Ming L

9.0

A summer delight. — 5 days ago

Steve Rura

9.0

This rosé is everywhere in Switzerland. I think it’s the 4th time I’ve had it. Got this bottle at the train station lol. Very concentrated. Strong acidity, strawberry and orange. Mouth watering finish with a touch of lavender and Provençal herbs. I can see why they like it so much here. Screams European summer (or après-ski on a sunny afternoon). Not fussy, but still elevated. — 10 months ago

Jody's Mostly Natty

9.0

Well, day one presented a fresh tart delight with some plum or cranberry and a little "woodsy-ness" for funk. Day two the mouse crept in. Drink it fast. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy Spring! It’s one of our favorite points in the year. More; daylight, a little warmer in CA and everything starts to bloom which, means a long summer of gardening and being outdoors every day/night is not far off.

Since it was such a great day and basically most Californians are shut-Ins, the voluntary self quarantining was getting to me. I did the landscaping and got an afternoon of fresh air today. A breath of fresh air...ahhh! Wow, was it needed after Gavin’s Newsom’s estimate of 25.5 million Californians would be infected with Coronavirus over 8 weeks yesterday.

So, a good night to celebrate another day of being virus free with my 2nd favorite N/V Rosé Champagne.

All my numerous previous notes apply.

Stay safe everyone and remember the new terminology of the new decade...social distancing! Cheers! 🍾🥂

Photos of; Spring in our backyard & a Billecart Grand Cru Vineyard.

— 6 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Amazing, dry and aromatic Gewürztraminer. Clear straw color. Aromas of Turkish delight, honey and lychee. Flavors of rose petals, lychee, orange and a ginger finish. — 6 years ago

Julie Lanning

9.5

This 1996 needed a little time to open up Once it did, it was a true delight. Of course, my husband’s charm make the wine a big winner — 7 years ago

Shay A

9.2

Forgot to post these from the other day. Mark, Dan and I were able to enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the wine storage facility, and some unique stuff was opened, as always!

Don’t think I’ve ever had this PM Chardonnay. Great nose of salted popcorn kernel and the finish had a mineral & stone driven note. Hint of caramel too. Probably in its best drinking window. Thanks Dan. — 8 years ago

with Dan and Mark

Meredith Moody

9.0

The lemonade of wines! I am a big sauvignon blanc fan, but my parents never really drink ones from New Zealand, and this made me wish I had known about it sooner. So refreshing and almost makes you pucker with how tart it is. This wine begs to be drank by the pool. Grapefruit forward, but had a grassy and herbal note that kept it grounded. Clean, acidic and crisp. I would serve this colder than class has taught me to because it is a summer delight. — 2 months ago

Miranda

9.0

A delight, as always 🤍 — 5 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Pale ruby color. Aromas of Turkish delight, strawberries and baking spices. Homemade chili, cornbread and Gamay... it works. — 5 years ago

Andrew Formi

9.1

2019... just a great Sunday afternoon pandemic wine — 6 years ago

Sam Lee

9.0

Vivid and good acidity, like a charming wine and suitable for whatever events, from movie night to date night or bruncheon or afternoon chillout 🍕
Crisp floral citrusy-fruity and minerals texture
Refreshing bright 🏙
A #tbt reviews — 6 years ago

Bill Bender

9.2

Moving fuel. 42 year old Tempranillo and a uniquely American delicacy to celebrate Independence Day 🧀 🇺🇸 I’m unpacking boxes and listening to the Padres vs Dodgers so other than the wine I’m full throttle Americana today. The Vina Todonia cork dropped in to the bottle immediately upon contact from the Durand so I was not hopeful....but it’s totally intact and it presents with significant bricking in the decanter with expected brown and red tones and is chock full of secondary notes of burnt fig, savory smoke, cigar and soil. Soft tannins and waning acidity but it seems to be putting on “weight” as the afternoon progresses. Another solid showing from this producer at an advanced age. Great stuff. Happy 4th of July to all!! 🍎 ⚾️ 🍷 ☀️ — 7 years ago

Galen Antle

9.9

As close to perfect as you can imagine or taste. Immediately bursting with aromatics and brilliant color. The apricot and honey and peach and flowers are exceptional and constantly shifting in complexity and mid-palate sensation. This wine gently wraps your palate in a cool little blanket while you close your eyes and imagine yourself in an afternoon picnic somewhere in Sauternes. Relax man, you are drinking the juice of kings. — 8 years ago

John Bratincevic

9.4

Nose: brambly cassis, graphite.

TASTE: the nose plus charcoal and lavender. Wow! So much purpley goodness. A delight! 94. — 9 months ago

J Ferrugia

9.0

Laura Bianchi and her team continue the long family tradition of making beautiful wines. This marvelous Chianti is a good example. Its traditional style exhibits a layered structure of ripe cherry fruit & herbs accented with light tannins that make it a delight to drink. The wine is at its peak. Enjoy it! — 4 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.2

The 2018 Il Bruciato is a gorgeous wine that captures the essence of the Antinori family’s Guado al Tasso estate in Bolgheri. Rich, creamy and ample on the palate, Il Bruciato is an absolute delight today. Blackberry jam, chocolate, spice and licorice are front and center. This opulent, heady Tuscan red has so much to offer. I would prefer to catch it on the young side. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

For all of you that drink; SQN, Cayuse & Horsepower, if you haven’t tried a well aged Rostaing, you are missing the best aspect of Syrah.

Côte de Rôtie translates in English into Roasted Slope. That’s exactly what this wine defines.

The Ampodium is a blend of 7-8 different Rhône vineyards. 2010 a dynamic vintage in Northern Rhône.

I bought this recently at auction and it has been decently stored but not quite ideally stored.

The nose reveals; roasted chestnut, stewed; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries on the high nose & backend of the fruit, used coffee grounds, soft leather, dry tobacco, savory meats, dark, moist soils, anise to black licorice, fresh sage & bay leaf with candied; dark, red, blue, purple florals in a field of lavender.

The palate is; fresh, ripe, juicy, elegant and nicely resolved. The structure, tension, balance and length are perfect. It is for the palates that love elegance & beauty, not brawn & ABV. Roasted chestnut, stewed; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, raspberries, dark cherries, juicy, ripe strawberries backend of the fruit, used coffee grounds, soft leather, dry tobacco, savory meats, smoke, dark, moist soils, anise to black licorice, light purple cola, fresh sage & bay leaf with candied; dark, red, blue, purple florals in a field of lavender. The acidity is round & stream like. The finish is in perfect balance, harmony that settled softy yet speaks volumes.

Paired with the Cardiff Chipotle Tri-tip. The best Tri-tip we’ve had. You can order at CardiffCrack.com. Not inexpensive though. The best never is!

Photos of; me in the La Landonne Vineyard, Rene Rostaing and our tour with Pierre Rostaing in their La Landonne Vineyard. What an afternoon!

Producer notes, Pierre (son of Rene & now Winemaker) uses up to 100% of the stems - believing they contribute to Côte Rôtie’s ineffable perfume. Macerations last from 7 to 20+ days, and the wines enjoy a long élevage in a mix of barrels and time-honored pièce for aging, so that no more than 15% of a given vintage sees new wood. — 6 years ago

with James and Christina

Ian Pecoraro

9.5

Perfect everyday white. Aromatic, fruity florals with notes of lychee, white peach, and apple blossom with a Meyer lemon candy twist. — 7 years ago

Victor Charcan

9.1

A delight. Ocean saltiness, a hint of tropical fruit, good body and acidity. — 7 years ago