Bruce Dunbar

8.7

Always an excellent value and very good wine, the 2024 Juvenile is no exception. The fruit is primarily cocktail cherries and a little plum, dusty tannins are near the grin at this early stage and there’s a pop of pepper at the end. — 7 days ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

The ‘25 rosé deserves far more than poolside sipper status that many rosés are automatically labeled with. Grapefruit zest, peach, cranberry, rose flower, and a light peppery finish make this a great food wine (and not unpleasant to sip by any stretch.) — a month ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.8

The ‘23 Old Vines is another outstanding bargain made from historic vineyard parcels that are too small to make a vineyard designated wine. Always a top price/quality pick, this years has a through line of red berry across the nose and palate, a hint of red gummi, funk, depth and a peppery acidity. — 2 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

Notes on four bottles over the four years since release (2023-26) show a wine that maintained character and freshness one might not associated with ‘aged’ rosé. Early on, it leaned into grapefruit, rose, and minerality and more recently, while it held onto a nearly effervescent acidity and very floral nose, showed some herbaceousness (or ‘the whole flower garden’ in my notes) and a Concord grape element. Always lovely with food and a great value. — 11 days ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.6

The 2012 Pajè VV is a beauty. Layered, elegant, nuanced but not lacking in power. Tart strawberry, humidor, baking spices, rose and more. Still vibrant with years to go. — a month ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.7

Darker in color a bit more subdued than many vintages, the ‘24 has a dusty raspberry nose and notes of funky red berry, red vines candy, and bitter orange with moderate tannins and more mild acidity than typical. It held up well to red sauce, as one would hope, but could probably use some more time to come together. — 2 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.3

There is no quit in this Zin. Still full of fresh, dark fruit, zippy acidity, seamless tannins and some port like qualities belying its age, it absolutely sung 23 years after harvest. — 14 days ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.7

a slightly prettier version of the Cal Syrah but still packs depth and hits high on the QPR. Boysenberry, Violet, earth, pepper, savory notes all on a smooth, drinkable frame. Sadly, if I heard right, this is the last year for Bien Nacido X block (the dominant fruit in this blend). — 20 days ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.8

From Coravin over several days. Opened with rich, dark fruit, silky with some bright acidity. Didn’t evolve well, turning more tannic and a touch of prune, perhaps a bit past its prime. — 2 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

Six bottles drink between 2008 and 2026 with early notes showing a beautiful balance of sweet fruit, acidity and slate minerality. Sadly, bottles opened ‘24 and ‘26 had bad corks and slight oxidation. Rating for early bottles if you’re lucky enough to have some and the corks are intact. — 2 months ago