Marc Melser

9.0

We had the 2017 Vintage on 3/1-2-24. Medium Garnett in color. Black cherry and cinnamon on the bouquet. Black cherry, black raspberry and cardamom on the palate. Some oak and earth as well. Medium bodied. Unmistakable California Pinot Noir. Very good. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2020 vintage. Minerals, honeycomb, varied citrus in both the nose and taste profile. Medium body. Good, focused concentration on the finish. Old-school (non-Napa/Sonoma) California chard staying true to roots. Travel back with this wine to the 1991 vintage and consistent in both quality and style. Sweet, sweet QPR and a definite ringer in a blind, white Burg tasting. If you don't believe me, organize said white Burg tasting with this wine preferred ahead of the Corton-Charlemagne you brought. Will likely finish first. You're welcome. Collect those winnings. — 2 years ago

Raul Puga

9.2

Delicious. Amazing aromatics. — 3 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Deep ruby color. Aromas of plum, fig and berry liquor. Toasted spices, caramel and silky smooth finish. — 6 months ago

Eric

9.2

2019 The Optimist from Sanguis. A blend of Syrah, Cab Franc, Viognier and Roussanne, When you are seeking something different. This is Sine Qua Non for those of us waiting patiently on the list. Feels like a “damn the traditional” wine - we are artists here! Can easily go 5-10 more years in the bottle. Making me sleepy 🥱 — a year ago

Mark Rosse

9.1

Leaps and bounds better than the last bottle from the case but still in a sleepy spot. — 2 years ago

Raj Harb

9.3

2018 disg. Powerful wine in a sleepy phase. Give it another year or two — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Pushing a 1/4 century and still amazing. Most people would never hold a Ca Pinot this long. While it is the other side of peak, it is not that far off. Loads of; blackberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries, plum, dry cranberries, pomegranate, black raspberries. Red licorice/cola, steeped fruit tea, mint, tree bark with sap, dry twigs, dry dark earth and top soil, grilled meats, light, semi-fresh tobacco, dry leaves-brickish notes, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, hints of vanillin, fresh and withering dark & red florals, beautiful acidity and a well balanced, structured, wire to wire finish that lasts two-minutes. Bravo Charles. Vineyard is in Santa Lucia.

Happy Labor Day weekend! — 8 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

This is the Artazu Pasos de San Martin Navarra, a varietal Garnacha. A bit sleepy before it gets air, it gradually Benjamin Buttons and develops a terrifically pure nose of kirsch and raspberry ooze, along with crushed rock dust and sandalwood. In the mouth it’s got intense fruit, but is laser-focused and has excellent acids. Zero flab.
Just enough tannin to package it all. Really nice rendition of Grenache. — 2 years ago

Rob Brobst III

9.3

A highly perfumed nose evokes fresh honeydew melon Meyer lemon pear nectar and white flowers and a smoky mineral nuance builds as the wine opens up. Sappy concentrated and incisive on the palate offering intense citrus and orchard fruit flavors and chamomile and saffron flourishes. A dusty mineral element adds vibrant lift and cut to the impressively long sharply delineated finish which leaves behind a suave floral note. — 3 years ago