Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.8

We all know that the 2013 Napa vintage was excellent and this is a fine example of that.

The nose shows; a dark currant core, blackberries, dark, cherries, black raspberries and blueberries, dark, red, blue perfumed florals, settlement, moist clay, softly and layered baking spices.

The palate shows; gently polished, velvety, dusty, round, soft tannins. Gorgeous & perfectly ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries & both plums. baking soda, cinnamon, clove, vanillin, soft, leather, cedar notes, tobacco w/ ash, dry soils, beautiful, blue, dark, red florals framed in violets, grand acidity, wire to wire perfectly well balanced w/even tension/structure, excellently knitted structure and a long two-minute finish and long sets on beautiful, soft earthiness.

If there is one thing I learned tasting 6 Harlan’s is Bob Levy is one of the very best, if not thee best at managing Cabernet/Bordeaux blend tannins.

Tasting with Winemaker- Bob Levy & Managing Director-Don Weaver. — 3 months ago

Tegan Marriott

9.2

Vin de table. Corsican vermentino calling for a seafood medley= coupled with lighter seafood fare. Luminous, light, lychee & slight kirsch notes on the side. Acidity med.low, went well with our simple but elevated caprese salad! — a year ago

Louis Martin

8.9

Solid rich and dark Bordeaux, plum and leather with a bit of acidity. Paired well with smoked meats but did not fare well with chocolate. Would suggest decanting before serving to let it smooth out and balance. — 3 years ago

Louis Martin

9.1

Sweet, light, burst of cherry, with slightly bitter aftertaste. Goes well with classic Italian fare (we paired with spaghetti and Turkey meatballs). — 3 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Dark but clear red. Wonderfully inviting nose of black cherry and balsam. Medium full body with a nose-marching palate of black cherry and other dark fruits, balsam, patent leather, and anise herb (in that order). Medium acidity. Medium plus, velvety tannins. This is a fully Italian take on the Cabernets (Sauvignon and Franc) that calls out for food (medium to light cuts of beef would be great… Osso bucco?), but would fare just as well by the glass. Drink now through 2028. — 6 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Bright pale salmon in color. Cherry Bazooka on the nose. Medium light-bodied palate of red cherry and dried strawberry (with no Bazooka). Medium plus acidity balances the overt fruit quite well. Classic Rosé d’A in all of its fruity goodness. A rare French wine that fits right in with American “sippin’ culture” while still a perfect compliment to spicy fare or soft cheeses. If you’re one of those folks who claims to “not like anything sweet,” get over yourself and stop lying. The epitome of fruity rosé is just waiting to help you get through summer 2020. Let it. Drink now. — 6 years ago

David Kline

9.2

Blood red, with maximum density. Rosemary, plum-prune, sage and thyme, blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, cassis, violets, piebald earth and a touch of cranberry aromatically. Medium mouthfeel of elegance, and satin-y tannins despite its youth. Smoky raspberry sporting a cranberry aura, black currant leaf, light cassis, and roasted lamb with the lightest mint. Fantastic pomerol at a great price point. Hold this for another five years at least, and you will be well rewarded. Otherwise decant and serve with rustic fare smothered in olive oil! Brilliant. — 7 years ago

with Courtney

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Trader Joe’s — Reserve Lot #258 Pinot Gris 2025 — Willamette Valley, Oregon. United States 🇺🇸

Overview
A lively and expressive 100% Pinot Gris from Willamette Valley, crafted in a fresh, approachable style that overdelivers at its price point. Compared to the previous vintage, the 2025 shows a more savory edge and greater vibrancy right from the first pour.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon zest, ripe pear, green apple, and subtle orchard fruit layered with a lightly savory touch and clean citrus lift.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium-bodied with bright, energetic acidity. The wine feels more alive and immediately expressive, with a crisp, refreshing texture and a clean, polished finish.

Food Pairings
Light seafood, grilled chicken, salads, picnic fare, or simply on its own as an easy, everyday sipper.

Verdict
A standout value that hits the mark effortlessly. Fresh, vibrant, and well-balanced, this vintage elevates the experience with added liveliness and savory nuance.

Did You Know?
Pinot Gris from cooler climates like Willamette Valley often shows a balance of fresh acidity and subtle savory tones, especially in vintages where ripening conditions preserve both fruit and structure.

🍷 Personal Pick
This vintage really hit the spot, more alive, more savory, and incredibly satisfying from the first sip. At this price, it’s hard to beat.
— 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2011 vintage. Difficult vintage for Napa and environs to be sure. Usual mountain suspects seemed to fare better than valley floor stuff. All that said, more than a few properties re-releasing 2011's out into the wild and they are, generally, drinking very well. Not improving but reaching the top of their respective bell curves. This is one such story. No baby fat left. Serious mineral/earth influences throughout. The nose takes this into hello! territory. The finish signs the deed to the property. Hit this in the next 3-4 years for maximum enjoyment. 02.26.25. — a year ago

Doug Cranmer

9.2

Inky, deep and brooding Syrah that’s smoothly old-world refined. Paired well with French bistro fare — 3 years ago

with Mary

AJ Gubser

9.0

Nose of pear, green apple, sea breeze, and some distant caramel and butterscotch.

Palate of green apple, lemon, supported buy sweet oak and butterscotch. Med-med+ acidity. Clean finish.

Quite a fresh wine with subtle, well integrated oak. Delicious as a starter and with lighter fare. — 6 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Star bright pale yellow. Abundant nose of white flowers and white peach. Medium full palate yields peach, coconut, magnolia petal, and dark quince. Medium plus acidity through the lengthy, slightly dark finish. While this would make a good wine for a big-bodied summer sipper, it (naturally) shines brightest with food. The bright acidity combined with the Rhône-typical layers of flavor will compliment heartier spring and summer fare as well as medium to soft cheeses. Classic white Rhône experience. I don’t foresee any significant development, but it should satisfy well into 2026. — 6 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

This spicy, Grenache-based Vacqueyras exudes Provençal lushness and charm, with abundant raspberry, bitter cherry and floral notes. Substantial enough for rich winter fare, the 2017 also has the energy to pair well with lighter foods. It’s still young, so a quick decant is in order. $25.00 (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, December 2019) — 7 years ago

Sheils S

9.0

Bottle number two at a Lebanese restaurant. This was a very tasty red with full forward fruits of cherries and plums. Some cedar and vanilla on the finish. Holds up well with the complex and acidic Lebanese fare. Will definitely buy again should we cross paths at a wine shop, but not at restaurant markup. — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

Château Cantemerle 2023 – Haut-Médoc, BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A beautifully expressive Left Bank blend of Cabernet Sauvignon 71%, Merlot 18%, Petit Verdot 7%, and Cabernet Franc 4% that delivers immediate charm while retaining classic Haut-Médoc structure and aging potential. The wine shows vibrant fruit purity, polished tannins, and a well-judged touch of oak, making it approachable young yet capable of evolving gracefully over the coming decade.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe blackberry, black cherry, cassis, and plum layered with subtle cedar, vanilla spice, graphite, and a gentle floral lift. Fresh berry brightness carries through the palate, framed by light savory notes and a refined oak accent that enhances rather than dominates.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with supple texture and finely integrated tannins. Juicy, energetic entry with excellent balance between fruit concentration and freshness. Smooth mid-palate flow and a clean, persistent finish that stays lively and inviting.

Food Pairings
Grilled steak, roast chicken, lamb chops, mushroom risotto, charcuterie boards, aged Gruyère or Comté, and classic bistro fare. A versatile table wine that shines across a wide range of savory dishes.

🍷 Personal Pick
Cantemerle never disappoints, this is pure drinking pleasure wrapped in Bordeaux elegance. Juicy, polished, and instantly enjoyable, yet grounded with just enough structure to remind you why Haut-Médoc remains timeless. A perfect bottle when you want serious pedigree without serious effort.

Did You Know?
Château Cantemerle is classified as a Fifth Growth in the historic 1855 Bordeaux Classification and is known for producing some of the most consistently approachable and age-worthy wines of the Médoc, often offering outstanding value relative to its pedigree. — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Splash decanted; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2017 “Tip Top Vineyard” pours a deep ruby color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with tart and ripe black and red fruits: brambles, plums, cherry lozenges, black pepper, warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This worked really well with a variety of grilled fare though I suspect a few more years in the cellar would help add some complexity. Drink now with patience through 2032. — 2 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Star bright pale straw. Abundant nose of vanilla and quince. Palate is lighter than the nose portends, but still confirms adding a mineral note. Acidity is high and only tamped down a little bit by the barrel, but still well integrated into the whole. Moderate length finish continues the palate. As food friendly as any of its peers, but a good match for lighter fare than most. Salads, smaller crustaceans, and light fried chicken will be great, but your trout amandine won't be shortchanged. Drink now. — 3 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.1

This wine has been consistent since the 2009 vintage. The Little Bit Chardonnay is definitely the one to buy and open for the discriminating tastes, but this bottle will do the job it needs to complement lighter fare. I definitely think this one is a little bit lighter bodied than other vintages of Hudson, But the classic yellow fruit and herb density is certainly here. Actually very soft and rounded on the front, while still showing quite a bit of minerality on the finish. I think this one would probably do very well with a year of age to kind of bring it all together a little bit more. The QPR on this bottle is pretty good, and deals are usually to be had. Not bad for a wine that will probably keep very well for 5 years or so and has this kind of complexity for about 45 bucks! — 6 years ago

Ken Z

8.9

Drank 12/16/19. Nice with burgers.

Nose of red currant and cherry, with a bit of smoke imparting the only noticeable oak influence. Flavors of plums black cherry, and a touch of earth on the simple palate. Medium silky tannins. If I had to knock this wine, I would say that it lacks a bit of complexity and length on the finish, but overall very enjoyable. Would pair nicely with lighter fare, such as pork or chicken as well. Excellent QPR at around $13.(Costco)

3/22/7/4/3 +50 =89 pts. — 7 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.3

After trying this, I was informed that this one had been slow-oxing for 3 days! Soft quality with very rounded edges. Red and black fruits here get you right in the front with a dried nut character. Plum, pipe tobacco, a little foresty in the middle. Finishes with a lot of elegance but still has enough grip and pepper that it would go very well with really just about any food or fare. If this wine is drinking this well after 3 days, it still has a ton of life left! — 7 years ago

with Dan and Bradley