Jay Kline

9.4

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears and some signs of very fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of mostly ripe with some tart and drying fruits: cassis, blackberries, pipe tobacco, Serrano pepper, purple flowers, leather, and a pleasant mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the alcohol is medium+. FWIW, this is an impressive wine on the nose and the palate.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon (or blend there of) or Sangiovese-blend, or Tempranillo (or blend) from the United States, France, Italy or Spain. However, the shear generosity of fruit and lavish oak treatment leads me to Napa. Additionally, there’s a structure that gives me mountain fruit vibes. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain, 2015. Perhaps I was trying to be a bit too clever but scoring lots of points nonetheless. Probably one of the more memorable, contemporary Freemark Abbey’s I’ve had. Really impressive. Drink now through 2050. — 18 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Presented to me, double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears, and some signs of light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe and desiccated, mostly dark fruits: cassis, black cherry, plum, mixed brambles, old leather, pipe tobacco, pencil shavings, and fine baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin (that is mostly integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend, Tempranillo (or based blend) or Grenache-based blend from France, Spain or the United States. I feel like this leans more towards its fruit than its structure, even though it is a fairly well balanced wine in both regards. As a result, I am calling this a Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend from the United States, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain from a producer like Dunn, 2006. Shiiiiiit. To be honest, I’m not terribly surprised since this is Cos and from a warm vintage no less. Drinking well now and should through 2050+. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2015 Judge Family Vineyard Syrah pours a deep, inky, ruby/purple color with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with pungent notes of bacon fat, dark brambles, toasted blueberry crisp, lavender, dried green herbs and fine baking spice. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is aging slowly and gracefully. This remains my favorite Syrah made in the United States. Drink now through 2045. — 10 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Pedroncelli — Giovanni & Giulia Sauvignon Blanc 2024 — Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County. United States 🇺🇸

Overview
A brighter, more expressive take on Pedroncelli’s Dry Creek Valley Sauvignon Blanc, crafted entirely from Sauvignon Blanc and emphasizing freshness, balance, and immediate drinkability. The 2024 vintage leans into a cleaner, fruit-driven profile with less herbal intensity and more precision.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh lime, grapefruit, green apple, subtle melon, and delicate citrus blossom with a clean mineral edge.

Mouthfeel
Light-bodied and vibrant with beautifully balanced acidity and gentle tartness. The palate feels fresher and more polished than the previous vintage, with a crisp, uplifting finish and no aggressive grassy notes.

Food Pairings
Ceviche, oysters, grilled shrimp, fresh salads, goat cheese, or light seafood dishes.

Personal Pick
I enjoyed this noticeably more than the previous vintage — brighter, cleaner, and more balanced. It hits that perfect sweet spot between acidity and tartness, making it incredibly easy to enjoy glass after glass.

Verdict
A fresh, approachable Sauvignon Blanc with excellent balance and clarity. A casual sipper that overdelivers on vibrancy and drinkability.

🍷 Did You Know?
Small vintage shifts in Sauvignon Blanc can significantly change its profile, warmer, even ripening conditions often reduce grassy notes and enhance citrus and fruit purity, as seen in this 2024 release. I also have rated the 2023.
— 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours, a pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright, tropical fruit, lemon, match stick, white flowers, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with generous minerality.

Initial conclusions: this could be Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or Chenin Blanc from the United States, France or Italy. However, it doesn’t have the textural elements of Chenin and there’s too much character for Pinot Grigio. I also feel this leans a little bit more towards its fruit than I want from the Beaune, let alone Chablis (and not leesy enough for the latter). Yet, this is an elegant wine and can’t easily place this in California, so I like this being Chardonnay from Oregon. Final conclusion: this is Chardonnay, from the USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, 2021. How about that! Drink now through 2033. — 5 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.7

TOR Kenward Family Wines — Melanson Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 — Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley. United States 🇺🇸

Overview:
A commanding expression of Pritchard Hill intensity and refinement, this single-vineyard bottling is driven predominantly by Cabernet Sauvignon with a small supporting blend typical of Bordeaux varieties. The wine captures Napa power in a polished, disciplined frame, balancing concentration, structure, and aromatic depth with serious aging intent.

Aromas & Flavors:
Intensely perfumed black cherry, cassis, mahogany, dried herbs, licorice, forest floor, and subtle dark spice.

Mouthfeel:
Dense and dry with authoritative structure, firm yet polished tannins, and layered concentration. Dark fruit, cocoa powder, tobacco, and mulberry build across the palate into a long, resonant, tightly coiled finish that promises evolution.

Food Pairings:
Dry-aged ribeye, herb-crusted lamb, short ribs, venison, mushroom risotto, aged hard cheeses, or truffle-forward dishes.

Personal Pick:
This is a wine I approach with intention, slow decant, big glass, no distractions. It’s thrilling now for its power and depth, but clearly built for long-term cellaring and future fireworks.

Verdict:
A serious, cellar-worthy Napa Cabernet delivering precision, authority, and pedigree. Best for collectors and structured wine lovers willing to exercise patience.

🍷 Did You Know?:
Pritchard Hill sits on volcanic soils high above Napa Valley, producing some of the region’s most structured, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon, often rivaling cult-status bottlings for depth, minerality, and longevity.
— a year ago

Jay Kline

8.9

Splash decanted prior to service and presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet color with an opaque core, moving towards a light orange garnet rim; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with notes of ripe and slightly dried red and black fruits: plum, blackberry, raspberry, dried flowers, leather, cocoa, earth and some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend or a Merlot-based blend from the United States or France. Due to the appearance and secondary characteristics, I think this has 15+ years of age. And, because this was leaning heavily towards its fruit, rather than its structure, I’m calling this being from the United States. Final conclusion, this is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from Napa, valley floor, from a warm vintage like 2009. Dammit, I should have clued into the softer tannins from Alexander Valley. Scoring significant points though. Drink now through 2029. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Presented to me double-blind. The wine pours a deep garnet with an opaque core and some rim variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and signs of sediment. On the nose the wine is vinous with notes of cassis, blackberry, black plum, tobacco, menthol, leather, and mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is really delicious.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend or other Bordeaux-styled blend or a Tempranillo based blend from the United States, France or Spain. This saw French oak so I eliminated Spain. I thought the fruit was outshining the structure…so I liked the USA over France. And, based off the appearance, I thought this probably had 30+ years of age. Final conclusion: this is a Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from the United States, from California, Napa, Rutherford; 1994. Ugh…the 1990 vintage in Bordeaux has bit me twice now recently. Really awesome stuff! Drink now through 2040+. — 4 months ago

Chris Blanchard

9.4

Still one of my fav pinots from the states. Terra de promisso delivers a good grape. Loved the slight spice to this. — 6 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Cambria Estate Winery — Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 — Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California. United States 🇺🇸

Overview:
An estate-grown Pinot Noir crafted entirely from estate fruit at Cambria’s Julia’s Vineyard, delivering a fresh, approachable expression of cool-climate California Pinot with bright fruit purity and everyday elegance.

Aromas & Flavors:
Red plum, strawberry, cranberry, cherry compote, hints of sage, lavender, rose petal, and light leather.

Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied with smooth tannins, lively acidity, and gentle spice through the finish. Bright red fruit keeps the palate energetic and easy-drinking while maintaining enough structure to feel polished.

Food Pairings:
Roast chicken, salmon, mushroom pasta, grilled vegetables, pizza with prosciutto or mushrooms, soft cheeses.

Personal Pick:
This is my kind of reliable weeknight Pinot — easy to love, versatile at the table, and always satisfying without demanding too much attention. A bottle I happily keep in regular rotation.

Verdict:
A charming, estate-driven Pinot Noir offering freshness, balance, and excellent everyday value. Perfect for casual dinners and relaxed enjoyment.

🍷 Did You Know?:
Santa Maria Valley’s east–west orientation funnels cool Pacific winds deep into the valley, extending hang time and preserving natural acidity — a key reason the region excels with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. — a year ago