Stuart Pollack

9.8

Strong but smooth and elegant. Must be consumed with steak. A paradigm of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. — a month ago

Ron R

9.7

Black as the night in the glass. A clone of the 19 vintage, only more sexy and voluptuous. Round, curvaceous and supple on the palate. Presents cocoa and a hint of barrel toast. So opulent and pure. Tannins are awesome and the acidity is bright. More brilliance from Jason Moore…
@Rick K — 6 months ago

with Anne-marie

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2021 vintage. Decanted. Gained strength throughout. Some bright, candied cherry as per this vineyard’s modus operandi. Decent amount of structure. This could be hastened/rushed but why? Stash and crash in a decade. 10.03.25. — 9 months ago

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. — 2 years 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 — 2 years ago

with Anne-marie

Scott G

9.0

Very fresh summer squeeze of lemon and apple, with just a hint of greater complexity within but not enough to stop and think about. — 5 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.5

Even in Its youth, the 2018 Modus Operandi Cellars Pinot from the oft-heralded Bacigalupi Vineyard is more than just approachable- it’s unreal. The nose is already in bloom with oodles of Burgundy-like bramble berry, while the mouthfeel is as silk should be defined.
Frankly, I’ve never had a Pinot Noir like it, anywhere near it’s price. Not even close. — 6 years ago

with Beth

Stephen Fitzpatrick

8.9

2019 vintage. Open and breathe for 30-45 minutes. Excellent Tuscan blend, the Merlot and Cab integrate nicely with the Sangiovese. Cherry and blackberry flavors on the palette, fresh floral aromas on the nose. — a month ago

Ron R

9.7

Such a nice touch from Jason Moore (winemaker). Stunning without being OTT. Focused and pure blueberry jam with notes of dark roasted coffee. Pristine tannins keep this upright. Best product I’ve tasted from this producer.
My boys were impressed. — 6 months ago

with Andrew and Rick

Ron R

9.4

Absolutely smoking hot tonight. Competed with the Mica and Modus Sage Ridge. Coravin’d and presented so well. Soft and pure palate. Blueberry pie nose. Medium tannins with a broad shouldered structure. Nice balance with excellent weight and texture. Bright acidity and sweetness finished off what I considered to be the best vintage I’ve tasted from Sinegal — a year ago

with Mo

Sam Maniar

9.0

Very nice. Lots of flavor. Smooth. Served too warm, but solid. — 3 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Black cherry, vanilla, raspberry, blackberry, plum, licorice and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 4 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.0

This is the Central Coast, “Vicarious” Pinot from Modus Operandi- and it behaves nothing like what one’s expectations may be for such a thing. I’d love to hear about some of the vineyards because this Pinot, for its price, personality & value brings it. Delightful notes of spice box on the nose that leads directly to a welcome and syrupy palate of rich cherry, boysenberry and even some smoke towards the finish. I paid, with my own money to pick up six bottles of this debut effort of the Vicarious brand that was sourced from what must be some of the best vineyards for Pinot in ALL of the “central coast”. This is some great juice.
@ifyalikepinotyagottateyit. — 6 years ago

with Beth

Eva Rosenberg

10

Perfect orange — 6 years ago

Stuart Pollack

9.5

M.O.’s Edcora Vineyard is much better than its Sage Ridge Vineyard. Powerful and strong but not over-extracted. Better in five years but still drinkable now. Complex flavor palette with pepper, leather, earth mixed with a dark and brooding side. Peppery nose. Worth its $85 price. — 4 months ago

Chris Zitzman

9.1

This is the 2019 Caldwell Vineyard Syrah from Jason Moore’s top line entitled Modus Operandi. Second time I’ve reviewed it- to the year, almost to the dot, so this should be interesting. After a breathe and a thorough decant, it unfolds as the minutes go by. The nose, which even just opened was expressive, is now blooming from the glass with hints of violets but bacon-fat is right on its heals. And dummy me pouring it a little too cold to start likely muting some of those deeper notes… but as it warms those fleshy notes and rich textures are coming to the fore. — 6 months ago

Chris Zitzman

9.5

The last bottle of our joyous case of Jason Moore’s “Modus Operandi”, Gaps Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir from the 2021 Vintage. It’s been a blast to revisit the wine over the past year (or so). Genuinely each bottle has been a sort of deep-cherry gradient of a Pinot that behaves more like a soft-spoken Cabernet. Full and rich from the nose on the jump and softening elegantly with a bit of a decant to a tide of rich currant and a smoky bit of just the right bit of funk- it’s as unique as the first bottle we tried a year ago, though there’s ‘more’ of it. He said, hoping the description makes sense but doubting it does unless- you too- are ‘experienced’. Peppery notes lace the closing on the palate, and work harmoniously within the texture of the powerful & lingering finish. I’m giving this bottle the 9.5 as more of a cumulative grade/opinion of the twelve bottles we’ve enjoyed over the year, with this bottle being what may be the best of them all. Kudos J. — 9 months ago

with Beth

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. — 2 years ago

Ron R

9.5

Single-barrel scarcity makes this a “must try.” It generates a meaningful event and a good disruption on the palate.
Green apples combine with melon and bright acidity - the signature of a typical SB. Moderately sweet. Serve it to those who appreciate uncommon excellence in wine. Approach the winery for this. — 4 years ago

with Anne-marie

Shawn R

9.5

As the race for New World SB get’s more fierce this is a can’t miss. Hit all the elements. Nice cross between grapefruit and lime, strikes me a tangerine. From start to finish a great SB. — 6 years ago