Jim McCusker

9.4

Can’t believe this is a 2007. From the Clonal Series that Greg Brewer put together when he was still at Melville, this wine is absolutely terrific. Beautiful notes of candied strawberries on the nose, this wine still has great balance, a pure, focused palate, and an elegant finish. An absolute testament to the ageability of pinots from the Central Coast, this one still has several more years of life left. Just terrific. — 4 days ago

with Vanessa

Jeffrey Woo

8.9

Straw-hued. Aromas and flavors of butter, coconut, cream, oak, papaya, passionfruit, pear, and vanilla. Medium-full body and medium-high acidity. A finish of lemon and minerals on the palate. Very approachable and easy to drink; a solid example of a sub-$15 California Chardonnay. — 3 days ago

Vanessa D

9.0

Pale purple and ruby hues with a delicate haze. Black cherry crisp, raspberry jam, plum sauce, almond paste, vanilla bean, spearmint, sage, sweet basil, molasses, cardamom, lemongrass, and dried lavender notes on the nose. Tart cherries and herbal influences on the palate. Medium- body and medium acidity. Nicely balanced with a semblance of reserve softening into a juicy ripeness with each encounter. Pairs nicely with herbed pork tenderloin wrapped in prosciutto, roasted butternut squash, and steamed haricots verts.

Vintage 2013. ABV 14.2%.

#testarossa #doctorsvineyard #santaluciahighlands #pinotnoir #newworldpinot — 10 days ago

with Deked1

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.4

Blend of Grenache blanc, Rousanne & Viognier
Jeb 92 and states it taste like a bottle 3 times the price looked up my cost, $14.99. I can definitely see this at $30.00-$40.00
K&L notes,

The highly talented Joey Tensley has crafted an outstanding white wine inspired by the amazing value-driven whites he’s long cherished from the south of France. At first you’re greeted with hints of honey and cinnamon poured over freshly cut seasonal peaches. The aromatics are exotic and wild with plenty of orchard fruit, orange water, and middle-eastern spice. There’s plenty of bracing acidity to keep the wine fresh and bright on the palate with a solid fruit core. This Rhone-style white is arguably the best version at this price I’ve come across in quite awhile — 13 days ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.2

Winemaker's Notes: "Our debut vintage of Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay truly embodies the cool coastal climate of the Santa Maria Valley. The nose offers enticing aromas of Meyer lemon, citrus zest, and subtle brioche notes. On the palate, vibrant citrus, layers of lemon and pear are rounded out by hazelnut. This delightfully poised Chardonnay has a lush viscous mouthfeel leading to a beautiful finish."
Right up my alley for $20.00.
— 6 days ago

Robert McCall

9.3

The bouquet on this is outstanding. Blue/black fruits, a hint of smoked meat, lavender, mint and spice. Slight flick of heat. Black cherry, brine, licorice, cedar on the palate. Linear acidity and smooth tannin. Good finish too. F’n solid! Perfect for V-Day steaks. — 4 days ago

Shay A

9.2

Monthly WTF wine group tasting. This month’s theme was chardonnay from any region or vintage. Nice eclectic bunch! All wines tasted blind.

Ripping acid, even with 7yrs on it! Pure Meyer lemon upfront with added notes of honeysuckle, chamomile and underripe citrus. On the palate it was limestone and mineral driven. Slightly reductive. I called this Chablis. Nice imitator. Thanks @Jack Thompson . — 6 days ago

with Jidhin, Jason and 5 others

David Shaw

8.9

Dense burgundy-red, highly extracted pigment. Floral, cherry, cigar box, butter and higher alcohol notes in nose, but only 14.5% alc/vol. A hint of menthol initially. Medium to high skin astringency with butter, cranberry and red fruit flavors. More flavorful than fruity on first pour, slightly tart; needs time to open. Chocolate-seed tannin flavors emerge after an hour. I’d age this awhile longer, else decant. — 2 days ago

Scott Soren

9.6

Still too early to the party. Second time at this, still needs a few years. Oh has it changed in a year though. It’s massive. Deep nose of fruit, with silky tannins and deep black fruit on the palate. Olive and charcuterie. Round out this incredible expression of Syrah. Time will be kind but it’s limited — 4 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Thought it would be good timing to finally try Rajat’s 2013 Bloom’s Field.

The nose straight out of the decanter gave a strong presence of potpourri laced candle wax. That has subsided now. The fruits are ripe, ruby; blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, some dry cranberries, raspberries with blackberries pulling up the rear. Nice evenly, soft, layered baking spices; clove, cinnamon, light nutmeg and gentle vanilla. Mixed dark berry cola, understated, black licorice, whiff of lightly grilled meats, black, fruit tea, limestone alluvial soils, dry crushed rocks, dark turned earth, dry herb blend, light, fresh tobacco notes, worn leather with a nice bouquet of; red, dark, purple and blue florals.

The body is, round, ruby and just full. Tannins still have adolescent teeth. The structure, tension could use some more time in bottle...length and balance have just hit their stride. Gorgeous mouthfeel. The fruits are ripe, ruby, a little gluey; blackberries, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, some dry cranberries, raspberries with blackberries pulling up the rear. Nice evenly, soft, layered baking spices; clove, cinnamon, light nutmeg and gentle vanilla. Mixed dark berry cola, dark spices, understated, black licorice, lightly grilled meats, black, fruit tea, limestone alluvial soils, dry crushed rocks, dry pebbles, moist, dark turned earth, dry herb blend, light, fresh tobacco notes, worn leather with a nice bouquet of; red, dark, purple and blue florals with gentle lavender on the back end. The acidity is a gentle rain shower. The beautiful finish is straight up; elegant, well balanced, seamless and persists nicely for minutes.

Paired with Kentucky Bourbon Marinated Chicken Skewers and Wild Rice.

Photos of; Bloom’s Field Vineyard, The Sommeliers Altas of Taste that Rajat & Jordan Macrat wrote. Good read if you are so inclined & of course, Master Sommelier/Owner/Winemaker-Rajat Parr.

Additional notes; Rajat has always loved Pinot and its many expressions from all over the world. After becoming one of the better & more well known Master Somms, it was his dream to make world class Pinot Noir. He is succeeding as his last few vintages have gotten very high notoriety. It was his 2015 Bloom’s Field that Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson featured in Somm 3 in his recreation of the Judgment of Paris with some of the best palates in NYC and again separately with The Godfather of Master Somms-Fred Dame, Author-Jancis Robinson & Steven Spurrier. — 18 days ago