Jay Kline

9.4

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of very fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe with some tart and drying fruits: cassis, blackberries, pipe tobacco, Serrano pepper, purple flowers, leather, and a pleasant mix of cool 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 long and the alcohol is medium+. FWIW, this is an impressive wine on the nose and the palate.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend there of) or Sangiovese-blend, or Tempranillo (or blend) from the United States, France, Italy or Spain. However, the shear generosity of fruit and lavish oak treatment leads me to Napa. Additionally, there’s a structure that gives me mountain fruit vibes. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, 2015. Perhaps I was trying to be a bit too clever but scoring lots of points nonetheless. Probably one of the more memorable, contemporary Freemark Abbey’s I’ve had. Really impressive. Drink now through 2050. — 3 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and citrus fruits with toasty aromas, aged in about 35% new oak. On the palate flavors of melon and peach with lemon citrus zest and nutty vanilla notes, good balanced with acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit, oak and mineral character. — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Boars’ View “The Coast” Pinot Noir 2018
Fort Ross–Seaview AVA, Sonoma Coast, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Handcrafted by Thomas Rivers Brown at the dramatic West Sonoma Coast site, this Pinot Noir highlights maritime fog, Goldridge loam soils, and heritage clones. The 2018 “Coast” includes 100% heritage clones—Calera, Mt. Eden, and Swan—meticulously fermented and aged to express both elegance and power.  

Aromas & Flavors
Plush and aromatic: expect cranberry compote, lavender, sandalwood, and hints of violet. On the palate, it delivers black cherry, plum paste, nutmeg, quince, forest floor, and licorice—all layered over a finely tuned mineral edge.  

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet refined. Silky tannins and well-integrated acidity support rich fruit without heaviness. A harmonious finish unfolds with persistence and grace.  

Winemaking Notes
Destemmed fruit underwent fermentation and then aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 50% new, from François Frères, Remond, and Gauthier cooperages. The result is focused power with nuanced oak influence.  

Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled duck, game birds, roasted pork, or truffle-scented risotto. Its depth and savory complexity also pair beautifully with hearty stews or mushroom-forward dishes. 

Verdict
Boars’ View “The Coast” PINOT NOIR 2018 is a masterclass in West Coast Pinot—intensely flavorful, texturally rich, and meticulously crafted. A cellar-worthy wine with both grace and longevity. A rare Napa-level Pinot Noir priced in the $145–160 range. Cheers! — 9 months ago

Lauren

9.4

Very good and buttery! Amazing for $20 — 3 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2015 vintage. From magnum. 2.20.26. — 3 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.1

Very good Rutherford Merlot. Dark cherries and berries with red plum. Classic Rutherford dustiness. — 6 months ago

with Angelina

Eric Jasso

9.0

Perhaps too young at 9? Cranberry almost orange creamsicle like nose with thicker jammy body notes of licorice all throughout and a sharp finish — 2 years ago

Kelly Perkins

9.3

One of the more expensive wines we have tried. Very good flavor and enjoyed with steak. Good pairing — 22 days ago

Mark

9.2

Big oaky flavor matched with strong tannins. This wine can cellar a few more years. Nice fruit with cherry and strawberry finishes. Nice wine that is pairing well with smoked pork tenderloin. — 4 months ago

with Jeron and Jessica

Tom Garland

9.1

Double decant for sediment(lots of chunky sediment) and pour. A remarkable dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: expressive perfumed notes of cherry, currants, dark olives, worn leather, wet forest floor, smoked meat. Taste: silky, savory, elegant wine with fading dried cherries, tobacco, dark chocolate, bell pepper, earth, and a nice mineral, espresso medium plus finish. YUM! Never disappointed with well aged Bosche or Sycamore wines — 8 months ago

with Brenda