For Pinot, the best I had so far — a month ago
Compared to the ‘03 on a hot vintage this was also fire (but the ‘03 was the winner). — 2 months ago
Oak, honey and citrus aroma. Rich, tropical, but acidic and minerally. Long finish. Dutton Ranch area in Russian river valley where is 20 km from the coast is quite famous, lots of sunshine, but cool area, first planter’s learnt by Sommelier. Elegant! 2019 @, arom, 240501 — 20 days ago
Bruce Phillips and his wife were pouring their 2021. Talked w/ him at length. Very nice couple.
The 2021 showed well young with room for improving with 10-25 years in bottle and beyond. It showed some evolution, wasn’t all primary. Elegant, very well balanced with excellent structure and finish. Drink 2033-45 properly stored.
The general Napa consensus on 2022 vintage will be a story of did you pick before or after the 6 days of extreme heat during the harvest window. One producer told me his would add 5% of 2023 to some of his 2022’s, which is allowed. He mentioned that he was going to add 15%. But, I think he just misspoke? Get ready for an amazing 2023 vintage from Napa. It was a cooler, not hot-hot, which was a near perfect growing season for long slow even ripening. Some say a vintage of a lifetime and others would only say exceptional.
The Saturday-Sunday Pavilion tasting at Pebble Beach Food & Wine is an excellent four hours to taste a lot wine, taste curated dishes from chefs from all over the country and meet the people behind the bottle. These short ribs were one of the top two or three things I tasted at the Pavilion Saturday. — a month ago
This was young but lovely. Creamy, viscous, citrus zip, chamomile, spring meadow — 2 months ago
I find most Nickle & Nickle pleasant but over-marketed. — a month ago
Delicious Cabernet Sauvignon, dark berry flavor. Wonderful accompaniment to sautéed greens and pork dumplings in chicken mushroom broth. ($24). — a month ago
Ron R
Celebrating the life of my father-in-law. He entrusted me with the safe keeping of his only daughter. There is no gift more precious than this in my mind. — 9 days ago