Alta Ridge

Bodegas Riojanas

Monte Real Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 1998

what an outstanding experience and without question one of the best wines of the year for me. This is a world class business card of what American oak can do at its best. It starts with a powerful yet elegant knows of dusty cherry, old licorice but mostly gives way to inebriating feeling of grandma‘s old spice cabinet. Something in the nose already tells you that fine fine tans are waiting for you, but the palate is overwhelmingly silky smoothness, possibly the highest combination of intense-yet-silky tannins you can find anywhere, with bright acidity and medium to light body that makes the whole thing dance. I decided to check the producer website and they recommend pairing it with cod with sauce. Luck would have it that I randomly was eating pasta filled with salt cod and tomato sauce. The pairing works well as it further rejuvenates the wine, but I would say it shines at its brightest just by itself, letting those tannins tell the story without any need to curb them down. I’m drinking from Coravin meaning I cannot decant the wine, but even the sediment tastes good. Just like those people who brag about buying burgundy in the 70s, I feel like once the ebbs and flows of trends will shift I will be bragging about buying a 26-year-old monte real gran reserva, kept 24 years at the winery, for 60 bucks, which in San Francisco wouldn’t even pay for the cost of storage  — 9 months ago

Andrew, Douglas and 6 others liked this

Rivers-Marie

Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir

A little heavier than I remember but fully mature and fun to drink with friends. — 6 years ago

Forlorn Hope

Suspiro Del Moro Silvaspoons Vineyard Alvarelhão 2007

This wine is excellente! Deep silky dark fruit. This is a great sipping wine, yet it will sing with a thick steak or juicy grilled pork chop. This is a 2007, so good luck finding one. — 9 years ago

Carson Ridge

Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Medium ruby in color; black cherries, plums, and cedar on the nose; medium plus acidity; medium tannins, but smooth; tastes like blackberries, cherries, and a hint of bell pepper witha long finish. Not as complex as I would like, but pretty good. — 2 years ago

Failla

Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007

Ehren Jordan is a Master, brilliant winemaker this 07 displays this talent beautifully. Shows bright fruit both on the bouquet and on the palate. — 6 years ago

Jeff OrlowskiJoe Roth
with Jeff and Joe
Jeff, David and 3 others liked this

Dirty & Rowdy

Shake Ridge Ranch Mourvedre

yes, this is a photo of a computer image. tasted as part of a Mourvèdre wine group tasting via zoom, wines portioned into woozies. 2018v. super aromatic, raspberry/cranberry juice, fresh leather, violet. palate texture is silky, light but complex and flavorful, acid medium +, long tannins- just a bit of grip. fantastic — 4 years ago

Shay liked this

Podere Poggio Scalette

Il Carbonaione Alta Valle della Greve IGT Sangiovese 2012

Such an intense inviting nose and sexy opulent palate. I’ve been on a roll lately with excellent Sangiovese based wines (this is 100%), but this ranks high across the board, and still not close to fully mature. Herbs and spices, leather, ripe rich red fruits, silky tannins, buoyant acidity. Nothing NOT to like here, especially when paired with a pork osso bucco. — 8 years ago

Ron, Kimberly and 7 others liked this