Ellen Clifford

9.2

I cannot get enough word play. Especially as it pertains to wine, French Stuff, and outer space. Although I’d like Uranus jokes over UFO ones. That joke wrote itself only because I also adore alliteration. Ahem. Anyway this homage to Chateauneuf de Pape’s refusal to allow UFOs in its terroir (I don’t let them in mine either, honestly) is ever so transparent in what is in it, ever so zing pow wow, but shhhhhh chillout sweet babygirl that I am now a Bonny Doon convert. I wish I could say I was more than a half glass in writing this but you can blame to wordplay/slight tawdry-ness/silliness on...me. And the following tasting notes don’t do anything to actually explain this wine. Less than the prior paragraph anyway. But know it is more than the sum of its parts. But! If you want tech:
Appearance: pale pink. Nose of red fruits of all types, Whole Foods bulk section and a new fountain perhaps in a cheeky avant- garde art garden. Tongue: dry, medium acid, medium alcohol (whoops it’s 13.5!) body is silky and neatly suede-y. You’ll taste bright underripe strawberries, overripe raspberries, maybe an iris or so and something mineral and also green let’s call it pussywillows just to keep me thematically on track. Finish is medium plus with a hint of candied fruit punch. — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.2

This is Palmaz’s second wine. I’ve been fortunate to have visited Palmaz once...one of the most incredible winery tours with their high tech tools.

This is a nice second wine. Still required a 30min+ decant due to age, but it was easy to drink after. A lot of toasted graham cracker, blackberries and fig on the nose. Palate was similar with little tannic bite. Smooth. There was a unique aspect to the finish of this wine...cinnamon bread wrapped in dark fruit. Very interesting. — 7 years ago

with Mark

Ellen Clifford

9.0

Fresh yet the fruit is cooked. This is eating apple-strawberry-cherry-blackberry compote, cooked with allspice and some kale...after it has been cooled and is served to you while frolicking in the snow. As it is it was served to me after a Verdejo at Silver Lake Wine but in theory if I’d had more snowy activities I’d have taken more than one with me. A good wine for hot or cold or in-between. A NV blend which always makes me suspicious except that of three yum (tech term) treats Silver Lake poured us I dug this one. So super yum (again tech term). — 7 years ago

Mike Szilagyi

9.0

Not your typical SB, richer flavor, closer to a Chardonnay. — 9 years ago

Joel Stevens

9.0

Brown-sacked it for the BC/GA Tech game - delicious in a paper cup. — 9 years ago

with J-Bo

Big Sky Guy

9.6

This is a very great wine to share with a nice fire, some ski socks, long johns and a movie. I chose to watch "Taken 3" while I drank it. Great flick. Anyhoo, my good friend, Ali from Pakistan gave me several bottles as a wedding gift (he's a tech wizard from the Bay Area who does Crossfit). I am hoping he visits me soon so I can enjoy it with another human being. All in all, a very fine wine! — 9 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.5

Fantastic sour from JP, this has gotten so much better after some more time in the bottle. Watching Virginia take control (maybe) of the game against Auburn, waiting nervously for MSU-Texas Tech (GO GREEN!!). — 6 years ago

with Vanessa

Darren Dittrich

8.9

Lovely Weissburgunder from a solid biodynamic producer. Stone fruit, light mineral, edelweiss, lemon curd with a rounded edge. Hard to imagine a wine drinker who would not find this refreshing. Terrific QPR at $12-13 a bottle.

From the tech sheet:
Grapes are gently crushed and fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks followed by maturation for approximately 4 months on the lees. — 7 years ago

Hugh O'Riordan

9.2

Bought from Rare Wine company years ago. It’s privately made by ceo of Cypress Semiconductor. This wine has become really good after 16 years. I think it will age more. Layers of flavor, toast and long finish. Wish I had more! — 7 years ago

Sarah Stierch

Food & Wine Editor Sonoma Valley Sun

9.0

I was excited to see this pinot noir come across my desk - not only have Three Sticks Wines been consistently delicious, but Gap’s Crown is one of my favorite vineyards and I’m always excited to see what folks are doing with this cool and windy fruit on Sonoma Mountain’s west side, near of Petaluma.

I’ll save technical details for another time, but it’s a young and tasty gem. I was struck with black cherry and a touch of rose petals and cola on the nose. The taste pairs well with the aroma - cherry pie (thanks to 15 months 55% new French Oak - ok, ya got a little tech), a tiny touch of blackberry, baking spices fill the mouth, with a little lush, silky mouthfeel.

The rest of it paired perfectly with beef stew at the Swiss Hotel.

I’d probably cellar it another year, as it did still taste a bit young for me, but it’s drinking pleasant now and will be absolutely lovely in another year or two.

Now I have one question: when will labels change from Sonoma Coast to Petaluma Gap now that the latter is an AVA (albeit this wine was released in August 2017). — 7 years ago

Jonathan Kozaczuk

9.4

Woodsy notes with good acidity and ripe strawberry flavors. Drank the 2010 and was very enjoyable, but could also be laid down a bit longer. — 9 years ago

with John and Jen

Rich Reader

9.0

85% Verdejo 15% Chardonnay - not registered to a Consejo Reguladora. Is Central Castile another name for Castilla La Mancha or what? Where do I go for a tech sheet? — 9 years ago

Peter Slagowitz

9.1

A big solid wine. Needs time to open and breathe to tech full potential. Big juicy red fruit big body. Complexity. Even some hints of pepper. — 10 years ago

with Julie, Merryl and 1 other

Darren Dittrich

9.0

Well-made, smoky Barbaresco with some oak influence. Tech sheet indicates 2 years in oak, but not much detail on the size of the barrels. Violets, sour cherry, almond, baking spices, white mushroom, sage. Plenty of acid a tannins... this 2015 needs some time in bottle. SommSelect Fall 2018. — 7 years ago

Ellen Clifford

8.9

Despite the cagily not helpful nature of the tech sheet which would not give me the percentages of cab s, Merlot, cab f and sangiovese in this I’m not mad at it. Juicy with good acid and I love a bit of acid. More red fruit than black, and lots of baking spices that have been socializing with olives. I hate olives but these olives had enough character to liven up the mix without being an overwhelming note. What I’m saying is these are the only olives I will ever associate with. Sorry that was a tangent this wine is yummy and on the lighter side of cab blends. — 7 years ago

Zen Zven

9.4

Tech-notes state of terroir, . . . extremely old soils considered by many to be low potential. But, he’s a tasty little underdog😊 notes of honey, guayaba, nice zip, and a rich mouthfeel😋 label reads, drink w/attractive friends or cellar until you have attractive or interesting friends 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️ — 7 years ago

Brian Duffy

9.5

Is there another gear when you ratchet up your wine experience?
Clos de la Tech Pinot tasting -- outstanding craftsmanship and pursuit of quality. Intro of 2012 vintage features several stars, led by Cote de Sud -- truly a nugget among semi-precious gems. And then...back to the residence for 2012 Mastro Janni Brunello (swell) followed by 2009 Brigaldara Amarone (special). And then...out comes the 2000 Quintarelli Valpolicella -- is there another level, an overdrive gear from here? Arguably NO, this Quintarelli answers every question wine consumers may conjure. Yes, I believe this is the destination! — 8 years ago

with Zack

Joel Pennington #❤️🐢🍷

Owner/Winemaker Slow Turtle Vineyard

9.0

What a pour - perfect for Clemson v GA Tech kickoff! — 9 years ago

Dirk Pitt.

9.2

Very cool. Showing beautifully. Still has some good fruit, but tech developed characters are staring to take over. — 9 years ago

with Winehouse

George Yasutake

9.7

Russian River Valley....best Pinot noir since the 06 Clos de la Tech Dr Dr & 08 KB Santa Lucia Highlands!! — 9 years ago