Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Deep ruby color. Aromas of jasmine, violets, warm berries and vanilla. Flavors of blackberry, red fruits and cocoa powder. Great wine for under $25.

81% Zinfandel, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Grenache.

🏅 Gold Medal- SF Chronicle Wine Competition
— a year ago

Paul T- Huntington Beach

9.4

A 2 case buy for summer at $10.00,
Winery $22.00 is still not a bad price. But find it on sale at K&L
Notes from K&L as follows


Peter Mathis worked in winemaking at Sonoma Valley's Ravenswood winery for more than 20 years. He pulled together the funds to buy a small parcel high above the valley in 1997 and produced this first Grenache under his own label in 2004. He introduced the rose in 2012, and the 2015 vintage of that wine won "best in Class" at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Winery tasting notes: "Made in the classic Provençal style, the 2018 vintage features vivid floral aromas dominating the nose, with white peach, raspberry and watermelon fruit in the mouth. Crisp and texturally silky, this fresh wine pairs well with a broad variety of summer fair, especially grilled meats and vegetables, along with spicier Asian foods." — 4 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.4

I found a house in St Helena last week and will be moving there at the end of May. I thought I should get acquainted with the neighbors. What better way than a face off?
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Neyers Vineyards 2011 Neyers Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon vs Salvestrin Winery 2013 Salvestrin Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Neyers Ranch is situated in the hills of Conn Valley just east of St Helena, with elevations ranging from 400’ to 1200’ on a south-facing, 50-acre parcel bisected by Conn Creek. Since 1998 Neyers has sustainably farmed this vineyard. Winemaker Tadeo Borchardt started in 2004 as assistant to then winemaker Ehren Jordan.
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This Neyers was highlighted as one of the best of Napa’s 2011s in Jon Bonné’s piece for the SF Chronicle “Lessons from Napa in the trickiest of years” saying it “finds that great Cabernet balance of sleekness and dense flavor” with “pitch-perfect expression” and an “oregano-like herbal side frames its meaty structure and subtle blackcurrant fruit.”
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Since 1932, three generations of Salvestrins have sustainable farmed their vineyard which was originally planted in 1860 by Dr. George Crane. It’s situated immediately south of St Helena High School and along Main St (Hwy 29), surrounding the family winery. Rich Salvestrin farms the vineyard and makes the wine, and his wife Shannon handles the sales and marketing, while they both raise the 4th generation on their farm.
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Robert Parker gushed over the 2013, as “lusty, savory, hedonistic, rich and mouth-filling, with a dense purple color and not a hard edge in sight.” His praise did not stop there, saying that this “blockbuster fruit bomb has complexity, richness and a savory intensity that has to be tasted to be believed.”
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The vintages were so different that it’s difficult to weigh them against each other. Bonné is definitely on point calling the Neyers one of the best examples of 2011 Napa Cabernet. Savory, with rich aromatics of Mexican cocoa powder and mole sauce, reminiscent of Corison’s 2011. To Parker’s credit, the Salvestrin is definitely a blockbuster and a hedonistic fruit bomb, but the savoriness, complexity, and length tone down its showiness, and add a level of decorum that sets it apart. — 6 years ago

Joss Salgado

9.0

Woowww!! Delicious, complex, powerful, balanced and bold. Red fruits, leather, earthy aromas and a long and smoky finish. — 2 years ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.1

My buddy Ian brand coming correct. Sf chronicle wine maker of the year a few years back. Making a good name for our place Monterey. Listen to the bedrock podcast with Ian! It’s a good listen and the wine is super thoughtful. I can say im super thankful he and heather are keeping this going! Thank you heather brand for pouring and being the great host! Always gracious and kind. Ian and heather are bringing Monterey back up where it should be with the likes of Mark Chesebro (arroyo seco), tira nanza, russel Joyce and a few others. Big ups @Lee Lightfoot for letting me join you and Julie today. No doubt Carmel valley is on the rise again. Worth a visit! Contact me for appointments before summer — 3 years ago

Roger Custer

9.0

Nice California cab but it did not need decanting. A bit ranic but easy enough to sip. Hints of fruit in the front and a bit woody. Funny label. I would get again but its not one to go out of your way for. — 4 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.3

I found a house in St Helena last week and will be moving there at the end of May. I thought I should get acquainted with the neighbors. What better way than a face off?
.
Neyers Vineyards 2011 Neyers Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon vs Salvestrin Winery 2013 Salvestrin Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
.
Neyers Ranch is situated in the hills of Conn Valley just east of St Helena, with elevations ranging from 400’ to 1200’ on a south-facing, 50-acre parcel bisected by Conn Creek. Since 1998 Neyers has sustainably farmed this vineyard. Winemaker Tadeo Borchardt started in 2004 as assistant to then winemaker Ehren Jordan.
.
This Neyers was highlighted as one of the best of Napa’s 2011s in Jon Bonné’s piece for the SF Chronicle “Lessons from Napa in the trickiest of years” saying it “finds that great Cabernet balance of sleekness and dense flavor” with “pitch-perfect expression” and an “oregano-like herbal side frames its meaty structure and subtle blackcurrant fruit.”
.
Since 1932, three generations of Salvestrins have sustainable farmed their vineyard which was originally planted in 1860 by Dr. George Crane. It’s situated immediately south of St Helena High School and along Main St (Hwy 29), surrounding the family winery. Rich Salvestrin farms the vineyard and makes the wine, and his wife Shannon handles the sales and marketing, while they both raise the 4th generation on their farm.
.
Robert Parker gushed over the 2013, as “lusty, savory, hedonistic, rich and mouth-filling, with a dense purple color and not a hard edge in sight.” His praise did not stop there, saying that this “blockbuster fruit bomb has complexity, richness and a savory intensity that has to be tasted to be believed.”
.
The vintages were so different that it’s difficult to weigh them against each other. Bonné is definitely on point calling the Neyers one of the best examples of 2011 Napa Cabernet. Savory, with rich aromatics of Mexican cocoa powder and mole sauce, reminiscent of Corison’s 2011. To Parker’s credit, the Salvestrin is definitely a blockbuster and a hedonistic fruit bomb, but the savoriness, complexity, and length tone down its showiness, and add a level of decorum that sets it apart. — 6 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.7

Insanely good. Agree with sf chronicle. Best white wine I never heard of. Nose and palate are an explosion of honeysuckle, jasmine, earl grey, peaches, touch of citrus, but wow is this floral. It’s like drinking perfume in the best way. Go to website and order, I’m fascinated to hear what others think. — 2 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Deep ruby color. Aromas of cherry, floral, clove and pepper. Bright flavors of red fruit and blueberry with lingering fruit flavors.

🥇 - Gold medal, SF Chronicle Wine Competition. — 3 years ago

Bill Belanger

9.2

This wine was made by Ian Brand, who was named the Winemaker of the Year just this month by the SF Chronicle. It’s a wonderful Grenache blend. Try it! — 5 years ago