Chris Zitzman

9.2

I’m a huge fan of Matt Dees; the wine-maker of the Paring wines. The 2023 Pinot Noir sourced from Santa Barbara County fruit, is in the running for ‘best under $30’ that I’ve come across. Its color is a remarkably deep crimson and its nose is stuffed with smoked cherries and raspberries. The body is rich, smooth, and silky, and the finish (while mildly abbreviated) reminds you to get back to it. — 2 months ago

with Beth

Aaron Krauss

10

Rhonda loves, and says buy it all on chairman's. At total wine and Moore it is $17 before discounts. It is winery direct, so buy 2 cases at 20% off. — 4 years ago

Joe Santiago

9.0

Berries and mocha. Nice full cab. — 5 years ago

Jay Eagan

9.0

A good Chardonnay with a candied lemon rind finish with descent length. This vintage Janet was still assistant wine maker. — 6 years ago

with Kristine

Jay Kline

9.5

This was a really fun follow up to the duo of 2010 Saint-Damien’s. Same consulting wine maker (P. Cambie). Consistent with my previous experiences with this wine, it was beguiling from the start. Lush, amazing example of Grenache with brambles for days and while that sounds like this is massively fruit forward (and it is) it’s just so pure that you can’t help but fall head over heals for it. Sadly, all good things must come to an end and this was my last bottle. Tremendous. — 7 years ago

Kenny Schulman

10

Awesome funky wine - good acid. Fun friends. Great female wine maker. — 8 years ago

with Brittany

Mary Wolf

9.1

Delicious! — 9 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

Wes Hagen, 20 year veteran wine maker at Clos Pepe Vineyard, joined our group and gave us a master class in Santa Barbara pinot noir. We tried 11 PNs from 2004-2010, made by Loring, AP Vin, Sandler, Siduri, and Brewer-Clifton. This was my favorite as well as the group’s #1. — 2 years ago

Scott Arnold

9.0

Delicious and well balanced cab, not super complex but very satisfying. Good value. — 3 years ago

Eric Urbani

8.9

A lineup of 10 August West and Roar Pinots, 2007-2011, all made by wine maker Ed Kurtzman, who attended our tasting. This one was a bit faded so ranked lower than its peers. — 5 years ago

GHol

9.0

Love, love, love this wine from an ex maker of the revered Penfolds Grange and instigator of RWT.
A gem of a wine that punches well above its price point. 18 was a good vintage but this is already drinking well with some development. It’s going to be stellar in 6-8 years. — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

A great Syrah from an Oregon Winery, but the grapes come from California. Made by the previous assistant wine maker of Sine Qua Non.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, vanilla, licorice, wood, chocolates, coffee and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

Needs an hour to open up properly and show some tannins.

Well balanced and complex with a great mouthfeel. Delicious and yummy.

14.7% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$80. — 7 years ago

Peter Sultan

9.2

Favorite maker who brings soul & detail —a decant really makes it sing, this ain’t no one note gamay. Dry, structured, dark fruits ( not cherry compote like beaujo). — 7 years ago

with Owen

Kraig n. Johnson

10

The 1991, with 27 years on it, is a stunner. Going to brown on the rim, but with good fruit remaining and some tannins left. Earthiness does predominate, but still rounded enough to show amazingly well! A testament to the wine maker, as well as the importer and distributor! All in all, an amazing 9.5 , even as it approaches the 30 year mark! Yummm...! KNJ — 8 years ago

Tom Garland

9.2

Beringer Tasting:
2021 private reserve chardonnay
2008 Private Reserve cab
2016 Private Reserve cab
2017 Private Reserve cab
2018 Private Reserve cab
2016 Eighth Maker cabernet — 2 years ago

with Brenda

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Wowwww potent! And Maker wines showcase winemakers who are women and/or of color. Even if they didn’t do be sure their wines are quality/ this is potent with hints of honey and also passion fruit and also Sav-B-nature. Super interesting — 4 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.4

A lineup of 10 August West and Roar Pinots, 2007-2011, all made by wine maker Ed Kurtzman, who attended our tasting! This one was meaty and elegant, my #2 of the group. — 5 years ago

Clementine Swan

10

Ice cubes. Gentle grapefruit. Kasugai peach gummies. — 6 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.3

We toasted the old Year with Doubleback’s 2014 Cab. Signed by both Drew Bledsoe and the wine maker. Dusty leather came to mind. Deep dark earthy flavors. However, they didn’t transition into a multi-layer complexity. Also the finish was not as intense and grippy as I had hoped for. So contrary to our 2019. Here at the end of the year where Tammy is concluding her mayor tenure after 16 years and 25 years of service to the community and the City. She received overwhelming gratitude and love from folks from all walks of life who felt she had impacted their life for the better. Reflecting back at the honoring we received at Capital Church (my first standing ovation I have received in my life ...it pays to hangout with the big wig 😄), the heart warming, full of grace and gratitude dinner with the Stake Presidents. The emotional, caring, loving, tears and laughter farewell event with the City directors and employees and finally, the 250 community stakeholders, friends and family joining us at the Mayor Tammy farewell dinner at Scentsy. What a grand finale. Cheers 2019! You have been fantastic and your finish will linger forever!!! — 6 years ago

with Tammy

Matt Sharp

8.9

Liked didn’t love. Enjoy the tawny by same maker a little bit more. Still good and a good value — 9 years ago