Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1982 vintage. Last tasted 6.1.24 (9.4) and nearly 9 years ago (9.0). Courtesy of Monsieur @Bill Bender. Sweet fill. Opened with a Durand. Cork 95% saturated. A little reticent in the early going and decanted a third of the bottle to see if that would pull the juice out of a sullen funk. It did, so the remainder got decanted whilst throwing much less sed than expected. Medium body still. Slightly brickish and plenty fleshy with well-integrated complexity. Very pleasant and lingering finish. A great bottle with more than could reasonably be expected at this juncture. Thank you, Bill! 4.24.26. — 2 months ago

with Bill

Shay A

9.4

It’s fitting that my 2,500th wine entry is not only a gorgeous wine, but it’s a wine that was gifted to me by my good friend @Bill Bender . The people I have met, and the people I get to share wine with often, are what make wine such a beautiful experience. Kudos to the @Delectable Wine team for this knowledgeable and wine loving community.

I’m big fan of these wines. Lots of character and beautifully crafted. This wine is no different. At 11-12 years old, this is still on the upslope (though I think it will be there soon). I opened this yesterday with no decant and was greeted by lots of sweet, dark fruit coated in dark chocolate shavings. A condensed and powerful core of dusty currants and plums with some herbs. On day two, this hit full stride...added notes of espresso, savory peppercorns with floral potpourri on a seamless and integrated palate. The fruit is so incredibly pure and juicy without being overly sweet or candied! Delicious. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.5

WNH event number 3...new world Pinot. Such a treat to experience the many different variations of Pinot!

Another surprise of the night for me. I’ve only had their Syrahs before. Lots of crushed potpourri and underripe red fruit on the nose with a darker palate of violets, black cherry and plum. I need to get some of these. Awesome bottle, @Bill Bender . — 8 years ago

with Mike, David and 5 others

Will Herwig

10

Favorite Chardonnay. Cheap and well balanced. — 8 years ago

Shawn R

9.7

So toasty with a frame of mocha and black tea. Drinks very well with a long decant. @Bill Bender awesome pull! — 9 years ago

with Martin, Kirk and 4 others

Martin G Rivard

9.7

Stellar and it was firing on all cylinders. Absolutely stunning 😘🍷🍷😘Thank you Bill!!! @Bill Bender @Shawn R @David L — 9 years ago

with David and Shawn

Joe Lucca

9.6

Talk about sexy! And the wine was great as well. My first post after a bit of a hiatus from Delectable. In San Diego for a meeting and was able to sneak away for a few sips. Thanks so much to @Bill Bender for generously making time to host me at his lair, perched high above the city looking down on the harbor, for great friendship, conversation, and of course, killer juice. The initial notes of stewed plums and spice blew off after a bit of time in the decanter, revealing layers of deep, rich voluptuous fruit and earthy minerals. Almost surprisingly youthful and powerful at 15, this will continue to evolve for a long time. One of my favorite Burgs. Thanks again, Bill!!! — 9 years ago

with Bill

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2005 vintage. Courtesy of @Bill Bender Menthol, blueberry skins, tobacco in the nose. Medium-bodied. Elegant, chocolate chip ice cream finish. Holding up really nicely and would seem to have another half-decade in this phase of life. — 4 years ago

with Bill

Ron R

9.4

The label was soiled when I received the order. I was immediately concerned regarding the contents. Happily, the wine was in pristine nick. Forest floor and cinnamon nose transitioned to the signature gnarly, textured dark fruit, smoke, and spice box presentation. I’m going to hold some of these Astons and see what happens. Intro’d to this by @Bill Bender, this has become my fave Cali pinot. Every vintage comes correct. — 5 years ago

with Anne-marie

Ron R

9.4

An Xmas gift from a close friend @Bill Bender - thank you so much, Bill.
The nose is bright and boisterous, which oozes red currants and cinnamon. On the palate, this presents just like a contemporary burg. Light on its feet. Soft, round tannins with a lovely interplay of relaxed acid. Finishes with delicacy and elegance.
We are really looking forward to securing a 2019 allocation from the winery. — 8 years ago

with Anne-marie

Michael Meyer

9.3

Courtesy of @Bill Bender. Dark cherry, plum, coffee, spice, leather, and tea leaf. Tannins still firm to keep it all real. Might mature more over the next decade but I doubt it. Still, for a challenging vintage, this was gorgeous and perfectly suited for a pig roast. — 8 years ago

Eric L.

9.6

Lovely wine, @Bill Bender Thanks! It was great to meet you and the whole wine nerd herd! — 9 years ago

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.0

Medium ruby core with garnet edges. Aged characteristics on the nose with damp earth, a little espresso, a touch smoky, cinnamon and stewed plums. Medium tannins (6/10) and plus medium body. Dark cocoa on the attack of the palate intermingled with plums, black currants, black cherries and lots of spices. A bit of anise and the Petit Verdot coming through in the medium plus finish. Drink till 2018.
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Starting today we are partnering with Vinlumin in order to raise money for those affected by the wildfires in Northern California earlier this month. Until November 15th or for the first 200 units, Vinlumin will be donating $100.00 per unit to three different Northern California based charities: Napa Valley Disaster Relief Fund, Sonoma Resilience Fund and Mendocino Community Fund. Go to www.vinlumin.com to learn more and to grab one while supporting those affected in Northern California.
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@David L @Ron R @Martin G Rivard @Martin A. Cody @James Cahill @Carl Fischer @Shawn R @Joe Lucca @Bill Bender @Eric S @Isaac Pirolo @TheSkip @Mike R @Lori Mike @Jody Scharf @Jo Anne B @Kim Stanbro @Roman Sukley @Greg Gregory @Sean Smith @Shay Aldriedge — 9 years ago

with India and Sean

Rob Brobst III

9.9

@Antonio Galloni Thank you my friend… @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Shay A @Ron R @Ron Siegel @Ron Christiano @Bill Bender @Bob McDonald — 4 years ago

romo

9.4

All these from the 1966 vintage. The magnum of Bordeaux in perfect condition. The humans, not so much. With my good friend @Bill Bender — 5 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.5

Finest Cab on a night of great Winter Reds. Truly an embarrassment of riches. Many thanks @Bill Bender — 8 years ago

Michael Meyer

9.5

@Bill Bender recognizes the goods when he sees them. This wine was every thing you’d want from an mature elite Syrah. Very fresh, alive, savory, and powerful. For the record, I said “wine”. 😉 — 8 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.3

“The Return of Mike Grammer” Dinner on 7/5. - although I have met up with Toronto native Mike Grammer at an annual charity event in the OC several times, we hosted a dinner for Mike on Thursday marking his first return to the San Diego area since 2009. The original dinner nine years ago was my first wine offline event, and I met a number of great folks that I have been able to share wine with since that time. We capped the 2009 dinner off with a phenomenal 2001 La Tour Blanche contributed by @Bill Bender and Mike brought a 2011 version to commemorate that evening. Great to share a night of wine and fun with some of the SD crew. Cheers! — 8 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.3

@Bill Bender Bringing my kinda wine as always. Pretty tight right now with spice coming on in the early mid palate through the finish. Needs time and patience. — 9 years ago

with Martin, Mike and 2 others

Shawn R

9.6

One of the best ever made??? @Bill Bender thank you. — 9 years ago

with Kirk, Martin and 2 others