Mary H

9.0

Well-made single varietal cabernet grown near Monte Bello. Smooth blackberry and graphite. Round and medium weight mouthfeel. Less complexity given the single varietal but made with finesse. — 5 months ago

Sam Friedland

9.2

Very pleasant, soft tannins — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2020 vintage. A fave CA chard and producer. Medium-medium heavy body. Tasting slightly more tropical and advanced with less acidity than usual. Still absolutely delicious tho. Would like to retaste and reevaluate in 5-6 months tho. Based on 30 vintages of tasting this particular wine, betting it reconciles any tawdry, fleeting concerns that occupy my compromised palate and right quick. 01.22.25. — 8 months ago

Ed Chin

9.2

Tons of red and dark fruit. Mainly cherries and a bit of raspberry and spice. — 10 months ago

Matt

9.4

Love the high Merlot % this vintage has. There’s a plushness and supleness to the tannin that really impressed. With age the Merlot really bringing that core of sweet stewed red plum. Long, elegant, completely intact, very well-stored bottle. — 2 years ago

Spencer Dukoff

8.9

Balanced, warm, fruity — 5 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.0

This yellow-gold wine rings the “old-style Cali” bell in all the right ways. A nose of apricots, mangoes and apples is helped along with the smell of buttered popcorn. Oak treats the palate as well, draping over the tropical fruit like a sunshade. The acidity is zesty, yet the mouthfeel tends toward creaminess due to the wine sitting on the lees for five months. The oak is a definite part of the wine, but the effect is softened enough so that it's a pleasure, not a pain. — 7 years ago

Nico J. Snyman

9.6

Tried the '90 recently, spoke of how amazing a producer of Californian Cabernet it is, but just needed a little more time, this '85 is well & truly on point, everything is in balance, there's fruit intensity yes, but the development/complexity/layers are really shining through, outstanding stuff. — 9 years ago

Nicole McLendon

9.5

A little throw back Charleston Wine Festival circa 2014 with my bestie Brooke! — 11 years ago

Michael Shonblom

9.3

Sweet, fruity, mild spices that sustain. Holds its own — 12 years ago

Bill Mowry

8.9

Vanilla nose with some acid and minerality. Lemon and citrus flavors paired well with salmon. — 5 months ago

with Cristian, Lou and 1 other

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout. The 2023 “Contra Costa County” pours, a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe mixed bramble fruit: blackberries, Marionberries, raspberries, black pepper, orange zest, menthol, and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the orange citrus notes show a bit more prominently. The finish is medium+, bright and refreshing. 9 barrels produced. Drink now through 2038.  — 6 months ago

John Willison

9.2

Crushed red and blue fruit, earthy, berry compote finish. — 9 months ago

Ed Chin

9.4

Based on day 2. I really enjoyed this as it opened up. Great texture with lemon curd, stone fruit, marzipan and lively acidity. So well balanced. — 10 months ago

Hugh O'Riordan

9.1

Dark and rich earth flavors. Very well balanced with good finish. It’s from Livermore not Australia! — 4 years ago

John Osgood

9.0

Good Cali blend — 6 years ago

Jay Root

9.1

Peppery, acid, lighter on the fruit. This would pair really well with chili or a similar dish — 7 years ago

Nathan Timm

9.5

To the tune of "play that song" - "drink that wine, the one that tastes oh so fine." — 8 years ago

with Kim

Saman Hosseini

Writer Maison Abattoir

8.9

Gold wine. This has the acidity and freshness of those new fashionable Sonoma coast Chardonnays, but with more bravado and the confidence to wear its oak. Delicate lemon and pear fruit, anise, hazelnut. — 10 years ago

Randy Windham

8.9

Great value for the price. Fresh. Fresh. Fresh. Raspberry. Cranberry. I like it. Would buy again. 12.6% abv. — 12 years ago

Sarah Dennison

10

Delicious — 5 months ago

Brian S

9.7

Perfection, even in a bad glass. — 6 months ago

Todd Anderson

9.3

This is drinking really nice right now. Great mature fruit. Drink while it's at peak. Very nice upside surprise on a regional (vs vineyard) designated wine. Prost! — 8 months ago

Larry Schnelle

9.3

Excellent with Dr . Pepper short ribs — 10 months ago

Kamall

9.1

Plenty of time left — 10 months ago

Peggy Hadley

9.1

Easy drinker. Full of fruit. — 4 years ago

with Jim

Jennifer Liu

9.2

39.97 from new season. Balanced. Round. Worth the price. Would buy again — 7 years ago

Ned Clark

9.6

Really excellent zin. — 8 years ago

Michael Washabaugh

9.1

Paired well with a lamb, eggplant purée, fava beans, piquolo pepper. Would also pair with a medium rare magret duck or other game. — 10 years ago

Rachael Ryan

Sommelier Quince Restaurant

9.8

Always surprised by these wines. Incredible concentration and still lively. — 12 years ago