Reviews

Bevan Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon McGah Vineyard

Previous notes apply. Served side-by-side with a 2013 Bevan McGah (and a whole bunch of other wines at the table). A smooth delivery of black (predominantly), blue, and some reddish-purple core…

Bacio Divino Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard

A really great showing on this wine. Sifting through the droves of wine at the table, this was probably my WOTN (next to a '13 Bevan McGah that was also performing well). PnP was a little tight with…

12c Cabernet Sauvignon G3 Reserve Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

On par with what I've experienced with the 12C GIII Reserve, this 2015 version was displaying some interesting (almost funky and earthy) dark red and black core fruit flavors, laced with cedar and…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Aaaaagh! Mother-lovin' holy dammit all! Horribly corked right out of the gate. On initial "pop" (or rather, "puuhf"), the cedar and vinegar smell launched right out of the bottle. Such the bummer,…

Hunnicutt Cuvée Equite

This was a decent showing with this wine. For me, it unfortunately got lost in the shuffle of some other heavy hitters at the table. Medium-bodied, with a pleasant attack of round darker fruit. This…

Ridge Monte Bello

Surprisingly a bit past its prime for my preference (depending on how your palate is drawn to the different transitioning phases of this varietal). Notes of red currant, sandalwood, earth, bark,…

Peirson Meyer Pinot Noir Miller Vineyard

As mentioned by others, this displayed some candied notes of sweet, ripe red raspberry, cherry, dust, cedar, and some spice.

Ancillary Cellars Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard

A much different experience compared to when I had this wine a little over a year ago. Much more evolved and mature in terms of its overall display of ripe red fruit. Almost no tartness or sense of…

DuMOL Pinot Noir Estate

Over a year and a half of time in bottle has certainly helped this wine evolve more in terms of the development of flavor and a relaxing of the tart, bracing acidity that it displayed back in April…

Château Léoville Barton

Diluted red currant, sandalwood, cedar, mulch, and dry dirt. Some interesting flavors that carried themselves in a balanced and ultra-feminine capacity. Elegance taken to the next level - fragility…

Launois Pere et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Veuve Clemence Brut Blanc de Blancs

Of the three sparklers served at the table, this was the best expression of the trio in terms of overall purity, complexity, cut, and balance. Sophisticated notes of Asian pear, green apple pie,…

Ultramarine Blanc de Noirs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Baked pear, apple pie crust, fried plantain, brioche, sea foam, and gray slate notes. A little ripe and heavy mid-palate, with a more voluptuous mouthfeel overall; somewhat funky on the finish,…

Wente Vineyards Brut

Notes of Asian pear, grilled lemon spice, ripe red apple pulp, and bread dough. Medium-bodied and a touch heavy for a sparkler, missing some of the higher toned zing on the back end to provide lift…

Steven Kent Winery Lineage

Tasted as part of the 2011-2014 Lineage lineup.

Steven Kent Winery Lineage

Tasted as part of the 2011-2014 Lineage lineup.

Lineage Wine Company Lineage

Tasted as part of the 2011-2014 Lineage lineup.

Lineage Wine Company Lineage

Tasted as part of the 2011-2014 Lineage lineup.

Steven Kent Winery Cabernet Sauvignon The Premier

A bit past its prime for my palate, but still displaying some familiar notes for the varietal. Dark plumy fruit core with earth and cedar notes.

Wente Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Nth Degree

This was a little difficult for my Napa-trained palate to grasp on to. Some pleasurable flavors of currant, plum, black cherry, and hints of cedar. A little flat and hollow mid-palate, with some…

Wente Vineyards Syrah Nth Degree

Blackberry, Trader Joe's fig paste, olive, charcuterie, pastrami, and earth flavors dominated. A pretty gamey and earthy Syrah, with a fistful or really ripe fruit. An interesting take on the…

Wente Vineyards Chardonnay Nth Degree

This wine struck a nice balance between voluptuousness and verve, with deep lemon citrus, lemon curd, toasted marshmallow, and some ripe pear notes. A little rich and heavy, especially on the back…

Murrieta's Well Zarzuela

I couldn't get a good read on this wine. Black cherry and plum flavors came forward, but there were other flavors that came up on the back end that caused it to come off a little over-ripe and bitter…

Murrieta's Well Merlot Small Lot

A classic example of Merlot, with plum, black cherry, and cocoa powder dominating the delivery of flavor. Straightforward, but with some nice acidity that cut through what could have been an overly…

Murrieta's Well Tempranillo Los Tesoros

Notes of black cherry, dark rhubarb, muddled blackberries, bitter coffee powder, and plum. An interesting take on the varietal, which I think was a little complicated by the addition of other…

Murrieta's Well Chardonnay Small Lot

A nice example of the varietal, with classic yellow citrus and light lemon and pear flavors. Some vanilla on the back end. Paired well with lemon chèvre.