Refreshing & enjoyably min Saturday night with Rafael! — 3 years ago
Butterrrrrr — 6 years ago
Oppliger bill h jkh 6/17
Bl bistro amarillo tx — 6 years ago
Out with Peg and Bill! — 7 years ago
@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
A legend for a reason, young but decanting helped. Tannic structure is incredible. Tannins are still noticeably present at this age but still well done. Cherry and cranberry and incredibly rich. Really oustanding wine — 8 years ago
One of the first few vintages of Bill Sweat's and Donna Morris' Pinot Noir is still drinking quite well. Softened a bit and still has some complexity and is pleasant. — 8 years ago
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



From the MI Bday tasting, #2 of 5. Very good. — 6 years ago
vivid, medium ruby with amber rim; red cherry, damp earth, caramel, cloves; intense flavors, red cherry, cranberry, medium finish; light-medium body, medium+ tannins, fine grained tannin, 12.59% ABV; partnership between winemaker Gavin Chanin and Durell Vineyard owner Bill Price, spends 15 months in 36% new French oak; $60 — 7 years ago
This is a very youthful wine. Still, with about an hour of decanting, this one was drinking very lovely. The nose and palate is sweet black cherry with red clay influence. This Rutherford site has such dynamic soil and Bill has been making terroir driven wines for 20+ years from this same parcel of land. The finish has good acidity and a sweeter cedary type of tannin but the wine is already incredibly balanced given its youth. 94 now with definite improvement expected in the 10 or 15 years that it will develop. — 7 years ago
John Ledgend medium blend red. Little rough which must be Zin. But overall very drinkable to pallet. — 8 years ago
1982 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 30 minutes and 2 hours. Impressively dark color. Bit of mint and funk in the nose. Elegant and supple with more than enough supporting fruit during the experience. Thriving vs surviving. This specimen was showing very nicely. Been a while since last tasting this but no rush to crush. Thank you, Bill!! 09.21.25 — 9 months ago

Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7
I see a bottle available locally, think I’ll head down this week to grab it.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

What an amazing wine...still very young, initial smell is earth, spice, cut mushrooms, stony and red tart/ripe cherries...coats palate from beginning to end. Acid just holds it taut and nervy all the way thru. Opened up even more as the nite went on..paired with charcuterie...on point and delivered as legend says.. — 7 years ago


Went to a tasting and they were featuring Chalk Hill, winery now owned by Bill Foley, of Foley Family Wines, who continues the traditions that Fred Furth, who founded CH in 1972. Had this ‘16 about a year ago. Rich deep straw color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits and citrus notes. On the palate ripe apple, sweet melon and lemon flavors with gentle vanilla toasty oak. Well balanced on lingering finish ending with oak and mineral notes. Aged well. Tasting Sample. — 8 years ago
One of the best ever made??? @Bill Bender thank you. — 9 years ago
Rick Phillips
R.I.P. Bill Dyer. You were one heck of a winemaker! — a month ago