The 2019 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) is bright and full of energy. Ripe red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, spice, lavender and mint are front and center in this refreshing Russian River Zinfandel. Floral notes and bright acids perk up the finish. This is such a gorgeous wine, and also a great introduction to this lineup. The Russian River Zinfandel is really a Zinfandel-based field blend from Limerick Lane and a handful of other properties, including Banfield, Collins, Sodini and Ponzo. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago
The 2018 Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard is even better from bottle than it was from tank last year. What a wine! In 2018, the Carlisle Zinfandel is off the charts. Exotic floral notes, crushed red berry fruit, spice and wild flowers give the 2018 magnificent inner sweetness and perfume that just gains in intensity with time in the glass. The blend of 86% Zinfandel and 14% Mixed Blacks works so well. For readers who want to know why 2018 is so magical in the Russian River and Sonoma more broadly, the 2018 Carlisle pretty much sums it up. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago
The 2019 Chardonnay Estate is a gorgeous appellation-level wine. Bright, floral and finely cut, the 2019 possesses terrific energy and cut, all in a gracious, airy style that is hugely appealing. Lemon confit, melon, dried flowers and a touch of spice linger. The Estate is a blend taken from across the property, and that complexity makes for a highly intriguing wine. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago
The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate San Andreas Fault is bright and beautifully lifted in the glass. Crushed red berry, mint and white pepper give the 2018 striking aromatics presence. Medium in body, nervy and finely delineated, the 2018 has a lot going on. I would give it a few years to soften, as the tannins are a bit fierce today. Time in the glass brings out the wine's inner perfume and a real feeling of finesse that will only grow with time. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago
The 2018 Zinfandel Papera Ranch captures all the exuberance of Russian River Valley. Succulent dark cherry, plum, spice, new leather and cedar build in a sumptuous, creamy Zinfandel that is showing so well today. Bright red toned fruit and sweet floral notes saturate the finish effortlessly. Best of all, the 2018 will drink well with minimal cellaring. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago
The 2019 Chardonnay Trout Gulch is fabulous. Palpable energy and tension drive a core of crushed rocks, lemon confit, mint and white flowers. Intensely saline, tense notes really bristle in this magnificent Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay. The 2019 is naturally very young, but it is stellar. Dried flowers, sage, mint and dried herbs linger. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago
The 2019 Zinfandel Giuseppe & Luisa shows all of the intensity of the Martinelli wines, but with an extra kick of floral overtones and acid brightness to perk things up. Cinnamon, crushed red berry, wild flowers, mint and blood orange all run through this expressive, silky Zinfandel. The blend of Jackass Hill and Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel clones on four different rootstocks, which results in different ripening cycles and harvest times, all of which translates into notable complexity in the finished wine. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago
The 2018 Pinot Noir The Settler Cleary Ranch Vineyard comes across as quite closed today. There is good depth, and the stems have integrated, but at the same time, the fruit is not too expressive. It will be interesting to see where this goes. Hints of dried cherry, cedar, tobacco, mint and sage add lovely aromatic intensity to this savory, earthy Pinot. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago
The 2019 Chardonnay Watson Ranch is open-knit and seductive. Orchard fruit, chamomile, spice and dried herbs all meld together in a pliant Chardonnay that offers a striking mix of textural richness and energy. Watson Ranch is the southernmost vineyard in Napa Valley, a cool-climate pocket that yields a Chardonnay of real distinction. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago
Delectable Wine
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The 2019 Pinot Noir Estate is a very pretty, delicate wine. Lifted aromatics, bright red berry fruit and mid-weight structure make for a tasty, Russian River Pinot that will drink well right out of the gate. This is an especially floral, silky style. A dollop of whole clusters (12%) is not especially evident. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2021)
— 3 years ago