Heart Of The Desert

Sullivan Vineyards

Heart of the Vineyard Red Blend 2012

It’s always easy to be biased for a wine you had some small part in contributing to (I worked at the vineyard right before this harvest) but this is authentically excellent. Has aged extremely well. With a 1.5 hour decant and a slight chill, the classic dusty Rutherford fruit with very nice acid on the finish comes through in spades. Very long finish and quite in balance. Perfect pairing with some beautiful dry aged strip steaks to round out Thanksgiving weekend. — 20 days ago

Bob, Jay and 9 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@Pooneet K, super happy that you were able to drink a wine that you had a hand in making!! I won’t buy Sullivan, as nearly 40 years ago, I had a “not great” experience with the winery and their wines!!

Bleeding Heart Rum Co.

Don Papa Small Batch Rum

12/22 A LOT of vanilla and banana. Sweet. Smooth with no burn. Have to like all the tropical notes but I did. From Philippines. High marks 89 — 3 years ago

Bonny Doon Vineyard

The Heart has its Rieslings San Benito County/Monterey County Riesling

One of my favorites. Love this wine but can never find it anymore! — 4 years ago

Saxum Vineyards

Heart Stone Vineyard Syrah Blend

Truly drinking at its peak! This wine shows all of the best that Paso Robles can offer with just the right amount of aging! — 5 years ago

Tricia Schneider
with Tricia
Troy liked this

Ruffino

Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend

In 1877, Illario and Leopoldo Ruffino laid the foundations of their dream to make Italian wines from the heart of Tuscany. Medium Ruby red color with aromas of dark berry fruit and earthy spice, blend of 80% Sangiovese with rest Merlot and Cab Sauv. On the palate flavors of black cherry and plum with tobacco, pepper and earthy cedar notes. Full-bodied, well balanced soft drying tannins on a smooth medium+ finish. Grab some Italian food and enjoy the great value wine. Consistent quality, a Fav!! — 21 days ago

Tom, Daniel and 4 others liked this

Bernard Levet

Côte Rôtie Syrah 2021

This is the standard Côte Rôtie from Agnes Levet that’s a blend of different parcels. However, the philosophy and approach remain the same as “La Chavaroche” and “Les Journaries”. In the past, this bottling was known as “Améthyste” and only recently became more widely available in the US. “Widely” is a relative word, lol.

Opened about an hour prior to service. The 2021 pours a deep garnet/purple with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a gorgeous bouquet all of the different varieties and colors of brambles your heart could possibly desire along with all of the seeds and stems, freshly cracked black pepper, dried herbs, some of the animale, purple flowers some hints of old wood and yes, perhaps a kiss of brettanomyces. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long, drying and loaded with even more black pepper. This is giving me total 2014 vibes and if you liked that vintage in the Northern Rhône (as I did), you’re gonna absolutely love this. Drink now through 2036.
— a year ago

Ron, Daniel and 10 others liked this
Martin Bergo

Martin Bergo Influencer Badge

Excellent review. Thanks. I can’t however comprehend the term ”standard” for C-Rs, as the few (roughly a dozen) I’ve tried have been amazing.
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Martin Bergo I would never want to suggest “standard” to mean anything less than special though, merely stating such suggests there is something “non-standard” available, so I do get your point.

Iron Horse Vineyards

Heart of the Vineyard Chardonnay 2020

Nothing short of spectacular. Best picnic wine ever. — 5 months ago

Bonnie Hodur
with Bonnie

Orin Swift Cellars

8 Years in the Desert Zinfandel Blend

Deep ruby color. Black fruits on the nose and the palate, with chocolate, licorice, and oak. Bold and full bodied with mild tannins. Lingering finish. Great blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, and Petite Syrah. It was worth the 8 year wait. — 6 months ago

Dow's

Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2015

Fall is here and it’s the season I love to drink port. Dow, producing Ports for over 2 centuries. One of the first to establish its own vineyards, acquiring Senhora da Ribeira, in the remote Upper Douro, in 1890 & Bomfim, in the heart of Alto Douro, in 1896. Aromas of ripe fruits, fragrant spices and sweet notes. On the palate flavors of candied apple and jammy blackberries with cacao and honey. Firm dusty tannins, good balance, long finish. Perfect now. — 4 years ago

Andrew, Anthony and 4 others liked this

Gamble Family Vineyards

Heart Block Yountville Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Unique in many ways. Aromatics and acidity were upfront with a mouth coating wave of wet stone and white flowers. This wine was so rich and balanced- you could drink glass after glass and not be bored. A true joy to drink and share. Very well made. — 5 years ago