Bruce Dunbar

9.0

Recently released, the ‘24 Kick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc offers floral, grapefruit, chalky minerality and even a surprising undertone of caramel in the back end. It’s very nuanced and balanced, and not at all overpowering in the traditional SB flavor profiles. Food friendly and delicious with room to mature. — 23 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. In the glass the wine is a pale straw color with a silver rim. Medium viscosity with no signs of particles or gas. On the nose, the wine is very expressive or grapefruit, lime, and lemons withs some grassy, herbal qualities, yellow flowers and flint minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with acidity that I perceive as high. Confirming the notes from the nose. Finish is medium+. I don’t get any obvious use of oak…it would have to be extremely judicious if at all. Initial conclusion: this could be Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Albariño or maybe even Chardonnay from France, California, Germany or Spain. But I don’t get the petrol thing I associate with Riesling and it’s missing the white flowers and lanolin for Chenin. Not enough salinity for Albariño and the acid just seems too high for Chardonnay, even from Chablis. I think the structure is the key here. Final conclusion, this is a Sauvignon Blanc, from France, from the Loire, from Sancerre, 2020 vintage. Welp…at least I was in the right ballpark! This was a wine full of energy and one I would be happy to drink again. Drink now to enjoy its lovely fruit and acid. As a side note, it’s becoming harder and harder to find distinction from Old World and New World (which is probably why the CMS has stopped using the terms altogether), particularly with Sauvignon Blanc. A combination of climate change and winemaking has certainly blurred the lines.
— 2 years ago

Shengli Hu

8.9

Since 2020 wild yeast fermentation with at least 20% whole cluster (layering in fermenter). They’ve been using whole cluster since 2010 hovering around 10-15% gradually increasing. 1992-1995 vintages not destemmed completely either. Sweet cola nut, cranberry, red juicy cherry, sweet baking spices. High acidity, medium soft tannins. 2018 meatier and weightier locking in at 13.6%. In 2020 they separated the native yeast vs non native yeast ferments. According to Tim, native yeast led to better alcohol conversion, richer wine at same alcohol compared to without.

Precious old vines and newly replanted vines. Completely dry farmed no drip lines at all! Some of which are suffering from Pierce’s disease and leafroll virus.

I was told back in 2016 Kelli White and her husband had a deal with John and Nancy to lease their vineyards but they backed off at the last minute… I for one memorized every little detail about School House from Kelli’s tome Napa Valley Then and Now
— 4 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

The ‘23 Lichau Hills is a showcase for the fruit, starting off lean, pure, and elegant. With a long decant, some softer edges, redder fruits, and the rocky soil of the vineyard started to show through. Mild acids and tannins. A bit one dimensional but it is very, very young. Food friendly. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2016 pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: cassis, blackberries, raspberries, red plum, tobacco, a touch of bell pepper, earth, old wood, and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A classic expression of Bordeaux during a period where the lines between New and Old World have been blurred. This is tasty and showing well in its early drinking window. Drink now through 2036+. — a year ago

John Knudsen

9.0

Delectable, this is the Desire Lines Wine Co. Experimental Series No. 10 Old Durney Massa Vineyard Reisling.

Slate, tropical fruits.

12/22 — 3 years ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

A powerful Syrah in its youth, the Winds of Change 2023 (released March ‘25) opens with a dusty nose full of minerals, rose and kirsch. On the palate, its drying tannins are at the forefront now, adding to the dusty feel, but there is a nice peppery bite, dark cherries and tar. It felt a bit reserved and perhaps a few more years in bottle will mellow the tannins and let the rest shine. — a year ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Light, limpid lemon color…very light nose. Clean, crisp, lemon, tart apple notes with a hint of stem. Delightful long finish with a smooth, supple base note and hints of savory basil. Structured, layered, complex and lively. I love Chenin… particularly Californian with early summer simple lemon roast chicken and cucumber/onion salad. I like the producer and wish I had more. Easy to like as a young vibrant wine. — 3 years ago

Jack Petras

9.1

2019 very impressive everything in its right place. Very polished, clean lines with great depth and elegance. Still young and nervy. — 3 years ago

Ron R

9.4

I’m on vacation so I broke my mid-week fast!
In my mind, this is another top drawer French producer. No perceptible fault lines on the nose or palate. Think about the number of producers in France producing Chablis and you realize that it’s a struggle to innovate within that market, but Moreau pulls it off.
This is laser focused and tense. Unsure if this sees oak, hence the focus. Notes of wet stones, peach and lemon. The mid palate displays zippy acidity and a deftly balanced mouthfeel. If you like French chards, you’ll enjoy this. — 4 years ago

with Anne-marie