Bruce Dunbar

8.6

Bedrock’s California Syrah brings together some of the great Syrah vineyards in California in an incredibly well-priced wine. The ‘23 hits you with the big nose that is a signature of this wine — dark berry and cinnamon like a fresh baked pie this year. The fruit is more reticent on the palate, perhaps the result of a long, very cool growing season. It leans toward graphite and earthiness. A solid, if not outstanding vintage, still high on the price/quality ratio. — a month ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.3

Bedrock’s 2023 Bien Nacido Roussanne is a prodigy. Made from a tiny parcel, it hits so many high notes in its youth, it’s hard to imagine what maturity might bring. Beautiful color, rich mouthfeel, both oily and light on its feet, layers of balanced fruit and acids. The only down side is it’s availability is inverse to its quality. — 2 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.7

Just released (3/25), the 2023 Rivers Marie Sonoma Coast Pinot is restrained, even reticent. Pinkish violet with a slight bit of plum and violets on the mostly closed nose, it offered a hint of kirsch along with minerality early in. With a little more air, plum, cherry, and dark berries began to emerge. Hopefully time brings this relative bargain in the RM lineup to its historic levels of complexity. — 3 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.0

This wine was so sweet and syrupy out of the gate that it almost overpowered with its dark fruit compote qualities. With some air, it mellowed revealing pencil lead and menthol undertones to somewhat balance it. Very young, very rich, with a beautiful nose and color, I’ll let the rest of the lot sleep a while. — a month ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.1

Another very good Rodger’s Creek from Ramey. The 2018 hits your nose and palate with loads of dark fruit and backs it up with earthy flavors and gentle tannins. Always a favorite and this vintage is right in line. — 2 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

A powerful Syrah in its youth, the Winds of Change 2023 (released March ‘25) opens with a dusty nose full of minerals, rose and kirsch. On the palate, its drying tannins are at the forefront now, adding to the dusty feel, but there is a nice peppery bite, dark cherries and tar. It felt a bit reserved and perhaps a few more years in bottle will mellow the tannins and let the rest shine. — 3 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.7

From the much hyped 2023 vintage, this is a very balanced and nuanced dry Riesling that is easy drinking in its youth and food friendly. A mix of white florals and rocky undertones with very subdued acidity. — a month ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.1

Pear, chalk and floral nose. Apple, honeysuckle, slate and lemon meringue palate. The 23 Sonoma Coast Chard from Rivers-Marie is really crisp, light on its feet and lets the fruit shine through. — a month ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.3

The ‘23 may not be the best Turley Juvenile ever, but it remains a solid value wine that’s very drinkable now (4/25 and the next ~5 years). Beautiful in the glass — pinkish purple with nearly neon edges — it lets off aromas of strawberry, kirsch, and cocoa in a heady, powerful nose. The fruit dissipates on the palate though, leaning into minerality, cola, sour cherry and a touch of pepper alongside a dusty finish. It’s an interesting and enjoyable, if not enthralling, blend. — 2 months ago

Bruce Dunbar

9.1

This is a wonderfully complex and layered Riesling with effervescent acidity, florals, white fruit and minerality. Lemon peel, pear, slate, and honeysuckle are on the nose and palate, each with its own distinct but harmonized role. If only there was more to be had! — 4 months ago