Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Dark and inky ruby/purple color. Aromas of ripe red and black fruit, purple flowers, baking spices and a light touch of vanilla. Juicy flavors of dark cherry, black berry/currant and raspberry fruit with additional notes of chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cedar. A bit of black pepper spice on the long finish. Medium body and acidity with very smooth tannins. Well balanced and versatile. Solid quality for the price. — 2 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.0

Medium ruby color. Mix of Cab and Malbec. Aromas of cherry cola, blueberry and baking spices. Smooth, very delicious! Had at the Yountville tasting room and brought home a few bottles. — 3 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.3

Hard to pin this down, very Thackrey in that regard. No new oak, rustic and earthy on the nose, with some minerality, subsided black and red fruit, a touch of mushrooms, herbs and also funk, which all together makes you think of stem inclusion and low SO2, all coming out in a pleasant way. All in balance except perhaps a touch too much alcohol at 13.8. Very interesting experience, a complex and intellectual wine because I keep thinking about it and changing my mind as I sip, though not an elegant one. Tasting blind I’d be totally puzzled but would probably not call it California Pinot — 4 years ago

Pooneet K

9.2

A preposterously good value in 2021. I always like their wines, from the Troncone up to the Brunello. But this rosso may really hit the middle sweet spot at least at this point 4 years since harvest. Lovely expression of Sangiovese. Perfect pairing with an excellent medium rare prime strip steak from double R ranch. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

It’s been a long time since I’ve had an OG, Bill Sorenson made Burgess Cabernet. I’ve always appreciated their classic California sensibility. This double-magnum of the 1998 vintage was generously provided by a buddy to accompany our lunch of Morgan Ranch Wagyu burgers. Initially a bit musty and for a second, I thought it might be slightly corked. However, the bouquet freshened up after about 30min of air the palate was ripe and delicious, no signs of TCA taint at all. Dark berries, black plum, dark cherry, tobacco, leather and loads of damp earth. The structure is still there however the tannins have completely integrated. This was a lovely showing for a wine in the twilight of its life. — 3 years ago

Chris

9.3

Syrah did not pack quite as much punch as their Cab that we enjoyed at T-fest, but was still a nice sipper. — 4 years ago

with Beth

Shay A

9.5

This may be my favorite K wine to date. I double decanted this for about two hours and then consumed from bottle over the next three.

If I’m looking for a comparison, this reminded me of a Tensley Colson Ranch but with whole cluster/stem inclusion. Deep purple in the glass. There is a perfumed/fragrant nose of sweet fruit (rich and ripe black and blueberries) crusted with dark cocoa, then veers to the herbs de Provence and green/stemmy style. Absolutely gorgeous on the palate with a nervy mineral driven core of acidity. Violets, grilled dark fruits, mocha, and peppercorn covered black currant. Touch of salinity. Finish is really quite integrated already. This may be showing all its got at the moment (which is impressive) but I expect it will hang in this window another 3+yrs before the fruit/savory balance starts tipping toward mostly savory. Enjoy now! — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Initially served to me double-blind from a decanter. In the glass, the wine appeared a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core. There was significant sediment but other than that, there were no other potential indications of age since the color was so ruddy. There was moderate staining and viscosity was medium+/high. The nose was fascinating: bright, powerful ripe cherries, plums, dark chocolate, old leather-bound books, earth, anise, exotic spices and tobacco. The leather, color and sediment had me leaning pretty hard towards a Right Bank Bordeaux from an excellent producer, showing 15-20 age. But I wasn’t yet convinced and then, the palate told a different story. It was fresh and full-bodied. Absolutely packed with fruit and spices. It was bone dry with monumental tannin and acid was easily in the medium+ category. The wine was impeccably balance with elevated alcohol and a forever finish. I was now leaning Italy but where? This was not from Piemonte and I couldn’t think of a wine in Tuscany that would be made quite like this. I was stumped…all I knew is that I was in love whatever this was. Then my buddy said it wasn’t fair because the wine wasn’t technically testable…so he revealed the bottle. Of course it’s “Pagliaro” from Paolo Bea. Swoon! This wine has so 👏🏽 much 👏🏽 soul 👏🏽. My first time enjoying the 2012 in many years and this is in a beautiful spot. A wow wine that will continue to deliver well last 2032. Paired with Morgan Ranch Wagyu burgers and bolognese. Bottle No. 3512/9971. Merry Christmas! — 3 years ago

Turd Ferguson

9.3

Really tasty per usual for Ridge. Good density. Brighter than expected! Plenty of acid. Still wound tight needs lots of air or a few more years in the cellar. Pair with T-bone steak 🥩 — 4 years ago

Lauri Metz

9.0

Paul really liked this one! — 4 years ago