Nicholas Franklin 
Martian Ranch & Vineyard
Stellar Viognier 2014
Rich and soft but lightly textured, with a fresh finish. Expected floral aromas have a cool salty iodine edge. Not sure about long aging, but in any case a great value. — 8 years ago
Sella & Mosca
Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna 2011
Brett! The funk assimilates well with a little air though, ended up liking it. Juicy acidity. — 8 years ago
Varner
Los Alamos Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Deliciously savory CA pinot noir. Fall leaves, smoky earth, dried flowers and gentle red fruits. Comes across old world for sure. Totally fascinating wine to watch evolve over a long meal. Cook up anything with portobello or porcini, or duck breasts. — 7 years ago
Lilbert-Fils
Cramant Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay
Nicholas had this 8 years ago
Domaine Les Beaux Regards
Michel Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Very nice. Aromatics are somewhat subtle, but it's refreshing and complex with lingering verve. Lots of wet rocks, white flowers, passion fruit and a streak of honeydew. Had it with chicken and a white wine caper and mustard sauce, was great. — 8 years ago
Presqu'ile Winery
Santa Maria Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Seriously delicious CA Sauv blanc. A third stainless, third concrete, a third neutral oak. Wet rock minerality, blossoms, cut jalapeño all in the mix. Plenty racy but with a mouth coating texture too, edges are soft. Just a precise point of ripeness with the 2014. — 9 years ago
Domaine Pichat (Stéphane Pichat)
Löss Côte-Rôtie Syrah 2015
2015 is deep and sleek--dark cherry and cassis all loaded up with stem-spice, violets, and smoky pepper. Classic. Very youthful now but lots to enjoy already. — 7 years ago
Weingut Weszeli
Loiserberg Kamptal Riesling 2015
Strong mineral and crunchy Asian pear notes, lacy kerosene around the edges. Drinks refreshingly bitter, quinine/good tonic. Nervy, clean, refreshing! — 8 years ago
Clos Henri
Petit Clos Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Great Sauv blanc for 18 bucks. Comes from the NZ arm of a Sancerre winemaking family and it shows. Not typical NZ sauv blanc with grassy grapefruit. More old world with cat piss aromatics and on the more minerally side of the tracks. Good persistence. — 8 years ago
Nicholas Franklin
Manly comes to mind first, with incense smoke, palo santo, and sandalwood up front. Toasty dusty earth notes, graphite and sage intermingle too, while some rose petal pokes out as the only thing feminine in a very masculine wine. Tannins are firm and fine, giving clench and virility throughout a moderately long finish. Could use a bit more color but I'm not complaining... — 7 years ago