Chris Zitzman

9.3

After a breathe there’s a lot of citrus that subtly starts to introduce itself. Clean as can be, the bright and broadened nose brings along a luscious wallop to the palate. It’s kind of something to behold, and that will be noticed, frankly. Feels like a beautiful and luscious red, wrapped in the body of a voluptuous rose. There, I said it. It’s a full-bodied rose with joyous nuance to explore. — 10 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.3

Light in color but the nose is packed with lime, stone & melon ball. Finishes beautifully with just the right touch of salinity. — 21 days ago

Chris Zitzman

8.8

2021 vintage: 83% Syrah, %14 Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec. Dark fruits on the nose with lots of blackberry. Healthy acidity with a slightly abbreviated finish. — 22 days ago

Chris Zitzman

9.1

Whoah! Bright fruit just jumps out of the glass. Great balance on the palate with a stand-out mineral component. Finishes cleanly with enough of a linger to make you want another go. — a month ago

Chris Zitzman

9.2

I’m in a serious Sicilian groove right now and there’s no use in denying it. While there are a healthy amount of outstanding/astounding producers that hale from that region, get used to seeing the name Alessandro di Camporeale. It is they that have caused this phase of my current obsession, though I do not blame them exclusively. Today we tasted the Sauvignon (Blanc) from the estate, and it’s well-advised if you can find it. A pale, light shade of green to the eye, the swirl hints at a richer texture than you may be accustomed to from a Sauvignon Blanc. Elder flower is the first to touch the nose which is gracefully well-rounded with notes of ‘well-grounded’ passion fruit and limestone that is more alluring than in-the-face. As it breathes, everything blossoms onto the palate with remarkable balance and (again) allure. The finish is remarkably clean and uplifting. While not cheap (in that $25 -$35 range) the ‘Kaid’ Sauvignon from Alessandro di Camporeale just absolutely brings it. — 11 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.1

Mostly Grenache, this blend also brings Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan to the glass. Light and bright red fruits on the nose open gracefully onto the palate. Although from Provence, the Les Beaux de Provence comes across more like a Cote du Rhone that’s easy to talk to. It’s a graceful & tasteful little find, south of $20. — 22 days ago

Chris Zitzman

9.1

A golden pear hue on the eyes, this Alsatian blend of Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Gris, and Gewurtztraminer has a rich, viscous bit of swirl to it which leads to an ample helping of white fruits and limestone on the nose. After a bit of a breath the body gracefully develops and concentrates into a single and soulful note that works all of the wine’s components into an extremely well-balanced expression of all that’s involved. These kinds of white blends from Alsace, to me at least, are a dramatically over-looked treasures that (for the moment) are waiting patiently for those of us thirsty at our local wine shops. — a month ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

8.9

“We had it at a restaurant. It was $100. It was ‘fine’.
Best,
Bethy — 13 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.2

The 2022 Piedra Sassi Viognier from the Santa Rita Hills- to no surprise- is a remarkably rich and full-bodied example of the varietal from out west. The nose is a powerful blend of kiwi, limestone, and other deeper earthy notes that I just don’t have the vocabulary to describe. Lots there. What I CAN say is that the palate and the finish as well round-out in a sumptuous and gratifying fashion. Not easy to make a Viognier like this outside of Virginia. Piedra Sassi has. — 20 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.5

The last bottle of our joyous case of Jason Moore’s “Modus Operandi”, Gaps Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir from the 2021 Vintage. It’s been a blast to revisit the wine over the past year (or so). Genuinely each bottle has been a sort of deep-cherry gradient of a Pinot that behaves more like a soft-spoken Cabernet. Full and rich from the nose on the jump and softening elegantly with a bit of a decant to a tide of rich currant and a smoky bit of just the right bit of funk- it’s as unique as the first bottle we tried a year ago, though there’s ‘more’ of it. He said, hoping the description makes sense but doubting it does unless- you too- are ‘experienced’. Peppery notes lace the closing on the palate, and work harmoniously within the texture of the powerful & lingering finish. I’m giving this bottle the 9.5 as more of a cumulative grade/opinion of the twelve bottles we’ve enjoyed over the year, with this bottle being what may be the best of them all. Kudos J. — 25 days ago

with Beth