Brandi Bratek

9.0

Unlike many California Chardonnay, this one has a bit more character and nuance. It is not a butter/oak bomb like so many. It was well balanced and paired nicely with a variety of dishes. — 5 days ago

Lee Lightfoot

9.4

Complex melon grapefruit honey pink lady apple acid and mineral explosion. Second time crushing a bottle, one of my favorites this year. — a month ago

with Alex

Meg Herring

9.2

Lovely! This has so many years left on it. Best on day 2. — a month ago

Joe Estrada

9.2

A very nice & well balanced Rhone Blend — 3 months ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

One of our last Heitz Bella Oaks bottling’s.

Heitz no longer leases the vineyard. The fruit from the Bella Oaks Vineyard is now bottled by Quintessa at $200 a bottle when Heitz sold it at around $70 or less when they leased the terroir.

The better pair with the end cut of the Prime Rib with creamy, horse radish.

Floral, candied, spice driven fruit of; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plums with tough skins, plums, dark cherries and deep, juicy strawberries. Dark tarriness, steeped black tea, incense, burnt amber, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, dark chocolate bar, mocha powder, moist clay, dry, crushed rocks, dry, twig, eucalyptus, sage, bay leaf, dry top soil, tobacco, leather, cedar, grainy limestone with dark, red, purple, candied withering florals that dark & candied. The acidity is perfect. The structure, tension, balance and length still need 6–10 years. The finish is; rich, beauty, elegant that starts, fresh, juicy falling on to earth & spice that persist until you have something bigger.

Plated with very cheesy Au Gratins & caramelized carrots.

Still an adolescent with 15-20 years of good sipping ahead of it.

The most flavorful piece of beef I’ve ever had. Had more tender Wagyu Ribcaps, just not this much flavor.

Happy New Year! 🥳🎉🍷🎊

12.31.2020 — 25 days ago

RJ Stefanski

9.2

Mmmmm. Sleek, charming, and complex - I need to drink more Austrian Riesling on this level. A very precise medium-bodied stunner with generous fruit cradled in remarkable acidity.

More info: Burgstall is a windy plateau with sandy gneiss and granite soils. 84 cases imported to U.S. $35 — 9 days ago

John Scimone

10

Best cab for $12. Full body smooth rich slightly sweet — a day ago

Mike Gibbs

9.2

this was honestly one of the best Pinot Noirs I have had. With all the Forge hype these days i didn’t want to like this as much as i did - trying to adjust for the hype bias, but I couldn’t stop drinking it - beautifully fruit forward with soft cherries and perfect tannins. Young but meant to drink young in my humble opinion. — a month ago

Jay Kline

8.9

By the glass with lunch, no formal notes. First time ever trying Khikhvi and I can imagine this is how wine was made 1000 years ago. Obviously extended skin contact with a copper salmon color. Funky fresh nose and complex on the palate with all sorts of interesting fruit and non-fruit things going on. Acid and tannin providing good structure. Certainly a change of pace and quite enjoyable actually. — a month ago

Eric L.

9.5

Drinking beautifully. Soft, sexy, and supple with lovely tertiary aromatics. — 2 months ago