Wine Doctrine
Every tasting note

Reviews

5,921 notes

2014

St. Supéry Sauvignon Blanc

California · Napa Valley

Light and thin overall. Some crisp citrus notes, but almost watery on the attack. Finished with hints of zest, however, ultimately lacked any real depth or body throughout consumption.

Reviewed 26 May 2017
2014

Outpost Cabernet Sauvignon True Vineyard

Napa Valley · Howell Mountain

So you all know it's too early to open this bottle of wine. You know that you're supposed to wait a couple of years to let it settle into itself and become this would-be 100 point wine. Some of you…

Reviewed 25 May 2017
2014

Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard

Napa Valley · Howell Mountain

Dark black cherry liqueur, plum, ripe black raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, vanilla bean, and hints grey river rock. Immediately accessible and even more giving after a total of three hours in the…

Reviewed 24 May 2017
2014

Realm Cellars The Bard

California · Napa Valley

This has integrated and fanned-out significantly since I last had it at Realm on 11/19/2016. Nice purple and black berry fruit notes, plum, black cherry liqueur, dark red and black currant, vanilla…

Reviewed 23 May 2017
2015

Denner Theresa

Central Coast · Paso Robles

Same as my notes from last month. A nice bottle of wine on a hot day. Serve very cold.

Reviewed 22 May 2017
NV

Thienot Champagne Brut

France · Champagne

Similar to my previous notes. It was a really hot day, and this wine warmed up fast in the glass. Lost some focus and became a little flat toward the very end. Still enjoyable and fun, but make sure…

Reviewed 21 May 2017
2011

Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Peay Vineyard

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

This was much better than a 2011 WS Sonoma Coast Pinot served alongside it. A 2011 DuMol Connor Pinot came along and bested both of the 2011 WS Pinots.

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2011

Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Basic and a little funky. I much preferred a 2011 WS Peay Pinot and a 2011 DuMol Connor Pinot served alongside this wine. Drinkable but forgettable.

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2011

DuMOL Pinot Noir Connor

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

Displayed some nice higher-register red berry fruit notes, cranberry, unripe raspberry, orange rind, and some alcohol. Outperformed a 2011 Williams Selyem Sonoma Pinot served alongside it. Fairly…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2015

Hawkes Chardonnay Home

Sonoma County · Alexander Valley

I would've pegged this for a Sauvignon Blanc over a domestic Chardonnay. Lean and overly crisp, with high-toned, aromatic white pithy fruit flavors.

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2015

Bevan Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Dry Stack Vineyard

Sonoma County · Bennett Valley

Similar issues as with the 2014 Dry Stack SB. Incredibly sharp, kicking out a harsh lees-driven bitterness that distracts from the fruit. Astringent and drying on the back end. The bitter clamp…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2015

Phifer Pavitt Sauvignon Blanc Date Night

California · Napa Valley

A fine example of a SB. Certainly a domestic expression. On the sweeter fruit side of the house, as opposed to more grassy or mineral driven styles. Not the most complex rendition, but a pleasant…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2015

Williams Selyem Grüner Veltliner Vista Verde Vineyard

Central Coast · San Benito County

A good version of a domestic Gruner (of which I've never had one from the states before). Aptly so, it had more body and fruit than a Pichler Gruner served beside it. I guess my California palate…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2014

F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Loibner Loibenberg

Niederösterreich · Wachau

Bitter and dry, especially on the finish. Has some drive and verve, but seems to lack a bit of concentration. Some quince and pear notes. A "typical" Gruner? ...just not too interesting to me. QPR…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2014

Argot Pinot Noir Bastard Tongue

California · Sonoma County

Same as last month. Served alongside a 2013 Wren Hop Architects & Saboteurs. They were very similar, but I gave the slight nod to the Wren Hop because of its superb focus. I remember thinking the…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2013

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Architects & Saboteurs

Central Coast · Sta. Rita Hills

Same as my notes from last month. We had this wine at the after-party (or rather, the party), after leaving Wren Hop. It started out a little boozy, but then blew off the alcohol after about 30…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2013

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Druid's Metaphor

Sonoma County · Sonoma Coast

This was akin to the 2014 War & Peace in that it displayed a linear (though focused) flavor profile throughout consumption. A little thin and dry on the back end. I would've never pegged this as a…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2014

Wren Hop Pinot Noir War & Peace

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

Similar to my notes on 10/22/2016. Much more acidic and linear than the Hustle & Flow. Certainly has focus and frame, but needs another 3+ years to stretch its legs and deepen. Air in the glass…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2014

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Hustle & Flow

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

Similar to my experience with this wine on 10/22/2016. This was more open than the War & Peace. The Hustle and Flow still seems to be transitioning. The mulch and spice notes were at the forefront.…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2015

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Night Children

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

Same as my notes from two weeks ago. The best of the bunch again, even when compared to some 2014 and 2013s tasted alongside it. I'll still look most forward to trying this again in a couple of…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2015

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Killing Moon

Sonoma County · Russian River Valley

Same as my notes from two weeks ago. This definitely needed some air to get going. Came off a bit restrained at first, but then opened up and yielded more fruit and some spice. Still more reticent…

Reviewed 20 May 2017
2015

Wren Hop Chardonnay Wax & Wane

Sonoma County · Sonoma Valley

Same as my notes from two weeks ago. Normally I like my Chardonnays served at a cooler cellar temperature (54 degrees), but I actually appreciated that this was served a little cooler than that this…

Reviewed 20 May 2017