Lots of great complexity on nose and huge dark cherry on palate & finish. Really enjoyable wine! — a year ago
The 2020 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is fabulous. In fact, the appellation wine is my favorite Pinot in this range. The combination of the sites, and a bit less stem influence than the vineyard designates, works so well. There's a bit more fruit, more mid-palate sweetness and better balance overall, in my view. All the elements are so well put together. All of this fruit is from Machado and Hapgood. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, August 2022)
— 3 years ago
2019 vintage. Soft nose currently but explosive front-end palate of bleached white paper, massive plum, balsamic and bacon fat. Hevvy bod. Some welcome acidity/tannins on the back end clean(s) things up nicely. Waay too young but not shy about trying out for the varsity squad. Makes you wonder where we would be if Napa/Sonoma had put as much time, effort and acreage into Syrah as they have Cabernet Sauvignon over the last six decades... — 4 years ago
No formal notes . medium deep ruby , medium bright ruby rim. Quite spicy a little oak noticeable at first . Mixed dark fruits . A bit more round and juicy on the palate , good acidity , slightly grippy but polished tannins . This becomes a bit more restrained and reserved after a while. Served blind , I actually put this as Haut Brion , due to its generous personality, and polished tannins. Overall showed well in the flight was my top wine (though the Cheval Blanc may well be better in absolute terms) . Can be enjoyed now , though has the substance to last a further decade or so, a good showing for the Mouton. — 10 months ago
A Beauty of a SB. Still youthful and brimming with energy. Bright acidity and tropical fruits put this blend in the top drawer of Cali producers. — 3 years ago
Nose is nice with lemons, maybe some tropical sunscreen (or sunscreen in the tropics) with underlying freshness like grass. Palate is wonderful. So much better than the current release at the winery. There’s tropical fruit and flowers, a lot of apples, lemon curd, good acidity. I can’t quite put my finger on the tart fruit at the end. Maybe key lime and something… ok so after another hour of air more honeysuckle, baked green apple, a bit of hay, stile with a tart lemon/lime flavor. The viscosity is really nice too. Talking with wife about it, it is almost like a flat champagne, in a really good way. — 4 years ago
2014 vintage. Last tasted 04.20.22 (9.5). Still tight but behind all the subterfuge, clouds, white lies, deception and smoke, there is a fantastic show slowly being assembled. All the performers are there and you've watched plenty of the rehearsals. Another 8-10 years will likely find this in the 9.6 and maybe 9.7 zone when the curtain finally rises. Built for future speed. If you've got the time and ca$hi$h, put a case aside and start tapping in 2035. This goes places wine doesn't have a right to. It's not asking for permission. 01.30.25. — 10 months ago
Adam Gäfvert
Nicely put together. Tropical notes combined with classic characteristics. — 8 months ago