John Bratincevic

8.9

NOSE: dark, dried fruit; blueberry, BBQ, cedar.

TASTE: as the nose, but juicier. Tannins are slight and bitter. I don’t care for BBQ in my wine, but it will go well with the chili I’m about to have. Overpriced. 89.

EDIT: another reviewer notes menthol, and I agree — tea tree oil might be even more accurate. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

The very definition of velvet wrapped in an iron fist. It is singing on my palate.

This Dry Creek is better than the Select Terraces I’ve opened lately. Deep, black, ripe, ruby, currants, blackberries, black plum, plum, black raspberries, boysenberries, blue hues, dark cherries, crazy, deep, Indian spices, dark berry cola, cinnamon stick, nutmeg, vanilla, caramel, malt balls, fresh tobacco, used leather, tree bark w/ sap, steeped fruit tea, limestone, crushed risks, river stone, forest floor with dry leaves, dry herbaceous notes, endless rainbow of florals, beautiful acidity and well balanced, structure and tension that is tightly knit with finish for days.

Crazy, stupid, producer that continues to fly well below the radar. I am thankful it does.

This 2010 has 10 years plus of life left ahead. The best Ca Cabernet I’ve had in many years. Wine affects me differently than most but this wine is like a full body massage. Maybe, that is why I discovered my palate. — a year ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.5

Been over a year since I’ve had this and really dug it last time. Glorious cooling spices. Lovely mineral and earthen scents. Oolong tea. Tree bark. Perfectly ripe cherries. Just gorgeous. So complex and layered. So delicate and pure. 9.5 nose. Palate is dynamite. Full of energy, power, concentration and depth. Very Red Riesling. So sappy. Ripe, sweet and velvety tannins. Superb structure and sap. Just brilliant. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose shows a mix of ripe, dried, slightly candied & floral fruits that are; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, both plums, raspberries, slightly fermented strawberries & dry cranberries with haunting blueberries. Dark, pronounced spices, clove, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, dark, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, core and f anise leading to some black licorice, ambers, limestone, dry, crushed rock powder, mix of blue & purple cola, mint, tree sap with bark, slightly withering & candied florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue.

The body is medium full, rich, ripe with nice viscosity. She has a light tannin feeling. Mix of ripe, dried, slightly candied & floral fruits that are; blackberries, dry, dark cherries, black raspberries, both plums, raspberries, slightly fermented strawberries & dry cranberries with haunting blueberries. Dark, pronounced spices with mid to strong heat, clove, vanilla, touch of cinnamon stick, salted caramel, dark, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, core of anise leading to some black licorice, ambers, incense, dry tobacco, savory, grilled meats, used leather, dry & fresh herbs, mint, limestone, dry, crushed rock powder, mix of blue & purple cola, mint, tree sap with bark, slightly withering & candied florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue. The acidity is a cool mountain stream. The finish is; nicely knitted, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant, fruit juicy falling onto spice & earth persisting several minutes.

Good...still needs 3-5 years in prison before it gives more back.

12/26/20 Happy Boxing Day! 🎁 — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Nightcap. I have been eyeing this 2018 Bourgogne Rouge for sometime and haven’t found the night to enjoy. Seems it was meant for tonight’s nightcap.

I enjoy Henri’s whites over his reds. His whites are go to. But, this red burgundy is quite pleasant. Nice on its own but is more friendly with/ food…Duck Confit.

It has started to settle in nicely. Fruits are dark & mid red & forward. Ripe, lush & juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, plum w/ heavy skin, strawberries, red cherries & pomegranate with blue & purple fruit hues. Light baking spices-cinnamon, nutmeg, vanillin, chocolate pudding, toast, moist, blended limestone minerals, dry top soil, beautiful, soft, dark spice blend, fresh rain showered forest floor, tea, tree sap, fresh herbs, touch of mint/eucalyptus, moist, grey volcanic clay, dry twig, red cola notes, dry, floral, dark, red & purple flowers/florals, round acidity and a nicely knitted, tensioned, structured, balanced, rich, polished finish that last a full minute.

$30-35 on release. — 4 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The nose is candied fruits are of; dark cherries, blackberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries & black plum. Strong presence of tree bark, dark, rich, moist soil with dry leaves, caramel, vanilla, nutmeg, soft cinnamon, understated limestone, moist, clay, soft volcanics, mixed dark berry cola, fruit tea, pomegranate juice, crust, dark red, blue and purple florals.

The palate is, rich, full and lush. Candied fruits are of; dark cherries, blackberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries & black plum. Strong presence of tree bark, dark, rich, moist soil with dry leaves, caramel, vanilla, nutmeg, soft cinnamon, understated limestone, moist, clay, soft volcanics, eucalyptus, tree bark w/ sap, mixed dark berry cola, fruit tea, pomegranate juice, crust, dark red, blue and purple florals. The acidity is a bit off but ok. Finish starts well, hollows a bit in the mid palate, pick up and then finishes a touch short.

This may improve with age but not convinced it has the elements to do so. — 2 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Vinaigrette salad with dried, dark cherries & caramelized walnuts calls for Pinot Noir. In fact, the wine needs the salad to really sing. Wine speaks deeply to the skin of the caramelized walnuts.

The one thing about Burgundy is you can get pre-ox, barnyard and VA. Here, you get just a touch of soft VA.

The palate is; round, lush darker fruits that are very ruby. Ripe & more extracted; blackberries, stewed black, plum, dark cherries, plum pudding, blueberries, black raspberries, dried cranberries, raspberries & strawberries on the way to fermentation. Moist clay, dry top soil, sludgy limestone, dark chocolate, notes of maple & brown sugar, dry herb, deeply grilled meats, dry & fresh tobacco, leather notes, oak powder, charcoal, forest floor, dark, tree sap, berry cola, blended black & red licorice, dark spices with a touch of heat, tea with sediment with candied, ruby, dark florals; dark, red, purple & blue florals. The acidity is round & beautiful. The finish is solid wire to wire, rich, lush, well knitted & balanced, sexy and persists endlessly.

Vincent Girardin in excellent vintages, like 2010, is one of my go to value producer for reds & blancs.

VA fades as you sip...salad assists as well.

1/15/21
— 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I get why people who generally always review this producer as just good consuming it young. This is ten years from birth, eight years in bottle and it is still not at its peak. it has ten years and perhaps more properly stored. Very good tonight but better things ahead. It takes this long and longer for WS Pinots to shine.

The palate is, juicy, ripe, rich, a bit lush; blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, purple fruits, hues of blueberries, plum and ripe to dry strawberries with a pomegranate overlay. Then, dry earthiness, top soil, crushed rocks & powdery limestone & chalkiness, dark spices, some black pepper, dry brush, eucalyptus, tree sap, sun tea, black and red cola/licorice, drier tobacco, barrel dust to shavings, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, touch of dry herbs-bay leaves & sage, bright red, pink, blue, purple florals framed in dark slightly withering florals, rain shower acidity, the finish is; well structured & balanced in fruit, earth & flowers, some more tension than I like but will soften & fade nicely in 3-5 years. But, wire to wire really even and stunning. Evolution & integration is good but needs 3-5 years to be its best. Coravin glass.

IMHO, one of the outstanding CA Pinot producers. Walter Hansel gives them a run for the money at their fantastic price point. — a year ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.2

2018 vintage. Very dark-fruited and Burgundian. Firm, yet fine-grained tannins. Black plum skin, cranberry, black tea, tangerine peel, rose petal, tree bark, autumn leaves, fresh blackberry. Really quite good at the proper temperature. I had it over-chilled initially and found it rather thin. Comparable to a village or 1er Cru level Nuits-Saint-Georges or the like. — 2 years ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.3

2019 vintage. Delicious! Wild strawberry, cranberry, tart cherry, dried rose petal, tree bark, black tea, violet, the faintest of star anise, seems like a little steminess. — 4 years ago