San Francisco Bay, California
Big Basin Vineyards
Rattlesnake Rock Syrah 2017
Sandlands
Contra Costa County Mataro 2020
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. No formal notes. The 2020 Mataro pours a deep garnet/purple with a nearly opaque core and some staining of the tears. Predominately dark fruited with some pepper, and minerals. The wine is dry with very good structure. Tart and so fresh at this stage! I’m going to give my remaining bottles a bit more time. — 19 days ago
Retzlaff
Estate Bottled Livermore Valley Merlot 2014
Very good Merlot from Livermore! Ripe red and black fruits, ripe tannins. Very enjoyable! — 12 days ago
Mount Eden Vineyards
Estate Bottled Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2016
Absolutely an amazing wine! Thank you @Ron R for recommending this! I am experiencing so many elements at the same time. Reminisce of an aged Chenin Blanc where you get creaminess almost wax cheese rind and honey. Picking up an almond sticky bun. Not really acidity but unique freshness of lemon, peaches & yellow apples. Golden hay in color, Med+ body w/ nice long finish. Drinking this w/ a nice chill presents some nice acidity.
Hard not to make a comparison (sigh) to something I paid a lot more for and enjoyed...not so much! Love the balance and 13.5 alc. — 13 days ago
Ridge Vineyards
Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019
Very elegant cab blend (88% cab), combining grapes from several vines in Monte Bello. High tannins and lot of potential to age. Notes of plum and cherry, blackberry and forest floor. After opening the aromas are very strong and consistent, a delicious Cabernet. — 5 days ago
McHenry Vineyard
Estate Bottled Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2019
Popped and poured; served with cedar plank salmon for Father’s Day. No formal notes but consistent with previous experiences. Bruised strawberry, cherry, pomegranate, mushroom, a kiss of baking spices and a touch of VA. Way more open for business than typical from McHenry at this stage, but the challenges of the vintage explain it all. Drink this vintage now. — 17 days ago
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012
The 2012 Monte Bello has had time to open and develop and it’s now perfect for drinking. It can still hold good for another 10 or more years, but it’s reached it’s prime. Plenty of aroma and flavor, with plum and fig dominating, flavors from the cask (mostly wood and subtle smoke) and some black fruit. A delicious wine, very expensive but still worth the price. — 5 days ago
Once & Future Wines
Oakley Road Vineyard Mataro 2015
Rescuing my baby home from a recent work trip with this delicious new find. Heavier than your Pinot but lighter than a blend. Juicy, fruit forward with a wonderful Cali breeze to the nose…kinda like how my baby hits me with her Luciousness. Definitely a repeat and option for the home staple. — 7 days ago
Willie Carter
California Syrah the way I like it. And I do definitely like it. A really pretty deep dark purple with a wide brim and little cherry red flecks. This nose is just plain silly good and exciting. Plums and raspberries abound here. Blackberries with a touch of fennel go a long way. The olive aromas are jumping out of the glass and my goodness it’s special. There’s a rich meaty, fatty aspect to the nose that just blows me away. Stupendous.
Every wine I have from Big Basin is just as good as the next one. All so good and so well crafted. Hailing from the Rattlesnake Rock vineyard in Santa Cruz and definitely fruit forward. At this age, it’s drinking with more refinement than you may expect. Classy and stylish but never forgets about the fun. A lesson in how to make a big and bold Syrah without even coming close to going overboard. Smoke and grilled meat in the mouth to go with the vibrant red and blue fruits. Black pepper and menthol. The finish is long and fulfilling. Don’t listen to me, seriously don’t. Just go taste it. — 7 days ago