Brett Vanderbrook

8.5

MOV used to source their grapes from Oakville in Napa, but this is labeled North Coast, so it should be updated. Subtle this is NOT. Raspberry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s big, round, and lush with a touch of baking spice and maybe the faintest of tannins. The amount of oak on this sub $20 bottle makes me suspect chips/staves. I don’t know if there’s RS here, but old ladies would definitely call this “sweet.” Their wines have always been opulent and jammy, but this is bordering on dessert, for better or worse. — 12 days ago

Brett Vanderbrook

8.8

I picked this up because we used to serve it at a restaurant I worked at, and I had fond memories of it. Tasting it 8 years later it doesn’t remind me at all of that wine which might be because A) it was a different wine (although it was a twist off unoaked Chardonnay) B) my palate has changed or C) just a difference in vintage. While I remember it being quite buttery, and with strong tropical notes of pineapple and lychee, this wine is more reductive and acidic, with stewed apple or pear. — 3 months ago

with Raina

Brett Vanderbrook

8.8

A little different from its Piedmontese counterpart, but certainly bears the hallmarks of Nebbiolo. Acidity, tannic structure, and bright red fruit. This bottle has been open for 3 days now and it’s still drinking nicely. The oak was far more prominent early on, but it has faded into the background and is much more subdued now. — 4 months ago

with Raina

Brett Vanderbrook

9.0

Rich and velvety texture bursting with jammy red and black fruit. It finishes with a bit of spice and green pepper which helps balance the unctuous quality. It would be very easy to drink a lot of this and not realize it. — 16 days ago

with Raina

Brett Vanderbrook

8.7

Lovely budget Pinot from an unlikely place. Surprisingly light bodied but powerfully aromatic. Lavender, anise, black fruit with subtle spice. — 2 months ago

with Raina

Brett Vanderbrook

8.7

Green, flinty, zippy. Very dry. Good aperitif wine. — 4 months ago

Brett Vanderbrook

8.8

So interesting! The nose is herbal and dried and reminds me of potpourri. There’s a faint hint of rubber that you often find in Pugliese wine. The body is medium, with less tannin than I’m used to from the style, but still present. Maybe even a little pepper? This is really lovely. — 4 months ago

with Raina

Brett Vanderbrook

9.0

Napa Chardonnay is hit or miss for me, but this was a hit. Powerful, but lean with an acidic, mineral backbone. Candied lemon peel and truffles. I’m told there’s new oak in this, but trust me when I saw it takes a backseat. In fact, you might just mistake this for something from Cote de Beaune. — a month ago

with Raina

Brett Vanderbrook

9.2

Everything I love about Meursault. Weight and texture while simultaneously remaining acidic and saline. Not “oaky” but noticeable barrel character that presents as somewhat cheesy. Complex and delicious. — 2 months ago

Brett Vanderbrook

8.8

Without knowing the grape or region when first tasting this, I pegged it as possibly Grenache. It’s light in body and color, has bright, bright red fruit and a subtle white pepper note. Light and easy drinking. — 4 months ago

with Raina