruity per se, but great aromas of red and blue fruit. Darker fruit on the palate, some smokiness but not much. Great long finish that left me reaching for another sip over and over. 95+

2011 vintage

This is a masterful 2011 Cabernet that is drinking beautifully right now. Dark red in color, medium in body, nose of boysenberry, menthol, and baking spices. Tastes of black cherry, licorice, rosemary, and cedar, with a silky finish that avoids the astringency common in the vintage. 14.5% alcohol. Faded on second day. This is an impressive wine for the year, and it confirms my view that these folks (really) know what they're doing.

2011 vintage

Silky smooth tannins with great fruit with blueberry, plum and tremendous finish

2011 vintage

delicious after a 4 hour decant with dark blueberry, currant, silky smooth tannins and a lush long finish

2011 vintage

Rich and balanced with a new school ripe Cali style. Good for the vintage. Very new world.

2011 vintage

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Memento Mori, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

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