Bryan Hopkins

9.0

I am tasting the 2000 vintage. The first aroma I get is just oak, almost sterile, like an impeccably clean hardware store. Leaving the glass a few moments to give contact with air opens up softer aromas of nougat and plum. The taste is about exactly like that: oak in your face all at once to yield quickly to nougat candy, plum, and raisin, but letting the brandy sit in my mouth causes it to turn into lovely cigar tobacco flavors with milk chocolate. Slight hint of saffron-infused chocolate on the finish, but then it fades back into that really strong neutral wood as the finish lingers. — 21 hours ago

Bryan Hopkins

9.1

Deep rich aromas of wet leaves and honeybaked ham with truffle. The wet leaf note comes through most strongly on the taste with very tart cherry. Beautifully done. — 2 months ago

Bryan Hopkins

8.8

2014 vintage. Plenty of dried flowers (rose and lavender), blueberry, cherry, and strawberry. — 2 months ago

Bryan Hopkins

8.2

Strawberry and rhubarb on the nose; jam-like quality. Cinnamon and cherry on the palette with heavy tannic astringency and autumn leaves on the back end. — 5 days ago

Bryan Hopkins

8.9

There have been better vintages of this than 2014, which I am currently drinking, but Gundlach Bundschu Oinot Noir never fails to please. Lovely velvet texture, meaty and earthy aromas, and potpourri and cherry on the palette. — a month ago

Bryan Hopkins

8.8

Strong flavors of tart green apple with the barest hint of yeast. Pear and lemon on the scent. Fresh and clean. — 2 months ago

Bryan Hopkins

8.6

I am a fan of the minimal intervention philosophy used by this winemaker. The result here is not great, but quite pleasant. Much softer than we have come to expect from New World Sauvignon Blanc. White peach, tangerine, and floral. — 3 months ago

Bryan Hopkins

8.8

Earthy, almost briny. Nice saline like quality that pairs well with salty foods. Cherry fruit but not at all fruit forward. — a month ago

Bryan Hopkins

8.3

Pale straw color. Aromas of straw and candied tangerine. On the palette, French bread and lemon chiffon. Creamy mouthfeel. — a month ago

Bryan Hopkins

8.7

Fuller bodied and less delicate than I expect from a Pinot Noir. Scents of blackberry, violets, and bacon fat that all come across on the palette. As the wine opens up, I get more of the autumn leaves aroma and taste that I associate with North American Pinot Noir. — 2 months ago