Chris Zitzman

8.9

Just good juice. Spot on. — 6 months ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.1

Much better than advertised, the 2019 Ring • Bolt Cabernet has all kinds of things going for it. We decanted it. But even before that this incredibly delightful Margaret River Cabernet openly betrays its value.. the nose is ripe, round and full of character. Stewed cherry and even deeper hints of cassis reveal themselves before it arrives on the palate- and a juicy arrival it is. The finish is juicy, though not in any way abbreviated- just balanced. This is a lush, young Cabernet that drinks beyond its years and far beyond its price. — a year ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.2

A bit of honey-mead on the nose to start that by the sip, slowly rolls into bright aromas of peach and honey-dew melon. On the palate there is a “lush crispness”, which I’m sure sounds a bit wacky, but it’s there.

Beyond the arrival and display on the palate, the 2017 Barren Ridge Chardonnay is a bit of a revelation when you meet the juicy finish that affirms the quality of the fruit you’ve just ingested.

It’s rock-star stuff. While you can get it. — a year ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.3

2016 Keswick Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate Reserve

Even without a decant, the ‘16 Estate Reserve from Keswick Vineyards and their brilliant winemaker Stephen Barnard rises out of the glass with pronounced notes of ripe blueberries, subtle oak & forrest floor. If one didn’t know the origin I’m convinced we’d hear Italy, France- maybe even California for the sake of the fruit of it.

The tannins are silky but the backbone is/has been clearly melting into the ‘meat’ and mid-palate of the wine.

Simply put: this is a remarkable Cabernet that I still can’t believe came from Virginia. — a year ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.3

This will be the second time that I’ve gotten to enjoy Jason Moore’s 2019 Bacigalupi Vineyard Pinot Noir. From just six months ago this wine has already begun opening-up and expressing itself. I think I must have rushed it the first time we cracked it back in August or perhaps in my eagerness I didn’t give the bottle enough time to settle down from its trip from Napa to my door.

Point being: The 2019 is beginning to come alive.

Cigar box and a kind of rich cherry flood the nose. As it opens (and yea I’m letting it open this time. Full patience mode engaged) it naturally begins to spread out and relax.

I’m noticing after the first pour from bottle I got a little sediment. Which is a harbinger of good things to come.

I have entered “berry world”. First glass after about an hour and we are officially rolling. With anything from this historic vineyard, it seems the mouthfeel is the real “bit of cherry”, as I’ve heard it described. Beyond just the flavors that bare themselves upon the sniff and sip- it the mid-palate and finish that (for me) helps to define not only the vineyard but the wine-maker as well.

Give it time if you want to feel that body. The nose alone evolves into a sort of “brandy-marinated cake”.

Trust me- it’s there.

But as the flavors from this wine will surely blow your mind- stay patient, as once it finally reveals itself- even in its youth, you can literally feel the 2019 Modus Operandi, Bacigalupi Vineyard coming alive.

You watch ;). — 6 months ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.2

Chris had this a year ago

Chris Zitzman

9.0

Tasted after a considerable time to breathe. Beautiful. Once relaxed and breathing, very easy-going, fresh and juicy with notable notes of white peach and playful minerality. — a year ago

Chris Zitzman

9.0

The 2019 Keswick Cabernet Franc (Monticello) is a young, bold, palate-coating piece of work. I have numerous friends and associates who have themselves discovered the different expressions of Virginia Cabernet Franc- those subtle points of personality that define each of the wines made from this royal grape- and I would point them all in the direction of this delightful example of ‘how it’s done’.

After a brief decant, the 2019 Keswick Cabernet Franc not only softens but begins to express ample notes of cherry, violets, and hints of currant.

The approach on the palate is surprisingly approachable, with a mouth-coating concentration of soft tannins and a finish that reprises the expressions of nose & palate as well.

It’s a simple, beautiful example of what Virginia Cabernet Franc can be. — 7 months ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

8.9

The Thibault-Jannison “FIZZ” sparkling wine is a simple joy & a half. The nose is a subtle, bright white peach, and when paired with any sort of seafood it becomes more than what it began as.

As it breathes and grows on the palate, I’m hard-pressed to find a sparkling wine that is this enjoyable- and yet this well-produced.

We’re having shrimp and buttery pasta tonight, and this simple-yet-truly-elegant wine just nailed it. — a year ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.2

Tart at the start but after a double decant she opens and softens on the palate. This interesting blend of Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay behaves more like a ‘peachy’, sea-side Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a fascinating wine that needs time to express itself. For the $ though... I dunno. — a year ago

with Beth