From a 16 acre vineyard in the hills of Bel Air. Probably the most expensive vineyard property in the US. It’s currently owned by Rupert Murdoch, but this is from before his purchase in 2013. This is legit good. Much better than any Malibu wines I’ve had. 13.8 listed alcohol and fairly restrained style. Let’s rip down all of those mansions and plant some grapes! — 3 years ago
Perfect crown! Garden of the gods lacing. Bone colored number, and what structure! Moves like chef’s foam. Dark, bronze-golden body. Orange, peach, cherry and pear blossoms in an arboreal array. Lacing morphing erratically into tropical vines. Warm apple pastry, limoncello, sliced bing cherry, golden beets, and a raisinate grape with honey cake, in an elegant botanical park of aromas. The beer is nothing like this, it is deep and creamy, exhibiting Sauternes barrel richness, Saigon cinnamon, shiitake, maple nut, chocolate pods, pecans, nutmeg, dark caramel, dark honey wheat bread with aspirations to rye. Including a near-caraway. Light coffee notes throughout, conversely tea with a honey spoon.. This is a dichotomy. But an interesting one worth exploring. — 5 years ago
Lemon-grapefruit aroma and flavor with a smooth finish, nice introduction to a sparkling rosé from a part of CA not as famous for wine — 7 months ago
Los Pilares San Diego County Red Blend 2013: Fresh. Natural. Extraordinary. Consisting of 50% Grenache & 50% Carignan, this was a light-bodied, extremely unique wine. Red fruits (cranberry & cherry). Plum. Earth. Short finish. For me, the wine was a bit thin on structure but very clean & natural tasting. This was my first San Diego County wine and it left me quite intrigued & impressed. Hoping to explore other San Diego wines in the near future. Cheers🍷 — 3 years ago
The 2016 'Royal St. Robert' is a gorgeous wine from Carlo and Dante Mondavi which is a dedication to their grandfather, Robert Mondavi. The Pinot Noir is 80% whole cluster with native fermentation and aged in a combination of 10% new, four-year air-dried French oak and 90% neutral French oak barrels before being bottled without fining or filtration. The wine itself is absolutely gorgeous as it begins with aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries along with floral, spices, wet stones, blood orange and hints of tea leaf nuances all taking shape. This continues to impress with its fabulous medium body and beautiful fine, delicate tannins. Balanced and focused, this remains remarkably pure and persice though the silky finish. Overall, this is a fantastic wine which is already drinking remarkably well, but should also continue to develop with time. — 5 years ago
omg. what a fun little glass! it’s very tannic even grainy. it’s lush with red fruit - cherry, raspberry, strawberry. it’s not a piquette - it’s 50% riesling / 50% carnigan grapes.
i had with steamed pork bao at maketto. great pairing. — 8 months ago
Nice chillable Red, unfined & unflitered. Light and pleasant.
@Whole Foods - Irvine — a year ago
Cheers to the wines of South Africa 🇿🇦
This Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir is unique in that the grapes used to produce it primarily came, not from Hamilton Russell vineyards, but rather from neighboring vignerons.
Hamilton Russell made this unprecedented decision in the aftermath of devastating wild fires that imparted smoke taint to its estate-grown grapes. Unwilling to compromise on quality, I applaud Hamilton Russell for its tenacity and willingness to forge ahead to create this delicious Pinot Noir for its customers. 👏👏👏
This wine is comprised of fruit hailing from three different Hemel-en-Aarde (aptly meaning “heaven and earth”) Wards within the Walker Bay District, in the Cape South Coast Region of South Africa’s Western Cape.
This wine is a reflection of community, camaraderie, and commitment to excellence.❤️
👁 It is medium ruby with pale fuchsia rim variation.
👃 On the nose this wine has a medium(+) intensity of youthful aromas. The aromas include candied cherry, strawberry rhubarb preserves, violet, dried orange peel, white pepper, star anise, clove, and nutmeg.
👄 On the palate this wine is dry. It has medium(+) acidity, a medium body, medium alcohol, medium tannins, and medium intensity of flavors consistent with the nose. This wine has a medium finish.
Hamilton Russell, Pinot Noir, Walker Bay, ABV 13.5%. Vintage 2019. — 3 years ago
Bruce Leboff
A little long in the tooth. Colour a deeper yellow than a younger example. Nose is subtle ( read limited) interesting on the palate. Pleasant with a medium long finish. — 19 days ago