Pointe Of View Winery
Château L'Eglise-Clinet
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2000
News flash….New wine, never tasted before 😲
Comes straight into the 2023 wine tasting chart at #1
Perfect out of the bottle: rich, deep concentration, yet smooth and long lasting taste, dark fruits, dark chocolate……top notch! Oh, restaurant (with view) not too shabby either 🤩 — 3 years ago
Two Hands
Bella's Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz 2010
Our friends also brought Tri-tip to cook on the Green Egg. Not just any Tri-tip. This is the Cardiff. On the packaging, it refers to a website called CardiffCrack.com and can be ordered from https://order.seasidemarket.com/ @Paul T- Huntington Beach you are going to want to try this without question or hesitation and have some older Shiraz with it.
This is the most tender & flavorful Tri-tip I’ve had...all of us. For me, most are too seasoned/salty and not all that tender. You could almost cut it with a fork. I’ll be making this again & again. This is Goldilocks third porridge...just right.
I find Two Hands to be in the conversation of upper echelon Barossa producers.
I thought this would be a good classic pairing for Tri-tip. This slid into the perfect pairing for the style of the Cardiff. They hugged each other nicely. Really good.
For me as it is with may other big red wine regions, this wine needs 10 years plus to start showing how incredible they can be and has another 7 plus years of good drinking ahead of it.
This was smooth, elegant with round supple tannins. Broad spectrum of ripe, black, purple & blue fruits. It’s core dark with sweet tarriness, expresso roast, pepper, fresh tobacco, dark spices & limestone minerals. Dark; red, purple, blue florals framed in a field of violets & lavender. The acidity is excellent and the wine wire to wire is supple, has great balance, elegance with long staying power & persistence.
Photos of our 2017 visit toTwo Hands. Tasting room approach, fountain on the back grounds and view from their tasting patio. — 6 years ago
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7
Which one ? Burgundy Pepper or Chipotle?
Flowers Vineyard & Winery
Sea View Ridge Block 19 Sonoma Coast Pinot Meunier 2011
Everyone could say it must be Burgundy! It’s a footprint of california-made wine that a faint oak vanillas. Cherry, cranberry, very elegant aromas and flavors. — 7 years ago
Joseph Phelps Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
The nose reveals, floral, ripe; blueberries blackberries, dark cherries, plum, boysenberries, strawberries and black raspberries. Limestone minerals, dry crush rocks, dark spice, sweet tarry notes, steeped tea, vanilla, some clove, a whiff of nutmeg, dark chocolate, saddle-wood to cedar, some black licorice, garrigue with blue flowers, violets and withering dark florals.
The body is medium full, round and lush. The tannins are around 80% resolved and still have some sticky tar. The structure, tension, length & balance have nearly come about to full evolution. Ripe; blueberries blackberries, dark cherries, baked plum, boysenberries, strawberries and black raspberries. Limestone minerals, dry crush rocks, dark spice, sweet tarry notes, steeped tea, vanilla, some clove, a whiff of nutmeg, dark chocolate, a little mushroom on the last glass, saddle-wood to cedar, some black licorice, garrigue, dry clay & top soil with blue flowers, violets and withering dark florals. The acidy is like a waterfall. The finish is ripe, elegant, well balanced, polished with powdery dry tannins on the long set. It’s finish is persistent for minutes.
Photos of; the Joseph Phelps tasting terrace, inside lounge area with original old vats and the spectacular view off the terrace.
@Dawn Emory Sampling wines along their evolutionary path is amazing. My thoughts still haven’t changed great wine for less $ with patience. — 8 years ago
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 1989
When it comes to my B-day, there is only one fit, an old Pichon Lalande with my Ribeye. As a lover of Bordeaux, these two are my favorite pairing. It’s a very slow walk to the finishline. A small bite of steak and a sip of 89 Pichon Lalande. Then, repeat until finished. I had some concerns about this bottle. A slightly slippery and crumbling cork. The first sip was not bad, but not what you want or are expecting. After some time in the decanter, it really started to shine. On the nose; ripe, ruby, floral cassis, blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The body is full, round and silky. Tannins are well resolved at around 80%. The texture, length, tension and length are in a sweet spot. The fruits are ripe, ruby & expressively floral. Blackberries, dark sweet & sour cherries, baked strawberries, blue fruit hues, dry cranberries, baked rhubarb, saddlewood, soft, used leather, bay leaf, touch of sage, hint of spearmint, eucalyptus, vanilla, cinnamon, crushed dry crushed rock powder, black turned earth, dry brown soil with clay, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and perfumed red florals with violets. The acidity is just a little off but still nice. The finish is divided nearly equally in fruit, earth, florals and herbaceous. It’s very enjoyable but falls just a little short in longer, lingering length. This bottle had good storage, not great. Even so, still has another three to five years ahead. A bottle with excellent storage has another five years beyond this one. Photos of; the backside of Pichon Lalande, angled terrace view of their vines right next to Latour, my steak & twice baked potato (so good) and CEO Nicolas Glumineau. — 8 years ago
Château La Pointe
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2010
Showing more sweet cacao than other examples of this wine I’ve tasted. Losing some vibrancy as well. Still enjoyable but probably not for long. — 6 months ago
Joseph Swan Vineyards
Trenton View Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Perhaps too young at 9? Cranberry almost orange creamsicle like nose with thicker jammy body notes of licorice all throughout and a sharp finish — 3 years ago
Cardinale
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 1997
The nose reveals; dark, sweet, tarry, currants, ripe, ruby, candied, blackberries, dark cherries, ripe black plum with soft skin, purple fruit blend, blueberries, creamy dark raspberries, mixed berry cola, anise to black licorice, notes of ripe port, sandstone/limestone, dark spices, steeped teas, dry & fresh herbaceousness, crushed, dry rocks, black tar, dark chocolate, caramel, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, soft leather, saddle-wood, leather, dry & fresh tobacco, bay leaf with fresh & withering, very dark florals.
The body is; full, round, velvety and drop dead, gorgeously sexy. Their 97 shows the excellence of the vintage. The structure, tension, length and balance are in peak form. However, this wine has another 10 years ahead. The soft, round, silky tannins melt in your mouth. Dark, sweet, tarry, currants, ripe, ruby, candied, blackberries, dark cherries, ripe black plum with soft skin, purple fruit blend, blueberries, creamy dark raspberries, mixed berry cola, anise to black licorice, sandstone/limestone, dark spices, steeped teas, dry & fresh herbaceousness, crushed, dry rocks, rich, black, turned earth, black tar, dark chocolate, coco powder, caramel, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, soft leather, saddle-wood, leather, big graphite, some, subtle, grilled meats, dry & fresh tobacco, touch of black pepper, bay leaf with fresh & withering, very dark florals. The acidity is round and beautifully phat. The long, ruby, ripe, rich, well knitted texture & balance are outstanding and persists endlessly. Beautiful vintage and wine tonight!
Photos of; Cardinale tasting room, our Lokoya & Cardinale hybrid tasting as the road to Lokoya was not open after the big rains a couple of winters back and their terrace view from the tasting room. — 7 years ago
Château L'Evangile
Pomerol Red Bordeaux Blend 2008
Masterclass in San Francisco with Saskia De Rothschild, Chairwoman DBR Lafite. Chateau L’ Evangile is owned by the Rothschild Family.
The nose reveals; ripe, ruby, brightly floral fruits. Blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum skin, baked strawberries with hints of pomegranate & cranberries. Steeped fruit tea, cedar, dry clay, crushed rock powder, sandy soils, graphite, dark rich soils, vanilla, touch of caramel & mocha, anise with fresh and dry dark & red florals.
The body is full. It’s mouthfeel beautiful and gorgeous already. Brightly floral, ruby fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, blueberries, black plum skin, baked strawberries with hints of pomegranate & dry cranberries. Steeped fruit tea, dry cedar plank, dry clay, crushed rock powder, sandy soils, graphite, dark rich soils, crushed rocks, dry underbrush, volcanic minerals, vanilla, touch of caramel & mocha, anise with fresh and dry dark & red florals. The acidity is round & really nice. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting a good stride. The finish is well balanced fruit & earth, elegant, beautifully floral and persists for several minutes. Needs to be held 15 years from birth and will drink through 2035+. 93 now with room for more down the road.
All wines arrived weeks ago directly from the Chateau.
Photos of; the Crown Room on the 23rd floor of the Fairmont where the Masterclass was held, tasting set up, our double decanters and pourers and another view of the city of San Francisco and the Bay. — 7 years ago
Davis Estates
Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015
Chardonnay pairing with Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta,
Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano.
Green apple, juicy pineapple flesh, green melon, cream, butter, light honey notes, some lime candy, rich, waxy and well polished. One of a handful of CA Chardonnay’s I enjoy because of their light wood influence. At steal at $36 member price.
Not the best pair I’ve had but, it worked ok.
Photos of, their terrace view, Saffron Fettucine with Saffron Cream, Pancetta, Summer Corn, Parsley and Pecorino Romano, the rotating ball waterfall and hand blown glass that decorated their cellar halls.
— 8 years ago
Seña
Aconcagua Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009
This was one of the best visits we had. It was also the most beautiful. The best in Chile and right in there with the very best sites we’ve seen in all our wine region visits.
They have their wine program dialed in and do everything right. All their practices are organic/biodynamic. They also control every aspect of them start to finish. There is no money spared or practices skimped on.
On the nose; dark currants, smoldering ambers, elegant spice, incense, cinnamon, light clove, vanilla, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries, some black licorice, elegant minerals, soft loamy soil and fresh dark floral with violets.
The body is beautiful and full. The tannins are velvety, round and just a touch sticky. The structure, length, tension and balance are excellent. Dark currants, smoldering ambers, elegant spice, incense, cinnamon, light clove, vanilla, ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, dark cherries and strawberries on the edges. Some black licorice, elegant minerals, tobacco, beautiful medium spice, underbrush, used leather, crushed rocks, soft loamy soil and fresh dark floral with violets. Beautiful round acidy. The long, elegant, ripe, beautifully balanced finish is lovely and goes on for minutes.
The Photos don’t even come close to how beautiful their property and view are. It would have helped if the fog had not be in. It’s a stunning view. Photos of; their Estate vines as seen from their hillside hosting terrace. Eduardo who handles all their vineyard practices and set up their biodynamic program. He is an amazing person to talk vineyard management..,not to mention a very nice and salt of the earth person. Examples of all the different organic products they make and use in the vineyard to keep it and the echo system in perfect balance. Last but not least, the beautiful Andes Mountains as again seen from their hillside terrace. — 8 years ago
Schrader Cellars
Boars' View The Coast Pinot Noir 2019
Boars’ View “The Coast” Pinot Noir 2018
Fort Ross–Seaview AVA, Sonoma Coast, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview
Handcrafted by Thomas Rivers Brown at the dramatic West Sonoma Coast site, this Pinot Noir highlights maritime fog, Goldridge loam soils, and heritage clones. The 2018 “Coast” includes 100% heritage clones—Calera, Mt. Eden, and Swan—meticulously fermented and aged to express both elegance and power.  
Aromas & Flavors
Plush and aromatic: expect cranberry compote, lavender, sandalwood, and hints of violet. On the palate, it delivers black cherry, plum paste, nutmeg, quince, forest floor, and licorice—all layered over a finely tuned mineral edge.  
Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet refined. Silky tannins and well-integrated acidity support rich fruit without heaviness. A harmonious finish unfolds with persistence and grace.  
Winemaking Notes
Destemmed fruit underwent fermentation and then aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 50% new, from François Frères, Remond, and Gauthier cooperages. The result is focused power with nuanced oak influence.  
Food Pairing
Perfect with grilled duck, game birds, roasted pork, or truffle-scented risotto. Its depth and savory complexity also pair beautifully with hearty stews or mushroom-forward dishes. 
Verdict
Boars’ View “The Coast” PINOT NOIR 2018 is a masterclass in West Coast Pinot—intensely flavorful, texturally rich, and meticulously crafted. A cellar-worthy wine with both grace and longevity. A rare Napa-level Pinot Noir priced in the $145–160 range. Cheers! — 10 months ago
Sparkling Pointe
Seduction The North Fork of Long Island Brut Champagne Blend 2010
12/20 Seduction consistently performs. $60 — 6 years ago
Rock View
Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
One of the best Chardonnays I’ve tasted. Crisp, without any bitterness or sourness. Not overly sweet either. — 7 years ago
Jones Family Vineyard
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Our first bottling from this small production family winery in Calistoga.
My first impressions of this wine, it’s a classic older Calistoga Cabernet. It’s nicely resolved but, not at the end of its life as some have predicted. It is a shade past its prime but, drinking nicely with the exception it’s a touch hot, even after all this time in bottle and when temp’s were not pushing alcohol levels like they can now. However, heat aside, I enjoy wines just the other side of their prime and beyond. Brings out additional complexity-characteristics and are infinitely more interesting.
The nose reveals, stewed & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries with some deep blue fruits. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender.
The body is rich, lush, ruby, statin, velvety and thick. The tannins are rounded & softened but, still speaking loudly. The structure, tension, length and balance are in a very good place. This wine has legs to stand for another 5-10 years depending on how you enjoy them. Stewed, candied & baked fruits of; blackberries, black plum, black cherry extract, black raspberries deep blue fruits, purple fruit blend, haunting raspberries with poached strawberries as it sets. Loads of baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla. Dark spice with good palate heat, dark chocolate, sweet tarriness, mocha, caramel, walnut shells, anise to black licorice, steeped, dark fruit teas, mint/eucalyptus, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, slightly, moist clay, pronounced, fine volcanic minerals, leather, tobacco, graphite, used charcoal, dark liqueur and cola, dry herbs with dark, red, blue, purple, fresh & withering flowers accented with lavender. The acidity is round & exquisite. The long finish is; well balanced fruit & earth, very complexity, rich, delicious and persists endlessly.
Photos of; Stephanie Jones Bailey, Rick and Elaine Jones, Estate view, their Cabernet fruit close to harvest and vineyard staff managing fruit clusters & leafing.
Producer notes...they were founded in 1996. Jones Family Vineyards specializes in estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Thomas Rivers Brown makes their wines, two Cabernet wines...Jones Family Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and The Sisters. TRB also makes an extremely limited production of aged Sauvignon Blanc that is cellared for over 3 years in barrel and bottle.
Jones Family has ten acres of south facing vineyards that lie 600 to 800 feet off the valley floor, resting above the fog line, an ideal altitude for growing Cabernet in the Napa Valley area.
@Paul T- Huntington Beach FYI. — 7 years ago
Paul T, Missing My Beautiful Wife 24/7
Sounds like my review of the 07 word for word, well at least the word Jones.Promontory
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2009
The florals from this vineyard astound. More cassis than currants then were in the 08. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries notes, olallieberries, slight liqueur, cigar, light dry top soils, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, dark floral, blue flowers, violets and unstated lavender.
The body is amazing but lighter than the 08. The tannins much rounder, softer and velvety. The fruits riper. The 09 is the dictionary definition of elegance. It’s drinking better now than the 08 but, the 08 will outshine the 09. Ripe; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, blueberries, plum, strawberries, cherries, cranberries notes, olallieberries, mocha, slight liqueur, cigar, light dry top soils, dry crushed rock powder, tobacco, saddle-wood, dark rich soils, forest floor, dark floral, blue flowers, violets and bright, brilliant lavender. The acidity again brilliant. The finish leaves me speechless.
Photos of, the view and waterfall from Promontory. They keep environment simple and zen like. It’s a peaceful place. The large Austrian oak vessels they age their wines in for 30 plus months. They find they work better with the fruit from their terroir. I couldn’t argue that philosophy based on what I tasted. They also hold their wine another year in bottle before they release. Two photos of the grounds just outside the winery. Beautiful spot. — 7 years ago
Sodhani
Reserve St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
On the nose, still showing dark currants but, the fruits are starting to shine. Creamy fruits of; black plum, plum, blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, dark chocolate, mocha bar, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove, soft dark spice, limestone minerals, crush dry rock powder, sweet tarry notes, expression roast with dark dry & fresh floral bouquet.
The palate is much rounder & integrated from a year ago. The tannins are powdery & dusty. The body is still very full. The structure, tension, length and balance are knitting together nicely. Creamy fruits of; black plum, plum, blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, dark chocolate, mocha bar, vanilla, cinnamon, light clove, soft dark spice, limestone minerals, crush dry rock powder, dry stones, dry stems, sweet tarry notes, expression roast with dark dry & fresh floral bouquet. The acidity is lively. The finish is beautiful but still more earth & spice dominated than fruit. Yet, it is evolving to being more even. It’s just starting to evolve into the wine I thought it will become with a beautiful finish that goes on and on.
Photos of, more guests at the party enjoying themselves, chicken sliders with aioli, view of the Estate vines and Napa Valley floor from their house and the awesome Latin ensemble that performed. — 8 years ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
Solid cuvée. Their entry level.
A bit sweet at 8g but Extra Brut in 375’s a little harder to come by. 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay and 3% Pinot Meunier. Base vintage 2020. Disgorged June 2024.
The mouth entry glides with rich, ripe; green apple, pineapple, white stone fruit, cherries, lemon pulp to meringue, lime zest, kiwi, tropical melons. Vanilla, caramel, cream, some yeast notes, toast, slivered almonds, crisp volcanic minerals with limestone, white spice that plunges into the palate with some heat, dry herb notes, chalk in bits & powder, saline, sea fossils, yellow flowers, white spring flower bouquet, crisp acidity with nice balance and a 90 second finish that long sets on spice & minerals.
In all my many travels to world wine regions during or just post harvest, the Clos De Goisses Pinot Noir fruit was absolutely the best…everything else, a fairly distance second. I ate 2-3 clusters.
Photos of: my visit to Philipponnat, 10/23. The Clos Des Goisses vineyard that strangely grows over their facility, the view of the Cote de Blancs from the Clos Des Goisses vineyard & entrance to their cellar. — 4 months ago