Donald Williams

9.4

Wonderful example of a well-made Pinot Noir. — 15 days ago

with Bonnie

Gustavo

9.9

MJ e Rod. 2024 — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec, originally founded by Rod Strong in 1959. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. Deep Ruby red with aromas of dark fruit, floral and herbs. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cherry and sweet currants with cacao and espresso notes. Full-body, well balanced with fine tannins on a long finish. Very Nice! — 4 years ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Whoa there’s so much happening from cream soda and orange blossoms to vanilla lime livelyness…with a lightning rod running through-eth — 4 years ago

Akshata Singh

9.3

Velvety without being dry. — 5 years ago

Akshata Singh

9.7

My all time favourite — 6 years ago

Aura Novembre

9.5

Lasagna lunch with Cheryl, Pat, Antonio, and George — 7 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.3

Fabulous bottle starting to come into its own. Round, full, and deep but with enough tannin to give perfect balance. Nice complexity. First I’ve tried from this maker but definitely not the last. With Rod and chef Boulud at cellar raid — 8 years ago

with Rocket

Dave

9.0

This wine smells like it's late to the party, but it tastes like it's 1999. Pucker up! Bright, tart cherries. Blackberries and mint. Cedar and tea leaves. Tannins are mellow and this wine has a smooth lengthy finish. A great value Napa!
Listening to Rod Stewart. — 5 months ago

Ron R

9.4

It’s been years since I tasted this wine. Indeed, I was drinking the stuff made by Dr Bailey Carrodus before he passed. I’m pleased to note that the current winemaker hasn’t stepped off the reservation.
Nose is brambly and dense. Notes of figs, dates and cedar waft from the glass. Not as dense on the mid-palate as i recall, but well balanced, with no overbearing oak. Texture on the palate invokes a crunchy mouthfeel. This will benefit from more cellaring, but drinking very well right now.
Thanks to @Bob McDonald for reminding me how much I have missed this wine. — 2 years ago

with Anne-marie

Martin Bergo

9.1

From Jerez and the Sherry grape palomino fino; straw yellow heavy on the swirl with a bunch of rod-like filamentous residue that sinks to the bortom of the glass; marsipan, ripe tangerines and boquets of wildflowers dominate the nose; taste is austere, low-medium acids, and clearly sherry-like, the structure reminds me of a north Rhône viognier. Well made and fresh and excellent with Beemster! — 5 years ago

Clivia Maria Green

9.3

Very smooth with subtle fruity flavours light and refreshing — 6 years ago

Collier S. Wiese

9.3

What a cherry wine should be! — 6 years ago

Chloe Breider

10

From Rod, KO fave — 7 years ago

Jamie Milton

9.6

Possibly the best Sauvignon Blanc I’ve ever had. Very smooth, tasty. Not too tart. Well balanced. — 7 months ago

Doug Powers

9.4

From an old Russian River vineyard planted in 1910, checking in at 12.5% ABV, this is a remarkable old-vine Mourvèdre that shows tree bark, redfruits, and amazing freshness and acidity given its 28 years old, great complexity and length, I can’t remember the production level, but guessing at most 100 or so cases, simply another great wine made by Rod Berglund at Swan!! — 8 months ago

with Jim

Bob McDonald

9.2

See previous note from January 2022. Has lost its primary red fruited characters of raspberry and strawberry from its youth. More musky and earthy these days. From 72 year old Grenache vines in the Old McDonald vineyard in McLaren Vale. Steve Pannells winemaking touch still evident with excellent material - a great combination. — 4 years ago

Peter Coulthard

9.4

Naked. Even better than last time. Seems to have aged well — 5 years ago

Ron R

9.5

Petaluma Tiers - In my mind, a first-growth chard from down under.
I spat my pacifier out when the cork disintegrated, but I need not have been concerned.
The visual presentation is stunning - look at that golden color in the glass. The nose displays roasted almonds, nutmeg, toasted bread and white fruits.
Palate is regal, revealing poise, layers and complexity. The mouthfeel is dense, while notes of nuts, exotic fruits and oak are layered. The acidity provides a frame for the overall structure. The almost undetectable oxidation is to be expected, but that just adds to what is a stunning example.
@Bob McDonald, any backstories to share?
Pairing this with filet and porcini mushrooms (which I have never cooked) 😱 — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie, Eric and 2 others

C J

9.4

Ripe red fruit throughout. Nice silky tannins. Was best after a few hours. Great value. — 7 years ago

with DL