Aaron Tan

9.0

Another blind I found tiring to drink and impossible to identify in my current state. In hindsight, the latter makes sense given the Todos is always a kitchen sink blend (50% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petite Sirah, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Sangiovese, 2% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Viognier, 1% Sauvignon Blanc, 1% Sémillon) - the structure would expectedly be quite misleading. In any case, credit where credit is due, I still did identify the wine to be a new world red blend. The fruit was just too clean and concentrated to be from the old world, which was just plain glaring in a blind line-up of mostly Rioja's. Plus, you can definitely feel the alcohol here. Heaps of black fruits, with some blue fruits thrown in the mix, along with earth, meat and five-spice powder framing the fruit. The tannin structure was all over the place - medium-to-high levels, which started on the front of the palate and ended in the gums. Again, I thought it might have been a Cabernet-dominated blend with that sense of structural hollowness in the mid-palate, but the fruit just kept piling in (definitely a blend!). Unfortunately, I didn't detect any of the floral or peppery notes that I relate to Syrah (which dominates this blend), so I definitely could not have called that. Whether that's to do with my tasting capacity or the fact that the wine has yet to open up when I tasted, that requires further study although I can't say I'd like to. It's just too tiring to drink, despite it's distinct complexity in the line-up. WOTN for a few in the group. — 2 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.5

Five single-vineyard CA Pinots vs 5 Burgs: Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanee + three 1er Crus Beaunes. All 2005s. Rob Jensen, owner, and Sue Ryan, lead wine educator at Testarossa joined our group for the tasting. My fave of the night! — 10 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

A lineup of 10 August West and Roar Pinots, 2007-2011, all made by wine maker Ed Kurtzman, who attended our tasting! This one was meaty and elegant, my #2 of the group. — 10 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Very excited to try this Grenache from Randall Grahm’s new project. It’s super young and was too tight to really evaluate on night 1, so these are night 2 notes.

The color is light-ish, but the nose is inviting, with loads of bright cherry/strawberry fruit, spice, and lovely crushed gravel minerality. Soft in the mouth, the flavors are relatively intense but it maintains a medium weight and silky feel. Great purity and balance. Not a dense wine that will demand attention at a tasting, but a really fine dinner accompaniment (I’m having beef tacos). — 6 months ago

Tom Wildenhaus

9.1

This was fun. Great work by Dauo. The 2010 was the favorite of the tasting group. Bold with wonderful fruit, subtle tannins. 2011 had bit less mouthfeel, with a little more acid than the others, good fruit, medium tannins. 2012 was great, still has strong tannins, bold fruit. Happy Birthday Megan! — 9 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.2

Five single-vineyard CA Pinots vs 5 Burgs: Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanee + three 1er Crus Beaunes. All 2005s. Rob Jensen, owner, and Sue Ryan, lead wine educator at Testarossa joined our group for the tasting. Great wine, meaty — 10 months ago

Tyrone Shaw

8.9

Dark berries with a nice jammy bite at the end. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

The fruit for this wine come from the Soberanes vineyard which was planted in 2006 but already highly regarded. The vineyard is cared for by the Pisoni and Fanscioni families. Brought to Tasting Group and presented double-blind. The wine pours a deep purple color with a near opaque core. On the nose, the wine is slightly smokey with purple flowers, blue and black fruit, and wood. On the palate, blue fruits, olive brine and black pepper. Medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The finish is long, dusty and earthy. Only one person called Central Coast Syrah with other guesses ranging from Northern Rhone to Cabernet Sauvignon to Malbec. While I found this to be really enjoyable, I think some time in the cellar will allow this to come together. Only 4 barrels produced. — 8 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.3

Five single-vineyard CA Pinots vs 5 Burgs: Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanee + three 1er Crus Beaunes. All 2005s. Rob Jensen, owner, and Sue Ryan, lead wine educator at Testarossa joined our group for the tasting. This Siduri made a strong showing at #4. — 10 months ago

Eric Urbani

9.1

I believe this is a relatively new project for Jim - great execution as always — 2 years ago