Reviews

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and a new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and a new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and a new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Riverain Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard

A generous tasting lineup of the 2013, 2014, 2015, and new 2016 BBS Tench Cabernets.

Riverain Sauvignon Blanc Gamble Vineyard

An inviting and refreshing expression of the varietal, with a traditional yellow citrus and tropical fruit core. A good 'right now' summer (well...autumn-ish) sipper. Nothing overly remarkable, but a…

Salinia Chardonnay Heintz Ranch

Starting to tank pretty fast at this juncture, even for those passing this off as a Jura "style" white. Drink yesterday.

Maxem Chardonnay UV Vineyard

Followed over two days. Same notes as earlier in the month. This passed the "at home" test with flying colors. A more cerebral Chardonnay than some others in this category in that it shows refinement…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2015 and 2016 are killer vintages for the Quivet offerings, as this NV is a testament to true "affordable" winemaking at an appellation level. Young but lusciously approachable, with dark, dark black…

Maybach Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Irmgard

A fascinating wine, and ironically one I would have potentially mistaken for a twenty-year-old 1st Cru Burgundy had it not been for the perception of higher alcohol here, especially on the finish.…

Carter Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon La Verdad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Coravin pour. Previous notes apply, except to note that this round displayed a little heavier on the deeply-pitched red cassis and red licorice notes. A little bit of alcohol on the back end needed…

Quivet Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard

Just as solid from bottle as it was from barrel. Previous notes apply. There is certainly some wonderful oak influence going on with this wine at the moment, with further integration to come with…

Billecart-Salmon Champagne Brut Réserve

A very nice, easy-going Champagne, with lemon and quince notes dominating. Some decent mousse/crema, with a bit of brioche and vanilla on the tail end. Softer edges, which makes for really easy…

Gustave Lorentz Pinot Noir

This was the Lorentz "Evidence" version. Light plum and earthy black cherry, mulch, and some faint citrus rind. Light bodied, but with enough frame to pair decently with some of the best slow-roasted…

Louis Latour Chardonnay Grand Ardèche

Extremely light and thin (more anorexic), with some watery lemon and white stone fruit notes, with a bit of pumice and wood. Next-to-no finish. Paired barely ok with Mahi Mahi and spinach.

Gustave Lorentz Riesling Lieu Dit Burg

Dry and woody. Notes of lamp oil, bruised lemon peel, varnish, wood, and some rock. Hit the back end with a funky/earthy finish that begged for food. Paired decently with shrimp dumplings with a…

Carlisle Syrah Sonoma County

This wine showed pretty flat compared to April 2018 when I last had it. This was also served next to a '12 Favia Quarzo, which bested it by a margin. It was fine, but nothing memorable here. Some…

Favia Syrah Quarzo

Previous notes apply. This bested a '13 Carlisle Sonoma Syrah served next to it, as the Favia had a greater breadth overall, especially in regards to its complexity of flavors. Medium mid-palate,…

Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard

Previous notes from last year apply. A stunning Chardonnay, and likely one that will merit a perfect score in another year or so. Just some subtle hits of sulphur that need some time to blow off.…

Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Silver Eagle Vineyard

Black cherry, black/red plum, currant, earth, wet mulch and tobacco, and soil. Subtle spice. Round and straightforward. Decent depth, medium bodied. Not super complex. Notably satisfying but not…

Switchback Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Red and black currant, red and black cherry, spice, and some sweet cedar notes make up the 2012 SBR Reserve Cabernet. A fine wine all the way around, with a super smooth, polished entry as soon as…

Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Bergfeld

Black/red fruit dominated, with a ripe, spicy, and chocolate-driven profile. With air, this became black fruited, with scorched earth and char rounding out the back end. Healthy hits of richness, but…

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Kaliholmanok Kicu'me

Surprisingly approachable, but still seems to be finding its way a little bit; showing primarily black cherry and plum notes. PnP was actually the preference for me frame-wise, with just a bit of air…

Maxem Pinot Noir UV Vineyard

A lot of kick-start-your-heart black cherry fruit gushing out of this Pinot. Unlike the Maxem Chardonnay, which carried some calculated and stately deliberation in its delivery, this Pinot showed…

Maxem Chardonnay UV Vineyard

An ultra clean, highly polished version of the varietal, with the UV site represented with sophisticated and stylish purpose. With a yellow citrus core flanked by a lovely white stone minerality, the…

B Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

A beautiful and poised example of BTK; medium bodied and seamless (almost gentle) on the finish. Pure fruit flavors of black raspberry, black cherry, cinnamon, and subtle bitter chocolate. A kiss of…