Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

From a vineyard owned by Dave Phinney, this is the only wine made in US from his own vineyard, 2021 bring the first vintage. Medium Ruby color, purple edges, with aromas of ripe fruits, floral, herb and complex spice. On the palate flavors of raspberry, plum and strawberry with pepper, tea, herbs, cinnamon and oak, soft tannins on well balanced structure. Full body, long finish, ending with spice, ripe fruit and warm woody tones. Very Nice! Hard to find, grab a bottle if you see one! — 16 days ago

Paul T HB

9.5

First Mike Smith Syrah I’ve had, great cold climate style
Jeb 96 is spot on this time

Certified organic with 60 planted acres and 11 clone and rootstock combinations, the Fedrick Vineyard is deeply woven throughout Sonoma & Petaluma history. Originally part of the Rancho Petaluma Land Grant issued to Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo in 1834, the land passed thru several owners from dairy farms to cattle ranches before being leased by the Sangiacomo family in 2000 to become a vineyard. Located in the southern end of the Petaluma Gap appellation, it is set on rolling hills and is known for its high-end Syrah and Pinot Noir grapes that are sought after for their depth and balance. Myriad selected a small rise on the southern edge where growing and drainage conditions harmonize, to make one of our more crowd pleasing bolder Syrahs. — 2 years ago

Severn Goodwin

9.2

Prior notes apply; fruit is lightly fading, but this is still an elegant and sophisticated lady.

Nose has strawberry, roses, cut tangerine, juiced Clementine and dry earth.
Palate is strawberry-tangerine (light), wet minerals, so much finesse, yet light in the mouth, just stunning.

Our final bottle of the vintage. — 3 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

Grapefruit, lime, custard. — 5 months ago

Jared O'Connell

9.4

Drank a bottle of this at the winery’s restaurant in 2018 and a couple days later, in Athens, felt compelled to find this, our favorite wine from the whole trip, and bring home. We had to search several wine stores to find it. Drinking it now 5+ years later. Deep golden straw color like something rumpelstiltskin would spin. Nose: pink lady apple, marzipan, black licorice, hint of smoke, and kind of like an old chest of plastic toys. Palette of very ripe stone fruit, clover honey, vanilla, crème brûlée, hint of mint. Nice acidity still and intense slate minerality. Oak was more pronounced in ‘18, but still there, seems to be more balanced now. Could’ve held this longer but is drinking wonderfully on this pre-Christmas dinner 2023 with Halibut. — 5 months ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.4

One of my favorites from Premiere Napa Valley 2020 #pnv20 #pnv2020 #napa only 5 cases produced. “A blend of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from two of the best AXR Napa Valley blocks
50% from Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville and 50% from Denali Vineyard in the hills of St. Helena
100% barrel fermented from our finest barrels utilizing native yeast; unfined and unfiltered
Reflection of Jean Hoefliger’s pursuit to create a wine to push the envelope of Cabernet Sauvignon

AXR is a winery that pays homage to the past at their historic estate in St. Helena. AXR, named after the rootstock which succumbed to phylloxera, left the California wine industry a blank canvas. This was a crossing of the past and future of the wine industry as we know it. AXR has given winemaker Jean Hoefliger this same blank canvas. Jean is driven to push the envelope, challenging not only winemaking but life in general. With an insatiable appetite for art, philosophy and good discussion, Jean thrives when his creativity and passion is left unbound by conventional thinking.


Wine Facts

Wine is unfiltered
Single vineyard wine
Sustainably produced — 3 years ago

with Ron

Jake Hajer

9.0

green raspberry, cranberry. High acid- well made and will be great, but needs time. — 5 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.0

Light easy drinking wine with a nice spice kick to it that wielded great with our Mexican casserole of beans, hamburger meet, spicy Mexican blended cheese and topped with chili cheese Fritos — 2 years ago

with Tammy and Todd

Charles Duncan

8.9

Pleasant enough and a nice lighter bodied alternative to our usual Malbec sorts of reds. $10.99 at RSVP. — 2 years ago

Paul T HB

9.4

Another summer guzzler for $10.00, winery over $20.00 though. More acidity than the Mathis but not as much flavor. Either way both are winners at this price & release price. Save your money for big time cabernets, drink inexpensive Rose
Winery notes,
Crafted from 100% Pinot noir, the fruit for our Rosé is intentionally selected with an eye towards cooler sites which retain juicy, vibrant acidity. Stainless steel fermentation to retain the bright, fresh fruit character.

"Ethereal aromatics of magnolia, hibiscus, wild strawberry, jasmine and rainwater blend with slightly savory hints of lemon thyme and white pepper on the nose. The seamless palate of apple (think Envy or Pink Lady), slight honey notes and juicy acidity make this a refreshing, but serious Pinot noir rosé."

--WINEMAKER LUISA PONZI — 4 years ago