Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Est. in 1987, belongs to Champagne Taittinger (personal favorite) considered the concept in 1947 in the mind of Claude Taittinger. 138 acre estate is situated in the Carneros appellation of CA. A blend (changes ea year) of 35% Chard, 62% Pinot Noir & 3% Pinot Gris, aged 3 1/2 years in the bottle. Aromas of stone fruit and toasty spice. Raspberry and peach flavors, complex, with citrus notes in a fine mousse with good bubble flow. Well structured, vibrant lingering finish ending with mineral tones. Will benefit from some aging. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Located just east of St. Helena in Napa where Conn Creek flows out of Howell Mountain. Their 26 acres of vineyards are in the heart of this 40-acre grape-growing paradise. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Petit Verdot. A big wine with complex fruit and spice aromas. Juicy black berry fruits, with underlying smooth sweetness combined with smoke, spice and oak. Well structured, tannins still tight, gave in after 90 minutes, ending with earthy pepper character. Enjoyable now but let it sit in cellar. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Had this in a recent blind tasting. Aged for 12 months, very pleasant light berry fruit aromas with slight undertones of earthiness. On the palate cherry and currants with subtle spice. I would consider this one of the lighter bodied CA Pinot’s I have tasted. Soft tannins lingering ending with a mineral tang. Nice, from their 1500 acre Grace Benoit Ranch in Carneros. Consistent quality from recent tastings. — 7 years ago

Dani Muñoz

9.6

I’m not a Chardonnay person but I loved this one! Less oaky. My favorite Chardonnay so far. — 7 years ago

Steven Gullo

9.1

Ripe, almost jammy red cherry. High extraction, and generous use of new oak. — 8 years ago

Effie Genovese

9.3

Oh so yummy and smooth. Savour it in front of a fire on a cold night — 9 years ago

O Wong

9.0

Super smooth — 9 years ago

Shawn R

9.3

Nice job Zardo! — 9 years ago

Michael Coats

10

Ten year old Pinot held up wonderfully — 10 years ago

Nicholas Keeler

9.4

Black cherry, bacon , dark backing spice something cooling with floral undertones palate perfectly ripe red cherry I love the lifted aspect with dried herbs long so perfectly juicy fruit without being over ripe or overly tart good job PV — 10 years ago

with Lauren

Nate Spoelman

9.9

Face-ripping tannins! — 11 years ago

Josh

8.9

Nice sweet red with a quick dry finish. Notes of black cherry. — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

8.9

Family-owned and operated since 1985, from a small, 30-acre plot of grapes to the present 20 estate vineyards, Don and Rhonda Carano's success is based on their commitment to quality. Tried this about a test ago, consistent notes. Dark fruit aromas with cedar and spice notes. On the palate, Blueberry and Plum flavors, a bit jammy, with espresso and cacao tones. Medium body, soft tannins, nice balance on lingering finish. Great value! — 6 years ago

Paul T HB

9.6

Last 07, pop & pour beauty
Jack in the box Fridays rule! — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Founded in 1988 by Dave Miner, along with his wife Emily and his parents, Ed and Norma. Aged for 15 months on French oak (60% new), from a 50-acre vineyard planted in 1995 by Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni along the terraces of the Santa Lucia mountains. Aromas of fresh dark berry fruit and wonderful baking spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cranberry and cola with toasty notes, well balanced. Fine tannins on lingering finish ending with a burst of fruit. Very nice. — 7 years ago

Antoine Pin

Wine Buyer Kroger/QFC

8.9

This is a really good wine, but it's hard to drop 25 bones into it. — 8 years ago

Shawn R

9.2

Love this wine and what Michael Zardo is doing over at Ten Acre/Bella. Exceptional bottle that shows a true Cali PN. Full bouquet of lilac, violets, caramel and musk. Beautiful nose. Sip shows spice, smoke, black fruits, black tea with subtle tones of mole bitters. That same spice returns for a lingering finish flashing its soft round tannins one more time. — 9 years ago

John Cook

9.2

Half acre makes a great aromatic brew in the D.Cutter. You would be well off having one or two on a sunny day because it's not as heavy as some of its other IPA compatriots! — 10 years ago

Nurseblondie

9.0

Liquor depot. Very good for the price! — 10 years ago

Gene Super

9.4

Yummy Zin — 11 years ago

Eric L.

9.6

Really fantastic. — 11 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.5

That is excellent down under Pinot. Nice bite. Well made. Aggressive tension but not elixir. — 6 years ago

with Brad

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This wine is made by Dan Standish who started his career by traveling all over the world learning the skill of winemaking. He returned to Australia to make wine at Torbreck. After making Torbreck, he starting his own project. This wine is produced from a vineyard with 100 year old vines with a yield of only a 1/2 ton on fruit per acre. In comparison to quality Napa producers, their yields are 2-3 tons per acre. Dan is absolutely one of the very best producers in Barossa.

On the nose, mulberries, olallieberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, lavender and violets.

The body is full, rich, ruby, lush and very inky. The texture is elegantly sexy. The 06 is still youthful & fresh. It still needs more time but, it’s delicious tonight. The length, tension, structure and balance are just coming into it own. mulberries, Olallieberries, Boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, raisins, blackberries, black cherries, dark berry cola, vanilla, dark spice, black pepper, dry crushed rocks, limestone minerals, soft leather, saddle-wood, coffee grounds, black licorice, dark, rich soil, purple flowers, lavender and violets. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is long, thick, ruby, lush, elegant, well balanced with deep heat penetrating dark spices that rise off the palate and lasts several minutes. The 06 is still 5 years from it peak.

Photos of; The Standish Cellar Door, Owner/Winemaker Dan Standish, beautiful Barossa Vineyards and the old tasting room — 7 years ago

Sarah Oettel

8.9

Star anise. — 7 years ago

Ashley Johnson

9.0

Saved since 2013 - opened as Anniversary treat and it was a pleasure. Crisp, yet buttery; refreshing, yet woodsy. Had it served extra chilled. Choice! Worth the price. — 8 years ago

Jon Paul Coppersmith

9.1

Stoller event. — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.7

The 2013 the HR is no longer the wine of the night as we opened up a hundred acres which scored 100. The epitome of richness and opulence. I love this stuff! — 9 years ago

with Christine and Gina

Edmond Bordelon

9.7

Kayli Morgan 2009
Jayson is on to something.... — 10 years ago

with Katherine

Michael Park

10

2005 - I think the best cab I have ever had — 10 years ago

Nate Rose

Wine Director Specs

9.6

Not Wise Acres. This is Wise Acre. Kirk Grace's tiny 1/2 acre project. 2010 — 11 years ago