Robert Ahlstrom

9.0

Ruby translucent, light bodied with strong floral and herbal notes, buttery licorice and dark red fruits, solid RRPN — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Pale lemon in color with a golden hue.

Strong nose of citrus, apples, spices and light minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with yellow apples, melons, lemons, pears, light wood, vanilla, light earth, spices and herbs.

Nice length on the finish with limes and light marzipan.

This is a very tasty Chardonnay from Russian River valley. Spicy,
creamy and entertaining. Fruit forward and elegant. Tangy and interesting.

I've had a few vintages of this wine, and so far the 2019 was my favorite.

Easy drinking and good right out of the bottle. A good quality wine, and good by itself or with food.

100% Chardonnay grapes where aged in (20% new) French Oak barrels for 8 months. A small production of less than 3,000 bottles.

13.9% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$35. — a year ago

Erik Helms

Sommelier/Wine & Beer Buyer Whole Foods Oakland

9.1

Considerably better and with a tripled case production from the prior vintage. Juicy grapefruit, lemons, and orange zest rush to greet you on the palate. Tangible acid is rounded by gentle sweetness from 5% muscat. Solid nose and finish, but the palate steals the show here. Nice wine. — 9 years ago

Ezra Chomak

9.0

An unexpected treat holding up nicely. — 12 years ago

"Odedi"

8.9

Balverne Estate Forever Wild Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2021, Sonoma County, California

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim, and medium plus intensity.

Fruity nose of red and blue fruits with red candy, light wood, spices, chocolates and black pepper.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with red currants, red cherries, light oak, peppercorn, light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, earth, light vegetables and tobacco leaf.

Short finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is an easy drinking Zinfandel from Russian River Valley. Fruit forward with nice complexity. Nicely balanced with a soft mouthfeel.

Earthy, with lots of red fruits, and surprisingly unlike a typical California Zinfandel.

Good right out of the bottle, and good by itself or with food. A good party wine too.

A blend of 83% Zinfandel, 8% Mourvedre, 5% Grenache and 4% Petite Sirah. Aged for 6 months in oak barrels. A small production of only 265 cases.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$30. — 9 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Notre Vue Estate Balverne Forever Wild Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Sonoma County, California

Ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked strawberries, spices, cedar, cloves, vanilla, leather, chocolates, tobacco, licorice, herbs, light alcohol, peppercorn and dark coffee.

Medium finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County. Fruit forward, rich and elegant.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour in the decanter, when tannins show up. Really worth the wait.

Loved the chocolaty nose.

Still young and will age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Good by itself or with food, and will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 9% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 18 months in oak barrels. A small production of only 504 cases.

14.3% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$48. — 3 years ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Ruby in color with medium intensity.

Fruity nose of raspberries, sweet strawberries, light herbs, spices and light milk chocolates.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, currants, sweet cherries, light earth, herbs and spices.

Soft finish with fine grained tannins.

This is a very tasty Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley. Fruit forward and elegant. Nicely balanced with nice complexity, and a soft mouthfeel. Spicy and entertaining.

Good right out of the bottle, easy drinking and good by itself or with food.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged in (25% new) French Oak barrels for 9 months. A small production of only 4,200 bottles.

13.8% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$35. — 10 months ago

David Peifer

9.2

Not too fruity. Light in color. Dry. Nice. — 3 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.0

An oaky cornucopia of fall spiced raspberries, cranberries and dried fruits. The cotton astringent finish leaves your mouth watering for another sip.
Age another 5 years for enhanced drinkability. — 8 years ago

Eric Barrett

9.5

Light and table ready — 11 years ago