Jeff Orlowski

9.2

Dark garnet. Mildly earthy nose. Full body, balanced, smooth. Loaded with black and blue fruits. Tasted at winery 4-plus year’s ago; has aged nicely. — 10 days ago

with Michael and Joe

Mark Flesher

9.2

This wine was recorked to enjoy 24 hours later. The spoils enjoyed today! Garnet colored wine. Bright acidity start to finish. Bien Nacido and has all that weedy, fig, ash character. Raspberry backbone. Very intricate in the middle with herbs and spice. Sweet yet somewhat tart finish. This is going to probably improve a bit over the next year or two. Has great structure and acidity. — 21 days ago

with Benjamin and Shay

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

This is a young wine that I opened last weekend and enjoyed but, had to seal it up and put back into storage until tonight. It’s a touch faded (10%) but, like all young wine, resilient.

The nose reveals, ripe & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, well extracted pomegranate, the blue fruits he does so well and I love in Pinot, dry cranberries, poached strawberries, raspberries, beautiful layered baking spices, medium intensity dark spices, steeped fruit tea, red fruit cola, hints of dry crushed rocks, limestone, dark, blue, purple flowers with hints of lavender.

The body is full with a fair amount of tannin presence. Nicely knitted structure, tension, length and balance for such a young Pinot. Ripe & candied; blackberries, dark cherries, plum, well extracted pomegranate, the blue fruits he does so well and I love in Pinot, dry cranberries, poached strawberries, touch of cooked rhubarb, raspberries, beautiful layered baking spices, medium intensity dark spice with shades of palate heat, steeped fruit tea, red fruit cola, saline notes, dry herbs, menthol, eucalyptus, hints of dry crushed rocks, volcanic minerals, dry & moist clay, limestone, leathery, wood staves, amazing dark, blue, purple flowers with hints of lavender. The acidity is excellent. The ripe, elegant, balanced, polished finish is delicious and persists nicely for minutes.

Paul makes beautiful expressions of Pinot, Rhône styles & Chardonnay. If you have not had them, well worth your time & investment to seek out.

Photos of; his Sierra Madre Vineyard...netted to keep the birds from eating his fruit, fruit near harvest time, my picture meeting Paul for the first time last week weekend at a “Matter of Taste” in Napa last weekend and their barrel room. — a month ago

Eric Urbani

9.1

Well made, from the Sta Maria valley. There is a touch of oak prevalent. — 6 days ago

Kaelig

9.3

Clear pale gold color.
Clean nose, medium intensity. On the nose, primary aromas of elderflower and melon.
Off-dry, medium(+) acidity, low tannin, medium alcohol, medium(-) bodied, pronounced flavor intensity. On the palate, primary aromas of pear and pineapple. Long finish. — 3 days ago

with Gail

Stanislav Lobanov

9.2

17/20 (92/100) Пряный аромат с нотами малины, вишни, гвоздики и ванили. Не слишком плотное с довольно высокой кислотностью и довольно интенсивными, пока чуть суховатыми танинами. Молодо, вину нужно время чтобы раскрыть свой потенциал. #prowein2019 — 10 days ago

Phil Kessling

9.1

Delicious bottle of wine. First domestic Mondeuse that I have tasted. Tart cranberry persimmon, clove pepper and cinnamon. Tingly mouthfeel.
Selling this it our store: Leon & Son Grand Rapids. — 12 days ago

Jeff Miller

9.1

Fresh red raspberries and strawberries jump out of the glass with red licorice, sweet baking spices, red flowers and with a pleasant minerality on the palate . Medium plus acid, medium plus body and low tannins. Enjoyable and complex Pinot for the price. Visited Au Bon Climat on a recent trip to Santa Barbara and was really impressed by their portfolio of wines. — 2 days ago

Jeff Orlowski

9.3

Revisiting some old friends. Last opened one of these 4.5 years ago. Smooth, soft, lovely. Plums, blueberries on a balanced, medium bodied palate. Just terrific. — 4 days ago

with Michael and Joe

Andrew Rasse

9.0

2hr decant and cellar temp necessary. Ripe brambly dark fruit. 14.5% but wears it well with the bit of age and some air. Solid wine. — 3 hours ago