Rolf Hanson

9.1

Will taste in another decade…. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2022 vintage. 2.18.26. — 4 months ago

Paul K

9.3

Thanks for the recommendation @Ron R ! This is fantastic. The nose is kirsch, tobacco, and cigar box cedar. The nose really surprised me. Great mouthfeel, supple but not simple like some Merlots. Chocolate covered cherries with some raspberry. Where have you been all my life Pride Merlot? Seeking out Plumpjack next Ron. — 4 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.0

This wine is very forgettable. There was some fruit on the nose, but more of a muted presence. Perhaps a little too old? Bottle variation? Whatever it is, this one was in last place in a lineup of 2012 Plumpjack, 2005 Cayuse En Cerise, 2013 Sleight of hand Psychedelic, 2009 Alban Reva, 2001 Dutschke Semmler, and a 2015 Montagu Hyde. Died immediately when paired with braised pork. Did have some velvety black fruit character throughout but it had nothing exciting to contribute. Didn't even wake up with salty kettle chips. I would like to try a newer offering perhaps? — 7 years ago

with Dan and Shay

Isaac Pirolo

9.0

Pillow Rd. Vineyard is situated to the southwest of Sebastopol, not far from the southern tip of the Russian River Valley, and planted to two acres of Chardonnay and seven acres of Pinot Noir. Clones 777, 115, and Pommard made up the first plantings in 2000, with Calera and Swan being added later (replacing Gravenstein apple trees). The vineyard has courted her fair share of suitors, originally being one of Duckhorn’s sources for its Goldeneye Pinot Noir. The first commercial vintage under the Pillow Rd. label was 2006. I’m not sure whether Ladera had entered the scene at that point, but it was definitely in time for their release of the 2009 vintage. In 2016 PlumpJack Group acquired Ladera’s Howell Mountain vineyard and winemaking facility, and while it appears the Pillow Rd. Vineyard wasn’t included in that sale, I haven’t seen anything that spells that out explicitly. Regardless, what is certain is that Napa Cab makers can’t quit this Russian River Pinot vineyard. It had some kinks to work out, but ultimately it’s built for pleasure and not complexity, and it eventually got there. Cherry cola, sassafras, baking spice, butterscotch, and just enough of a citrus edge to keep from losing its balance. — 8 years ago

Benjamin Keator

9.1

At its peak, not doubt. Great spice. Fruit ha laid down. Too bad newer vintages have gone to screw cap. I don't buy $50+ screw caps unless it is Plumpjack (I'm a traditionalist, not a snob (ok, maybe a little snobby)). Still a quite nice wine. Paired with spicy Korean pork — 9 years ago

Charles Campbell

9.0

Very enjoyable — 9 years ago

with Jolie

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Winery building and vineyards date back to the 1800s, when winemaking pioneers first took advantage of a unique position on the valley floor. Sourced from several vineyards, pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruit notes. On the palate flavors of apple and pear, creamy with notes of vanilla oak. Medium+ finish ending creamy with fruit and mineral notes. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2021 vintage. So tasted alongside sister property Cade (and Plumpjack) Howell Mountain Cab. If I weren't so familiar with the Cade HM, woulda sworn this was mountain fruit. This is the leanest, dirtiest SLD effort I've ever had spanning a multiplicity of SLD producers since the 1986 vintage. It's got the underlying structure of Stags Leap District but none of the top layer of richness. It all got scraped off and you are just left with the steak-no sizzle. Comes courtesy of the old old Steltzer property (hadn't heard that winery name in decades and it was the durtiest in SLD!) and the new powers that be turbo-charged it and turned shizz up to 11. Fascinating and phenomenal. Light-medium body and has the color but packs an unexpected Barolo-styled punch. Not your average SLD bear. Watch out for Mr. Ringer...err...Ranger. 10.30.24. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.0

Finally getting around to posting Day 5 in Napa, our final day. 5 years in a row visiting...hope to make it 6 next year!

First stop was Odette. They pour Cade and Plumpjack wines as they are sister wineries.

This Cade SB was a bit underwhelming, honestly. Grassy and lemon aromatics with a quite tart lime dominant note on the palate. These may be better with a year or two to sit as this seemed really young. — 7 years ago

Karen Larson

9.3

Blind Taste test placed Switchback ahead of heavy hitters plumpjack and pride Merlots! Impressive! Best nose and best taste without food accompaniment 😋 — 8 years ago

with Bob and Craig

Jay Kline

8.9

Happy Birthday Neal! Drank next to the 2014 Cade. More expressive nose than the former and the lightness carries through to the palate. That being said, it lacks the concentration of the Cade and seems a touch shallow in comparison. They call this baby PlumpJack...whatever. Fun to try them back to back. Better value than the Cade. — 8 years ago

with Neal

Paul H

9.2

Plumpjack consistently seems to deliver a good drinking wine. This one is no exception. Everything was in check as it should be with this producer. — 9 years ago

Lamar Hannah

9.3

This is great juice. I really like it — 9 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2022 vintage. Luscious and giving. Medium-heavy body. 2.18.26 — 4 months ago

leon egozi

9.1

NY wine spectator event — 8 months ago

Shay A

9.3

Monthly WTF wine group tasting. This month’s theme was chardonnay from any region or vintage. Nice eclectic bunch!

I am aware of the relationship between Odette and Plumpjack, and while I don’t know the differences in their reserve Chardonnay winemaking, this Odette is (for my taste) incredibly superior to the Plumpjack version. Modern Cali chard with a touch of restraint (I think there is some stainless used here). Aromatically it shows ripe stone fruits, melon and clove, while the palate is quite viscous with melon, lemon cream, Powdered lemon bar, and lemon oil. Lots to like here. Thanks @Jidhin R . — 6 years ago

with Jid, Jason and 5 others

Mark Flesher

9.3

More fruit than funk. This one was not at the very front or back of a lineup consisting of a 2012 Plumpjack, 2005 Cayuse En Cerise, 2013 Sleight of hand Psychedelic, 2009 Alban Reva, 2007 Bevan Bob's Cuvee Dry Stack Syrah, and a 2015 Montagu Hyde. Would definitely enjoy again if someone else was buying. I was very surprised to find a lot fruit still here. The cellartracker drink by window seems to have expired a couple of years ago, yet I did not really get many tertiary notes out of this wine at all. A lot of dark fruit here. Ripe blackberry, boysenberry, hint of earthy grit to the middle and finish. Still seemed to finish with a little bit of resolving tannin. The finish definitely has rounded off. Enjoyed quite a bit, yet if you have this in your cellar I would start opening! — 7 years ago

with Dan and Shay

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.4

Steltzner was purchased a few years ago by the Plumpjack group, who now operate Odette on the property. Those wines are expensive and quite enjoyable, but I’m not so sure that they will age like these ones. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

On the nose; bright, ripe, perfume floral, stewed fruits of; boysenberries, plums, blackberries, black raspberries, dark chard cherries, mocha, caramel, hints of vanilla, anise, light spice, lavender, lilacs and violets. The palate is; rich, ripe and sexy. The tannins nearly completely resolved. It’s deliciously gorgeous. The fruits are; ripe, rich, bright and slightly dark on the palate. It’s in a lavish place. Loads of blue fruits, blackberries, dark cherries, plum, black raspberries & raspberry jam with just the right amount of floral tones. Dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, clove, nutmeg, anise, a touch herbaceous, eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, rich, black earth, dusty slightly tarry tannins, stones, used leather, touch of graphite, tobacco with ash, lavender, lilacs, lavender, acidity that runs like a waterfall over the palate, a long, beautiful, rich, ripe, well balanced with very good length and structure after 13 years in bottle. The 02 still has another 5-7 years of good drinking ahead. Owned by the Plumpjack Group/Cade since late 2016; which sits just the other side of the hill from Ladera. We’ll see how and if the style evolves. Photos of; their beautiful Estate property, grand private tasting and vineyard. One additional photo showing one of the reasons Howell Mountain is so great. It sits above the fog line allowing for more sun and easier ripping of fruit. — 9 years ago