Reviews

Williams Selyem Zinfandel Forchini Vineyard

This bottle was brought over by a friend. I am not much of a Zin fan overall, but this kicked out some nice brambly earth notes along with the ripe blackberry, plum, and cedar flavors. It had some…

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard

This was a clear winner when tasted alongside a 2012 Talley Rosemary's Pinot and a 2012 Eric Kent Sascha Marie Pinot. Served with a cheese and charcuterie plate.

Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosemary's Vineyard

Tasted alongside a 2012 Eric Kent Sascha Marie Pinot and a 2010 Kosta Browne Gap's Crown Pinot. The Talley ultimately finished in the middle, with the KB pretty much slaughtering the Talley and the…

Eric Kent Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Sascha Marie

Tasted alongside the 2012 Talley Rosemary's Pinot and 2010 Kosta Browne Gap's Crown Pinot. The Pinot flight was paired with a cheese and charcuterie plate.

Pott Wine Cabernet Sauvignon Kaliholmanok Bel Canto

There are those times in life (and in wine) when all the stars align. I don't give out 100 points hardly ever (maybe once or twice so far - and I've been lucky enough to have some pretty phenomenal…

L'Aventure Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

It's been almost a year since l had this at the winery. It has certainly improved, especially with some air. PnP was just a little tight, with higher-toned red berry, currant, and spice notes. Two…

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…

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…

Alpha Omega Era

Barrel sample.

Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard

Barrel sample.

Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard

Barrel sample.

Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard

Barrel sample.

Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon Sunshine Valley

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).

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…

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…

Carlisle Syrah Sonoma County

Same notes as 12/25/2015. 88-89 points. Served alongside a 2010 Saxum Booker and 2010 Tor Reserve ROCK Syrah. The Saxum blew the others out of the water for me. Not decanted. Didn't need it. Flat and…

TOR Syrah ROCK Hommage Allan Hudson Vineyard

This was the reserve version of this wine.

Aubert Pinot Noir UV-SL Vineyard

PnP with red and purple berry fruit flavors; black raspberry, ripe bing cherry, spice box, and orange rind (the kind of flavors that remind me of a Rivers-Marie Silver Eagle Pinot). A little hot…