Calera Wine Company
Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009
This is the first full bottle of Jensen that we’ve had. Lavender and blueberries on the nose with a long and full bodied finish. Went well with Salmon for our Father’s Day and Buen Camino dinner. — 6 years ago
Chateau St. Jean
Cinq Cépages Sonoma County Red Blend
This vintage was the Wine Spectator wine of the year in 1999 and cost $25. I saw it in the cellar and decided why not drink it on a Thursday. It’s held up well. Cigar box and cedar on the nose. Some dark fruit(-plum) on the nose initially. Rust colored on the edge of the glass. Nice smooth and medium finish. Nothing beats an aged Cabernet and it’s from Sonoma. — 6 years ago
Sea Smoke
Botella Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
Mother’s Day wine for Judy. Ok I had some as well. Not quite as fruit forward as is normal for Seasmoke, but it is 10 years old. Smooth with some black fruit on the nose and finish. — 7 years ago
Windy Oaks Estate
100% Whole Cluster Pinot Noir 2010
We hadn’t drank a bottle of Windy Oaks that was 7 years old. The Whole Cluster from 2010 didn’t disappoint. Nice acidity to balance the red fruit with a long finish. It went very well with wild salmon. Whole Cluster is quickly becoming our favorite. — 7 years ago
Loring Wine Company
Cooper Jaxon California Pinot Noir 2011
Dark, fruit forward, a bit syrupy with a long finish. Blueberries and blackberries on the nose. Yes, it’s a screw top wine, but it’s an excellent wine at a less than $20. — 6 years ago
Denner Vineyards
Paso Robles Syrah
Impressive for a 10 year old Syrah from Paso. Quite a bit of fruit left and mouth coating. Plum on the finish. Too bad it’s the last one. — 6 years ago
Château Clerc Milon
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2000
Since Carmel is experiencing below normal temperatures, i felt that a Bordeaux was in order. Nothing ages like a Bordeaux or a Napa Cab. This one didn’t disappoint from the outstanding 2000 vintage. Cigar box, cedar and a nice long finish. Amazingly there was still a touch of fruit as well. Wow! — 7 years ago
Domaine de Beaurenard (Paul Coulon et Fils)
Boisrenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend
Decided to have a wine from the last century and why not a Chateauneuf du Pape. CDP’s can be very age worthy and this one didn’t disappoint. Smooth with some blueberry fruit. Excellent old world wine. — 7 years ago
David Refuerzo
I was a little concerned when the cork broke at removal, but it didn’t disappoint. Dark fruits on the nose, youthful, and mouth coating. An outstanding Syrah from Santa Barbara. We bought it a few years back on a wine trip. The winery is located in Santa Barbara near some barrio style Burrito places. Best Syrah that we’ve had in a while. Wow! — 6 years ago