Steve Conrad

9.4

With Leo and cousin Cheryl at the avocado ranch north of Santa Barbara. You can see both the Pacific and the edge of heaven from the top of this 3600-acre ranch — 8 years ago

with Cathie

Martin Redmond

9.1

Dark ruby color with brambly mixed black and red fruit and spice aromas. On the palate it's medium-bodied, and focused with creme de mure, black and red currant, black cherry, and spice with a very appealing minerality. Long finish. A field blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouchet, Grand Noir, Teroldego, Syrah, Black Muscat and Golden Chasselas. From 4.5 acres of wizened, stumplike, dry-farmed, head-trained red vines, which, planted in 1910, produce only half a ton per acre. — 9 years ago

Christine Havens

9.3

Soter's 2012 Mineral Springs 'White Label' Pinot Noir has a rather unique story in that it is crafted from an unidentified "heirloom" clone. Who cares what the clone is, the results are spectacular. The perfect combination of concentration and finesse, the nose is a romp through a damp and earthy forest glen, fields of lavender, and then to the market, to find juicy blackberries and blueberries at their peak. Equally lush, almost brooding on the palate, with underlying layers of minerality and spice. Pinot reserved for the white label is aged 12 months on 50% new French oak, with 30 days extended maceration and minimal racking. 14.0% ABV — 9 years ago

Uli Klumpp

9.1

Another fine SCM Cab Franc specimen - liked it as much as the 1993. Tasted on two occasions almost two years apart, no signs of exhaustion yet.
Winemaker's Comments: 75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, Bates Ranch. Raspberry fruit bouquet with black pepper undertones. Rich, elegant, complex. Round balance, lingering finish. Aged in 50 gal. American oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. Only 56 cases produced. Bottled March 1994. — 10 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.1

Only 292 cases produced very dark berry fruit blueberry pretty floral notes dark spices with a chewy texture ripe and round tannins same block every year 1 acre that is it for this wine they have 50 acres they sell 90^ of fruit most excellent — 11 years ago

Beth Rodi

9.5

Only 50 cases a year. Just stayed there too and was so blown away by this wine! — 12 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.0

50 Zin / 50 Syrah. At Family Winemakers of California Tasting in Del Mar. 3/5/2017. — 8 years ago

Jeff Shapiro

8.9

Pinot with a Syrah/Zin feeling. Earth, pepper and stone with cranberry, strawberry and tart pomegranate seed.

Honestly I expected more from Martinelli but this is still a solid bottle.
Decanted for 50 minutes. — 9 years ago

Justin Hansohn

9.3

I told someone recently that this is the best American wine in the $50 price range. I wasn't kidding. — 9 years ago

Fabien Lainé

Blogger VinDeling.com

9.6

One of those bottles that you remember all your life, a fair 50€, I need to get more, that was an awesome treat for #winelover - unique Clos La Néore Sancerre, one of the purest Sauvignon Blanc, complex and it still so young - very charming, pure chalky soil a 3.6-acre parcel within the cru of Mont Damnés — 9 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.2

A very juicy merlot with lots of plum and cherry fruit they own three vineyards Stanley ranch 60 acres they purchase 50% of their fruit they use. A good amount of ripe berry and plum fruit with notes of herbs and peppery spice a good amount of fruit for a 2011. Excellent! — 10 years ago

Diedra West

9.1

Diedra had this 10 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.4

50-100 years old 3500kg per liter very small under2tons per acre 100% new barrels better for barrel fermentation deep dark earth soy espresso dark berry and plum fruit meaty dark and wild animal very aromatic black licorice 2010 the best vintage ever2008amaxing next to 2005and of course 2004 very rich and well endowed on the palate very round and silky tannins a big but well balanced wine lots of dark spices and fresh on the finish dark spices and some wild animal like but has lots of fruit earth and dark earth with layers of everything here and in balance. Finish 50+ most excellent — 12 years ago

Ruth Kalinka

9.2

I really liked, clearance $40 from $50. Very nice Pinot Noir. Fruit and smooth, not earthy — 8 years ago

Henrik Poulsen

9.0

14.9% alc.
50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Syrah from Castelli-Knight Ranch, Griffins Lair, Alder Springs and Bedrock Vineyards.
Unfined/unfiltered.
228 cases produced. — 9 years ago

Ryan Carey

Founder Wine Confidential

9.2

Finally trying Cherry Pie (from Hundred Acre). 3 different single vineyard Pinots from 2012. Stanly Ranch is dynamite (and a vineyard to keep an eye on). Reminiscent of Kosta Browne. Next up is Rodgers Creek. Darker fruit. Less explosive, but a nice wine. Third up is Carinalli. Way lighter, though some spice to it. It's fine, but doesn't hold a candle to the other two. (Thanks Mastro's in Scottsdale for hosting me!) — 9 years ago

John Kemper

9.4

An opaque red/purple, the '00 Ojai Syrah '50% Roll Ranch 50% Bien Nacido' is richly scented with black raspberry, ground pepper and dark cherry notes. Powerful mouth-coating flavors of ripe black fruits with spicy cracked peppercorn accents then flood the palate. The fully-rounded and well-integrated tannins make the lingering finish lip-smackingly delicious. — 10 years ago

Jim Daunais

9.0

For under $30 drinks like a $50+ NAPA Cab - amazing consistency across vintages, the folks at Halter are only getting better and better. — 10 years ago

R Mara

9.6

Dry, full body, need to open 1/2 hour before to really be ready. Smooth no burn or acid. Deep color, more fruit/ berry not so much chocolate. It is a 50 to 60 dollar value IMO — 11 years ago

Benjamin Silver

9.7

Old Vine Carignane planted in the 30's, 40's & 50's - Buchignani Ranch. House Block. — 12 years ago