A Dry Farm Wines Selection

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 1998

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 1998 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and loads of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of dark cherry, mixed brambles, mixed flowers, mushroom, a touch of funk, pine sap, forest floor, a little VA, and a mix of cool and warm spices for good measure. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin medium+ and acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. F***ing awesome. One of the greatest experiences with Zinfandel that I’ve ever had. Drink now through 2038. — 2 days ago

Tom, Pooneet and 13 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Pooneet K I believe Dave was still making the wines in 1998. His daughter Shelly makes the wines now and they are very good…but only time will tell if they have the staying power and personality of her father’s wines.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Rafanelli endures...

Quivira Vineyard and Winery

Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2012

Dry Creek Zinfandel, a long-time favorite. Quivira does it so well. — a month ago

Bonnie Hodur
with Bonnie

A. Rafanelli

Dry Creek Valley Merlot 2017

Opened about 30 minutes prior to service; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2017 Merlot pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with mostly ripe and some tart, black and red fruits: black currants, boysenberry, chocolate covered cherries, purple flowers, new leather, pipe tobacco and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture like a velvet glove. Drink now through 2037+. — 3 months ago

Ely, Tom and 13 others liked this

A. Rafanelli

Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2021 pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of cassis, mixed brambles, plum, tobacco, some red and purple flowers, dried herbs, dry earth and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is still very youthful and, to my palate, its best years are still ahead. Already delicious though. Drink now through 2051+. — a month ago

Tom, Sagee and 6 others liked this

Joseph Phelps Vineyards

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

Somm David T
9.3

Merry Christmas 2025! 🎅🎄🎁 🍷 ❄️ ⛄️

23 yrs since birth and 21 yrs in bottle and the evolution is beautiful. Perfect w/the ribroast.

Fruits still holding with excellent integration. Blackberries, black plum to pudding, strawberries, raspberries, black cherries, sandalwood, soft, dark spices with gentle heat, mocha powder, some milk chocolate, caramel notes, understated graphite, anise to some black licorice, gravel, dry stone, used tobacco & leather, mid berry cola presence, dry twig, moist clays, red, dark florals with a violet frame, excellent acidity, well; made, balanced, tensioned, structured with an elegant finish that lasts nearly two- minutes and falls of soft earthiness & soft spice.
— 12 days ago

Julie, Severn and 11 others liked this

Produttori del Barbaresco

Barbaresco Nebbiolo

Floral notes on the nose — roses, hibiscus, plus mint, and the dry fragrance of sun-bleached wood. Strawberries on the front. Medium tannic structure. Black tea high notes with hint mint on the mid palate. Citrusy finish with long acidic afterburn. My description fails in that it makes it sound like a light and floral wine. But taken altogether, this is wine is rock solid, and it hasn’t even begun to develop. — 17 days ago

Dry Creek Vineyard

Hillside & Benchland Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Surprisingly light and fruity for a Cabernet! Made me think of more of a Grenache/Rhone varietal blend than Cab. Red fruit forward with lots of raspberry, a touch of strawberry & blackberry, and a hint of spice. Not what I'd expect from a California Cab but nice nonetheless! — 23 days ago

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2012

Fantastic out of a magnum, normally don’t like Zin but this is a special wine. Both dark and red fruits, medium tannins, very expressive. Not jammy at all. Delicious for thanksgiving. — a month ago

Joel, Andrew and 1 other liked this

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2003

A bit of a disappointment on the bottle of LB. The nose was enticing with nice dark fruit and a hint of tobacco. Wine was tannic and a tad dry on the palate - and mouthfeel was not well rounded. Finish felt quite short Not a well balanced wine — 11 days ago

David Stein
with David
Tyler and LM liked this

Château d'Esclans

Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé Blend 2024

A little dry and a little sweet. A great blend. — 3 months ago