Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

The US is now their #1 export market. You would be surprised at what some producers spend on labels. It is more than you think. All those countries, languages and different requirements for what needs to be written on them.

I think this is in a dumb faze or just closed down.

The nose is muted and not all that revealing. Soft blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries with powdery raspberries. Clayish soils, some clove, dark earth, very light herbs, notes of baking soda, sandalwood and dark withering flowers.

The palate is a little flat..showing stubbornness. Ripe but dullish; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries & raspberries. Dry clayish soils, dry top soil, limestone minerals, dark spice, clove, dark, rich earth, very light herbs, notes of baking soda, sandalwood that falls into cedar, soft tobacco with dark withering flowers and violets, its acidity is very good, the finish while balanced, polished, somewhat elegant, lacks some complexity today and lasts a minute.

I would reserve a full assessment of this one tasting it again in 5+ years. It is in need of further evolution. — 2 months ago

Sheila G.

8.9

Fruity. Plummy. Grass. At berns steakhouse Tampa — 4 months ago

with Mike

Larry Schnelle

9.3

Excellent with Dr . Pepper short ribs — 7 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

The 2020 “del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba” is a traditional blend of three MGAs from Serralunga: mostly younger vines from Baudana, Cerretta and now, some fruit from Costabella. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2020 pours a beautiful garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with tart and ripe notes of Morello cherry, pomegranate, talcum powder, red roses, dry earth and old wood. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. I took the opportunity to enjoy this alongside the “Baudana” and this didn’t have the same elegance but it’s a very complete and balanced Barolo. Drink now through 2040. — 7 months ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Big, rich, maybe just a little too ripe (as @Tom Casagrande pointed out in a note about an earlier vintage), but still a nice, solid, old vine field blend, Contra Costa County history!! — 2 years ago

with Jim

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

Jean-Phillippe Landry

9.1

Dark cherries, soft, lovely and long taste — 3 months ago

John Malcolm

9.4

A delicious, full-bodied wine. Tasting dark chocolate, black cherries, cedar, and raspberry jam. Silky and smooth with a long, satisfying finish. — 3 months ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Balanced and vibrant. Yay Carignane! — 4 months ago

with Dan, Rebecca and 1 other

Doug Powers

9.2

128-year-old Mataro vines grown in the sand in Contra Costa County, stunning redfruits, great freshness and lift from the lovely acidity, good balance, excellent depth, long finish, terrific Mataro!! — 7 months ago

with Jim

Michelle

9.5

Excellent. In Butcher’s Cut on MSC — 8 months ago

Ming L

9.3

As one can expect for a Dave Phinney wine, this is rich and ripe, but it has so much more to offer at year 14. Blueberry, fig, tobacco, cracked pepper, dried mushroom, and slight hint of barnyard. On the palate it’s juicy yet soft and ultra smooth. The finish is long, candied, and earthy.
My 2nd and last bottle. At its peak. — 2 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

Vino Joe

9.5

In the zone and hitting all the right notes! Lots of detail and weight even when these wines are fairly young. — 3 months 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.  — 4 months ago

Brad Jensen

8.9

Deep red, slightly coppery color under light, it’s young but after some decanting time it starts to open up. Nose is still restrained long after opening, but starting to show some fruit and herbaceous funk as it releases its hold. Raspberries, sherry, black cherry and wet mossy forest floor on the nose so far. Tannins are pretty prominent, dry and chalky, with a full body and long lingering finish where the jammy raspberries shine more as the song ends, even becomes a little ripe tomato as the song fades. Super young, but a great pairing for the pork belly and risotto we had for Valentine’s Day dinner and it shows a lot of promise. — 5 months ago

romo

9.1

Juicy carbonic-y zero tannin tart cherry. Admittedly fresh still. — 8 months ago

Nolan Berlin

9.4

Citrus forward with notable viscosity in a way so many skin contact wines could only dream of. — 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. — 2 years ago

Francis le cave

9.3

Sweet spot — 5 years ago