Shay A

9.3

93+

Opened for a quarterly BNO (theme was Cali cabs pre-2016 and Alsatian whites) alongside a 2012 Gustave Lorentz Grand Cru Kanzlerberg Pinot Gris.

My last of three bottles, and all three showed a bit of variation. The second bottle I opened up in Jan of this year was a bit more powerful and leaned toward the darker fruit spectrum whereas this one was very much classical and pure red-fruit driven.

Pulled the cork two hours before consuming. Everything about this wine spoke to a classical style of Cali cab before ripeness got pushed to the limit. Most people agreed this wine showed a good bit of youth. Aromatics of dark cherries, raspberries, red/purple potpourri, hint of graphite. Very fresh and juicy on the palate with ripe red fruits, some herbs and earthiness and a fantastic spine of acidity running through. Even after two hours of being open and consumed over the next 2-3hrs, the tannin at the finish was grippy and paired well with a rich short rib. My friend next to me brought an ‘05 Stag’s Leap Cellars SLV which showed more French in style while also being very much in the “not getting better” territory.

I had a full glass worth to follow the next day and it was beautifully integrated a touch more. If this bottle is as the norm, I’d say it has a couple more years in this lovely window before turning more tertiary. — 14 hours ago

Ed Chin

9.3

Big polished and showing a hint of heat. Happily the oak isn’t too pronounced. For me this baby needs time. — a month ago

Paul J

9.2

PnP. Lovely dark purple color. A little hot on the nose with stewed cherries, rhubarb, and licorice. Same on the palate minus the OH. Good texture yet flavor fades some. Solid wine for the price. — 2 months ago

with Brooke

Andrea Watt

9.0

Plum and pepper with a touch of leather. — 2 months ago

Dave

9.3

Found it! This is a light-handed Zin, and very delicious. Thanks for the recommendation! @Doug Powers @Anthony De Blasi
Listening to a little Depeche Mode!! — 2 months ago

romo

9.2

A bit of the old house style, not as focused as the recent 2013. Still a reference in balance for CA. — 4 months ago

Jocholla

9.0

Lemon, biscuit, green apple, some herbal note, crisp bubbles. Nice Thursday pour. — 16 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.3

Oak, leather, blackberry, and hazelnut. Richer and bolder than I expected for the age. — a month ago

Andrea Watt

9.5

More fruit forward with cherry and blackberry over oak. Bright and fresh. — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.2

Decant and pour. An amazing still dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: subtle notes of dark fruit, worn leather, herbaceous, pencil shavings, mint. Taste: savory, silky, elegant wine with some dried cherry/red plum, currants, tobacco, spice, earth, coffee grounds and a medium plus finish. YUM!!! Drinking beautifully for its age on this rain for an hour cool afternoon in Napa. — 2 months ago

with Brenda

Tom Garland

9.5

+1 hour decant(lots of fine/cloudy sediment). A splendid still inky dark garnet with bricking. On the nose: expressive notes of dark red fruit, currants, smoked meat, tobacco leaf, scorched earth, nutmeg. Taste: silky, layered, rich wine with ripe blackberry/blueberry, earth, baking spice, chocolate, and a long minerally espresso never-ending finish. YUM!! — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Jenn

9.2

Very nice and truly enjoyed. — 3 months ago

Gregg Siegal

9.2

A gift from a friend, this is lovely, with a bit of tobacco on the nose and lively cherry and strawberry flavors on the palate. The finish goes on and on. — 3 months ago

Heather Rostker

9.6

Excellent — 5 months ago

with Emmett and Brian

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.1

2022 vintage. Nice but overpriced by miles, not kilometers. 7.1.26. — 25 days ago

Norman

9.4

How can you not enjoy these? — 19 days ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Deep purple in color with a wide purplish rim.

Strong nose of red and purple fruits with light wood, spices, chocolates, herbs, black pepper and light earth.

Dry on the palate with sweet cherries, blueberries, black currants, light oak, chocolates, earth, spices, black pepper, tobacco leaf and dark coffee.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This is a delicious Single Vineyard Zinfandel from Alexander Valley in California. Fruit forward and elegant. Rich and nicely balanced, complex and entertaining. Alcohol is nicely integrated by now.

Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

A blend of 88% Zinfandel and 12% Petite Sirah, from old vines. Aged in (10% new) French Oak barrels for 15 months.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$55. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

The Calling “Dutton Ranch” Chardonnay 2023
Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma County, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A very expressive and generously styled Chardonnay sourced from the legendary Dutton Ranch vineyards, one of Sonoma’s most respected grower sites. The Calling crafts this bottling with a fruit-driven and naturally energetic personality, allowing the vineyard character to shine through without excessive winemaking manipulation. A Russian River Chardonnay that leans vibrant and mouthwatering rather than overly buttery or heavy.

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy tangerine, lemon curd, Honeycrisp apple, and ripe pear immediately jump from the glass. As the wine opens, layers of lemon verbena, ginger, citrus zest, jasmine, and subtle green tea nuances begin to unfold, adding complexity and freshness to the profile.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with a rounded yet energetic texture. Bright acidity keeps the wine lively and refreshing while the fruit concentration gives it a generous California richness. The finish is persistent, citrus-driven, and beautifully mouthwatering.

Food Pairings
Excellent with roasted chicken, buttery seafood dishes, crab cakes, grilled salmon, creamy risotto, or triple cream cheeses.

Verdict
A compelling Russian River Chardonnay that balances generosity and freshness extremely well. The Dutton Ranch fruit gives this wine a very polished and expressive character while still maintaining tension and precision. Rich enough for California Chardonnay lovers, yet vibrant enough to remain highly approachable.

Did You Know?
Dutton Ranch is one of Sonoma’s most iconic multigenerational vineyard sources, supplying grapes to numerous top-tier California producers. Their cool-climate Russian River fruit is especially prized for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thanks to the region’s fog influence and long growing season.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is the type of Chardonnay that reminds you why Russian River Valley became world famous for the style in the first place. Expressive, mouthwatering, and dangerously easy to revisit glass after glass. Cheers! — 2 months ago

Daniel Akers

9.3

Like a fine burgundy, delicious — 3 months ago

Bob Boyle

9.3

Perfectly balanced, no browning on the edges, long finish — 5 months ago