Cape Bay

Ceritas

Peter Martin Ray Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Decent but could use a little more oomph — 4 months ago

Tom, Pooneet and 5 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Winemaker dinner at Nari. This was clearly young and tasted next to the 2011 missing the depth of maturity — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 5 others liked this
Ron R

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Oops. That’s disappointing…
Norman

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It’s just too young. The older 2011 version was excellent.
Norman

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2011 would rate a 9.4/9.5

Jean-Luc Colombo

Cape Bleue Rosé Blend 2023

67/33 blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre. Good acid, bone dry, mineral finish — 5 months ago

jesus, Ted and 2 others liked this

Bedrock Wine Co.

Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel Blend

A big wine in a big bottle that made a big group of friends very happy. The 2017 Evangelho Heritage (from magnum) is energetic with loads of sweet dark fruit. It doesn’t lack zing even though this year’s blend is short in Carignan — there are nice balancing acids and mild tannins. It is richer and riper than many vintages but still vibrant. — 7 months ago

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Carignane 2023

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.  — 9 months ago

Daniel, Ira and 11 others liked this

Murrieta's Well

The Spur Livermore Valley Red Blend 2015

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

Shay, Tom and 8 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

San Mateo County Pinot Noir 2015

Another last of its kind wine as the San Mateo moved to Alesia label after this vintage. This young blend is really singing right now with bright red fruit and cedar spice and well balanced acidity. A candidate for short term aging, but the freshness of the fruit really shines now. — 7 years ago

Brandon, Eric and 7 others liked this

Bonny Doon Vineyard

A Proper Claret Santa Cruz County Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

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

Sharon and Shawn liked this

Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hemel-En-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir

Petra Thieriot
10

Ernie, the genie, prepared the entire 5+ course meal for 18 guests and convinced all of us that South African Pinot can taste like premium Burgundy! — 12 years ago

Andrew GreenDade ThieriotPaula Bosch
with Andrew, Dade and 2 others

Cline Cellars

Ancient Vines Contra Costa County Zinfandel 2012

Sweet, fruity, mild spices that sustain. Holds its own — 13 years ago

Kanonkop Estate

Simonsberg Stellenbosch Pinotage 2016

Deep ruby colour with lighter crimson rim, nose of red/black fruits with savoury notes.
Smooth and silky tannins and really well integrated at 9 years.
Beautiful on palate with good aftertaste and a lingering finish.
— 4 months ago

Rick, Tom and 4 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Horseshoe Vineyard Syrah 2012

The softness reminded me of a cool location something like the north coast. — 5 months ago

Tyler, Andrew and 2 others liked this

De Toren

Fusion V Stellenbosch Red Blend 2018

A blend of the five Bordeaux varietals, this is an exceptional wine. There’s a great balance of acidity, velvet tannins and black fruit. Cassis, black cherry, black plum, a light toast and vanilla oak component and developing tertiary character of leather, forest floor and cigar box. Terrifically harmonious the wine is full bodied with a sense of being heavy. A joy to consume. — 5 months ago

Tom, Paul and 2 others liked this

Mulderbosch

Coastal Region Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2023

Bit by bit, the case is dwindling. Every bottle has been really excellent. — 6 months ago

Bonnie Hodur
with Bonnie

Meerlust

Rubicon Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Another solid vintage of this South African Bordeaux-Style red. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (49%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Petite Verdot (3%). Aromas of black fruit, vanilla and dried rose petals. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, mulberry, black cherry, dried herbs and minerals. Lengthy finish and full bodied. Soft tannins and well structured. Nicely aged and quite elegant. — 8 months ago

Tom, Austin and 4 others liked this

Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay 2013

World greatest Chardonnay blind tasting — 6 years ago

Eric, Dick and 12 others liked this
Ron R

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This is a surprise...

Picton Bay

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Great from Trader Joe's! — 7 years ago

Sadie Family

Die Ouwingerdreeks Skurfberg Chenin Blanc 2014

Tasted it blind. I was way off. — 10 years ago

Chad and Phill liked this

Monkey Bay

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Our go to summer wine — 12 years ago

Cloudy Bay

Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc 2021

Stone fruit aroma, lemon zest flavor, medium body, rich mouthfeel, paired beautifully with a slightly charred cod dish. — 4 months ago

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2013

Winemaker dinner at Nari. Fabulous and if not tied for WOTN it might win in some cases. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 6 others liked this
Ron R

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They make a brilliant cab, too, as I’m sure you are aware…

Oyster Bay

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Smooth but welcomed acidic. Triangular. Stone fruit - more-so peach. Peppery with a hint of smoke on very end. Doesn’t overstay its welcome. If it was sweet it would a dessert. — 5 months ago

Arnot-Roberts

Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

2021. Drove to Omaha to attend an Arnot-Roberts wine class and tasting, and got there early to enjoy some delicious oysters with a bottle of fantastic Chardonnay that wasn’t on the tasting list. Unfortunately, Nathan Roberts flights were delayed and the class was cancelled, but we’re going home with a bunch of tasty wines instead! — 6 months ago

Vanessa, Dave and 7 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Alpine Vineyard Chardonnay 2016

Perfection, even in a bad glass. — 9 months ago

Paul, Rob and 2 others liked this

Boekenhoutskloof

The Wolftrap Syrah Blend 2023

Light color. Rusty red. Smells like rosehip tea and hibiscus. Flavors a pretty complex and intriguing. Has a bit of a citrus (blood orange) side. Fine and full finish. This is a complex and nice balanced rule of red. — 9 months ago

Douglas and ESF liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2013

Still young for my tastes but checking in on a go-to producer. Killer with King Crab Salad sandwiches 🥪

This bottle was a bit slow out the gate and needed some air to reveal the magic inside. This bottle was a pick up from Corti Bros when passing through Sacramento via Tahoe.
Finesse, and beautifully prolific white wine structure all the way throughout.

Santa Cruz Mts represent!
— 5 years ago

Sean liked this

Wente Vineyards

Morning Fog Livermore Valley Chardonnay 2016

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

jesus, Scorewine and 5 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Merlot 2010

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

Jam Jar

Sweet Shiraz 2012

Aroma of rich berries. Smooth and slightly sweet with a sour note. Very good. — 12 years ago