Reviews

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

I've played around with this wine here and there over the last few years and I am always a little circumspect about predicting how it is going to perform. LPV in general can shut down throughout…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

The first time I sampled the 2019 Crane back in April, it was surprisingly shut down and playing coy. Well, it's done hiding in the corner and waiting to be asked to dance. This sample was exactly…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

This is round #2 with the 2019 LPV since my last sampling it back in April. Once again, it is unquestionably the star of the show. This is the best LPV Vice Versa has ever produced and is…

Les Cousins Cabernet Sauvignon

A joint venture with the Bretons and Stephan Asseo of L'Aventure, the Les Cousins is a hybrid of Vice Versa's Napa juice and L'Aventure's holdings from the Willow Creek District in Paso Robles. 100%…

Sine Qua Non Grenache Pajarito Del Amor Eleven Confessions Vineyard

In a sea of top-shelf Napa Cabernet Sauvignons, this SQN was able to wedge its way into the crowd and make a fine showing. However, two things about that. Firstly, there was an obvious profile…

Sine Qua Non Grenache "E" Eleven Confessions Vineyard

Red and purple plum, spice, brush, red cherry, black raspberry, and faint hits of cedar, the "E" left me with the impression of a wine that has so much potential, but is nowhere near where it needs…

MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon

Flawed. Wet cardboard and a moldy funk on the nose. Bitter and seedy on the palate. Not like any MACDONALD I've ever had. Clearly flawed and not even close to being representative of 100 point-type…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Steltzner Vineyard

Powerfully sharp and angular on the first pop of the cork, the Steltzner doesn't take long before it is hale and hearty with unified black and red berry fruit, rock, black cherry skin, and black…

Ultramarine Blanc de Blancs Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Lemon, sea foam, and salt rock flavors are speedy on the front end and rounded on the back. A little Ultramarine funk typicity adds interest. Compared to other vintages, the 2016 seems to be a…

Harlan Estate

I got all ramped-up to write about this wine and then just re-read my notes from 4/30/2021 that basically say it all (so, refer to those notes if you want to read my novella from April). This was…

Vice Versa Pinot Noir Platt Vineyard

Once exposed to air, this succulent monkey really fills out into a juicy expansion of red and black cherry, red and black raspberry, spice, and mulch notes. It's an interplay of fresh-meets-forest,…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon BBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Displaying an exceptionally young and tight demeanor, the 2015s in general seem to require even more time in bottle before coming to full fruition. Double-decanted for over 8 hours, the To Kalon BBS…

Vice Versa Chardonnay Platt Vineyard

Similar to the 2018 Vice Versa Platt Chardonnay, this 2019 is a crisp lemon squeeze of a wine that spits white minerality and bitter citrus pith to great length. A floral elemnt tries to push…

Vice Versa Beatrix Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Similar to my experience with this wine back in April, the Beatrix showed a healthy dollop of red berry, cassis, earth, dry flowers, and an almost-Grenache-garrigue element that provides an herbal…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Initially, the 2019 To Kalon was a bit reserved (by Napa standards of course) and took a little bit of coaxing after the first pull of the cork. Double-decanted and given over four hours to find its…

Promontory

Refined and acutely polished, the 2015 Promontory showed even better than when I had it back in April. Sophisticated red berry fruit and tobacco notes initially load the front end with classicism and…

Vice Versa Cabernet Sauvignon The Magnificent Seven

This is just so intense and concentrated that one can't help but be utterly mesmerized by its commanding presence. Blackberries and scorched earth are spun together in a commercial-grade blender on…

Pott Wine Space & Time

It's been over two years since my last bottle. As others have mentioned, this still needs to sleep. However, it was still quite drinkable, delivering fairly lush and round black cherry and purple…

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Empyrean Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Three 2016 Myriads: GIII, Empyrean, Crane.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard

Three 2016 Myriads: GIII, Empyrean, Crane.

Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard

Three 2016 Myriads: GIII, Empyrean, Crane.

Shared Notes Sauvignon Blanc Les pierres qui décident

100% Sauvignon Blanc. A typical but still stimulating Sauvignon Blanc profile of yellow and white pear, white peach, lemon curd, lime, lemon verbena, grass, and some barrel spice notes are presented…

Aubert Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

From magnum. This is pretty much in pineapple syrup territory for me at this juncture. Viscous and potent, with nutty and dark overtones that wax the palate and become sludgy on the finish.

MacDonald Cabernet Sauvignon

Another stellar performance from the 2018 MACDONALD. This is my second time sampling this vintage of what I believe to be an absolutely perfect wine. For me it's kinda simple: This is one of the best…

Littorai Pinot Noir One Acre

From magnum. A deep core of black cherry, dark plum, bark, and burnt citrus rind set off a slightly rustic push of moderately intense flavors on the fruit-forward attack that drops deeply into a nice…