Willie Carter

9.2

California Syrah the way I like it. And I do definitely like it. A really pretty deep dark purple with a wide brim and little cherry red flecks. This nose is just plain silly good and exciting. Plums and raspberries abound here. Blackberries with a touch of fennel go a long way. The olive aromas are jumping out of the glass and my goodness it’s special. There’s a rich meaty, fatty aspect to the nose that just blows me away. Stupendous.

Every wine I have from Big Basin is just as good as the next one. All so good and so well crafted. Hailing from the Rattlesnake Rock vineyard in Santa Cruz and definitely fruit forward. At this age, it’s drinking with more refinement than you may expect. Classy and stylish but never forgets about the fun. A lesson in how to make a big and bold Syrah without even coming close to going overboard. Smoke and grilled meat in the mouth to go with the vibrant red and blue fruits. Black pepper and menthol. The finish is long and fulfilling. Don’t listen to me, seriously don’t. Just go taste it. — 8 days ago

Anthony

9.3

Oh yes. Smooth to the criminal as they say in the Netherlands. — 9 days ago

Dimes

9.1

Giving it a an extra .1 because I was hesitant it came from Livermore — 18 hours ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.5

Such a soulful wine. Spice & cherry on the nose, palate starting to advance, softening tannins, juicy cherry fruit, plenty of fresh acidity, tobacco, leather. Silky texture. Fabulous & a beautiful pairing with entrecôte. — 6 days ago

with Alsu

Doug Powers

9.1

Super fresh and clean Pinot Noir, nice acid and excellent balance, medium-long finish, very nice!! — 15 days ago

with Jim

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; served with cedar plank salmon for Father’s Day. No formal notes but consistent with previous experiences. Bruised strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, mushroom, a kiss of baking spices and a touch of VA. Way more open for business than typical from McHenry at this stage, but the challenges of the vintage explain it all. Drink this vintage now. — 18 days ago

Pablo Sanchez Bosch

9.6

The 2012 Monte Bello has had time to open and develop and it’s now perfect for drinking. It can still hold good for another 10 or more years, but it’s reached it’s prime. Plenty of aroma and flavor, with plum and fig dominating, flavors from the cask (mostly wood and subtle smoke) and some black fruit. A delicious wine, very expensive but still worth the price. — 6 days ago

Dawn E.

9.4

Absolutely an amazing wine! Thank you @Ron R for recommending this! I am experiencing so many elements at the same time. Reminisce of an aged Chenin Blanc where you get creaminess almost wax cheese rind and honey. Picking up an almond sticky bun. Not really acidity but unique freshness of lemon, peaches & yellow apples. Golden hay in color, Med+ body w/ nice long finish. Drinking this w/ a nice chill presents some nice acidity.
Hard not to make a comparison (sigh) to something I paid a lot more for and enjoyed...not so much! Love the balance and 13.5 alc. — 14 days ago

Daniel Bloom

9.2

Brunello in disguise.
Mostly Sangiovese with as they say a small amount of Pugnitello.
Raised up in med toast barrique and tonneaux. I decanted 3 hrs.
N: Big, warm, Black cherry and Liquorice nose.You can sense the wood but it’s not intrusive. Red flowers/ Geraniums, whiff of vanilla.
P:Cherry bomb, souis bois, dirt,( in the best way) charcoal, pencil lead, nice tannic grip, beautiful acid balance. More black/red flowers. Long finish.
Not as “bright “ as many Chianti, rides the “ darkness” of Brunello, weight in between. — 3 days ago

Henry Fuseler

9.0

6/2022. Nice Grenache blend. Full of flavor and a smooth finish.

Mr. Friendly’s — 12 days ago