Seth Masterson

9.3

Vintage California Chard can be fun!
Livermore - which wasn't a populated suburb in 2001 - produced this. It's almost turning to white sherry,.Stewed pear, stewed apple, candied apple, dried dates, dried figs.
Very fun. Still has an acidity that keeps it present. Alcohol content is still there too which helps carry all of this down without being cloying. — 14 hours ago

Seth Masterson

8.9

Uruguay, eh? And 5 years of bottle conditioning has given this blend a subtle Lemon Pledge odor (benzene aromas) and a nice, thick but not quite unctuous mouth feel. The 30% Chardonnay keeps it fresh and a little bit lively. Also some of those tropical fruit notes that I have picked out in Brazilian chardonnays.
Interesting enough to pick up a bottle. The family's history is from Piedmont, 2nd and 3rd generation now growing 30 acres (or was it hectares?) of estate grapes. — a month ago

Seth Masterson

9.4

This comes out of the bottle fully charged up and swinging for the stands!
There is so much nose I wouldn't have pegged it as straight white Burgundy on nose alone - there's a feast under your nostrils of figs, ultra ripe bosc pears, caramel or maybe jaggery, hay or straw, and candied lemon peel 🍋
The texture is thick, regal and opulent.
A lingering finish that carries those straw, hay and lemon peel notes to the back of your mouth.
Chapeau bas monsieur Boussey! — 3 months ago

Seth Masterson

9.0

I don't get to try too many 100% Mourvèdre and last time I did I think my comment was "this is why it's always blended" but this one is great! And from a surprising region — 12 days ago

Seth Masterson

9.0

A very distinct nose. Peach skins and something like tarragon plus cherry blossoms. It gives me the sense of fresh spring water flowing through a cherry orchard in April. Too drippy? I'm sticking to it. — 21 days ago

Seth Masterson

9.2

Delicious Chocolate over dried fruit notes with nice dry floral notes. A very nice nebbiolo without face ripping tannins- a good sipper but also would pair well with the lighter side of Italian foods. — 2 months ago

Seth Masterson

9.2

This is a Delicious blend that I've never seen.
Really interesting notes after it opened up - caraway and fennel, lots of blue fruit,
Great balance of acids and fruit and tannins.
I've never found a Malbec that I really liked - now I know that all you have to do is blend it with Merlot! — 3 months ago

Seth Masterson

9.1

Coombsville Napa Syrah. Small 3 barrel production. Interesting that I get coconut both on the nose and in the after taste so I thought there had to be some American oak in there but was assured by the wine maker it was 100% French. Half new.
Nice mouthfeel - a balance of silk and acids. 5 years old and would love to re-visit at 10. — 21 days ago

Seth Masterson

9.1

2023 Albarino
The first Cali Albarino that would trick me into running this hails from Gaelacia.
Distinct salinity,lemon and lime pith. — 21 days ago

Seth Masterson

9.1

Well isn't this a nice little surprise.
Zero info on the blend. Maybe an old Sonoma field blend - or maybe whatever they could get their hands on that year.
Definitely notes of Sauvignon Blanc- (besides that it has a distinctly silver hew) lemon, lime, grass, mineral, green apple. But there is something else there - maybe our friend Al - Albarino was invited to the pressing party too because there is almost a salinity to this and I don't think this is a Sonoma cost wine (well, maybe?).
The point it that it's really tasty and it's a screw top so I guess I'll just keep unscrewing and pouring myself glasses through the night. — 2 months ago