2016 Cabernet Sauvignon - 97 points, by Antonio Galloni
"The 2016 Caberneet Estate is a magnificent wine. Powerful and dense in the glass, the 2016 captures all the personality of this hillside Calistoga site. Black cherry, smoke, tabacco, licorice, new leather, scorched earth give this wine added gravitas to match its resonant, powerful personality. The 2016 is mascular and deep, yet also incredibly refined. What a gorgeous wine it is."
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon - 96 points, by Jeb Dunnuck
From 100% estate Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Cabernet sauvignon reveals a saturated purple color as well as a briliant bouquet of creme de casis, toasted spice, dried soil, and cedar pencil. Classic Cabernet Sauvignon all the way, with full body, ripe present tannin, and a great finish, this brilliant effort can be drunk any time over the coming two decades.
2015 Cabernet Sauvignon - 97 points, and Antonio Galloni wrote:
“Kelly Fleming's 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is a total knock-out…a tour de force from Kelly Fleming and her brilliant winemaker Rebecca George, not to mention one of the finest wines of the vintage. Don't miss it.” – Antonio Galloni
Vinous Media, Antonio Galloni
2015 Kelly Fleming Napa Valley Cab, $150.00 95 points
Opaque deep-ruby purple. Full-bodied but not in any way over the top. Creamy red and blue fruit notes contained in a substantial structure and tannic frame. A bit "tight," (in a good way), this continued to improve with time in the glass. Also some bay leaf and orange peel and star anise accents in the background. Stylistically, reminds me a bit of an Abreu "Madrona" Cabernet back in the days when Ric Forman made it. Actually, a reasonable value for the price at this level of quality. Built to last, for sure. A blue chip Cab.
95 pts
Reviews - 2014
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon was reviewed again and given 93 points, and Antonio Galloni wrote:
"The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful, deep and concentrated, with plenty of the intense savory and earthy undertones that are typical of this site. Succulent red cherry, tobacco, menthol, plum, licorice, smoke, tar and licorice give the wine much of its distinctive personality." - Reviewed December 2016
2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Antonio Galloni wrote:
"The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is striking for its combination of tension, energy and richness. Graphite, savory herbs, tobacco, licorice and cedar are all beautifully delineated. Tense and vibrant, the 2014 offers terrific balance as well as potential. The 2014 is shaping up to be a super-classic..Cabernet.." - Reviewed October 2015
2014 Kelly Fleming Big Pour - California, Napa Valley 91points
SRP $90
2014 Kelly Fleming Wines Big Pour- California, Napa Valley 91 points
Rich purple color. Gobs of fruit on the nose (currants, blackberries, gushing plums), along with complex notes of eucalyptus, graphite, cedar and vanilla. Bold presence on the palate, the wine has a smooth feel though, with velvety tannins and fresh acidity that keeps it tangy. Tart black cherries and currants with juicy blackberries and plums, rich but fresh. Complex notes of cedar, coffee, vanilla, graphite, eucalyptus. As the name indicates, this is absolutely delish and goes down so easily, but it sports significant complexity as well. Cabernet with 11% Malbec and 8% Syrah. (91 points)
Reviews - Older vintages
Our 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 90-92 points, Antonio Galloni wrote:
"Kelly Fleming's 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon shows a little more freshness and energy than the 2012. Dark red cherry, menthol, licorice, plums and sweet spices are all nicely shaped in an attractive, forward 2013 that should drink well right out of the gate." - Reviewed December 2014
Our 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 92-94 points, and Antonio Galloni wrote:
"...The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is quite primary today. A rich, succulent, Cabernet, the 2012 should drink well pretty much right out of the gate. There is a lot to look forward to here." - Reviewed November 2013
Our 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 92 points, and Antonio Galloni wrote:
"...Savory herbs, tobacco, smoke, licorice and menthol all add considerable aromatic complexity and nuance as the 2011 opens up in the glass. As always Fleming's Cabernet has an eccentric streak of wildness to it. The 2011 is a bit smaller scaled than other recent vintages, but that doesn't keep the wine from being hugely appealing." - Reviewed November 2013
Our 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon was once again given 93 points, and Wine Spectator wrote:
"A powerful expression of Cabernet, built with torque to the dense dark berry, loamy earth, mocha, espresso, dried herb and cedary notes. This fans out, gaining depth and dimension, ending with an intriguing interplay of flavors and texture. Drink now through 2026." -JL Issue June 30, 2013
Our 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 93 points, and Wine Spectator wrote:
"A mouthful of pleasure, with a core of rich, supple blackberry, mocha, currant, exotic spice and light cedar flavors, all deftly proportioned and sharply focused. Most pleasing on the finish, where the flavors sail on. Drink now through 2024." -JL
Our 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 94 points, and Antonio Galloni wrote:
"...Silky and polished on the palate, the 2009 impresses for the way it balances an overt expression of fruit while retaining considerable underlying structure. I imagine the 2009 will enjoy a broad window of drinkability..."
Our 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 95 points, and Galloni wrote:
"...he aromas and flavors are naturally quite primary, but there is little doubt greater complexity will develop with more time in bottle. A rich, textured finish rounds things out in style. This is a fabulous showing from Kelly Fleming..."
Kelly Fleming was also highlighted in Galloni's favorite Napa Valley Cabernets under $100.
"Top-flight Napa Valley Cabernet is rarely inexpensive. These are some of my favorite sub-$100 wines..."
Click here for a PDF of the article.
International Wine Cellar, Stephen Tanzer
Our 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 89 points, and Stephen Tanzer wrote:
"Dark red. Musky aromas of plum, mocha and chocolate; slightly syrupy. Then sweet, supple and ripe, with currant, plum and chocolate flavors dominating. Plush, nicely dense wine with good perfume but a bit of warmth showing. Finishes sweet and soft, with substantial dusty tannins."
Click here for a PDF of the article.
The Wine Advocate, Antonio Galloni, Issue 198
Our 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 91 points, and Antonio Galloni wrote:
"...a gorgeous wine laced with dark red fruit, spices and flowers. This supple, tasty Cabernet is best enjoyed now and over the next few years. Kelly Fleming's 300-acre estate in Calistoga includes 12 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon that was planted beginning in 1999. Celia Welch makes the wines. This is going to be an interesting estate to follow in the coming years."
Our 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 93 points, and Galloni wrote:
"...dark red fruit, spices, licorice, mint and flowers wrap around the juicy, delineated finish."
Galloni also reviewed our 2010 Cabernet (release date Fall 2013), at 92-94 points:
"...emerges from the glass with dark red fruit, flowers, mint and berries. Layers of vibrant dark fruit flow effortlessly to the gorgeous, articulate finish. This is another terrific showing from Kelly Fleming."
Click here for a PDF of the article.
International Wine Cellar, Stephen Tanzer, May/June 2012
Our 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon and Stephen Tanzer wrote:
"Good bright ruby. Subdued, slightly aromas of blackberry and cassis. Warm and spice in the mouth, with good backbone to the flavors of raspberry and cinnamon. Tightens up on the back end, finishing with dusty, slightly drying tannins. This organically farmed vineyard near Araujo estate is farmed by Jim Barbour, and the wine is made by Celia Welch."
Our 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 90-93 points, and Stephen Tanzer wrote:
"Good ruby-red. High-pitched aromas and flavors of blueberry, anise, sage and tarragon, complicated by sexy spices. Broad and pliant in the mouth, with vibrant minerality giving the wine an impression of verve. Denser than the 2009 version, with more stuffing for aging. Very promising."
Click here for the PDF of the article.
Enobytes.com, Marc Hinton, November 9, 2011
"Definitely one of the best 2008 Cabernets from Napa I have tasted."
Our 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon was given 91 points, and Marc Hinton wrote:
"...It would be pretty hard to find fault with this wine. The aromas are fruit filled and nuances of floral, vanilla and spice mingle in the background. On the palate, the wine is smooth, plush and user friendly...A perfect match would be Prime Rib, Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings."
Click here for PDF of full article.
Andrew Wells, "Wells on Wine" Blog
"An Appealing, Elegant Wine"
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon / Taste 8 Nose 8 Value 7
This 850 case production from a recently developed property in Calistoga adjacent to Araujo is made by Celia Welch and is priced according to that pedigree... made from organic fruit, it's an appealing, elegant wine with a nose of dried flowers, cedar, spice box, boysenberry and vanilla... and a lusciously textured mouthfeel presenting rich notes of black cherry, black currant and cocoa... the finish is long and the wine is elegant, but perhaps missing a dimension that one might expect at this price.
June 4, 2011, Read blog post.
GoodGrape.com Blog
"Where the benchmark is for wines to come this year. It is that good."
Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
It is all beautiful black cherry and plum fruit, drenched in a creamy mocha and amaretto, framed in earthy elegance, with the inviting allure of structure front to back and a tightly laced finish that lasts for minutes...I now know where the benchmark is for wines to come this year. It is that good.
January 29, 2009, Link to review and interview with Kelly
Wine Spectator, "Harvey Steiman at Large" Blog
"Lightness, Delicacy and Grace"
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005
...More about red fruits than black, more silky texture than tannic grip, more refreshing acidity than plushness. There was a hint of cinnamon, with a dash of almond cream on the finish. It danced.
Harvey Steiman, June 5, 2009, subscribers' link.
Wine Spectator
"Firm, Intense and Concentrated"
A seductive style that's firm, intense and concentrated. Tight and focused, with a core of minty currant, blackberry and wild berry fruit, framed by rich, earthy and chewy tannins. Best from 2009 through 2015. 500 cases made.
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2004 / 90 points
Jim Laube, Jun 30, 2008, subscribers link here.
Gary Vaynerchuk, my first review-video
Wines: A Show On Wines We Think Will Be Hard To Get In The Future,
Kelly Fleming Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, 93 points, Episode # 485 on 6/13/2008
* you need to look this one up as the content is property of Wine Library TV.