Mark Osmers

9.7

You can’t say much more than this is perhaps the finest Pinot Noir available.
It opens up bright, but mid pallet brings on more complex flavors than you’d expect from a Pinot grape. Finish is a bit earthy and delightful.

Thank you Brewer-Clifton for this wonderful Pinot Noir. — a year ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.2

Hey, Delectable— this is the Visions 2018 North Coast Pinot, but the ID wasn’t available.

Unabashedly ripe and warm, but with a distinctive umami flavor (hoisin sauce?) that I’m really digging. Black cherry, black plum and even blue fruit on the nose and palette. Lovely satiny texture. Medium + finish.

Hedonistic in the way you’d expect from a winemaker mentored by the Wagners, but the suppleness and umami notes make this wine stand out in a sea of north coast Pinot Noir, and the absence of new oak lets the fruit do the taking. Perfect with chicken lettuce wraps and haricot verts smothered in Madeira mushroom cream sauce.

Owner/founder, Mac Macdonald, has been making his own California Pinot Noir for more than 25 vintages now and it shows. Side note: he’s also one of the better story tellers in the biz.

Initially sampled as part of a tasting with the #AAAV (Association of African American Vintners) and took the bottle home.
— 5 years ago

Todd White

10

Really enjoyed. Softer tannins, old world earthy. This is a classic Pauillac. Hard to drink other wine when I know this is available! — 6 years ago

Louis Martin

9.5

Another amazing Stag’s Leap Cabernet. Dark fruit and rich, supple tannings. Only available to Club members. — 7 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.3

Getting better and better. Syrah based Idaho wine. Marvelous red blend with subtle tannins and lush red fruit with tobacco, flint hints. Great complexity. Available at Capitol Cellars. A steal!!🍷 — 7 years ago

Brian Beyer

9.0

Favorite widely available sauv blanc. Delicious and reliable — 9 years ago

Rob

9.0

Fell in love with the 2012 and bought every available bottle in NC, but enjoying some sweeter 2013 tonight. — 9 years ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Consistent both days. The 2017 Marqués de Riscal “Reserva” pours a deep ruby with a near opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. No signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with dark cherries, ripe bruised strawberries, baked apple, hibiscus, toasted coconut, vanilla, new leather and some baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Medium+ alcohol. A lovely pairing with my sort of modern riff on paella for a quick Tuesday evening meal. More please!

Having enjoyed vintages going back to the early 1980’s, I think Marqués de Riscal “Reserva” is one of the last few, true bargains in the wine world. They are classic in the sense that they are unmistakably Rioja and they have the ability to age for decades. It’s very hard for me to think of another wine that is widely available for under $30 that can drink this well and cellar that long. Let’s enjoy the disparity while we can! — 3 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.2

Chateau Yvonne Blanc 2018: Despite being youthful with a very bright future ahead is so moreish and delicious in its infant stage. Serve 10-12 degrees in your large burgundy glasses and even better after some time in the decanter. And most importantly, make sure to get som while its still available.

Dense concentration on the nose with grilled lemon, ripe peaches and nectarines, honey, blossom a very integrated oak profile and a chalky minerality.
A piercing and electric acidity dominates the palate and cuts through and brings balance to the a full body with a waxy and creamy viscosity. Pronounced flavour intensity with full presence through the complex mid plate. There is definitely a long and very serious finish but falls short from being a hall of famer.

A very smart craftmanship from the artisanal organic and biodynamic Chateau Yvonne, the Saumur Blanc went through malolactic fermenation and spent 12 months in oak (20%) new
— 5 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.3

Particularly virile, full-throttle normale wine for this producer. With the quality of the harvest apparently outstanding at Ronchi, I’m particularly anxious to taste the cru bottling when it becomes available. — 7 years ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7

9.7

My first Jones,
Picked a good vintage to start with, wow this is good!
Found a couple a K&L for $75.00, would of paid $125.00
Unfortunately not available anywhere right now, just checked Wine-Searcher. Every vintage available except 07 — 7 years ago

JT

9.0

Decent for the price ($13) - not a fruit bomb — 8 years ago

JJ Lumia

9.0

Full of earth and black cherry. Smooth and silky. Impressed it was available at a restaurant so scooped it up. Only 2x markup so can't complain about that either. — 9 years ago

Daniel Bloom

9.3

One of the best east coast I.P.A.’s available. No doubt. — 4 years ago

Severn G

9.1

So...I had a birthday a couple weeks back and due to scheduling, my regular bottle finishing team wasn't available until now, so we're finally doing it up in my grand, unique style.

Notes possibly tomorrow, scores honestly tonight.

Decanted 6H.

24-Hour Update:
Nose has cedar, over-ripe cherry, crushed red currant, crisp red pepper slice, old leather, blackberry jam, over-ripe cranberry, black pepper and dry garden soil.
Palate has strawberry jam, tart cherry, dried cherry, orange zest, blackberry fruit gummy, dried tangerine, volcanic rocks and warm molasses cookie.
In a fine spot, anyone holding this in proper storage could probably expect this to live to a 10th birthday. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Moscato d’Asti is available in a 375ml which is a nice size to pop open after a nice meal. A slight effervescence wine with a light golden color. Aromas of sweet fresh stone fruits and citrus layered with a bit of floral spice. On the palate flavors of peaches and apricots with a grape-like character. Medium finish ending with citrus, sweet spice and honey notes. A favorite, great value! Grab a 750ml for a larger crowd! — 6 years ago

Jay Zygmunt

9.0

One of my favorite everyday wines thats widely available — 7 years ago

Misty

9.1

Excellent. Only available at the winery. — 7 years ago

Steven Morgan

Wine Director Formento's

9.4

A reminder that this is hands down the best example of the varietal available — 8 years ago

Matt Trader

9.5

Had the petit the other night, so I was of course tempted to get the main show. 2003 was the oldest I had available so I went for it, and let me tell you.. if you have any in your cellar, I think they'll see another 5-10 years, but baby, the acid is perfect and the flavors are almost fully mature. A lovely intoxication of apricot jam, honey/molasses, decayed hydrangeas, and slight nuttiness on the nose. The pallet was lush and velvety, exhibiting notes of honey, orange blossom, dried apricots, dried pineapples, nutmeg, vanilla, and a bright, but not quite zippy finish. I need more of this..it was spectacular. — 9 years ago