Alexander Bastian Nielsen

10

Power, poise and precision. Black fruit galore, spice, bacon and butcher shop, bonfire, smoke, olives, garrique - an incredible nose that gave me goosebumps. Perfect balance, immense intensity and just spot on. — 2 months ago

Aaron Rankin

9.4

I’m a noob to Santa Cruz pinots, and looking forward to exploring the appellation in time.

PnP at cellar temp. Very light in color and body, true to its 12% abv. Nose is immediately intense and complex. Freshly baked cherry pie, sweet baking spices, botanicals, just-lighted bonfire, wet forest floor, soy sauce, and a catch all of funk. Palette is tense at this age, striking in the front and lifted in the mid. The finish lingers to infinity like a sherry would. Beautiful and very Burgundian. But an unusual bedfellow to tonight’s dinner of frozen pizza 🙃. — 5 years ago

Jeff Clement

9.4

Cabin neighbors Glenn and Karen brought over over bonfire. Was really good but didn’t realize was $200 range like insignia and opus one. Like others as well in hundred range — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2014 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru puts in a convincing performance. With brambly red berry fruit on the nose, the coolness of the growing season allows the mineralité of this to really shine, with time in the glass revealing hints of autumn bonfire/fireside hearth. The palate is beautifully structured. It's saline with darker fruit than the aromatics. Quite linear and what you might call "vertical" in style, this is a superb expression of the Grand Cru that still needs a bit of time in bottle. (Neal Martin, Vinous, June 2024)
— 6 months ago

Chris B.

9.1

I adored this wine - $18 on Wine.com right now! It’s insane! Special thanks to Sam for recommending it. Juicy red fruit, black pepper, underbrush, bonfire... I guess it’s a little on the lighter side (which might disappoint fans of big Tempranillo tannins) but that only means it’s a perfect wine for grilled burgers in the summer. — 5 years ago

Adam Baker

9.1

Drank at dad’s with his ribs from Pettys. Very good pairing with ribs. Probably near the end of life, but still very good. — 5 years ago

with Chris, Brud and 1 other

Philip Hirzel

8.9

Not as spicy as promised but smooth, with a cool crispness. Light and paired with with a late summer bonfire. — 4 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.2

Nicely done. I like the Amphora texture and acidity. Queveri-ish. Good food wine. For on its own enjoyment, would love to see lightly topped with late harvest Roussanne. Lemon+Honey 🐝





I also want to bury the Amphora ceremoniously, with you (Bradley) and Randall Grahm.... on an eclipse/lunar biodynamic magical night, you already got the patio with a firepit to fulfill the bonfire... cow horns and crystals for everyone :) haha — 5 years ago

Fredrik Finn

9.1

Ar.Pe.Pe the Emperor of Valtellina. Impressive complexity considering its modest price. Crafted in transparency. A perfumed tart but ripe red fruited and floral approach with a pronounced savoury canvas composed of earth, tar and bonfire. Salivating acidity, solid yet ripe grip from the tannins with a red fruit surrounding.
— 5 years ago

Chris B.

9.1

It’s a shame this winery closed up a few years ago, as this was a lovely bottle (the vineyard is still producing and going strong apparently). Loaded with a crisp, oceany saltiness that was nicely leavened with lemon and cream soda. Bonus points for highlighting the woodsy, bonfire smokiness more common in the appellation’s pinots. — 5 years ago