Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

1 of CA's oldest wineries, Far Niente, founded 1885 by John Benson. Winery flourished until Prohibition, when it was abandoned & fell into complete disrepair. Stately stone shell of a winery purchased in 1979 by Gil Nickel. A big wine! Tropical and stone fruit aromas with complex spice and oak notes. On the palate apple, peach and citrus flavors, creamy, with buttery toasty oak, fig/honey tones. Long finish ending with vibrant acidity & mineral character. Consistent. — 3 days ago

Keith Ward

9.2

Still standing tall! Amazing Bordeaux blend from one of Australia’s preeminent wineries! Very balanced, great forward fruit and a super-long finish! Had with aged beef - to die for!! — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.5

Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.

One of my bottles. One of my favorite wineries and easily one of the top 5 winery visits I’ve ever done. To me, this is “classic” Continuum in that is has just a impeccable balance of both fruit and herbal/savory notes both aromatically and on the palate. I let this slow ox for a couple hours, checking in ever so often, and found this hit stride after about two hours of air. Lovely bouquet of potpourri, lavender, graphite, sage, currant, ripe blackberries, black cherries and mocha. On the palate, its profile is soft yet all encompassing. Mulberries, cassis, tobacco leaves, herbs de Provence, licorice, dark cocoa, baking spices and a touch savory toward the finish. Enjoyable now and not getting better. My thanks to @Bill Bender for this. — 5 years ago

with joe, Weston and 1 other

Boris Mathiszik

8.9

Nice cab. I found it lacking a bit of refinement considering we were at one of the best wineries in the Valle de Guadalupe. But solid wine, and amazing winery. Syrah leading the way in this region I strongly believe. — 4 years ago

Paul T HB

9.3

My last of the Jones Sisters experiment. A little Prunish like several 04’s I’ve had from various wineries. — 4 years ago

Martin Sher

9.1

Any day of the week! Great off dry Riesling from one of my favorite wineries. Sweet orchard fruit that goes down with frightening ease. — 5 years ago

Sharon B

9.1

Day 16 - today’s blend is from Australia. It pairs very nicely with a Red Leicester cheese, it’s medium sharpness brings out the fruit in this wine. The cappuccino truffle really creates a smooth finish on the palate. — 5 years ago

Eric

9.1

Really well balanced zin. Pagani ranch is a Sonoma producer of berries to several wineries. Indigenous yeast. Well made. 14.8 ABV. Cheers my friends!!! — 4 years ago

Will Stanley

9.3

In many ways a baby Tondonia, this ‘Crianza’* from López de Heredia is a great entry point to the wines of one of Rioja’s oldest wineries, and in many ways mimics the styles of its more upmarket reds. Not dissimilar in style to Viña Tondonia, this medium-bodied red cuts a leaner profile with dried red fruit, bags of vanilla and characteristically fierce orange zest acidity. The aroma is intoxicating and packs the leathery, savoury punch that is the hallmark of classical Rioja. It lacks the purity and depth of fruit of its bigger brother, and finishes slightly shorter, but for the price (£17/btl) it’s an exceptional - and of course traditional - Rioja that any lover of the region should seek out, and one which should provide ample enjoyment over the coming decade or more.

*this wine spent enough time in barrel and bottle to easily qualify for Gran Reserva status, but of López de Heredia’s wines it is always the ‘youngest’. — 5 years ago

Sharon B

8.9

Day 22 - a Chardonnay from Australia with notes of citrus blossom and lime peel, some mineral. Paired with an aged cheddar and a crème brûlée truffle. — 5 years ago