West Bay

Hirsch Vineyards

West Ridge Pinot Noir 2020

Hirsch with another great wine. Gorgeous nose with more depth than your average Pinot. Sour cherry notes. Not much tannin to deal with here. Curious where my other bottles will be in a few years — 2 days ago

Andrew, Scott@Mister and 1 other liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Promising red fruit on the nose but a bit too tannic—decanting was de rigueur. After 45 minutes it was better but still tight. It took a full two hours to open up fully and show interesting notes of tobacco, earth and pencil shavings to balance the fruit and acid. Tells me that I should wait another five years before opening my remaining bottles. Enjoyed the 2021 vintage with prime ribeye cap steak from Costco, chicken liver pate and Taleggio cheese, with visiting family (William, Teresa, Xander and Samantha). — 6 days ago

Scott@Mister liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Swan Terrace Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2008

2nd place. Brownies in the oven nose, silky texture, some ink press and sous bouis. Very nice. — a month ago

Shay, Steve and 7 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2019

2019 vintage. As delicious as ever. Exquisite balance of fruit and acidity. Medium-heavy bod. Clean with a smattering of mineral influence here and there. So good. 6.5.24. — 10 days ago

Austin, Ira and 15 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

These are great

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2012

Good show. Only a hint of CA sunshine on the close. — 6 hours ago

Sarah Bignami
with Sarah
Pinotman, Bob and 3 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

At Vivace. Balanced. Very bright. Lovely. — 10 days ago

Leeuwin Estate

Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2016

Unscrewed and poured; no formal notes. These friggen Chardonnays from Margaret River. I’ve been blinded on them too many times to count and I never call it right. Instead, I always seem to call a high acid grape like Riesling of Sauvignon Blanc. The fruit is sometimes tropical, always with citrus and sometimes is shows green apple and always with awesome minerals. Acid is squarely in the high category. They are lovely wines that just seem to throw me for a loop. If Chablis, the Mosel and Sancerre had a love child. Drink now and through 2036 easy. A fabulous pairing with lamb massaman, larb and papaya salad. How can they hide the 100% new French oak so well?! — a month ago

Jeroen, Ira and 10 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

2018 vintage. Oak a little showier than last visit 4.20.24. *Full disclosure* Probably my favorite CA cabernet for QPR purposes-year in, year out-since the early 90's. Not inexpensive, yet, in a world of ridiculous CA cab pricing, this is a bargain. Had I storage space and projected lifespan, would pick up two cases and crack a bottle every year starting in 2028. Some overt baby fat/oak to dissipate in anticipation. Currently, wanting more structure and depth but, given the track record with this wine/producer, it's enroute. 5.29.24. — 17 days ago

Ted, Jan and 17 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay

Delightfully complicated California Chard masquerading as a White Burgundy. French nose and French finish. Minerals, flint, stone and fruit—apple, pear, peach and nectarine, with an obvious but restrained layer of oak. Not overly fruity or oaky; no pineapple or butterscotch here. Paired well with the Seafood Tower, Swordfish and Black Cod at the Water Grill Santa Monica. This was a juvenile 2021 vintage, tasted in 2024. Eager to try this gem after another half decade. — 14 days ago