Corson Fidler

9.2

We loved this one at their vineyard! — 2 years ago

with Kelly

Connor Smith

9.5

#Nebbiolo is a surprisingly rare grape. Even in its native Piedmont, it accounts for only 8% of vineyard land. There are fewer than 100 hectares planted in the United States. 🕵️‍♂️🍇
Over 80% of prewar Italian immigrants came from Sicily and Southern Italy. Piedmont was the wealthiest and most politically dominant region. But if fortunes were reversed, could Nebbiolo have taken Primitivo/Zinfandel’s place as a grape relatively uncommon on the boot but dominant in California? 🤔🇮🇹🇺🇸
Probably not. The Nebbiolo vine is *not* for beginners. It flowers early and ripens late, making it susceptible to both spring and autumn frosts. It loves the occasional fog bath (some say the name is derived from ‘nebbia’, Italian for fog ☁️☁️☁️) but is prone to the mildew that may result from such humid conditions. Its fussiness would make Pinot Noir blush: it demands southwesterly exposure, a proper gradient, constant sun above, and fog licking at its toes. #diva
Sound anything like California’s Central Coast? 🌅
In the Santa Maria Valley, where the East-West Transverse Range bends back into the North-South Coastal Range, it’s possible. Vineyard selection still requires extreme discretion - an eye like @JimClendenen’s, perhaps.
Jim began the Nebbiolo program at the legendary #BienNacido vineyard in 1994. Production is small, but if you track down his “The Pip” Nebbiolo, it will only run you about $30. You’ll believe anything is possible when you have real California Nebbiolo of this quality come wafting out of the glass at you! 🙌🙌
🏞.“The Pip” is named after Jim’s old cellar dog Pip, a border collie. So it only seemed right to include one of our own pips! 🐈 — 5 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.2

Pale yellow in the glass, this Maryland Viognier has a delightful nose of peaches and lemons. The palate shows a savory sense with both wonderful acidity and a full mouthfeel. — 7 years ago

David Eber

10

Definitely like...fruity with right level of dryness — 3 years ago

Collier S. Wiese

9.2

Non vintage but purchased in early 2018. Petrol and pear on the nose. Full bodied and dry with lychee fruit and slight pineapple. — 4 years ago

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.3

On a Magnum bottle tried vintage 2011.
Very nice discovery from a not very known appellation north east of Piedmont. BOCA — 6 years ago

Ashley Rapolla

9.9

Got to taste all of this companies wine. So good — 7 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Classy Beechworth fruit with a distinctly herbaceous character. Nose is deep complex fruit with a big dose of barnyard funk and menthol. Palate is Med bodied, with brambly fruit and eucalyptus notes. Quite a stemmy character. Reminds me of Piedmont in body, elegance, and tannic grip. Still lots of life ahead. Good balance. — 4 years ago

William Hughes

9.3

Aging beautifully! Still loads of currant and lavender. Add a touch of iodine and some more black fruit, mix with lean tannins and fine acidity. Here is to Maryland wines! — 6 years ago

Kim Stanbro

9.2

2014. Good job, Maryland. Smoke, hay, corn husk. Also this place sells Polish Pottery. — 7 years ago

with Turd, Dave and 1 other