Sharon B

9.2

@Delectable Wine i couldn’t find this wine in your list. Definitely spicy on the nose. Medium bodied. Nice smooth finish. Went well with a grilled angus burger. 🍷🍔 — a day ago

Jim McCusker

9.4

Another winner by Justin Smith at Saxum, the 2010 Terry Hoage is a nearly equal mix of syrah, grenache, and mourvedre (with a slight dominance of syrah - 46/33/21). The tannins are sweet and completely resolved, so the palate beautifully follows up the sweet blackberries on the nose with a seamless mouthfeel, lots of glycerin, and a balanced, lingering finish. Cannot imagine this wine drinking any better than it is right now. — a day ago

with Vanessa

Donald Thomas

9.6

I am not a Rhône White lover; I have never fell in love with a SQN white. But this is the real deal! Aromas of peaches, white flowers, spice; a round delicious palate with a long tasty finish. So many white Rhône’s have an out of balance alcohol component IMHO, but not this delicious white! I’d put it up against the best — 8 days ago

Mike R

9.7

@David L what a wine young man - goose bumps all over and month cracking smiles for all of us - thank you

Incredible bottle of wine. Nose was muted at first but after a couple of hours the floral scents came out. The palate was rich and concentrated bit not over the top. Boysenberries and other dark fruits were evident and the finish was long and lush. One of my top SQN experiences

All smiles — 21 days ago

with Jeff, S and 1 other

Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher Bum

9.8

Too young, but it’s Friday & I’m still working on the yard
Jeb & Parker 100
3 left to age a bit more
Definitely needs years not hours, — 9 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Second bottle of this wine & vintage in the last month or two. Of all the CA Syrah producers, I think Alban comes the closest to the true style of Northern Rhône and certainly one of my favorite producers of Syrah out of CA.

The nose reveals; creamy roasted blackberries, dark cherries, spiced black plum, huckleberries, black raspberries, raspberry cola, some bacon fat, savory meats, black & white pepper, hints of tobacco leaf, softened leather, touch of dry herbs, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil/clay, dry stems, light vanilla with withering dark flowers, lavender & violets.

The body is round, ruby, lush, rich and full. The structure, length, tension and balance are rounded in harmony. The wine is seamless wire to wire. Creamy roasted blackberries, dark cherries, spiced black plum, huckleberries, black raspberries, raspberry cola, strawberries & cherries that start on the mid palate some bacon fat, savory meats, black & white pepper, hints of tobacco leaf, saddle-wood, dark spice w/ some lifting heat, touch of dry herbs, tarry notes, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil/clay, dry stems, light vanilla with withering dark flowers, lavender & violets. The acidity is round and excellent. The long, elegant, well balanced finish goes on for minutes.

While Alban makes many excellent single Vineyard Syrah’s like; Reva, Lorraine & Seymour, which are much more expensive, I am happy to enjoy Patrina for much less money. The QPR for Patrina is superior to their other more expensive bottling’s with far less drop in wine quality vs. the price difference.

Photos of, their Reva Vineyard, Owner-Winemaker, John Alban, their barrel room and the beautiful fruit they grow ready for harvest. — 14 days ago

Jim McCusker

9.4

Wow. A great wine from Cris Cherry at Villa Creek, this 2008 syrah/mourvedre/grenache blend is drinking absolutely perfectly right now. Really sweet nose of candied blackberries coupled with some earthy undertones. The tannins ate totally resolved and leave a sweet (but not cloying) palate that has an impressive amount of fruit for a 10-year-old wine. Not sure how much longer this will last given the tannin profile...but I also can’t imagine it drinking any better than it is right now. — 7 days ago

with Vanessa

Tom Casagrande

9.0

Nice value in a balanced Cali Chardonnay. Nose has beautiful pear juice, a little char from the oak, but not too much, and a wet clay-like earthy note. Round and balanced in the mouth. Persistent finish. Comparable to a good Pouilly-Fuisse or Saint Veran. — 15 days ago

Chris England

9.2

I’m such a fan of Chanin wines & this latest S&B @ £53 is lovely to 👍 Drinking lovely young already but will age more 😉

📍 Chanin Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir 2015

🏵 92 points

🍷 Alluring light ruby cherry

👃 Smokey earthy herby fresh red & black cherry w/ spiced blackberry thorny green bramble bush, light farmyard & bacon cola

👄 Med body of smooth earthy red & dark cherry w/ touches of silky blackberry & red berry fruits then bacon cola 😁

🎯 Med finale of above w/ red fruits dancing through & a hint of mocha — a day ago

Shay A

9.4

Impromptu meet up at Classic! Having a relaxing Friday afternoon with good friends and good wine makes for a perfect start to a weekend!

This was my contribution. Killer nose. Reminds me of Lillian’s Syrah, which is pulling from the same vineyard. Black pepper, grilled blackberries and teriyaki beef jerky. Spicy front palate with peppercorn. Mid palate brought along more rhubarb tart and cedar. Tight and tannic finish. First experience with HS and my thoughts are these wines are made in a style like Bevan’s cabs...Rhône style wines that are just fantastic young. Many thanks @TheSkip for the intro to Hermann Story after knowing my curiosity of them! — 8 days ago

with Dan and Mark