Running Brook Vineyards

Turley

Juvenile California Zinfandel 2020

Revisiting the ‘20 Juvie with two more years in the cellar in it. Pleased to say it has mellowed quite a bit — medium purple with a nose that’s bright, sweet and full of dark fruit. The palate is long and warm (no longer ‘running hot on 15% abc’ as note on release) with kirsch, plum and subtle tannins. Excellent value. — 8 months ago

Pipers Brook Vineyard

Pinot Noir 2019

Pale to mid Ruby in colour with great clarity. Aromatic red and black Cherry notes with rose petals. A stalky whole bunch note with a little spice. Those fresh cherry notes of medium weight but medium plus intensity transfer through to the palate. Very fresh, young with great potential for future complexity. I can see why it won the Trophy for Best Pinot Noir at both Royal Adelaide and Royal Hobart - both shows with extensive and high quality Pinot entries. Too young but I had to try the first of 6. Next in a year plus. Technical background: (whole berry ferments with 20% whole bunches. Aged in 25% new puncheons and Barriques). Ended up having the 2nd bottle 195 weeks later on 25th October 2024. Just a stunning Pinot Noir and even improving on that 2 Trophies standard. — 4 years ago

Severn, Dawn and 17 others liked this
Bob McDonald

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@Greg Gosselin Yes Greg. They have been high quality producers in the Tamar River for a while now. Also make a good sparkling.
Byron Hewett

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I visited them in 1990 when Andrew Pirie was still there!
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

He was certainly a giant of Tasmanian viticulture. Matthew Jukes (UK) once said that a wine he made was”the greatest sparkling wine made outside of Champagne “.

Hope Estate

Wollombi Brook Semillon 2018

Drinking this one just three years after the vintage, this is all fresh and crispy. The nose is Honeycrisp apple... On the palate, that apple gets really dry and crisp... Dried sage here too... Quite acidic which will be great for food pairings. — 3 years ago

Brook & Bull

Columbia Valley Malbec 2019

2019 very smooth that do not believe it’s Malbec. Fruit forward with structure. A fruity Malbec. Wow imho — 3 years ago

Tom, Skip and 4 others liked this

Day Wines

Running Bare Mae's Vineyard Cabernet Franc Blend 2015

Lovely, well balanced blend that tastes mostly like a cab franc to me from Willamette. Plum and simple spice. Very enjoyable lightly chilled. — 4 years ago

Theorem Vineyards

Voir Dire Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Shay A
9.6

Finally getting around to posting wines from my annual Napa trip from two weeks ago. Always goes by quick! Lots of fun new stops this year.

Theorem was one of our highlights last year, so we made sure a return visit was lined up this year. Base of Diamond Mtn with one of the most beautiful properties I’ve seen. Over the last 12 months, they’ve added a couple new wines (with more to come from Moon Mountain). TRB is the winemaker.

In the running for red wine of the trip. When visiting last year, I preferred the ‘14 (ripe, balanced, savory) over the ‘15 (more acidity, touch lighter, high toned)...this ‘13 takes the best of each and marries them. This is a classic high end TRB Cabernet from a stellar vintage. Truffles raspberries, candied black cherries, cocoa dusted mixed berry pie and graphite aromatics accompanied by sweet blueberries, freshly squeezed blackberries, toffee and espresso, baking spices, and fine grained tannins. Built like a tank. Superb.
— 5 years ago

Brandon, David and 32 others liked this
David T

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This so damn good but, I am looking forward to opening a bottle in 2025 or so.
Jid R

Jid R

How would you compare this to the Hawks Prey?
Shay A

Shay A Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Jid R : Less pop and pour. More tannic and age worthy. Lots of fruit, but plenty of savory and herbal components mixed in versus the Hawk’s Prey being very plush and open.

Occidental Wines

Running Fence Vineyard Cuvée Catherine Pinot Noir 2017

Consumed too early but so good. This will merit a higher score in a few years. Some of the best made Pinot in CA, IMO — 3 years ago

Bob, Tom and 5 others liked this

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

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. — 4 years ago

Shay, Ira and 3 others liked this