romo

9.3

Relieving-ly sound. Sweet nose and subtle Piedmont rays at odds with the young tannic finish. — a year ago

Donald Williams

9.3

Against all odds, still a thing of great beauty. — 4 years ago

with Bonnie

Peter Hladun

9.4

I never knew Napa Chard could age so well...this wine defies all odds! — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

8.9

Pale Gold in colour. A muted restrained nose initially from this excellent vintage for White Burgundy. Also restrained on the palate. Lacks intensity in comparison with local Chardonnay for similar money. I know this is at odds with my previous note 32 weeks ago but you can only taste them as you see them. I have had some particularly good Australian Chardonnays lately albeit a little dearer than this at $51 AUD. Nothing inherently wrong with this Burgundy it just doesn’t deliver much. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

After being gone for 23 days, it was a race to get all the work done to open up our backyard or as we call it, the D&S Lounge.

5 full days of; planting, power-washing the house & patio, cleaning furniture, setting up 60 candles & torches and the endless odds and ends. It’s all finally done.

It’s the best room in the house!

It’s opening weekend and looking forward to a long summer and fall weekend nights in our own slice of heaven!

This tastes so good tonight. Showing more tangerine and blood orange tonight. I am in my version of the “Nexus”, Star Trek reference.

Cheers to everyone doing what they enjoy doing with their weekends and opening a good bottles with good friends and or family! 🥂🍾🍷 — 7 years ago

Chris England

9.5

I love this producers Bee 🐝 Block Chard & now I love this one to 😍 Great quality @ £43 👍 Not oaked & syrupy - nicely balanced 😉 Varner make great 🇺🇸 Chardonnays 😎

🏵 94-95 points

🍷 Shimmering golden yellow

👃 Honeyed pineapple, lemon oil, mineralised soft tropical fruits, banana leaf & apricot

👄 Med+ body of fresh lemon & lime citrus into light honeyed tropical fruits w/ a dry mineral kick & apple hint

🎯 Med+ dry mineral & lime driven citrus tropical teaser w/ green apple peaking through — 8 years ago

Barberry Garden

8.9

I am ashamed to say it, but Tupungato Chardonnay is a typical wine by Catena Zapata. Well-made, fresh, and quite sophisticated despite the odds of origin. Everything is in its place. Even the popcorn aroma does not haunt me at night. Add some spices, grass, smoke, sunflower seeds, oil, butter, and tropical notes, good balance and acidity. This is what I have in my glass, as oily as this evening. Nice. — 4 years ago

Jason Brater

9.0

I was drawn to this bc I haven’t seen many NZ pinots. Really liked this one. Round and deep fruit w a depth of flavor that seemed at odds w it’s light texture, in a good way. Glad I have some more. — 5 years ago

with Heather

Libby Spalding

9.0

Thanksgiving teaser — 6 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.2

Dark fruits, black berry and cherry, immediately grab your attention with a hint of white pepper spice as a teaser....nice finish...showed much better after first couple of hours. — 7 years ago

Rubychick

8.9

When friends waiting for friends bring you teaser tasters. Rich nose big on oak, textural body which belies Chablis. Warm and generous. — 7 years ago

Lindsey King

9.3

I’ve never had anything quite like this! Tart red fruit, some lightly floral tea notes, salinity and it kinda tastes and feels like sand the way Frank Cornellisen’s wines taste and feel like volcanic rocks. Pretty and fun and ultimately a brain teaser! Very impressed with Utah state treat. — 8 years ago

Paul J

9.6

3 weeks before we move to London! 30 minute decant. Dark purple color. Nose is medium but complex. Italian meats, French oak, and something I can't put my finger on; but it's flowery with perfume. Drinking awesome right now! Wine is like velvet and very complex. More French like than a Napa powerhouse Cab. Bing cherry, cough medicine, and a little cinnamon. Medium finish. Absolutely love it!!! Wish they all could be like Randy and Mike! Glad I have 2 more bottles! Odds of scoring a bottle in London = 1-165, as they don't let us ship alcohol. — 8 years ago

with Brooke

Michael Malpiedi

9.2

Waxy mouthfeel at odds with bright acidity. No salinity - white flowers and honey but dry. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Mid to deep Crimson in colour. Fairly contained nose - hints of raspberry, violets and a peppery note reflecting some whole bunch in the ferment. Palate is also latent showing much promise - still with raspberry notes, red fruits and plum. I have had this “latent “ experience with Dry River Pinot Noirs before which is at odds with the pros drinking Windows. This is my first of six and will have the next in 2023. Tempted to say a Shiraz drinkers Pinot but it’s better than that. — 4 years ago

Pooneet K

9.1

What are the odds that my wine number 1522 would be this one, labeled with 1522 to commemorate the arrival of the Philipponnat family to Champagne. First time having Philipponnat, actually. Really quite enjoy the style. Very precise bubbles. Beautiful citrus aromas with a bit of yeast. Medium bodied and quite a nice balance between the fruit and broader notes. For $45 (picked up in NJ) a very nice value. Disgorged Nov 2017 from 2013 base. — 5 years ago

James K

9.1

Aged surprisingly well against odds and expectations. Very pleasant surprise. — 7 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.0

Tasty and simple. Med-light body and acid. This is the palette teaser of Sauternes. — 7 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.0

Power and elegance woven together- never at odds with one another. The tension of this wine is where it should be- in its fresh and youthful acidity. These 70-year-old head-pruned vines sit in a wonderful site on one of the best eastern slopes in Alexander Valley. The dedicated Carignan bottling is also worth finding. This blend is fairly true to itself with bright brambly fruit and exotic spice character, revealing lots of fresh mint, dill and cedar. Also a bit on the lush side- not exactly an Oak Monster invasion happening here but definitely revealing oak tannins-charred caramel, campfire and vanilla on the finish. There is an undeniable shift happening at Ridge- deliberate or not- towards more ripeness and more voluptuous wines coming from their Sonoma and Napa vineyards. But they remain beautifully crafted and expressive of their place. This is quintessential California- not the stewed blackberry jam doused in vanilla extract. — 8 years ago

James Forsyth

9.1

I would have guessed this to be a 2009 Sangiovese. I'm wrong. Perhaps embarrassingly. I don't mind though. A teaser it may be but one that is tart and tasty. — 8 years ago