Pala Wine World

Opus One

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012

+1 hour decant(decent chunky/fine sediment). A splendid dark ruby red color. On the nose: Intoxicating/intense nose of black fruit, dark currants, worn leather, forest floor, coffee grounds, minty dark chocolate. Taste: smooth, satiny, structured, balanced wine with chocolate covered brambly blackberry, tobacco, earth, cedar, black pepper, and a herbal licorice long finish. A medium body old world style wine that shows well right now and should continue to provide more years of enjoyable sipping. — 7 days ago

Brenda Terzich-Garland
with Brenda
Brenda, Tom and 19 others liked this

Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay 2020

A lovely melding of Old World finesse and New World exuberance. Green apple, pear, white peach, ripe lemon oil, flint, acacia, and the barest hint of toasted brioche. Mouth watering acidity but not at the expense of texture. Long, beautifully ripe finish. Stunning. — 2 years ago

Ira, Tom and 4 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2008

Always strong! Old world nose, robust fruit and balanced acid. — 4 years ago

Shay, Deborah and 3 others liked this

Hirsch Vineyards

San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir 2021

This just happens to be excellent. Very burgundy like. In fact blind this would be tough. Exuberant sour cherry and cherry. Incredible tannins. Unspitable! Hint pine. Lemon. Hint elderberry. I am a fan. With age this will be interesting to follow. Perhaps because of the extra fruit may be may be i would have guessed new world……????? On the expensive side 72$ at Birdrock Fine Wines. — 4 months ago

Ely, Tom and 9 others liked this

Pala

Essentija Bovale Sardinia Bovale

Pretty tannic, but balanced, leather dark fruit, cream cheese note on the nose (lactic acid?), good cooking spices too. Mid bodied. — 7 months ago

Rivka Friedman
with Rivka

Château de Beaucastel

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhône Blend

This wine poured a dark blood to brick red. It had flavors of cedar, dried fruit, earth, and may be a little bit of graphite. It was very smooth and balanced. It had quite light tannins but some nice acidity. I do not have a lot of experience with Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but this was a very good example. It was nice to try an old world GSM blend, and compare it to American versions. It was certainly less fruity and more earthy. It went perfectly with the prime rib we cooked for Christmas Eve dinner. Many thanks to good friend Mike P. For this gift. — 3 years ago

Mike Lopez
with Mike

Domaine Tempier

Bandol Rosé Blend 2023

Paul J
9.5

Best Rose in the world! Haven’t had or bought this vintage yet.

Dark Salmon color. Rich on the palate with strawberries and peach. Massive depth and finish for a Rose.
— 5 months ago

Brooke Weaver JakubowskiGeoff Parrish
with Brooke and Geoff
Tom, Jan and 9 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

2018 vintage. Oak a little showier than last visit 4.20.24. *Full disclosure* Probably my favorite CA cabernet for QPR purposes-year in, year out-since the early 90's. Not inexpensive, yet, in a world of ridiculous CA cab pricing, this is a bargain. Had I storage space and projected lifespan, would pick up two cases and crack a bottle every year starting in 2028. Some overt baby fat/oak to dissipate in anticipation. Currently, wanting more structure and depth but, given the track record with this wine/producer, it's enroute. 5.29.24. — 6 months ago

Ted, Jan and 17 others liked this

Domaine de la Côte

Bloom's Field Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2018

Grapefruit, lots of it. Raisin. Chewy. First smell was pommard-like. Good new world Pinot. — 3 years ago

Byron, Milissa and 5 others liked this

Enderle & Moll

Liaison Pinot Noir 2017

Lyle Fass
9.3

Lovely ephemeral nose. Silken gossamer. Wilted roses. Expansive and just beautiful. Cherry. Strawberry. 9.4 almost 9.5 nose. Out of this world. Palate is sweet, silky and so elegant. Lovely sappy cherry fruit on the mid and then they crash like a soft wave on the finish. This is so so pretty. Really wowing me on pop and pour. Fresh so fresh. Everything is in its place. — 4 years ago

Matthew Cohen
with Matthew
Ely, Dick and 19 others liked this
Lyle Fass

Lyle Fass Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Ely Cohn sometimes the wines “don’t make it.” It’s totally random.
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

I had no bottle variations so far. The 17’ are not for the faint of heart. At first these where hard to drink or read. They are coming around now the 2017 Rosé for example yes the Rosé just turned into an awesome beauty.
Lyle Fass

Lyle Fass Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Pinotman /// Andreas ive heard so many bad things about this wine and have had to credit more customers on this than any e and m wine.