Jay Kline

9.1

Poured into a decanter roughly an hour prior to service and presented double-blind. The 2016 “Big Break” presents a bright ruby with a deep but transparent core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart, ripe and dried red fruits: cherries, Craisins, red flowers, leather, dried earth and light baking spice. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, though the fruit comes across a lot more ripe. The finish is medium+ and the alcohol is high. I called 2020 Cote du Rhône (Southern), Grenache heavy GSM blend. What a pleasant surprise! I used to drink the smack out of various Cline Zinfandel’s and Big Break was always amongst their better, if not a little more difficult to find. Drinking well now and will continue to do so through 2031, easy. — 16 days ago

Charlie Tapp

9.2

Black fruit, tobacco and leather. — 17 days ago

Brendan Baker

9.2

Blackberries, forest floor, medium body, drinking well 😋 — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.2

128-year-old Mataro vines grown in the sand in Contra Costa County, stunning redfruits, great freshness and lift from the lovely acidity, good balance, excellent depth, long finish, terrific Mataro!! — 6 days ago

with Jim

Larry Schnelle

9.3

Excellent with Dr . Pepper short ribs — 3 days ago

Doug Powers

9.0

Label says grapes are from Petaluma Gap, which I guess includes part of Marin County as well as Sonoma? Light in color, but lovely red floral aromas and dried red cherry and cranberry fruit flavors, very nice balance, drinking beautifully tonight, lingering finish, very well-done!! — 23 days ago

with Jim

Cathy Levy

9.2

Fabulous CA pinot, aged well and enjoyed
immensely. — 19 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of five days and consistent throughout. The 2022 Contra Costa County pours a deep ruby color with an opaque core, medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with predominant notes of black fruit: black plum, blackberry, black cherry, some strawberry, licorice, dried green herbs, and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is medium and the fruit has an almost crunchy texture. This is such a versatile red wine and I don’t know that I could ever really get enough of it. Drink now through 2032. — 17 days ago

Chris MacLean

9.2

No dissatisfaction here — 18 days ago

with Sarah

romo

9.1

Juicy carbonic-y zero tannin tart cherry. Admittedly fresh still. — a month ago