Reviews

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Daughters of Earth Goldrock Ridge

Same as my other previous notes on this wine. An absolutely amazing bottle of wine. One of the best domestic Pinots on the planet, and one that totally blew all of the others in the lineup out of the…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Druid's Metaphor

Same as my notes from August, the Druid's still came across very young and a bit primary. It's no wonder they held the release of this wine back until recently. I still continued to taste strawberry…

Wren Hop Chardonnay Needle's Eye

I hadn't tasted this wine since its release a few years ago. Back then, I especially loved the lemon curd and mineral notes that raced across the palate. This go-around, it seemed like the fruit was…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Mortal Coil Phendler

Same as my notes from 6 months ago. Two hours in the decanter made this wine very accessible. Rich without being too heavy or muddled. A nice cut of evergreen on the back end. Well placed spice and…

Hall Sauvignon Blanc T-Bar-T Ranch

Similar to my specific tasting notes from 9/23/2016. Nice refreshing glass of SB. Not especially enticing or noteworthy necessarily, but a decent start to the flight.

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Same specific flavors as my notes 6+ months ago. This didn't take long to wake up and become a great example of an appellation Pinot. For the price-point, it's no question its ability to deliver.

Salinia Chardonnay Heintz Ranch

Still a solid version of a Jura-style Chardonnay, but starting its decline. Not as vibrant as 10 months ago when I last had this wine. 93-94 points. The 2008 is much better at this stage.

Carlisle Syrah Sonoma County

Same as previous notes. Some ok plum and blackberry notes. Nothing much beyond that. Last bottle.

Francis Ford Coppola Petite Sirah Reserve

Oddly sweet and wonky tasting. Not completely undrinkable I suppose, but a weird rendition of a PS. No real distinguishing PS characteristics identifying it as the varietal. Some strange funk, oak,…

Cirq Pinot Noir TreeHouse

So a little bit of a different experience with this wine from 5 months ago. PnP started out with vibrant high-toned red berry fruit. Good flavors and a lot of energy. An hour decant at 54 degrees was…

Salinia Syrah Heintz Ranch

Saline-driven syrah, with muted purple berry notes and a little wood. Nothing complex at this stage. A bit of a dud. I'm probably the only one on the planet who actually had a bottle of this left…

Hall Sauvignon Blanc T-Bar-T Ranch

A nice start to an otherwise Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy lineup from Hall. Crisp and refreshing the way a SB should be, but not overly complex in any way. Nothing necessarily out of place, but nothing…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Royalty in Exile

Again, wonderfully saturated red raspberry, red and black cherry, cola, rhubarb, earth, and baking spice flavors. Mid-palate is beautiful and full, completely enveloping; a textural dream.

Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard

Same as my notes from 5 months ago, except that this showed a little better than I remembered in terms of displaying more verve.

Fisher Vineyards Chardonnay Mountain Estate

Paired with a sweet corn grits with prosciutto; also paired with homemade bread with salted butter. The corn dish was one of my favorites of the evening. The wine was well crafted, but unfortunately…

Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard

Paired fantastically with a wonderful squab and huckleberry dish. The wine itself was ready to drink right out of the gate, with some nice black cherry, ripe currant, and earth notes. Mature and…

J Vineyards & Winery Brut Rosé

This was initially poured with a caviar panna cotta, which was very nice. But the actual pairing we planned was with the following dish of beef tartare, heirloom tomatoes, and crispy nori. An…

J Vineyards & Winery Vintage Brut Late Disgorged Russian River Valley

Paired with three starters: an egg foam and Sriracha shot; goat cheese and beet-marinated fig tartlet; and a geoduck and cucumber bite.

Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap

Same as my notes from April, except that this was extremely accessible this time around. PnP was fairly ready right out of the gate. A few hours in the decanter was nice, but really not entirely…

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard

Same tasting notes from 12/23/2015 still apply. I'll wait 6 months for the next bottle.

Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Sascha Marie

Previous notes apply. Hold until mid-2017/2018.

Salinia Chardonnay Heintz Ranch

All of my other previous tasing notes on this wine apply. BEERZEBUB's recent note is spot on.

TOR Chardonnay Durell Vineyard

A fat and stylized California Chardonnay, with buttered popcorn, vanilla oak, and lemon curd notes rushing over the palate. A bit of a bruiser with its butter-bomb, cheesy sex kitten personality,…

Bevan Cellars Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap

Served at La Toque restaurant, Napa.

Bedrock Wine Co. Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard

Restrained and a bit muted for a California Zinfandel. Not much going on here at the moment. As a stand-alone wine, this was fairly forgettable. Good vineyard source, but nothing compared to what…