Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
Mount Eden Vineyards
Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 1979
Nearly perfect wine. Last Merry Edwards vintage. And a magnum. — a month ago
Belle Glos
Las Alturas Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
Delicious, flavorful, dark fruit, with a punch of spice — 21 days ago
Ridge Vineyards
Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1991
Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.
Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease. — 14 days ago
Belle Glos
Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Really tasty. Perhaps the first Cali Pinot noir that I’ve enjoyed, also probably because it drinks more like a zin. Dark opaque red. Slightly smokey. Full bodied. Bought it on sale for $35. Would love to have again. Had with apps on New Year’s Eve, but would be great with food and could even hold up to a heartier meal (steak, etc). — a month ago
Colene Clemens Vineyards
Estate Dopp Creek Pinot Noir 2021
Sour cherry; woodsy; spice mix of cloves and cinnamon. Well integrated and restrained. This is great stuff and a great value at the price. — 13 days ago
Roar
Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2017
Very nice and smooth start to finish. Dark fruits mainly and fully integrated. Last bottle of 2017 — 20 days ago
Boen Wines
'Tri Appellation' Santa Barbara, Monterey, Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2021
Wagner did a nice job with this Pinot. Nice clarity in the glass. Notes of bright cherry, herbal notes, black tea and a ting of vanilla. The finish is more than ample. Maybe the bottle age adds a bit on the back end. Better than its RRV sister. — 25 days ago
Bergström Wines
Silice Pinot Noir 2017
Really interesting Pinot. This wine is very young and should age very well. Deep ruby color lots of fruit and a lot more tannins. When I opened the bottle the tannins were over bearing and had a grassy aftertaste. When I tasted the same bottle the next day it was FAR more balanced. The fruit was still great but the tannins were much softer and well balanced. This wine can hold up to more cellar time but if I had decanted it would have been better. While this wine was pretty pricey ($100), I think it is worth it! — a month ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2020 vintage. A fave CA chard and producer. Medium-medium heavy body. Tasting slightly more tropical and advanced with less acidity than usual. Still absolutely delicious tho. Would like to retaste and reevaluate in 5-6 months tho. Based on 30 vintages of tasting this particular wine, betting it reconciles any tawdry, fleeting concerns that occupy my compromised palate and right quick. 01.22.25. — 10 days ago