Chris Zitzman

9.7

It’s remarkable. Just a bit of a breathe and the Modus Operandi ‘22 Gaps Crown roars to life. Deep, layered stewed red fruits on the nose lead to a truly remarkable palate that evolves and blooms as it breathes. The finish just never seems to let go, and reminds me with each sip why I’ve fallen for the Gaps Crown every year I’ve tried it.
@find it — 2 days ago

with Beth

Dylan Thomas

8.9

Good pizza wine 🍕 at new Patsy’s spot in Gtown — 4 months ago

Lindsey Goetz

9.3

From Jose Morfin - berry notes, full-bodied. — 5 months ago

Ron R

9.5

Outstanding example of Cali Pinot. Even more so since this is 2012 vintage. Overripe cherries and coffee notes explode on the nose. The palate displays crunchy black fruits along with syrop de cassis. Superb grainy tannins combine with bright acidity. A reference point in Sonoma/Cali.

Here are my top 2023 tastings by type. Let me know what your favorites are…

2023 Wines of my Year
Sauvignon Blanc - Modus Operandi (2021) - $45
Chablis - Domaine Genot-Boulanger Puligny Montrachet (2020) - $85
Chardonnay - Kongsgaard (2020) - $120
Pinot - Aston Estate (2012) - $70
Cabernet - Sinegal (2019) - $75 &
Cabernet - Lewelling (2019) - $59 — a year ago

with Anne-marie

Raul Puga

9.5

Delicioso — a month ago

Ron R

9.4

When you pour this in the glass, it’s scary in terms of the visual extraction. On the nose it displays a briney/olive note. Dense, meaty overtones on the mid palate, with overripe cherries and baking spices. Excellent balance and delineation as the wine persists and expands. Acidity is pure and in harmony with the tannin. This will provide pleasure for many years to come. — 3 months ago

with Anne-marie

Ron R

9.1

Winemaker has recently announced that he’ll no longer make this. It’s well behaved and shows its vineyard pedigree. A good rosé bites the dust - Bivio, Montclair. — 8 months ago

Raul Puga

9.2

Full of fruit and delicious — 2 months ago

Ron R

9.5

Get some of this direct from the winery. For the loot, one of the very best Cali SB’s out there…
Bivio, Montclair, NJ. — 4 months ago

with Anne-marie

Shay A

9.4

I’m scoring as is today, but I really think this inches upward a bit over the next 5-7yrs.

This fell victim to curiosity (as well as a ‘21 Modus Operandi UV-Laguna Pinot). I’ve had a few of Lato’s entry and mid-level offerings, but this was my first Pisoni from them. Loved it.

Profile wise, this is similar to Dumol (not as big as Aubert, but not a lean style either). A very pretty down-the-middle style. While the aromatics here were lovely (honeysuckle, faint lemon cream, citrus and sweet baking spices), the texture of this wine was a standout. Sports much more depth than initially expected (yellow fruits, peach, apricot, pink cotton candy, limestone)…not quite a lees-y style, but close, while remaining elegant and light on its feet (good acidity). Oak is there but plays a supporting role. For being so young, this was a supremely balanced wine. I need to consider buying more. — a year ago