Shinas Estates
The Guilty Shiraz
Bursting with ripe fruit, cherry, blackberry, vanilla, and strawberry aromas. Flavors mirror the aroma with rich, thick, smooth juicy flavors on the palate. Very long smooth finish. An excellent $20 Shiraz. Tasted 2013 vintage in January 2016. — 9 years ago
Sea Smoke
Southing Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013
Soft fruit on the nose with a deep purple color. Blackberry, cherry and light berry fruit notes with a hint of vanilla on the palette. A collection of spices with a hint of oak round out the incredibly smooth texture and medium long finish of this Pinot. Delicate and light bodied, an amazing America Pinot Noir, you will have to cross the pond to find one better. This is a 2013 vintage tasted in December 2015. The wine retails for $80 - $100 a bottle. Save for a special occasion or drink with friends that appreciate a fine wine. — 9 years ago
Robert Craig Winery
Affinity Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
This will be a very good Cabernet by 2020 or later. Tasted in August of 2018. Could stand some “down time” for the finish to soften. Back label on bottle contains blend data. Price paid $70. Vintage 2014. — 6 years ago
Renteria
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Delicious dark fruit, slightly jammy aroma. Smooth tannins and very well balanced for a 4 year old. Blueberry, plum, blackberry, & vanilla notes with well balanced acid. Drink now and for the next 4 to 6 years. Tasted 2012 vintage in January of 2016. This is a $60 - $70 bottle of wine that tastes exactly the way a Cabernet should. — 9 years ago
Lodi Estates
Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Gary had this 9 years ago
Il Vescovado
Chianti Sangiovese 2013
Very approachable and easy to drink at 12% alcohol. Medium acid and medium/light body as opposed to most Chianti. The light tannins make for a shorter, less intense finish than typical Sangiovese blends. Mellow spice, blackberry, cherry, vanilla notes are uncovered by a balanced texture on the palette. Don't let the $13 price mislead you. Excellent buy making an exceptional wine value. Drink now, with or without food. Tasted 2013 vintage, January 2016. Limited locations in this country (USA). Ask for it. Enjoy!! — 9 years ago
Pahlmeyer
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2012
If you are a Pinot Noir lover, there are two amazing American wineries. Pahlmeyer and Sea Smoke. This Pahlmeyer 2012 has has a taunting aroma that doesn’t stop. The cherry and medium fruit flavor explodes on the pallet complemented by a finish that doesn’t stop. This winery produces one of America’s truly great Pinot Noirs. — 9 years ago
Gary Smith
This is a single vineyard 2014 Syrah from Bell Canterbury vineyard, block 6 in the Sierra foothills. The wine is unfiltered. I shall write more appropriate tasting notes in the near future, all I can say now is OMG!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!!!!! This wine retails for around $60. — 6 years ago