Wine #1400th for me. I suppose destiny is destiny. Sort of has a special way of it find you, not you find it. Finally was able to try this highly coveted wine and with some age. Great chard, fresh and crisp with hints of stone fruit and citrus plus an earthy finish. Cheers. — 2 months ago
Mates Vineyard is considered the best of the Kumeu River Chardonnay Cuvées but to be honest they are all delicious. This has such stone fruit intensity on the palate together with ripe grapefruit and Cashew. All in balance and drinking superbly. An outstanding new world Chardonnay. A few years left in its drinking window. It will always have that superb fruit and will develop a little more complexity - have the last 2019 in a year or two. — 11 days ago
My first of 6. Smells like a full bodied Pinot Noir. The palate is rich with a lovely fruit sweetness, cherry and plum, and again, a full bodied Pinot Noir with intensity. Ticks all the boxes. Texture and the tannins are silky. Enough acid and tannin to go another 8 to 10 years. 98 points from HH. — a month ago
Dark ruby hue. Aromas and flavors of blackberry, cassis, licorice, and plum. Plus body, plus tannins, plus acid. While strong, balanced, and elegant, it opens up with a soft, round palate. Exemplary Napa red. 68 Cab Sauv, 28 Merlot, 2 Cab Franc, 2 Petit Verdot. — 3 months ago
Lots of tropical fruit along with grapefruit. Delicious with food - reminded me of when I visited the winery nearly 20 years ago. — 4 days ago
History dates back to 1995 when on a lark, David Swift Phinney took a friend up on an offer & went to Florence, Italy to spend a semester “studying”. During that time, he was introduced to wine, how it was made, & got hooked. A Grenache, Syrah & Petite Sirah blend. Aromas of fresh ripe red fruits with floral & spice. On the palate flavors of cherry & raspberry with cacao & espresso notes on sweet savory soft tannins, well balanced, lingering finish ending with fruit & toasty oak. Nice! Consistent Quality! — a month ago
Sipping Fine Wine
Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, toasty vanilla and baking spice scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach & lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with toasty mineral and spice notes, will continue to age well. A Great Chardonnay. Pair this with a Halibut drizzled with a Beurre Blanc sauce. — 13 days ago