Featured User: Lisa Barranger aka "Beachin Wino"
Holly Grove Vineyards
Holly Grove Vineyards Traminette 2010
Cape Heights
Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Very nice wine at this price point! Had at Tinto VB. Very balanced wine with decent structure. Fruit from South Africa. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Despite some poor reviews of earlier vintages I encourage you to give the 2016 a try. Great QPR! — 7 years ago
La Crema
Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2016
I purchased this wine because I read an article in Food and Wine magazine about 25 wines to try in order to master wine. The intent is to familiarize the drinker with wines that are true examples of its varietal and terroir. The recommended vintage was actually 2015, but that was not available. The article did give alternative wines to try and I plan to do that. I went ahead with this purchase since it was discounted and I was drinking with friends that love Chardonnay. It was exactly what I would expect from a California Chardonnay. To me this had a tad more oak than I personally prefer. My Chardonnay friends are loving Slow Press Chardonnay as a daily drinker and it has more balanced oak in my opinion. — 8 years ago
Vieux Château Gaubert
Graves Red Bordeaux Blend 2005
This is a lovely Bordeaux blend that is 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet. Decided to open this before it was past its prime. Aromas of plum, tobacco, leather, vanilla and spice. Aged in 40% new oak. Decent structure and smooth tannin with lingering finish. Probably at its peak so pleased we opened it. Advise aerate, decant, and filter. Some sediment. — 8 years ago
Palmaz Vineyards
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
This is one of the finest wines I have ever tasted. We purchased this wine at the winery after a top notch tasting experience in 2012. A gentleman named Jordan hosted our private tasting and basically helped us plan the remainder of wine vacation. No disappointments! We have since learned how fortunate we were to have that experience. Apparently it is not easy to get an appointment at Palmaz. Beautiful concentrated fruit and structure followed by a lingering finish. Seamless and elegant start to finish! Nirvana! Cheers! — 7 years ago
Chateau Montelena
Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Brought this wine to a beach week. We purchased this wine during a 2012 visit to Napa. Really wish I had brought a decanter and/or aerator. Deep dense plum in color. Aromas of blackberry, dark fruit, leather, and tobacco. Definitely easy to identify as a Cabernet from Napa. Very enjoyable with a lingering finish. Chewy tannins. — 8 years ago
Domaine Chandon
Classic Brut California Sparkling Blend
I took this bottle to brunch with the intent to make mimosas. Once I tasted it I could not bring myself to ruin it with juice! I love a mimosa but this sparkling wine holds its own. Love its creaminess. Take my advice and skip the juice and garnish with a strawberry instead 🍓. Excellent QPR. — 8 years ago
Charles Smith
Boom Boom! Washington State Syrah 2015
Kiona Vineyards
Estates Cuvée Columbia Valley Red Blend 2016
This is a go to red blend from Columbia Valley. A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 6% Merlot, and 3% Sangiovese. Aromas of cedar, smoke, leather, and black fruit. Solid structure and tongue coating tannins. Medium in body with nice balance. This wine has become one I can rely on for consistent quality. — 7 years ago
Daou Vineyards
Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Purchased this wine at Total Wine. I have seen it fill up my social media feeds and just had to give it a try. I absolutely love this wine. It drinks like a $50 wine. A gorgeous and somewhat elegant Cabernet from Paso Robles. It is a beautiful expression of California Cabernet. It is now my go to quaff. — 7 years ago
Concept Wine Group
Omen Sierra Foothills Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
This wine has a lot to offer at its price point. Enjoyed with family following dinner out. We were unable to finish and remaining wine was stored refrigerated for 2 nights. This wine was as good if not better the 3rd night. Many wines seem to fall apart within 24 hours. Recommend decanting and aeration night one.
Well worth the $20 per bottle. No regret if you don’t break out the Coravin as it will hold up nicely a couple of days. Solid structure and balance. Drinks like a Cali Cab❤️ — 7 years ago
Hendry
Block 24 Napa Valley Primitivo 2012
I have always enjoyed Hendry Primitivo. Love to pair with spaghetti bolognese. The pairing definitely balances out the 15.6% abv. The pairing brings out a creamy chocolate finish not appreciated on its own. Lovely brambly fruit, smoke, and subtle tobacco notes. — 8 years ago
Slow Press
Monterey County Chardonnay 2015
My Chardonnay loving friends insisted I try this wine. They first tried it when our local grocers went out of business and each of us went and left with a grocery cart full of new wines to try. (No judgement please/the cashier said there were people with 2 full carts and we are talking 70%off). Since I do not work in the wine business it was the perfect opportunity to try new things 😉. I am rambling....sorry.
Highly recommend this wine. It has some lovely fruit, primarily lemon. This wine would be a crowd pleaser at any party as it is smooth, balanced, and refreshing. Great QPR. — 8 years ago
Beachin Wino
This wine has held up beautifully stored chilled for 8 or 9 years. Lovely floral and apricot aromas. Drinks like a Gewürztraminer. Suggest pairing with spicy Asian cuisine.
14.1 % abv A well crafted wine. Thanks Jonathan Bess.
— 7 years ago