Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.1

Second bottle out of 3 of this fascinating, delicious #mourvedre from a deep-rooted, renowned family producer in #sonomacounty. This wine is interesting when it opens up, big eucalyptus, menthol up nose, layered black/purple fruit, dark coffee, nice acidity and some fine grippy tannins. Paired well with an Indian-topped pizza with that bold eucalyptus fruit and acid standing up well to the spicy flavors. #contracostacounty #bigbreakvineyard — 10 months ago

Kristen Grimes

9.6

Very fruity. Black cherry and blackberry aromas and some notes of cinnamon, then balanced fruit and baking spices that tingle the tongue and linger on. What Goes with That: Fall Sweets Class, pairing: pumpkin pie. — 3 years ago

Eric

9.0

Funky Cab Franc different compared to the traditional Loire Valley. Funky and different in all the best ways though. Refreshing and takes a slight chill well. — 4 years ago

Sarah Noh

9.3

Natural Zinfandel recommended when I asked for something not as tart. Slightly mushroomy / peppery finish, very enjoyable. Purchased from Gemini Bottle Co — 6 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.3

Fantastic, delicious, slight raisin/fig in the finish (beautiful & delicious), tannin needs 3 years; sprite woody, will mellow nicely. — 6 years ago

Lars Wriedt

9.5

Very good. Smooth and full taste.
Good for spicy or meaty food
Vinoble Dec 2018 — 6 years ago

Tom Young

9.2

Lots of sweet berry. Realty good — 7 years ago

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.  — 9 months ago

Neal Ferry

8.9

Lots of Fruit — 4 years ago

with TwiLea

Jeremy Krantz

9.2

Very summery with big notes of citrus, watermelon and strawberry. Easy drinking and very clean. — 5 years ago

Josh Hirsch

9.0

A delicious Zin. Neither too spicy or sweet. A great balance. — 6 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.0

128-yr. old vines. Super-rich, but I wish they had picked a bit earlier. This winery sources great Zin fruit from unique historical sources but they’re always over 15%. I cant help but think the wines would be more interesting and flexible if they picked earlier. In any event, this is quite good and shows very ripe Zin character, but the acids are low and the effect of some bottle age is a flatter mouthfeel. Still very good. — 6 years ago

Steve McDonald

9.3

Enjoyed with a good steak. Full flavors developed after being open an hour or so. Smooth tannins, balanced acidity with the beef. — 7 years ago

Jason Muniz

8.9

Very good, color was just ok — 10 months ago

LaShondra Berman

8.9

Spiced jam with a hint of floral notes. Layered and hard to nail down the exact bouquet, but it’s delicious. — 3 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.4

OMG! Lean and sharp as a light-saber. The wine is med brick in the glass… light and lively in the mouth. It dances across your palate. Caressing all the corners and crevices. A dichotomy of lightness in weight snd power in black fruited ripeness. Way too young but great with baby portobellos and dry aged prime rib from Publican Meats…Covid Christmas II sucks apart from family, but we’re spoiling ourselves… successfully as it happens. Life’s too damn short to drink shit wine…,Cheers! — 4 years ago

Kristin the Wine Girl

9.1

Nose of a jammy Santa Barbara Pinot noir and higher alcohol. Effervescent red berries glisten across the tongue upon fresh corkage. Bright red and fruit forward. A crowd pleaser. I can’t get over how the wine continues to tease and tingle the top of your tongue even after a bit of patience on the bottle release. Fresh young texture like a Beaujolais, surprises me that this has some age at 2015 vintage. Young fruit and baking spices make this an easy pairer for foods. I found this as a steal at a retailer at $19 while I was out working the field. Bad girl, buying wine on the job. 😉🍷 — 6 years ago

tricia desjardins

9.3

wowowowowowowow — 6 years ago

Evan Henneberry

9.3

Punchy straight away, nicely dry and good fruity/spicy flavour — 7 years ago

Ely Cohn

9.4

Michael Cruse’s wines deserve more recognition than they receive. His single vineyard bottlings are spectacular. His style is lean, fruity, and a dedicated employment of whole cluster press.

This Evangelho Carignan has a deep purple color in a medium, full body. There is bright blackberry, oak, and sandalwood. Intensely concentrated, on the serious structured side of the spectrum for the Cruse portfolio. — 7 years ago