Michael Wehner

9.6

At a benefit auction… fine bubbles, perfect dryness. Enough of these and I will overbid — 3 months ago

with Margaret

Ronald LaMascus

9.4

Yes! Oh, yes! I think I have a new favorite Cali favorite Merlot! The fruit just jumps out of the bottle upon corking and continues on the nose and into the mouth! Lucious, yummy fruit and even some mild tannins which prolong the taste long afterwards! This is great Merlot for just drinking or with food from steaks and grilled pork or mushrooms and grilled vegetables! Crusty bread and cheese of any sort! Delicious!! — 8 months ago

Rob Brobst III

9.8

2013 Ontogeny Proprietary Red is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot, and 10% Cabernet Franc, coming from some of Russell Bevan’s favorite vineyard sources – Sugarloaf Mountain, Two Dogs, Tin Box and Tench. Quite flavorful, it is exhibiting slightly more new oak than some of the other cuvées, but is still sexy and opulent, with voluptuous texture, low acidity, and oodles of juicy, succulent black and red fruits, licorice, underbrush and a touch of vanillin. An already irresistible beauty, it can be drunk over the next 20 years. — 10 months ago

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

8.9

Pleasantly surprised at this one. Still had lots of flavor for the vintage. Nice acidity and went really well with the pasta we had for dinner. Really nice wine for the price point from a newer (at the time) winery. — 4 years ago

Eric L.

10

Russell hit a home run with this 2011. Wow! — 4 years ago

Joe Weinberger

9.1

Pretty fruit—classic Sangiovese nose. Very nice food wine. — 4 years ago

Rachel Morris

9.0

Delicious! No funk. Light/med body, fruit forward, currants — 5 years ago

Joe Christenson

9.2

Bright, crisp, minerals, and green apple. Nice way to start the Christmas Eve festivities — 6 months ago

Ronald LaMascus

9.2

Now this is Pinot Noir the way it was meant to be! Floral, more subtle and less in your face like Meomi or Belle Glos. The nose is shy upon opening but after a couple of decanter days, it’s really come alive! Excellent with pork or salmon and turkey, it’s great for sipping or pairing. The mouthfeel is excellent and the flavors linger long after your last sip. Never thought California Pinot could be so authentic tasting. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Before I get into the notes, Flora Springs “Trilogy” is one of those wines from my formative years in this wine journey. Subsequently, it holds a special place in my heart. You can probably imagine how excited I was to enjoy the 1994 a vintage I likely drank long ago, out of a double-magnum no less! Giddy.

Popped and poured from double-magnum into red Solo cups and enjoyed her the course of an hour. The 1994 “Trilogy” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated dark and red fruits: brambles, currants, plums, tobacco, old leather, dusty earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is silky. The large format has no doubt had an effect on this wine’s nearly evergreen properties but what a treat! Drink now regardless of format and enjoy this in its full maturity. — 10 months ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Cherry, raspberry preserves, currant, blackberry, licorice and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 4 years ago

Randall Brater

9.1

vanilla and blackberry on the nose.

Smooth and balanced on the palate. Initial hit of acid and ripe fruit gives way to a bit of green pepper before finishing with hints of ripe plums. — 4 years ago

ESF

8.9

On the downslope but still tasty - this was my last anyway... anyone squirreling these away, drink up! — 5 years ago

James Thomas

9.5

Delightful, funky, lightly carbonated, moderately tart. Would be great with cheddar/bleu cheeses. — 5 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed out of red Solo cups over the course of a few hours. The 1994 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with lovely notes of black currants, plums, blackberries, tobacco, purple flowers, leather, baking spices and a mix of organic and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. These mid-90’s vintages of Viader are showing really well right now. Drink now through 2029+. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed from red Solo cups over the course of a few hours. This bottle of the 1966 came to party! The wine pours a garnet color with a near translucent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and loads sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with beautiful notes of black and red currants, Montmorency cherry, tobacco, Poblano pepper, pencil shavings, old leather bound books, espresso, loads of organic and inorganic earth, and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. What a fantastic performance by the ‘66. Drink now though similarly stored examples won’t be falling off a cliff anytime soon. — 8 months ago

Matt Georgopulos

9.5

For a 2018, it's still a little tight, although Spanish wines do tend to last longer on the shelf. A dark luscious red garnet color with a tin-sharp nose of fresh cave mossberry, whatever that is. First taste hits with gooseberry and apricot, super-dry medium-light body wash grabs for another sip as the final taste draws out strawberry jam with a cranberry bread tart finish. — 3 years ago

Randall Brater

9.0

velvety, rich and creamy in texture

orange chocolate, plums, green pepper, dried figs, tart blueberries, red and black currants — 4 years ago

Jordan Costello

9.2

Kiwi style — 4 years ago

Timmer McCarthy

9.6

WOTN... even with the coffee cups and front desk crock screw @Tim McCarthy ! — 5 years ago

with Tim