Diane Heyboer

9.0

What an interesting wine. Really enjoyed this one. Was really big with a hint of sweetness. Some peach and apricot. Hints of floral but mostly rich fruits. Need to explore this grape more. — a month ago

with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others

Brad Jensen

9.5

This was really unique and special. A nose that has some proper wild hints, like a natural wine, but with big bold fruits and an underlying musk, like a wet mulch, that playing in the background. Medium bodied with a deep red/purple color, the palate is more red fruit than the blue on the nose, with hardly any tannins to speak of. The palate has no sign of age, with prominent tart cranberry, rich minerality, slight smoke, and hints like Concorde grape, and some jammy raspberry or blueberry in there as well. Dry, fruity with a mineral spine, with a weight that plays lighter than it looks or smells. — 2 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.0

Unfamiliar grape from uncommon place. Best described (by me) as remixed Nebbiolo with twist of cherry mint. Powerful and lucid at once, high alcohol, big boy tannin. Light and the color of ruby cherry juice with notes of pine and foresty cherry lozenge. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

1978 Chuck Hope left beverage job, moved to Paso Robles, became farmer, & top grape grower. Working with his father, Austin led family into winemaking in ‘95, creating his label in 2000. #7 on Top 100 list, Grapes from 5 small blocks of Paso Robles AVAs, aged in 75% new French oak, 18 mos. Dark deep Ruby, aromas of sweet ripe black fruits & dried smoky tobacco spices. Flavors of ripe blackberry, sweet cacao, espresso & vanilla oak. Big wine, fine tannins, long fruit finish, vanilla overwhelms fruit. The 15% ABV has slight burn. — 5 years ago

Matti Jokelainen

9.3

Here we have 1st class Garnacha. Very pure red. On nose this has raspberry, strawberry, cherry, some herbs and licorice. Clearly a uptoned note. On palate this has cool but sweet fruit with red berries, spicy note and minerality. Tannins are very fine grape ned and start to add grip towards the end. Excellent fruit acid balance. Medium+ length that ends on pure cherry and red apple peel notes. Highly enjoyable and food friendly wine. Total class — 6 years ago

Andrea Wilson @farmforthesoul

9.1

I absolutely LOVE this Merlot. Not my usual go to grape varietal, but this one has some big characteristics & depth on it, which gives it the taste of age. — 6 years ago

Gil Krakowsky

9.1

Not a wine I would expect to buy, only purchase because because of reviews noting surprising “cool climate characteristics” that intrigued me (and a risk-friendly auction price). I was still surprised and very very impressed.
A deep core of Classic black plum - brighter, redder fruits revealed with air - in what is still a very primary wine.
(Apparently) Cooler climate notes of bay leaf are dominant along with some eucalyptus. In the background some nice leather and spice notes, though more red pepper and hot sauce than the black pepper notes I get from more high octane wines. One of those interesting wines that offers something’s little different with each sip, showing more florality and freshnesss at times, others it veered more fresh blueberry, some a bit of smoke and leather, and still others show a very woodsy side of eucalyptus tree. Still very much a full bodied wine with a full mouthfeel and continues to hold big chewy tannins, but is the rare Paso Robles wine (for me) with suffices acidity to create some really good tension and energy. Surprisingly great lengthleaving the palate energized and morphing with some espresso and bitter amaro elements coming in. Simply fantastic as a grilled steak wine. And honestly I think this guy has many years of development to go. — 7 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark purple in color with a wide reddish rim.

Black fruits with wood, earth and chocolate notes on the nose.

Full-bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, spices, light oak, licorice, chocolates, peppercorn, coffee, earth and black tea.

Medium plus on the finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Grenache based blend from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Rich and concentrated. Showing good structure, but still very young, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Complex and well balanced, tangy and engaging. The high alcohol is not too noticeable. Needs time to open up properly, so be patient.

Wine Spectator 92 points. Robert Parker 94 points.

A good quality wine that will pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of mostly Grenache, with all 13 grape varieties allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, from 80 year old vines. Aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$100. — 3 months ago

Peg Hanssen

10

A fabulous find!! Grasevina is a dry, fresh, aromatic white wine with apple-like notes. It’s typically considered to be a neutral and easy-drinking wine. The everyday wine of Central Europe, Grasevina is also known as Welschriesling. Recognizable features of the grape are its acid and slight almond-like bitterness. Belje began in 1697 when Roman Emperor Leopold gifted the estate to Prince Eugene of Savoy. The wine is straw yellow with hints of light green. The wine itself is beautifully fruity and flowery, fresh and crisp acidity that resembles citrus with the slightest hint of sweetness. This wine is well balanced, finishes with a beautiful orange peel note and a nice bite. An exceptional food-friendly wine that is unfairly overlooked and underappreciated.  Surdyks March 2023 $13.99 (Reg $16.99) — 3 years ago

Ken Taste Wine

8.9

Not a big Shiraz fan but I liked this one full flavoured nice finish would buy again — 5 years ago

Mark Howard

9.3

Aromas of dark black fruits - blackberry, plum, blueberry. Bold and big, with soft integrated tannins that draw you into the inner sanctum of the grape varietal. A tinge of age at the ends, but not in the fore front. Nice lovely finish lasting over 30 seconds before it breaks down. Definitely at its peak of performance. Paired well with the bolognese. Even better with the veal chop with figs, pluots, and watermelon radish. As Elizabeth says, this is a gorgeous wine. “It’s a grown up, but not old”. Or as I like to say, like a 40 year old classy lady wearing an evening gown and pearls - just stunning! — 6 years ago

with Elizabeth

Hugh O'Riordan

9.2

This is a big chewy red. Ready to drink. Well balanced and long finish. The grape varieties have fully blended to creat a delicious wine — 6 years ago

Jay Svoboda

8.9

This was a really nice wine, food friendly and delicious. You’ve got a core of bright citrus, but around the edges you’ve got ripe stone fruit and red apple. Floral and mineral notes round out the picture. A nice obscure grape from a solid region. — 7 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

A very good budget California Cabernet Sauvignon. Big cherry fruit, mushroom and cola on the nose. Smells a bit hot. Same basic flavors on the pallet. Light on the oak. Good Summer Red as it can be chilled. QPR friendly. — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Castillo Clavijo – Rioja Blanco – 2024
Rioja DOCa | Spain 🇪🇸

Overview:
A very casual, approachable white from Rioja DOCa, a region better known for reds, this bottle delivers exactly what it promises: simplicity, freshness, and value. Viura-driven, made in a clean, straightforward style that favors easy drinking over complexity.

Aromas & Flavors:
Fresh and subtle with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and soft white florals. There’s a gentle herbal edge typical of Viura, but nothing overt or demanding, clean and unfussy.

Mouthfeel:
Light- to medium-bodied with refreshing acidity. Smooth, easygoing, and crisp, finishing clean without weight or oak influence.

Food Pairings:
Grilled fish, light salads, seafood tapas, simple chicken dishes, or anything olive-oil driven. A reliable companion at the table without stealing the spotlight.

Verdict:
A “does-the-job” Rioja white that makes sense on the value side. Not meant to rival more serious white Rioja expressions, but a pleasant, practical option from a red-dominant region, especially when you want something uncomplicated and food-friendly.

Did You Know?
Viura (also known as Macabeo) is Rioja’s primary white grape, capable of both simple, fresh wines like this and age-worthy, complex whites when blended or oak-aged.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is the kind of easy, reliable white you reach for when you want something light, affordable, and regionally honest, proof that Rioja can still deliver on the white side, even if reds remain its calling card. — 6 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

From a 5 Bordeaux grape blend: 78.9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, 2.3% Petit Verdot & 0.3% Malbec, aged 24 months French oak, 84% new, Deep Ruby with aromas of ripe dark fruits, cedar and floral spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, ripe cherry and currants with notes of mushroom, herbs, pepper spice and earthy notes. Fine big sweet tannins, long finish ending with cacao, smoky oak, fruit and mineral tang. Very nice, aging well, but time will reward! — 4 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Another excellent vintage. Teinturier Alicante Bouchet Grape. Deep ruby color. Big aromas and flavors of red/black berry/cherry fruit. Hints of violets and brambly forrest Floor. Oak is well integrated. Nice powerful structure but the tannins are quite silky. Consistently great-Vintage after vintage. — 5 years ago

Edmond Bordelon

9.1

Few Americans understand the depth of Beaujolais due to the market flood by the big producers during the Beaujolais Nouveaux annual festival. The Gamay grape has so much more to offer and Master Sommelier, George Miliotis, shared this great example with me. Dark overripe strawberry and stone minerality. Charcuterie never tasted so good! — 6 years ago

with Katherine

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

My favorite wine merchant pushed me to go to this winemaker .. carefully, I start with this entry-level cuvée around 13-15 €. The color is deep ruby, the nose is discreet. The palate confirm the visual intensity. Aromatic tones typical of Cabernet-Franc grape variety: strawberry, pepper, anise. A medium-bodied wine with a silky texture that testifies the mastery of winemaking. The aging is discreet, putting the fruit in the spotlight, more than the tertiary notes. It’s a friendly, accessible wine. For its price it's really great! it clearly makes you want to explore the rest of the winemaker’s Cuvées. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

The nose reveals; dark currants, blackberries, heavy black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries and some blueberries. Black tea, expresso roast, anise, crushed dry rocks, big vanilla, clove, a little nutmeg, dry underbrush, sweet tarry notes, leather, woody notes with dark fresh & withering flower bouquet.

The body is big and lush. The tannins are big, meaty and tarry. Very dark currants. Blackberries, heavy black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries and some blueberries & strawberries as they open up. Black tea, expresso roast, steeped fruit tea, anise, crushed dry rocks, dry clay, big graphite, big vanilla, dark spice, clove, light dry herbs, a little nutmeg, dry underbrush, sweet tarry notes, leather, cedar with violets dark fresh & withering flower bouquet. The acidity is round, fresh and beautiful. The big, long, well balanced finish is excellent and look forward to having this in 15-20 years. This one will be a stunner!

Photos of, the barn where they make wine and hosts tastings, our private tasting area inside William’s old office. William desk and their outside terrace area.

Producer history & notes...Seavey Vineyard is located along Conn Valley Road in the eastern hills of Napa Valley, about 15 minutes from the valley floor.

This historical property was originally a cattle ranch. However, records indicate grapes were planted on some of the hillsides as early as the 1870’s. The stone dairy barn, still in existence, was built in 1881.

William & Mary Seavey purchased this property in 1979. The estate was originally founded by the Franco-Swiss Farming Company in 1881 which, closed down when Phylloxera destroyed their grape vines and the Volstead Act (Prohibition) went into effect. At the time of their purchase, they were a horse and cattle ranch. They quickly planted the slopes with grapes and initially sold their fruit to Raymond Vineyards. They have never purchased grapes, all their wine is made from estate grapes. Their vineyards are separated into 20 plus individual blocks.

Today, the property is about 200 total acres of which, 40 acres are planted to vine. Their hillside vineyards produce low yields of rich concentrated fruit. A small block of Chardonnay grows in a cooler lower part of their property. Besides grapes, they also raise cattle which are used to graze the hillsides. They feed the vineyard with the cattle cuttings. In 2003, they were one of the first Napa wineries to install solar.

Mary passed away in 2008 and William died in 2016. There daughter Dorie returned to the family business and now oversees the winery operations. Her brother Arthur also handles national and some small international sales, primarily to restaurants. However, most of their wine is sold direct to consumers.

Seavey’s first commercial vintage was released in 1990 a year after they renovated the stone dairy barn into a working winery. Today this stone building is the centerpiece of the property and is where tastings are hosted.

Since 2011, Jim Duane has been their day to day Winemaker. He’s worked at Robert Mondavi and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. It should also be noted that Philippe Melka Winemaker/Consultant has been with Seavey since 1995...one of Philippe’s two initial wine making jobs in the Napa Valley were with Seavey and Lail Vineyards.

Seavy makes about 3,200 cases annually depending on what mother nature brings. They make around two hundred cases of Chardonnay, slightly more Merlot and the rest is of the production is comprised of their Caravina and Estate Cabernets.
— 8 years ago