Courtyard Wineries

Finca de la Carrodilla

Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Nice cab. I found it lacking a bit of refinement considering we were at one of the best wineries in the Valle de Guadalupe. But solid wine, and amazing winery. Syrah leading the way in this region I strongly believe. — 3 years ago

Jones Family Vineyard

The Sisters Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

My last of the Jones Sisters experiment. A little Prunish like several 04’s I’ve had from various wineries. — 4 years ago

David, Shay and 30 others liked this

Petaluma

Coonawarra Cabernet-Merlot Blend 2010

Still standing tall! Amazing Bordeaux blend from one of Australia’s preeminent wineries! Very balanced, great forward fruit and a super-long finish! Had with aged beef - to die for!! — 5 years ago

Continuum

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009

Shay A
9.5

Last week was a combo of 4th Friday and Open That Bottle Night on back to back nights. Needless to say, the lineup between both days was full of heavy hitters, so I’m only posting standout bottles.

One of my bottles. One of my favorite wineries and easily one of the top 5 winery visits I’ve ever done. To me, this is “classic” Continuum in that is has just a impeccable balance of both fruit and herbal/savory notes both aromatically and on the palate. I let this slow ox for a couple hours, checking in ever so often, and found this hit stride after about two hours of air. Lovely bouquet of potpourri, lavender, graphite, sage, currant, ripe blackberries, black cherries and mocha. On the palate, its profile is soft yet all encompassing. Mulberries, cassis, tobacco leaves, herbs de Provence, licorice, dark cocoa, baking spices and a touch savory toward the finish. Enjoyable now and not getting better. My thanks to
@Bill Bender for this.
— 5 years ago

joe leatherwoodWeston EidsonJid R
with joe, Weston and 1 other
David, Arden and 44 others liked this
Ron Snow

Ron Snow

Agree @Shay A! The winery and wine are both spectacular. Cheers!

Ridge Vineyards

Pagani Ranch Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Blend 2017

Really well balanced zin. Pagani ranch is a Sonoma producer of berries to several wineries. Indigenous yeast. Well made. 14.8 ABV. Cheers my friends!!! — 4 years ago

Tom, Sharon and 28 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Eric 😋 vintage?

R. López de Heredia

Viña Cubillo Crianza Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2010

In many ways a baby Tondonia, this ‘Crianza’* from López de Heredia is a great entry point to the wines of one of Rioja’s oldest wineries, and in many ways mimics the styles of its more upmarket reds. Not dissimilar in style to Viña Tondonia, this medium-bodied red cuts a leaner profile with dried red fruit, bags of vanilla and characteristically fierce orange zest acidity. The aroma is intoxicating and packs the leathery, savoury punch that is the hallmark of classical Rioja. It lacks the purity and depth of fruit of its bigger brother, and finishes slightly shorter, but for the price (£17/btl) it’s an exceptional - and of course traditional - Rioja that any lover of the region should seek out, and one which should provide ample enjoyment over the coming decade or more.

*this wine spent enough time in barrel and bottle to easily qualify for Gran Reserva status, but of López de Heredia’s wines it is always the ‘youngest’.
— 5 years ago

Alfonzo, Peter and 21 others liked this

Long Shadows Vintners

Poet's Leap Columbia Valley Riesling 2017

Any day of the week! Great off dry Riesling from one of my favorite wineries. Sweet orchard fruit that goes down with frightening ease. — 5 years ago

Jason, Shay and 8 others liked this
David T

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Not sure I could take your description that far. Hoisin Sauce, sugar, Tamari soy sauce, sherry wine vinegar, rice vinegar, scallion, Tobacco sauce, Kum Lee chilli sauce, fresh ginger, garlic, white pepper, sesame oil & cup of chopped cilantro.
Martin Sher

Martin Sher

Thats the one - that is what they are calling it on their website. Sounds great - will give it a try, thanks for the suggestion!
David T

David T Influencer Badge

It’s great complex spice blend and the Poetry Riesling compliments it perfectly.

Two Hands

Bella's Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz 2005

David T
9.5

All in at $50.

The nose shows; ruby, floral & candied fruits of; mulberries, gooseberries, ollallieberries, boysenberries blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries with raspberries hovering across the top. Grilled, savory meats, black pepper, dark spice, dark cola, dark chocolate, anise to black licorice, dark expresso grounds, sweet tarriness, older tobacco, very used leather, limestone minerals, crushed rocks, incense, ambers, dry tree sap, dry herbs-sage, bat leaf, eucalyptus notes, moist, forest floor, moist, grey clay with withering, fresh & candied florals that are; purple, dark, blue and red set in pronounced lavender & violets woven in.

The body is; full, lush, rich, round, juicy & velvety. It glides across the palate in total gorgeous elegance. The structure, tension, balance & length are at their high point with another 5-8 years of solid drinking with a few years beyond if you enjoy that later stage. I am one who doesn’t protest that part of the life cycle. The tannins are round, pulpy and are still meaty. Fruits are; ruby, touch jammy, floral & candied fruits of; mulberries, gooseberries, boysenberries, ollallieberries, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, blueberries with raspberries hovering across the top. Grilled, savory meats, black pepper, notes of Worcestershire sauce, dark combo of Indian & some Asian spices that bring heat, dark cola, dark chocolate, caramel, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, anise to black licorice, dark expresso grounds, sweet tarriness, older tobacco, oak barrel shaving dust, somewhat card toast, very used leather, limestone minerals, crushed rocks, incense, ambers, dry tree sap, dry herbs-sage, bay leaf, eucalyptus notes, moist, forest floor, moist, muddy, grey clay with withering, fresh & candied florals that are; purple, dark, blue and red set in pronounced lavender & violets woven in. The acidity is round & excellent. The finish is stunningly well knitted, balanced fruit & earth, elegant, gorgeous, that loads lush & juicy and falls on to deep spices persisting for days.

Photos of our April 2017 visit; the walk up to Two Hands, waterfall in their courtyard in the back, utility building & their stand up tasting bar right as you walk in.

Stunning example of what Australian Shiraz can be with the right patience.

1/9/21
— 4 years ago

Paul, Neil and 30 others liked this
Ming L

Ming L

One of my favorite Aussie Syrah. Need to taste a nicely aged one.
MaJ CappS

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Such a phenomenal winery!
Peter Last

Peter Last

The most exhaustive review I've ever seen, teases out unexpected and previously-undetected flavours after reading. The best sort of review

Eagle Ridge

Private Reserve Petite Sirah 2013

Eagle Ridge is one of my favorite boutique wineries in Livermore. They use all estate grapes and the Petite Sirah is their signature wine. This 6 year old PS has flavors of plum and brambleberries. — 5 years ago

Tom liked this

Cellers Fuentes

Gran Clos Priorat Garnacha Blend 2000

First , I am a Grenache fan. Actually toured the Piorat region wineries with a guide a few years ago. This is a luscious, chewy, delicious example of the Grenache grape. — 5 years ago

Ron, Robert and 5 others liked this