Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2010 vintage. Decanted and tasted immediately. Lean and mean. Medium body but only because of the concentration. Dark fruits and plenty of espresso influence evident. Slightly less delicate than other P-C efforts fortunate enuff to taste. Tighter than the outstanding 2009 upon initial impressions. Needed more time to coddle this one but couldn't carve it out. 6.20.26. — 4 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.0

2022 vintage. First vintage under Lorenzetti ownership. Oak dominating initially, needs a few hours to open up. Concentrated black fruit with serious oak influence. Lots of potential, but doesn't have the charm of the 2020 today. Ab. 14,,5% — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Brief notes. Sweet red fruits - raspberry and strawberry. Whole bunch influence. An excellent Yarra Valley Pinot Noir with a proven track record but at the end of the day Applejack Vineyard is marginally in front of Sexton Vineyard IMO. — 2 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.5

The 2020 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is fabulous. In fact, the appellation wine is my favorite Pinot in this range. The combination of the sites, and a bit less stem influence than the vineyard designates, works so well. There's a bit more fruit, more mid-palate sweetness and better balance overall, in my view. All the elements are so well put together. All of this fruit is from Machado and Hapgood. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)
— 4 years ago

Paul J

9.4

Lovely and consistent. Massive French influence with earth and barnyard smells. Medium depth and a rustic flavor. Dark fruit. Medium finish. Excellent QPR. Definitely my style. — 5 years ago

with Steve and Brooke

Palmer Emmitt

Owner/Winemaker Judge Palmer

9.1

Gorgeous wine on the pretty end of the classic Rioja spectrum. Pure red fruit with some floral character and just the right amount of oak influence, hinting at cedar and spice. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

In a word “Elegant,” 100% organically farmed Tempranillo from village of Laguardia, aged in barrels for nine months limiting the oak influence. Deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruit and subtle light spice. Palate, clean and fresh fruit flavors of cherry and sweet blackberry, very smooth with super fine velvet tannins. Long finish, complex ending bringing everything together. Outstanding about 1000 cases made. Don’t hesitate if you see a bottle. — 6 years ago

CailenRachel

9.7

Super super yummy! Notes of toast, dark yellow rich like that one Chardonnay we love. SO GOOD! Buy!! — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Castillo Clavijo – Rioja Blanco – 2024
Rioja DOCa | Spain 🇪🇸

Overview:
A very casual, approachable white from Rioja DOCa, a region better known for reds, this bottle delivers exactly what it promises: simplicity, freshness, and value. Viura-driven, made in a clean, straightforward style that favors easy drinking over complexity.

Aromas & Flavors:
Fresh and subtle with notes of green apple, lemon zest, and soft white florals. There’s a gentle herbal edge typical of Viura, but nothing overt or demanding, clean and unfussy.

Mouthfeel:
Light- to medium-bodied with refreshing acidity. Smooth, easygoing, and crisp, finishing clean without weight or oak influence.

Food Pairings:
Grilled fish, light salads, seafood tapas, simple chicken dishes, or anything olive-oil driven. A reliable companion at the table without stealing the spotlight.

Verdict:
A “does-the-job” Rioja white that makes sense on the value side. Not meant to rival more serious white Rioja expressions, but a pleasant, practical option from a red-dominant region, especially when you want something uncomplicated and food-friendly.

Did You Know?
Viura (also known as Macabeo) is Rioja’s primary white grape, capable of both simple, fresh wines like this and age-worthy, complex whites when blended or oak-aged.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
This is the kind of easy, reliable white you reach for when you want something light, affordable, and regionally honest, proof that Rioja can still deliver on the white side, even if reds remain its calling card. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

I haven’t had a lot of experience with Napa Valley Chardonnay but this was most enjoyable. Rich and mouth filling, creamy. Stone fruit and almonds. Barb said white flowers on the nose. Apparently this was picked early and malolactic fermentation was blocked. Oak influence is totally integrated - balanced. I paid $147 AUD in Brisbane in September 2021. A lot dearer than what you might pay in the States I would guess. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Ruby red with a tawny rim. Aromas of menthol, mint, black and red fruits with a touch of licorice and tar. Similar notes on the medium to full bodied palate. Finishes with chalky, fine, drying tannins. This producer was one of the early adopters of using small French oak Barriques. This influence was noticeable 4 years ago in my first Delectable note on this wine but now it has all come together and in balance. Looking forward to trying the 3rd one in 2 or 3 years time. — 5 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Fruit for this Pinot comes from two of the coolest, most coastal parts of this appellation, linked by the influence of the Pacific’s cool marine air, which delays ripening. Ruby with berry fruit, citrus and floral spice. On the palate, strawberry and cherry, tangy, with cedar notes and earthy tones. Bright acidity, soft expressive tannins, long finish ending with tobacco and woody spice. Very nice, drink now & over next 5 years. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.3

Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.

The Fantesca property on Spring Mtn is gorgeous, and their tasting room at the winery is stunning. Really enjoyed getting to try more of their wines.

Give it time and this will be a point or two better easily. The only Fantesca wine not made by winemaker Heidi Barrett, but by assistant winemaker Tony Arcudi. A good balance of classical Cali Pinot with some old world flair. Fruit here is slightly underripe and a mix of red and black berries. A definite herbal influence with underbrush. Lots of layers here...rhubarb tart and candied black cherries up front before evolving to show herbs de Provence, cedar, crunchy cranberry and tobacco leaves. Complex. Delicious. — 6 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2023 vintage. Pretty sure this vineyard was dealing with a replanting. Dunno where this offering falls on either side of that. Medium body. Bright cherry and cola right off the bat. Some earthy, durty tones hanging out underneath the bleachers. Some oak influence. Full disclosure: fan of this producer and particular vineyard but not of singled-out Grenache. Likely better in a year or two. 3.16.25. — 3 months ago

Doug Powers

9.0

Red berry, some oak influence, minerality and savory as well, nice balance, medium-long finish, solid Aussie Shiraz! — a year ago

with Jim

Brandon Boesch

9.3

Really nice. Definitely Sonoma coast with a bit of Russian river influence. Strawberries, baking spices galore, decomposing redwood forest, some cherry and maybe a bit of plum. It’s great but similar to a lot of other Pinots from that area. — 4 years ago

Jeremy Pollard

9.3

Not shy, this one. An upfront riot of aromas and flavour, with citrus, mandarin, nougat and oak influence with good weight and a luscious texture. — 4 years ago

with Sam

Paul J

9.3

2hr+ decant. Dark red color. Nose has cherries, pencil shavings, and burnt cedar. Wine has nice flavor, but lacks structure and depth. Medium finish. Love the French influence. — 5 years ago

with Brooke

John Riddick

8.9

Rich style, good oak influence. Missing some vegetal notes that I love so much about Cab Franc. Overall enjoyable. — 6 years ago

with Lauren

Bob McDonald

8.9

Raspberry aromas and a rubbery note. Very raspberry on the palate. Oak influence is restrained, particularly for a Penfolds red (apart from St Henri) although it is 10 years old, very integrated and nearing the end of its drinking window. Once again the Grenache aromas and influence on the palate dominate in this GSM Blend. Easy to drink. — 7 years ago