Brian Ager

8.8

A delicious small production Central Coast CA (dry) Zinfandel rosé with notes of watermelon, strawberry, and slate thoughout the nose & palate. This alongside a lively acidity makes this rosé come off perfectly dry & crisp. While not exceeding complex this rosé is certainly well made and enjoyable. A delightful pairing with herb marinated grilled shirmp! ($25) [6/8/22] — 21 days ago

Brian Ager

8.7

A tasty small production Saugvinon Blanc from the Happy Canyon AVA in Santa Barbera.  It begins with white peach, jasmine, and fresh cut grass in the nose.  The pallate while less intense than most Saugvinon Blancs adds a certain creaminess along with notes of lemon zest & marcona almonds. A delicious pairing with a spring favorite ramp shrimp scampi! ($26) [5/15/22] — a month ago

Brian Ager

9.2

A fantastic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon rosé which is a bit reminiscent of a Tavel in style.  Quite expressive aromatically with notes of cherry, honeycomb & wet gravel. The palate brings a nice hit of acidity with a mix of fruit and river rock minerality with a touch of honey sweetness on the finish. I'd note that this is also the rare rosé which improved as it warms slightly in the glass.  An excellent and refreshing pairing with a creamy steak penne! ($25) [4/1/22] — 3 months ago

Brian Ager

9.0

A delicious left bank Bordeaux which greatly beneifted from a 60+ minute decant. The nose presents fig jam & blueberry along with notes of anise, cocoa, and pencil lead.  The palate is impressively well balanced with flavors of blueberry and blackberry along with tertiary notes of sage & leather along with well integrated tannins and a bright acidity. Paired equally well with both filet mignon on day 1 & burgers on day 2! ($33) [5/27/22] — a month ago

Brian Ager

8.5

This Napa Valley rosé starts out promsingly with an expressive nose of tangerine, grapefruit, and honeysuckle. The pallate however lacked freshness & brightness, causing it to fall flat as it presented flavors of overripe melon & tart cherries.  Nevertheless, excited to crack open our first rosé of the Spring which paired suitably well with a charcuterie board on the balcony! ($22) [5/11/22] — 2 months ago

Brian Ager

8.9

A unique blend of 50% Grenache along with 5 other varietals with aromas of plum, strawberry along with a background of leather & smoke. Evolves nicely on the palate with stewed strawberries, dried herbs & raspberry sauce with a hint of fig & vanilla throughout the finish along with mild tannins. Excellent on it's own, but also quite a nice pairing with honey mustard pork chops with roasted brussel sprouts! ($35) [3/7/22] — 4 months ago

Brian Ager

9.0

A delicious left bank Bordeaux which greatly beneifted from a 60+ minute decant. The nose presents fig jam & blueberry along with notes of anise, cocoa, and pencil lead.  The palate is impressively well balanced with flavors of blueberry and blackberry along with tertiary notes of sage & leather along with well integrated tannins and a bright acidity. Paired equally well with both filet mignon on day 1 & burgers on day 2! ($33) [5/27/22] — a month ago

Brian Ager

8.9

A delightful central coast CA Chardonnay which strikes an excellent balance between richness & freshness. Aromas yellow apple, pear,  roasted almond, and créme fraîche. While the apple continues the palate also layers on flavors of starfruit & lemon curd.  Meanwhile, the potent acidity  made this a perfect pairing with garlic butter creamed spinach salmon!
($20) [4/10/22] — 3 months ago

Brian Ager

8.8

A quite rich & full Chardonnay with clear oak & malolatic influence leading to aromas of ripe yellow apple, lemon curd along with notes of pie crust & toffee. The palate is brings forth a welcome punch of acidity along with flavors of lemon curd which evolve into roasted hazelnut & toffee on the finish. A delicious pairing with salmon en papillote! ($27) [3/14/22] — 3 months ago

Brian Ager

7.8

A Target own-brand Chardonnay with beautiful packaging, but an overall underwhelming wine. Begins with ripe apple & banana with a background of baking spices on the nose. Meanwhile flavors of overripe banana come across heavily on the palate although notes of pie crust & toast come though as well, but all this is disappointingly flat throughout due to a distinct lack of acidity.  However, was a needed pairing with a day of movies & board games after being snowed in with 16+ inches! ($10) [2/23/22] — 4 months ago