Center Cut

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Director's Cut Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2022

Predictably solid. Perfect every day drinker. Nice way to welcome in summer in Palo Alto! Terrific with our dinner of snapper asparagus & couscous! Cheers 🥂 — 2 months ago

Center of Effort

Rosso Corsa Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2021

Center of Effort – Rosso Corsa Pinot Noir 2021
Edna Valley, Central Coast, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
The Rosso Corsa (“racing red” in Italian) is Center of Effort’s bold expression of Pinot Noir, sourced from their organically farmed estate vineyards in Edna Valley. Known for its cool climate and marine influence, this AVA delivers Pinot with both freshness and intensity. The name nods to the classic Italian racing heritage, emphasizing speed, energy, and elegance — qualities mirrored in the wine.

Aromas & Flavors
Bursts of dark cherry, ripe strawberry, and pomegranate meet hints of baking spice, cocoa, and dried rose petals. As it opens, layers of earthy forest floor and a faint touch of savory herbs add dimension.

Mouthfeel
Silky yet energetic, medium-bodied with polished tannins and a vibrant acid backbone. The wine flows seamlessly across the palate, balancing plush fruit with savory complexity, finishing long and precise.

Winemaking Notes
Estate-grown fruit, hand-harvested, fermented in small lots with partial whole-cluster for structure and aromatics. Aged in French oak barrels (30–40% new), which imparts subtle vanilla and toast while preserving freshness.

Food Pairing
Versatile and food-friendly — pair with roasted duck breast, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, or charcuterie with earthy cheeses. Its balance of fruit and savoriness allows it to pivot beautifully from lighter fare to richer dishes.

Verdict
A dynamic Pinot Noir that captures the spirit of Edna Valley with a nod to Italian flair. Sleek, energetic, and finely structured — a wine that feels both luxurious and alive in the glass.
— 8 months ago

Ted liked this

Modus Operandi Cellars

Center of Gravity Sauvignon Blanc 2019

Ron R
9.5

Single-barrel scarcity makes this a “must try.” It generates a meaningful event and a good disruption on the palate.
Green apples combine with melon and bright acidity - the signature of a typical SB. Moderately sweet. Serve it to those who appreciate uncommon excellence in wine. Approach the winery for this.
— 4 years ago

Tom, Shay and 43 others liked this
Ron R

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@Timothy Lynch, the Cali SB’s are excellent in terms of quality and value relative to Loire. Seek out Modus, Aesthete, Aperture, Brilliant Mistake, La Pelle all produce excellent, affordable SB’s.
Ron R

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@Jody Scharf l, definitely not lumpy in this regard, but a enjoy bending language in order to make a point 😀
Ron R

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I do which I could some comments back! Characters are sometimes inadvertently moved. Maybe a thorough read before hitting enter is another viable option…

Quarter Cut

Bourbon Barrel Aged California Cabernet Sauvignon

Used in Red wine beef short ribs. Very good drinking and cooking wine. — 4 months ago

Domaine du Gour de Chaulé

Cuvée Tradition Gigondas Grenache 2019

Delectable Wine
9.5

Deep magenta. A complex, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes black raspberry, kirsch and lavender, along with vibrant mineral and exotic spice flourishes. Incisive red and dark berry, bitter cherry and succulent herb flavors show fine detail and spicy cut. Chewy, slowly building tannins add shape and grip to a strikingly long, nervy finish that echoes the cherry and floral notes. All whole clusters. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, January 2023) — 3 years ago

Château Lynch-Bages

Grand Cru Classé Pauillac Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1959

Dark tawny center with amber color and clear rims. Barely translucent. Massive nose of tobacco and Cuban cigar with notes of sweet black fruit, moist dark soil, unsweetened chocolate, pencil lead, old cedar desk wood and a little barnyard. Great mouth feel and texture. Very much alive. Opened and slow-ox’d for a few hours, then put in a decanter an hour before. This powered up all night. Last sip was the best. I’ve probably had more LB than any other Bordeaux (young and old, mostly old), and this was head and shoulders better than any previous bottle. Great juice! — 4 years ago

Ira, Eric and 22 others liked this
Ron R

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Wow.
Brent Young

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@Mike Saviage Very nice 👍

Quintessa

Illumination Sauvignon Blanc 2021

Ming L
9.2

A 50/30/20 blend of Sauvignon Blanc Musqué, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillon, aged in a mix of vessels.

The nose is more restrained than expected from Sauvignon Blanc Musqué, showing fewer overt tropical notes. Instead, it opens with white peach, lemon zest, fresh-cut herbs, and delicate white florals. The palate is rounded bordering on creamy yet energized by vibrant acidity and a pronounced chalky minerality. A subtle impression of ripe fruit sweetness lingers through the medium-length finish.

— 3 months ago

Tom and Bob liked this

Txomin Etxaniz

Getaria Getariako Txakolina Rosé Blend

Give it a moment and a swirl or two and you will be rewarded with both earth and freeze-dried raspberries cut with salinity. Pleasant AF, just give it a decant. — 2 years ago

Tom, Laura and 4 others liked this

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

2003 | Birthday weekend for my lovely wife.

Green on the nose, is there substantial Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot for the last 25%? Cedar-y cherry notes to the palate, but short finish. Will more air rescue this bottle...?🤞 Double decanted with notes at 5H. (Drink 2005-2007?)

Paired to USDA Prime Strip Steaks (baseball-cut), Allen Bros. Chicago.
— 4 years ago

Doug, Iwan and 26 others liked this
John Bratincevic

John Bratincevic

Surprising!
Severn G

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Not too much IMHO, 2003 wasn't a reputable vintage.
Douglas Braun

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Warm vintage if I remember