Tom Garland

9.2

Decant for sediment and pour (lots of chunky/fine sediment). A remarkable murky garnet with bricking. On the nose: Intoxicating notes of stewed dark fruit, green bell pepper, sweet vanilla, menthol, worn leather, dried herbs. Taste: soft, smooth, delicate, balanced wine with prune, cedar, graphite, and a sweet spice tobacco medium plus finish. YUM!!! Still holding its own and fun to drink and discuss tonight. Cheers. — 7 days ago

with Brenda

Steve Haro

9.6

I’m liking what I’m smelling. Pepper and spice on the nose. Subtle tannin and complex notes of fruit and earth on palette. Finish is tannin. Early. Shelf life to it? Too young? — 14 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

‘Las Alturas' Spanish for 'the heights', a fitting name, this vineyard located on one of the highest grape-growing benches in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. 4th gen Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner from family with farming & winemaking roots in Napa since 1906. Met Joe several times. Deep Ruby (darkest Pinot I have come across). Nice berry and floral spice aromas. Rich cherry/plum flavors with oak, spice and vanilla. Long finish, bold ending with sweet oak notes. Nice! A Fav! — 7 days ago

Steve Haro

9.5

5. More fruit despite some age. Feels like ca cab. Silk. great fruit with blackberry and chocolate notes. Finish is smooth. Revisit: nose is grilled meat and tea. Palette is all earth and spice. Has some age. Finish still smooth. — 14 days ago

Vino Joe

9.6

Another stellar showing. So enjoyed the bottle a few weeks ago I could not resist another dip in the pool. Opened beautifully throughout the night. This producer and wine is one of my favorites so it just synchs with me but I think it’s a vibrant new world take on Bordeaux. Lots always going on in the glass but there is a brightness that makes it a bit livelier and it’s such a blissful harmony between it all. — 16 days ago

Brian Hearty

9.0

2021. Broader California appellation. 80% Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier. Perfect for some patio seafood. Floral aromas and crisp melon. — 2 days ago

Wade Chambers

9.4

Needed more decanting time, but continued to open up with balanced, beautiful fruit. Needs another 10 years 😁 — 15 days ago

with Janelle

Nathan Renfro

9.4

Once again the ‘16s are drinking really nice now. Ripe black fruit on the nose. Getting blackberries, black cherries, and even some blueberry on the finish. Tannins really soft and delicate now. All coming together really nice at this point. — a day ago

Brian Hearty

8.9

2011. I really like how this aged. It’s not a jammy, acidic, alcoholic Zinfandel. Lighter body, spice aromas, red plum fruits, mellowed tannins and acidity. — 12 days ago

Doug Powers

9.9

Redfruit aromas and flavors, this is still hopelessly young, though the tannins have softened a bit and it seems to be inching towards maturity, impeccable balance and great depth of flavors, super long, lingering finish, just an absolutely fantastic, old school California mountain Cabernet. I have always believed this to be the best Dunn Howell Mountain ever made (I’ve tasted 1981-1992, with a distinct style change towards riper and higher ABV starting around 1992, after which I stopped buying the wine). $15 full retail when I bought it in late 1984. — 3 days ago

with Jim