Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Dark ruby color. Plush aromas of black cherry/blackberry/plum with a distinct presence of baking spices. The palate is loaded with both red and black fruit, graphite, tobacco and dark chocolate. Hint of those sweet baking spices on the very smooth and lengthy finish. Full bodied but with very soft tannins. Medium-minus acidity and nice texture. Excellent QPR. Thanks for securing this bottle for me, Petey! — a month ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2018 vintage. This is the red. Bright cherry and menthol in the nose. Light medium bod. Cocoa powder makes a cameo appearance early in the closing palate but that menthol is the stuff of good, classic horror movies. Chock full of pursuit und relentless. Best showing/vintage of the respective decade for this juice and that's saying something. — 2 years ago

Connor Smith

9.4

There are a lot of California wineries out there that are valuable to the man at the top mostly as a way to impress their friends. There are not many that are primarily a way to satisfy the founder’s hopeless geekery for wine, soil, weather, and getting his hands dirty. 🍇🌞💨⛏

Kevin Harvey made his money in Silicon Valley as an entrepreneur and investor. But his journey to winemaking didn’t begin with a business transaction, but by planting vines in his backyard and vinifying it himself in his garage. He had the itch: he had to get real with it.

Harvey has spent most of the past 20 years developing brand new vineyard sites - often targeting old Christmas tree farms! He is deeply involved with research, planning, getting soil and grape analytics, setting up weather stations, and viticulture - though, with the fruits of his labor (pun intended) being of such remarkable potential, it is perhaps wise to turn the cellar work over to veteran winemaker Jeff Brinkman to realize it.

The result of Harvey’s outstanding grape material and Brinkman’s capable hands in undeniable. In a world full of California winemakers trying to take their shot at Burgundy, Rhys has accomplished what so often gets lost in the pursuit of style: an honest and clear communication from the vines. That’s the true Burgundian spirit.

Harvey has said their goal is to get you “staring into a glass of vineyard”. This Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir, facing west toward the Pacific taking in a daily blanket of foggy marine layer, can only come from one place. In what seems like the blink of an eye, Rhys has become one of the most celebrated wines in America, with good reason. 🇺🇸🍷 — 5 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.1

Had a lot of bad Lambrusco’s lately in the pursuit of something decent. This one has good effervescence, big fruit, with prominent blueberry, pine sap, cooked orange, green pepper and tannin. The palate is pure fruit with light tannin, with some smokeiness around the edges, like brisket or braised short rip, but the finish is dry, with a slight acid zing. One of the better Lambrusco. — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2020 vintage. So so elegant and beautiful. One of the lightest California Pinots I’ve had in three decades in pursuit of the holy grail. That strawberry/raspberry finish just keeps going. — 2 years ago

Vanessa

9.2

The story of Domaine Serene harks back to Minnesota, where Grace met the late Ken Evenstad, and the couple’s partnership in life and business first began. 💕@domaineserene

With a faith in the terroir of Willamette Valley, Oregon, this pioneering couple purchased land in the Dundee Hills AVA, establishing Domaine Serene in 1989, crafting their first vintage in 1990.🇺🇸🍇

Since then, Domaine Serene has grown, expanded, and rightfully garnered critical acclaim for producing some of the finest expressions of Pinot Noir from this region. 👏👏👏👏👏 Due to their thoughtful dry-farming and sustainable practices in the vineyard, meticulous micro-cru vinification processes, pursuit of blending, judicious use of oak, and aging prior to release, a consumer may come to expect a unique, consistent experience with a glass of this beautiful wine.🍷 In our experience, it never disappoints as a special wine to be shared during the holidays or celebratory moments. 🎉

Here is the Domaine Serene, Evenstad Reserve, Willamette Valley, Vintage 2017, ABV 14.4%. It has a strong structure, and balance, backed by high acidity, medium tannins, high alcohol, and vibrant fruit aromas such as cherry, kirsch, and blackberry. It also offers complexity in aromas and flavors with not only red / black fruit, but also violet, licorice, clove, vanilla, cola, saddle leather, nutmeg, and forest floor notes. The finish lingers.👌👌👌👌

In 2015, the Evenstads made their dream a reality by purchasing Château de la Crée in Santenay, Burgundy, France, an estate that dates back to the 15th Century. 🇫🇷 Their story is inspiring and their wines are delicious. We hope to someday visit their estates in Willamette and Santenay.

Until then we will continue to enjoy their wines and remember their story, pioneering spirit, partnership, and pursuit of excellence in their craft. Cheers! ✨✨✨ — 3 years ago

with Deked1

Sipping Fine Wine

9.6

Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez & his “relentless” pursuit of quality. A blend of 76% Syrah & 24% Petite Sirah, shows a lush & rich wine. Aged for 30 months, 100% new French oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry fruit, smoke and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum & blueberry with notes of vanilla, licorice and smoke. Fine silky tannins, long finish, great mouthfeel ending with fruit, herbs and spice. One of the best Syrah’s tasted. Will age well! — 5 months ago

Sam Shepard

9.5

Brosephs @Kevin Løk @Brendan Devine this was one of those wines that makes you smile. Still a baby - this fruit was long and luxurious. A great reminder why good wine is worth the pursuit — 2 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.3

If there is any singular concept that inspires me about wine it’s a pursuit toward truth. This is that and it’s vibrant with laser precision and a nakedness, proudly showing you all it has and with little bravado.

Chalky, subtlety spiced citrus, jolty lemons, ginger yellow apple, and quince. Beautiful. — 5 years ago

Nicole

9.5

She sprints into the fog laddened forest. Her white gown floating behind and showing glimpses of her calves and delicate feet.

You follow in hopes of a glimpse of her face or a kiss from her lips. You come to a fork in the road. Which way did she go?

Her laughter floats through the crispy air. The pursuit continues. — 6 years ago