Chris Zitzman

9.2

Chris had this 2 days ago

Chris Zitzman

9.4

Dark and brooding with crimson hues, the 2014 Wonderment Petite Sirah is a stunner. I’ve never been a big fan of single varietal Petite Sirahs (save a few of much loftier prices)- but the outright class of the 2014 vintage of the Russian River Valley from where this puppy was born is in its glory. The nose is VERY expressive and is in no way shy. After given time to breathe, the nose leads to an absolutely silky, lush and seductive palate that has to be felt to be understood. It drips of a syrupy, plush, smokey boysenberry on the palate and just keeps expanding. The finish is remarkable. Flavors linger on the palate as if lit-up in neon and fade all the same. In sum: find it, drink it, love it. @winewarehouse — 14 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.0

No need to decant this one as it displays a delightful bright crimson from the jump. As it breathes in the glass I’m getting light notes of clove, amidst other red berries. The palate is light, with fine tannins outlining the mid-palate to a light and delightful finnish. Nice little Pinot if you can find it — a month ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

10

Not for nothing, but the nose on this puppy may be my favorite of all time. It’s powerful as can be but graceful and inviting, with all kinds of stewed fruit and every inclination of a powerhouse. There’s a delightful & robust jammy element to it in all the right ways. As it breathes, it says more. It’s as if this wine was the anti-Bordeaux from the standpoint that in now way is it ‘putting on airs. The palate is supremely graceful, as the tannins just melt right into the flavors that expand as it comes into its own. While powerful, it’s clear from the jump that this wine is crafted to seduce with a silky, velvety texture that patiently draws you in and holds you close with what can only be described as a one of a kind, luscious finish. This may be my very first 100pt wine that I just happened to stumble across. Memorable and remarkable. — a month ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.1

A beautiful Spanish white blend from Canyada, Alicante; 50% Verdil, 25% Merseguera, 20% Macabeo, and 5% Alexandria. The nose of it alone and as it breaths is bountiful and expressive. Lots of lime, sea and surf jump out of the glass, and lead to a surprisingly lush and soft touch on the palate. And for as delicate as the body is, the finish just seems to grow and grow. Remarkable balance and stone fruit rest on the finish and with each sip those characteristics only seem to expand. Everything about this wine is a “grower”, if ya know what I mean. — 4 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.3

A blend of Zinfandel, Grenache, Mataro (among others) combine to bring a deep, lush, and leggy ruby hue to what’s already a stunner as it’s just begun to breathe. It’s a full-bodied, rich wine without a doubt. The nose is pronounced and reveals oodles of macerated raspberries. The quick decant has really helped to soften the acidity and without a doubt has helped to reveal both the texture and depth. This is a big, bold wine that has received massive scores from top critics, but I feel I may be missing something here in the translation. While the depth of the wine is clear, it really required the steak we had with it in order to lighten the sheer intensity of the wine. It needed to be paired to unveil its complexity, at least to me. Could be the wine’s youth as the Old Hill Ranch will undoubtedly become more and more accessible with some bottle aging. The famed critic Antonio Galloni gave this wine a 98 point score, so who am I to argue with it. Could be this one just flew over my head. I’ll be happy to revisit this puppy in a decade though ;). — 21 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.1

Chris had this a month ago

Chris Zitzman

9.1

Straw-gold in color, the 2023 Belondrade “Quinta Apolonia” from the Castilla y Leon region of Spain is a lush (and beautiful) example of the Verdejo grape that is prominent throughout the Rueda region of Spain. The nose is inviting and rich, exemplifying all of the character traits that have helped to propel this Spanish beauty upon the unsuspecting masses. Hand-picked, the care taken during harvest expresses itself in the finished product. This is a full-bodied white that brings receipts. With its gold-rimmed nose to its perfect balance, the Belondrade Quinta Apolonia is a luscious and vibrant example of both the grape and the region. — 14 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.2

Deep, golden-hue in color, the 2020 Terlano “Kreuth” (100% Chardonnay) is a lush, full-bodied example of the variety. Hints of star fruit and bright citrus notes greet the nose, but it’s on the palate where this wine be shinin’ right now. Full-bodied, rich and glorious is the texture, pinned down by an uncanny mineral-driven sense of place. I learned a long time ago that you just can’t write-off ANY of the Chardonnay that comes from the Alto-Adige region of Italy- or ANYWHERE from Italy for that matter. As it breathes it comes into its own, changing with every breath and reinforcing itself on the finish. See simply: do not overlook. — a month ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.0

The 2024 Ameztoi “Rubentis” carries a subtle, almost rose gold hue in the glass. The nose contains bright red berry notes, but it’s on the palate where this wine absolutely shines.

The blend of hondarrabi zuri and hondarrabi beltza are at the heart of the wine, but its real beauty stems from the method to its marriage.

Both grapes are hand-picked, but then placed in hoppers from where they are de-stemmed together, then pressed together, then allowed to naturally ferment together. Towards the end of the process the tanks are closed to preserve the naturally occurring carbonation.

As is traditional/preferred method in Getaria, the tanks themselves are kept near freezing to solidify the blend’s effervescent character.

The result is a robust-yet-effervescent rose whose roots date back to the late 1800’s.

The craft used to make this very wine made rose popular in the Baque region of Spain LONG before rose became so popular around the world. — a month ago

with Beth