Isaac Pirolo

9.2

Isaac had this 11 days ago

with Julie, April and 2 others

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

Isaac had this 19 days ago

with Mike, Craig and 4 others

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Proof that, indeed, there is truth in wine.

While Heidi Barrett makes her only Chardonnay and Spring Mountain Cabernet for Fantesca, my understanding is she will not make Pinot Noir. That responsibility falls on Fantesca’s Associate Winemaker Tony Arcudi, who also makes wine under his eponymous label in addition to consulting for Kapcsandy.

Fantesca’s 2014 King Richard’s Reserve is sourced from a selection of prime vineyards in Russian River Valley including Bacigalupi, Ulises Valdez, and Martinelli. Reminiscent of my experiences with Williams Selyem Pinot Noir. A rich, yet beautiful expression of Pinot Noir that juxtaposes lush raspberry and black cherry against a backdrop of herbs, flowers, and forest floor. The balance between opulence and restraint is where the beauty lies. — a month ago

Isaac Pirolo

8.9

Isaac had this 12 days ago

with April, Jeff and 4 others

Isaac Pirolo

9.0

Isaac had this 14 days ago

with Dean

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

Soigné Saignée or should it be Saignée Soigné? No matter, this is excellent. 100% Pinot Noir that is rosé because of skin contact and not due to the addition of still red wine. Extraordinary complexity and yet there’s a distinctive voice to it. Strawberry, loads of herbs, with a gamy character and a lively attitude. Superb. — a month ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

Isaac had this 2 months ago

with Shay

Isaac Pirolo

9.0

Isaac had this 13 days ago

with Julie and Dean

Isaac Pirolo

9.5

Another wine I was introduced to by Monica Stevens of 750 wines. The Shifflett Ranch and Vineyards is situated at the end of Darms Lane in the Oak Knoll AVA of Napa Valley.

William & Mary Wine Co. is the creation of Will Segui and his wife Mary. The fruit is sourced from the Shifflett Vineyard, where Will’s mother-in-law is a Shifflett and the family has owned the property since the late 1940s. It’s worth noting that Will has been the only employee of @riversmariewines for many years. He has long run the operations there along with being an understudy of Thomas Rivers Brown. Needless to say, I was excited to finally taste the wine.

The 2016 William & Mary Wine Co Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflett Vineyard displays enveloping aromatics of cassis, blueberry, tobacco, earth, pen ink, and meat. There’s a beautiful interplay between its juxtaposition of vibrant flavor intensity and mellow demeanor, which exemplifies just how balanced the wine is. After several hours decanted the darker, secondary notions of graphite, cocoa powder, creosote, and espresso continue encroachment on the palate in an almost infectious manner. There’s a tightness to the wine that almost surprises because of how immediately approachable it is. Have no doubt it will benefit from years in the cellar, but damn, if it’s not delicious now. — a month ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.6

Isaac had this 2 months ago

with Shay