Benjamin Hickey

9.5

Super flinty, lots of lees work but great balance of acid and pretty delicate over all — 5 months ago

Jess

9.2

My favorite light red I’ve tried so far! The waiter said it would work well through the entire tasting menu because of its low alcohol content. The Frappato added lightness to the wine. I thought there was a good balance of funk, interest and smoothness in there. — 5 years ago

Jerry Mimus

9.0

Beautiful blend. Can't go wrong for the money — 5 years ago

LM Segal

9.6

Even better than last year’s bottle, which I called “the devil’s work” and rated 95. So much more emerging and the finest, grainy tannins just melted on my palate. Burnt cocoa, velvety cassis. Never got warmed up due to Covid doors open. This has decades to go. — 6 years ago

with Mark and Joe

Nick H

9.4

What can derail you from Delectable for a few months? Perhaps a global pandemic and all the associated work it brought? Hopefully back to stay and rating the backlog that got me through it 😂 Classic Cali Chard - tropical, citrusy notes with almost a waxy or silky mouthfeel. Very little if any butter or oak, and always a delight! — 7 years ago

Nicole Johnson

8.9

I enjoyed this reasonably priced wine. — 8 years ago

Elizabeth Verity

9.3

Not a watery boring Pinot - lots of depth. Gift from Rob for work on Avast — 8 years ago

Joe Lyons

9.1

Big body Pinot, dark fruit blackberries, hints of cola, long on the palette, wonderful wine after a long day of work! — 4 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.3

From Kevin Carriker (used to work with Mark Herold for the early vintages - not sure about these later ones). Excellent Napa cab that went great with grilled filet mignon. Could easily improve in the bottle for a few more years. Not the best incarnation of Kobalt that I’ve had, but it’s still very good. — 5 years ago

with Vanessa

Dawn E.

9.0

This Sunday evening after my work weekend; which was actually one 12 hr. Shift short; (Covid vaccine #2 kicked my behind! ⛑). I have opened this Napa Cabernet!. I am the only wine Connoisseur in the household so my collection is humble and am trying to desperately NOT open certain wines!
I have to remind myself that wine has its journey and sometimes it is just awesome to taste a wine where it is at in this moment!
Sure this might be better in five years, this wine is delicious and reasonably priced! Presents with mild Tannins, Bing Cherry, cedar big time, pencil lead, soft vanilla, mocha and subtle baking spices!
No regrets! Cheers to your work week! Vintage
2018 — 5 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.5

A real stunner. Honeyed nose with beeswax, mead-like. Palate is all-encompassing, coating, zinging acidity, long finish. Beautiful work. — 6 years ago

with Alsu

Jordan Wardlaw

9.2

Definitely the most broadly appealing and well-rounded of the Alvear range. Fruit-driven and concentrated, decidedly less salty and mineral-forward as the entry level Fino. Rounded, complex mouthfeel with nice slow-building acidity that coats the palate very well from front to back. Quite dominated by youthful yeasty aromas that are remarkably similar to fresh baked bread. It’s relatively dry and fresh but would work beautifully with sharp cheeses. — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

10

Quick funny story:
Christine & I are LUCKY to have Kelly work in our office but we are BLESSED to be able to consider her and Darryl as dear friends.
We recommended to Kelly, prior to her going on vacation in Charleston SC, that they should stop by the Belmont hotel. They have a bar and restaurant that is 2nd to none in that area. Christine & I LOVE it!!!! Kelly sent me a quick text to say “hey, we’re at the Belmont! And about to have dinner!”
Being the goof ball that I am..... .....I called the Somm and said “I don’t care what they ordered, bring them a Shafer Hillside Select with some age on it!!!”. 10 minutes later he was decanting a 2003 Hillside Select table side! I love that hotel! Incredible service, incredible food and always a phenomenal experience! The only thing better are-our friends that are there right now!!!!

I didn’t Have a drop of this wine but I am scoring it a 10 based on experience alone!! It must have been “Badass in a Glass” as I always say!
I’ll let Kelly and Darryl fill in the official tasting notes!
by the way Kelly: don’t love SC tooooooo much, Christine & I can’t operate that place without you! See you next week! 👍👏👏👏👏👍
— 8 years ago

with Christine

S Wood

9.3

Brush my teeth with syrah garnacha — 4 years ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.2

Just all around really balanced and drinkeable. The nose isn’t as seductive as some of the other Ziereisen bottlings, but this shows all the pristine balance of his winemaking and vineyard work. Deep pretty red fruits on the palate. — 4 years ago

Byron C Mayes

9.1

Pale straw gold with silver highlights. Somewhat shy nose of underripe Fuji apple and Asian pear. Firm acidity leads the smoky/flinty light-bodied palate of underripe pome fruit and citrus rind. Remarkably long (8-9 secs) palate cleansing finish. Merciful saints! This is the entry level wine from the Dagueneau portfolio and it makes you want to go higher! Food is, of course, its friend, but if you’re into “sipping culture” this will work for you as well. Seafood (cooked or sushi) is a particularly fine pair, naturally. Drink now through 2027. — 5 years ago

Chance Miller

9.3

Nice after work treat 🙂🥂 — 6 years ago

Jessica Dean

9.0

Light and bright. Good table wine — 7 years ago

Victor Hwang

9.2

88 mouton with Keith harding art work. The nose upon opening was sublime. As it decanted and opened, it was a bit disjointed. Has a lot of potential but at this age I think it’s not going to come together. The nose weakened, and the body to finish is a bit jarred. — 7 years ago

Dean Rogers

8.9

At Ocean Prime with ladies from work! — 8 years ago