Light and table ready β 11 years ago
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. β 2 months ago
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. β 3 months ago
Cherry, raspberry, licorice, plum, currant, mossy earth and oak. Good structure and soft tannins. β 9 years ago
Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.
Red and blue fruits on the nose with spices and chocolate notes.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.
Dry on the palate with fresh cherries, sweet raspberries, light wood, earth, herbs, light chocolates and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with soft tannins and cranberries.
This Cabernet Sauvignon from Chalk Hill is still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Fruit forward, rich and nicely balanced.
This Bordeaux blend feels very vibrant with lots of flowers notes. Soft and smooth, with mild complexity. Tangy and spicy.
Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime. Easy drinking and good by itself or with food.
A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 7% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Merlot. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. A small production of only 415 cases.
14.3% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$48. β 3 months ago
Not too fruity. Light in color. Dry. Nice. β 2 years ago
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. β 8 years ago
An unexpected treat holding up nicely. β 11 years ago
"Odedi"
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. β a month ago