Shay A

9.6

I feel like I haven’t opened a Napa cab (or any wine, for that matter) in recent memory that struck me the way this one did in terms of absolute peak drinking. Both fortunately (because I love the wines) and unfortunately (I was priced out of Realm a few years ago) this was undeniably in the zone amongst a table of ‘13 Bryant DB4, ‘07 Insignia, ‘12 Kapscandy Estate Reserve, and others.

Pop and pour. Extremely aromatic with dark fruits (more blue and black side of the spectrum) and dark florals (violets)…very Pritchard Hill. The texture of this wine is a modern marvel…how a 2013 100% Cabernet from PH can be this sexy/opulent but still so bright is beyond me. The rich and dark fruit is surrounded by graphite, espresso, dark cocoa, and sweet (not tart) cassis that carry the weightless yet flavor packed profile to a finish that lingers. Plenty of tannin and acid to keep this balanced for years, but this is absolutely the zenith of where it will be for balance of flavors. Don’t miss this window.

I haven’t been this star struck on a mid-aged Napa cab in a while, but this has it all. After opening the 2015 Realm Dr Crane earlier this year, this was more impressive (and DrCrane is my favorite vineyard). Wish Realm was still in my “realm” of purchasing! — 9 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Big Table Farm Funk Estate Vineyard Syrah 2019, Oregon

Dark purple in color with a purplish rim.

Strong nose of black plums, blueberry pie, black cherries, light oak, licorice, wildflowers, spices, tobacco, herbs, light barnyard, milk chocolates and black pepper.

Full bodied, creamy and soft, with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, bitter herbs, spices, light vegetables, earth, barnyard, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Syrah from Oregon. Rich and elegant.

Nicely balanced with nice complexity and a soft mouth feel. Fruit forward and spicy.

Still young and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, although already very tasty.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and better with food.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, so take your time. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

This Single Vineyard is showing a very pretty nose, tangy and interesting. Just delicious.

A small production of only 6 barrels. Unfiltered and unfined.

14.6% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$68. — 4 years ago

Davin Holen

9.2

A rich blend. We have been looking for a blend that is at once affordable, but very drinkable. Marietta is our new table wine, especially the Christo. — 7 years ago

David Thibodeau

9.3

Knights of the Wine Table #10 — 8 years ago

Bill Bender

9.4

4/26 Rose’ tasting and this was my co-favorite, contributed by @Mike R it was plump and substantial and almost elegant. The merlot set it apart a bit and definitely brought something different to the table. Noticeable oak treatment but it works here and gives it a more traditional red wine feel. — 8 years ago

Libby Bates

9.5

Blackbird Red Table Wine, not Pinto Noir — 10 years ago

David Peifer

9.7

Dark fruit of cherry, oak and plum-raisin. This 23 year cellared table red blend is exceptional. A cola flavor on the palate and nose. Leather toast. Silky, supple and creamy—followed by tannins and an alcohol bite on the tongue and gums. Really enjoying the complexity. — 9 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

This is 93-94 this young. I was a little surprised they slotted this last in the tasting. I would have led with it. However, it didn’t end up being our last wine. Leslie was kind enough to open another.

Both plums, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of dark berry cola, nice, soft baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, grainy limestone, wet clay, dark, rich, forest floor, some dry herbs, excellent fresh & withering florals that are a combination of; dark, red, some blue and violets, nice round acidity, a smooth, elegant finish that softly structured, balanced and wire to wire smooth and elegant with a full minute finish.

Photos of; a pano of their stunning view of Pritchard Hill, Their dual sided wall of fame of bottles the staff at the estate have enjoyed and their tasting room table. They did an excellent job curating it. — 2 years ago

Matt

9.3

This had a cool climate personality thread running throughout that I loved. Talk at the table about too much barrel, but the depth it added really played well with this wines more herbaceous and spiced side to me. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.4

An absolutely stunning lunch from @joe leatherwood today. 1 sparkler, 2 whites, 5 reds and 1 dessert wine. All served blind.

You know you are living right when this wine is probably number five out of five reds on the table. Sounds like a slight, but with two old vintages of Insignia, older Masseto, and older Haut Brion, that’s stiff competition. Compared to those other four reds, there was more sweet fruit here. Dark fruit has softened to more of a black cherry medley, but the red fruit is still nicely tart and youthful. I picked up licorice and juicy blackberries here, both of which took me to South America for my guess. Not much herbal or secondary notes here...impressive fruit at 17yrs. — 7 years ago

with joe, Dan and 1 other

Chris Leedom

9.5

Great every day drinking wine. Finished several bottles of 2012 and 2013 so far. Excellent finish once it opens up. Great blend and stands up to any table wine. Not sure about some of the pesky comments but you can't please everyone. All in all an excellent utility wine. — 10 years ago

Jody Scharf

9.2

That's Lucy in the background. Anyway nice nose of light floral and scents of licorice.
Drinks smooth with light spice and rich fruits.
I know young but this I believe ready now. Enjoy. By the way go to the winery for their farm to table lunch (fantastic). — 10 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Cambria Estate Winery — Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 — Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California. United States 🇺🇸

Overview:
An estate-grown Pinot Noir crafted entirely from estate fruit at Cambria’s Julia’s Vineyard, delivering a fresh, approachable expression of cool-climate California Pinot with bright fruit purity and everyday elegance.

Aromas & Flavors:
Red plum, strawberry, cranberry, cherry compote, hints of sage, lavender, rose petal, and light leather.

Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied with smooth tannins, lively acidity, and gentle spice through the finish. Bright red fruit keeps the palate energetic and easy-drinking while maintaining enough structure to feel polished.

Food Pairings:
Roast chicken, salmon, mushroom pasta, grilled vegetables, pizza with prosciutto or mushrooms, soft cheeses.

Personal Pick:
This is my kind of reliable weeknight Pinot — easy to love, versatile at the table, and always satisfying without demanding too much attention. A bottle I happily keep in regular rotation.

Verdict:
A charming, estate-driven Pinot Noir offering freshness, balance, and excellent everyday value. Perfect for casual dinners and relaxed enjoyment.

🍷 Did You Know?:
Santa Maria Valley’s east–west orientation funnels cool Pacific winds deep into the valley, extending hang time and preserving natural acidity — a key reason the region excels with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

At dinner following our son’s wedding. No notes but I do recall this as being excellent as it always is. Obviously too young but the class was there and the table loved it. — 3 years ago

with Hugh and Georgina

Bob McDonald

9.4

Had friends over for lunch on Saturday and had a match off with this 1997 Dominus with a 1997 Wynns John Riddoch - both from magnum. This Dominus I first tried at TriBeCa Grill in New York about 8 years ago and it was a wow wine for me. In fact the best Cabernet I had ever had outside of Bordeaux. No detailed notes but this was more savoury and less fruit driven than I remember. The consensus around the table was in favour of the Riddoch with me as the sole vote for the Dominus. No detailed tasting notes. — 7 years ago

Richard Alfred

9.2

12/5/18 at Harris’ with Bill Dritsas. Table in the back room near the bar and piano. Very nice steak place. Old-style SFO. — 8 years ago

Evan Bienstock

9.3

2014 Estate Bottle. Another year in the bottle has done this wine well. Cherry and raspberry with the right amount of OR funk. Tannins integrating so well. The oak is present on the nose but more faint in the glass. — 8 years ago

B

10

Magnum 2002 Jospeh Phelps Insignia. Wine for the table at hosp dinner. We love this wine. — 10 years ago

Justin Gilman CSW, CSS

9.1

Great density in the glass. Colors extend to the rim with minute variation and minimal meniscus.

Upon opening, aromas were dense and brambley. After time it quickly blew off. Purple flowers and white table pepper, robust earth in the background.

Palate has bright raspberry fruit to bing cherry. Tannins are quick with a light mouthfeel. A little unsatisfying. — 10 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.6

Second time I have had the 100% whole cluster in that last couple months. Was drinking it with some friends that had never had the Wenzlau. It was a winner around the table. — 11 years ago

with Rob