Bill Bender

9.6

Silky sexiness. Black licorice, tobacco, bruised plum. An ethereal experience paired with prime porterhouse, black truffle and foie gras. Can’t get much better for me on a warm San Diego October night. — an hour ago

Bill Bender

9.7

Such a gorgeous perfumed beauty on pop. Violets leap from the glass. Just so sexy and inviting. I was truly bummed when I saw the decanter emptying for that last pour. Aldo Conterno is hands down the most dependably delicious Barolo producer for my tastes. Like Karl Malone it always delivers. Always! Old style purists may prefer Giacomo Conterno or Rinaldi (which are sensational) but Aldo Conterno is my desert island Barolo. I bet it even looks good in a bikini. — 8 days ago

Bill Bender

9.5

5 hour decant. I’ve had a very tough time getting along with ‘09 Napa Cabs, finding most to be quite tannic, dumb and lacking any kind of expression. This Dr. Crane suffered from none of that. From the perfumed nose of Asian spice and significant depth and purity of fruit to the black cherry, chocolate covered expresso beans and red cedar taste profile, this is very ready now but it’s still clearly on the rise....and yes that is a Halloween 🎃 decoration on my fat lady sculpture — 11 days ago

Bill Bender

9.4

Rooftop at Born & Raised. Beautiful evening and a superstar wine. This is still big and bold. Pritchard Hill power and length. — 2 hours ago

Bill Bender

9.5

Inky purple with gritty tannins, spirited fresh silky fruit. A substantial brooding wine with miles and miles left in the tank but so damn good right now. The ‘08s and ‘09s from the North CA Coast that I felt were impenetrable fruit bombs the last few years are really blooming now. Drink up but decant. — 3 days ago

Bill Bender

9.6

To me Araujo Eisele vineyard has always been a Napa first growth. It needs ample bottle age but like Peter Michael Les Pavot or older Montelena I feel this is as Bordeaux in style as any North Coast blend. Bright lush red fruit, amazing concentration and richness, impeccable polish and style. Pre Coldplay dinner. — 9 days ago

Bill Bender

9.2

Surprised this was available in the luxury suite to watch another Padres loss....and out of a plastic cup too. AAA quality baseball and sub par stems and it still performed extremely well. My first exposure to Hewitt and I liked it a lot. Full bodied, extracted blackberry and clove with nice round edges. — a month ago

Bill Bender

9.3

In a good spot. The heat has blown off completely. Bold and striking. — 3 days ago

Bill Bender

8.8

Dense and tannic. So much time, patience and evolution is needed here. I’m not sure if it will ever completely shed it’s rough edges but I do know you shouldn’t touch it for several years. — 9 days ago

Bill Bender

9.0

Drink local! A fun little Nebbiolo grown and bottled close to my backyard. @Delectable this a winery from Warner Springs in San Diego, CA not a Willamette, OR wine. — 23 days ago