Reviews

Alpha Omega Chardonnay Reserve

A beautiful wine; the AO Reserve Chardonnay is near-perfectly balanced, with silky lemon and citrus fruit flavors, some stone and tufa, light/ripe pear, and a gorgeous kiss of vanilla on the back…

Alpha Omega Chardonnay

As others have noted, this was a very modern version of an AO Chardonnay. The oak influence is very evident, with sourdough bread, buttered popcorn, and vanilla at the forefront. Some lemon curd and…

Alpha Omega Unoaked Chardonnay

Very Sauvignon Blanc-like in its flavor profile. A bit of a steely aftertaste. This was a little tough for me after just having such a smooth Sauvignon Blanc ('14 AO 1155 SB) prior to consuming this.…

Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Sunshine Valley

Barrel sample.

Hunnicutt Cabernet Sauvignon Brinkman Block

This is the rebranded GIII label, whose name change to the now Brinkman Block came about due to Andy Beckstoffer's proprietary hike in fees which necessitated the removal of the GIII reference on the…

Alpha Omega Sauvignon Blanc 1155

A very inviting Sauvignon Blanc, with a wonderful balance between subtle tropical fruit, lemon oil, a bit of pumice/stone, and an ever-so faint drop of vanilla. This gained the majority of its points…

Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

Barrel sample.

Hunnicutt Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Round, plush, and a little cloying on the back end, this wine delivered with a medium-bodied frame and some layered flavors. Plum, black raspberry, wet earth, and some chocolate; a little lift kept…

Hunnicutt Cutt Fearless Red

Unfortunately I could not get behind this wine at all, even as a throw-down summer pounder. This has that thrown together feel about it. Muddled and awkwardly cloying, this thing deadened the palate…

Hunnicutt Chardonnay

A very fitting Chardonnay for a nice summer afternoon on the porch. Notes of yellow citrus, pear, ripe green apple, popcorn, vanilla, and white toast.

Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Barrel sample.

Alpha Omega Era

Barrel sample.

Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard

Barrel sample.

Melville Pinot Noir Block M

A little difficult to read for me at this stage. Came off a little hot and linear. Strawberry cream, cranberry, smoke, and spice. Alcohol was certainly showing its 15% compared to the would-be fruit…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

PnP with extremely tight and restrained notes of high-toned berry and alcohol flavors. I had that "Oh G-Dammit" moment where I felt as if I had opened this bottle WAAAAY too early (which I had).

Morlet Family Vineyards La Proportion Dorée

Bought a half case direct a little while back, so I figured I'd experiment with a bottle to see what all the fuss was about. I was reluctant to even evaluate this wine because it seemed as though Luc…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon The Grand Daddy Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

This was a great showing in my opinion. PnP was just slightly reserved, but it didn't take long for those plush and forward BTK purple, red, and blue berry fruit flavors to push through. Signature…

Aratas Petite Sirah

PnP with dark and viscous black and blue berry fruit flavors; blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry, and a hint of black cherry and/or black raspberry cutting through the dark core of black/blue fruit.…

Bevan Cellars EE Cuvée

It has only been a month since I last had this wine, so same specific notes apply. This really developed some nice chocolate, espresso, and black raspberry liqueur flavors over the course of a few…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Same as last month. No decant. Didn't need it. A bit of a chalky grip for the first 20-30 minutes, then it was smooth sailing from there. Thick, rich, and round on the finish. Drink now and over the…

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard

Same as previous note last year except that there was no hit of alcohol wafting through the mouth on initial PnP. Very smooth and ready to consume. No decant necessary. Drank over the course of three…

Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Similar to last week, except I didn't get that distractingly bitter, steely flavor on the back end as much. Served next to a 2013 Rivers-Marie standard Chardonnay, which bested the Lewis by a fair…

Rivers-Marie Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Same as my previous notes from six months ago. Very user-friendly Chardonnay, medium-bodied, with a decent mid-palate and great mouthfeel. Texture/viscosity are very nice considering it's an…

Saxum Booker Vineyard

PnP with notes of ripe blackberry, stewed plum, asphalt, and some charcuterie. More ripe than expected. Tannins had integrated well, with layers of deep black and ripe red fruit flavors. Reminded me…

TOR Syrah ROCK Hommage Allan Hudson Vineyard

This was the reserve version of this wine.