Seth Masterson

9.1

2015 Amalgam Catalyst
70/30 California Albarino/Gewurztraminer
Yes you read that correctly.
I met the winemaker Ken Wallis at Garagiste in Sonoma, and soon figured out that this man is a wizard of California blends.
I'd be hard pressed to believe that anyone could pick out the varietals in this one. They swim and dance together in a way that truly makes you believe that this is some God-Forsaken grape that time as forgotten. Or, as I guessed - Cali Viognier.
Grassy with strong tropical notes, earth and a variety of herbaciousness.
Absolutely quaffable when chilled.
Let it come up to temp and you get the grassy texture and finish of Grüner, but the Gewurztraminer brings in a tropical floral finish that overpowers the grassy-ness but is just below the level of being cloying — 6 days ago

Seth Masterson

9.0

Bargain Montrachet
Notes of toast and curd. +++
Kind of a chalky mouthfeel. --
Short finish. Leaves a strange coating in your mouth ---
I was hoping for more complexity. — a month ago

Seth Masterson

9.0

A very distinct nose. Peach skins and something like tarragon plus cherry blossoms. It gives me the sense of fresh spring water flowing through a cherry orchard in April. Too drippy? I'm sticking to it. — 2 months ago

Seth Masterson

9.5

Appropriate to the wineries crest, this shot an arrow straight through my heart.
The app wasn't working last night so I don't have detailed notes but it has everything I want in Pinot: structure, not only complexity but mystery, uniqueness of character and place, brightness and freshness plus depth and earthy darkness.
So sad that I only have one bottle. Maybe Mr. @Lyle Fass can get me more. — 23 days ago

Seth Masterson

9.2

Wow. The best German chardonnay I think I've ever tasted.
Earthy, earthy- a feature that I love about the Spatburgunder of the Ahr region and now I smell it here. Plus toasted brioche. Almost caramel,
Mouthfeel is balanced between the fine acids (think underripe pineapple) and minerality.
Cheers to climate change? — a month ago

Seth Masterson

9.1

Coombsville Napa Syrah. Small 3 barrel production. Interesting that I get coconut both on the nose and in the after taste so I thought there had to be some American oak in there but was assured by the wine maker it was 100% French. Half new.
Nice mouthfeel - a balance of silk and acids. 5 years old and would love to re-visit at 10. — 2 months ago

Seth Masterson

9.3

Vintage California Chard can be fun!
Livermore - which wasn't a populated suburb in 2001 - produced this. It's almost turning to white sherry,.Stewed pear, stewed apple, candied apple, dried dates, dried figs.
Very fun. Still has an acidity that keeps it present. Alcohol content is still there too which helps carry all of this down without being cloying. — a month ago

Seth Masterson

8.9

Opening up - this one is really is getting interesting as it opens. Would need to come back to a bottle and let it breathe for a good half hour — a month ago

Seth Masterson

9.0

I don't get to try too many 100% Mourvèdre and last time I did I think my comment was "this is why it's always blended" but this one is great! And from a surprising region — 2 months ago

Seth Masterson

9.1

2023 Albarino
The first Cali Albarino that would trick me into running this hails from Gaelacia.
Distinct salinity,lemon and lime pith. — 2 months ago