Reviews

Aubert Chardonnay Eastside Vineyard

An exquisitely balanced Chardonnay that represents the finesse that can actually come out of a well crafted domestic Chardonnay. This carried some upfront citrus fruit, lemon curd, and subtle vanilla…

Cirq Pinot Noir TreeHouse

Previous notes apply from 6 months and a year ago. An initial wave of very nice brambly purple and red fruit, and some hints of mulch, earth, brush, and river rock. The acid seemed low; the frame…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Oracle's Whisper

I need to listen to my own advice... WAIT...

Bevan Cellars Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

I totally agree with Peter's note on this wine. This Bevan Ritchie was a big, rich CA Chardonnay (which I can usually tolerate and even crave every so often), but this was way too much of a "good"…

Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Williams Selyem Estate Vineyard

Although opinions varied and seemed to change throughout the night as all of the wines took in more air, the Williams Selyem pretty much ended up as WOTN among 4 pinots. The others were also very…

Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Sascha Marie

Previous notes apply. All this needs is a little more time. Approximately 4 total hours in a decanter allowed this wine to stretch it legs a bit and fatten up. Final sips were the best. As previously…

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Similar to the other appellation 2013 KB Pinots with hard red candied fruit, cola, red raspberry, earth, and spicebox flavors. Much more solid and approachable than expected, with just a bit of heat…

D.R. Stephens Pinot Noir Silver Eagle Vineyard

Ungodly tight and extremely acidic. High toned and failing to completely launch in any enjoyable way at the moment. Red, red fruit... pomegranate, unripe strawberry, crunchy raspberry, and alcohol.

Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block

Same as previous notes. Some subtle black olive and earth notes after about 3 hours in the decanter at 54 degrees. I will try to hold until mid/late 2017.

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Hustle & Flow

Much more interesting and elevated than the 2014 War and Peace, with more depth (even for a 2014) and nice spice box flavors. Still incredibly young and in need of at least 2 years of bottle age, but…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir War & Peace

The lightest and least expressive of the wines tasted, the War and Peace played into the delicate stigma associated with its Swan clone configuration. A thin representation of the varietal, even…

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…

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.

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.

Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Sascha Marie

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

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…

Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Sascha Marie

Still needs some time to work itself out. Notes of red berry fruit, red raspberry, strawberry, cherry, a little spice, and alcohol. A little thin on the mid-palate, medium-bodied, with a bit of a…

Carlisle Syrah Papa's Block

Same as my notes from February 2016. 93+. A decent drink now with a short decant or hold for another year.

Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

A decent showing for a WS RRV appellation pinot. Notes of red and black cherry, earth, cedar, and a slight hint of charcuterie.

Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Bucher Vineyard

An extremely good showing, and my WOTN. Rich and beautifully mature notes of deep black cherry, black and red currant, earth, mulch, cedar, salami, and spice box.

Migration (Duckhorn Vineyards) Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Same as my specific notes from January on this wine. A friend brought this to dinner, along with a Flowers Pinot. Both were thin and simple. Nothing additional worth noting. Not something I'd ever…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Royalty in Exile

Same as my previous notes seven months ago. Very tasty Pinot. PnP with no decant needed. Spicy/jazzy oak highlights with additional hints of baking spices, cinnamon, and clove wonderfully…

Wren Hop Pinot Noir Oracle's Whisper

Similar to what I remember from back on October 18, 2015 when I last tried this wine. Shows potential, but still primary, especially mid-palate. Notes of black cherry, vanillin spice, black…