Jeff Thompson

9.0

Jazz birthday at the wine bar in Mara Loop June 21, 2026. 2022 vintage. — 5 days ago

Sagee Aran

9.1

A refreshing crisp Godelo. Beautiful yellow straw color, interesting nose and tasty palate — 10 months ago

Shay A

9.2

@Delectable Wine : This is the Brick & Mortar Blanc de Blancs Manchester Ridge Vineyard. I didn’t see it in the database.

It has probably been 4-5yrs since I last had a sparkler from Brick & Mortar, so when some buddies visited their winery recently and raved about them, I ended up with a BdB and a Rosé to try. I chose this as one of my 2018 Cali BdB sparklers I opened to see how the sparkling wine scene is evolving (also opened was a 2018 Haliotide BdB, 2018 Ultramarine Heintz BdB, and a 2018 Ultramarine Michael Mara BdB).

48 months on lees

With hardly any experience, I had zero expectations of style. After the comparison, I’m a bit surprised to say this showed fairly similar to the 2018 Ultramarine Heintz BdB. Both have a bit richer fruit profiles with some funk and oxidation. Aromatically, there is more of a honeyed profile than the others, with floral and orange citrus accents. The leesy profile is evident on the palate with rich layers of herb-crusted yellow fruits and a hint of lemon pastry. I’d like to re-visit this on its own to see how it shows away from comparisons. — 2 years ago

Belén Sathicq

9.1

Cabernet Franc Mara de Catena
Muuuuy fresco y para nada taninico, me encantó pese a que los Franc no son lo mío — 2 years ago

Turd Ferguson

9.1

Galician Godello when done right might be my favorite white grape. — 3 years ago

Per

9.4

Sweet and spicy full-bodied Rioja with strawberry notes and a dry finish. Nice choice at Mara, Mpls. — 4 years ago

Ericsson

9.0

One of those unique Northern Spanish white wines that I’m always eager to try. — 5 years ago

Paul J

9.0

Can’t rate. Maybe the wine is in a weird spot or my palate was affected by the 4 sessions of snow shoveling, but if I had a blindfold on I would have thought this was a red. Somewhat restrained on the palate with lots of steel elements and some earth. Color was great, as was the cork, so must be me. Usually one of my favorites! — 5 months ago

with Brooke

Tom Garland

9.2

Charlie's(St Helena) Maitre De Chai(Berkeley, CA) wine dinner.

Limited intervention, old school wines using old vine organic grapes from Sonoma/Napa/Sierra foothills.

WINES:
2019 Maitre De Chai Mara Sparkling Solera
2017 Maitre De Chai  Heron Sav Blanc
2017 Maitre De Chai  Heron Chardonnay
2017 Maitre De Chai Stampede Zinfandel
2019 Maitre De Chai Gala Mtn Cab Sav

FOOD:
Canapes: Petaluma fried chicken, smoked St Helena sausage, Tamales Bay oysters, Angwin avocado & Regis Ova cavier.
1st: grilled escarole Caesar salad.
2nd: Jamon Iberico and Rancho Gordo grits.
3rd: Double cut wolf ranch pork chop.
Espresso martini affogato. — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Shay A

9.2

My last of a 3-pack the last few years. I chose this as one of my 2018 Cali BdB sparklers I opened to see how the sparkling wine scene is evolving (also opened was a 2018 Ultramarine Heintz BdB, 2018 Ultramarine Michael Mara BdB and 2018 Brick & Mortar Manchester Ridge BdB).

45 months en tirage, 4 g/l dosage

Clean and pure style. If you love Chablis or leaner champagnes, this is your jam. Grilled lemon, sea spray, hint of and honeysuckle aromatically. On the palate, it is mineral heavy (slate/limestone-esque) with sea salt, lemon scone, oyster shell, all wrapped in a crystalline profile. This is undeniably BdB and presents as a grower champagne type profile. Bright and elegant (showed a bit more classical compared to the other three). — 2 years ago

John Willison

9.2

Round yellow fruit, herbal, rich yeast. — 2 years ago

Danielle Draudt

9.3

Not sure it’s the correct vintage, but it was interesting and delicious. Even Mara found herself liking it. — 3 years ago

with Charlotte

Paul J

9.3

Tasting a bunch of ‘15 Napa Chards recently. This is middle of the road. Restrained across all facets, but what did come through was great! Similar to the ‘15 Matthiasson Mara Chard but dialed back a bunch. — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Steve Rura

9.3

Broc is really great at Chardonnay! Bright and acidic. Elegantly balanced. Nowhere near your typical old school oaky Cali chard — 6 months ago

Melanie Callen

9.2

Light, crisp beautiful — 10 months ago

Shay A

9.3

With some inconsistencies the last year or two with Ultramarine, this was a nice refresher of how enjoyable they can be when showing well. I chose this as one of my 2018 Cali BdB sparklers I opened to see how the sparkling wine scene is evolving (also opened was a 2018 Haliotide BdB, 2018 Ultramarine Michael Mara BdB and 2018 Brick & Mortar Manchester Ridge BdB).

Over the last 7yrs or so of opening Ultramarine, I’ve found the Charles Heintz to show the classical vineyard expression of pure and ripe tropical fruit (guava), a small amount of oxidation of the fruit, and a distinct cream soda note. This 2018 lined up fairly close to those expectations (whereas the Michael Mara has been a bit more austere in the past, yet not as much barrel character as the one today). More “funk” and texture than the classical Haliotide, but not too far (nothing vegetal). The dosage feels on-point here. Follows the grower champagne vibe, but more to the natty side. — 2 years ago

Craig Phares

9.0

Bolder than expected. Dry and slightly acidic, with tobacco, plum, and cherry notes. Will get again. — 2 years ago

Daniel Jara

8.9

Ciruela , mora negra, mineralizado, — 3 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.0

Fruit is nice. Delicious early season cherries. Bright. Not very complex. A hint of bitterness. — 3 years ago

Evelyn Fleisher

9.2

Delicious. Had at the market in Modena — 5 years ago