Divonian Coast Wineries
Screaming Eagle
Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Morlet Family Vineyards
En Famille Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2006
The is from Morlet Families inaugural vintage of 2006. I must say it’s beautiful with a fair amount more of life ahead. The nose reveals dark cassis and a good presence of cinnamon stick. Blackberries, liqueured dark cherries, plum, poached strawberries, pomegranate extract, black raspberries float through, blueberries, vanilla, light clove & cinnamon, dark fresh florals and violets. The nose is intoxicating! The body is round, ripe and rich. The tannins nicely resolved. The structure, balance, tension and length are in an excellent spot. Mmmmm! Blackberries, liqueured dark cherries, plum, poached strawberries, dry cranberries, pomegranate extract, black raspberries float through, blueberries, vanilla, a touch of bramble, light clove & cinnamon stick, dark rich soils, dry crushed rocks, a little leather, dark fresh florals & violets. The acidity is a waterfall on the palate. The finish is; spectacular elegance, richness, balance and lasts two minutes. One of the best CA Pinot’s we’ve had in a very long time. It deserves an amen & a hallelujah! I paid $65 for this amazing wine 9 years after it’s release (the 2015 released at $115); which brings me back around to a repetitive point of mine. Look for great wines on the secondary market and pay less than producers current release pricing. That is to say, it will aid in keeping you from drinking your new releases too young that are not nearly ready to enjoy! If you are not doing this, you are doing a disservice to your palate and your wine budget. Photos of; their old historical brick building they’ve converted into their winery, interior tasting area, Luc Morlet and their Estate vines. Producer notes and history...Winemaker Luc Morlet is a fifth-generation of a French winemaking family. Growing up in Avenay-Val d’Or, he spent all his spare time working on his family’s estate. His university studies of viticulture and winemaking were put into practice during years of work in vineyards and wineries in Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the south of France. Luc left France in 1996 to join his wife Jodie in her native California. Starting in 2006, Luc Morlet began handcrafting Morlet vineyard designated wines and cuvées of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in the Napa Valley. As well as; Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, a white Bordeaux-style blend and a Late Harvest Sémillon from Sonoma County. Luc is also the brother of Nicolas Morlet the Winemaker of Peter Michael fame. Luc is another producer I respect for his meticulous farming and low intervention winemaking techniques. While his roots are based out of France, he has adapted his skills well to the Napa Valley soils and climate. Morlet styles his wines in a harmonious and refined fashion. Their logo is based upon 19th century French artist Mathurin Moreau’s sculpture entitled, ‘L’Harmonie.’ In August 2010, Luc and and his wife Jodie purchased an estate, just north of the town of St. Helena. Since then, they have converted the historic stone building, built in 1880, into their family winery. The building was originally the Castner Winery that closed during Prohibition. Morlet is located St. Helena Appellation. The estate is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and is the exclusive fruit source for their ‘Morlet Estate’ label. The Morlet’s ‘Mon Chevalier’ vineyard is located on the hillsides of Knights Valley, overlooking the western slopes of Mount St. Helena. The vineyard benefits from their proximity to the mountain. Warm and windy climate is ideal for the long ripening of the red Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. They recently planted the 20 acre ‘Cœur de Vallée’ vineyard. These Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines are located on the Oakville Bench, If one such exists. I read a quote from a grower who has been growing in Oakville for many years. He said, “the only bench in Oakville is the one in front of the Oakville Grocery Store.” While it may or may not be true, it’s certainly a funny quote. In addition to these family acres, they buy from farmers under long-term contracts in Fort Ross-Seaview, Russian River Valley, Bennett Valley, Dry Creek and Napa Valley. All of the Morlet’s wines are handcrafted using classical Burgundy and Bordeaux winemaking techniques and are matured in 100% French oak barrels. — 8 years ago
Dubost
Central Coast Tempranillo 2004
This 2004 Negrette has aged very well. From one of my favorite wineries. — 10 years ago
Native 9
Rancho Ontiveros Vineyards Pinot Noir 2011
The Native 9 comes from one of my favorite SYV wineries -- Alta Maria -- and this Pinot is a true gem. Not too thin or watery or any other criticism usually lobbed at Pinot Noirs...
A fully developed red wine that was tested against a wide variety of foods and tastes at Redbirds in DTLA and it worked across the board.
(Holiday 2015 wine #12) — 10 years ago
LaRue Wines
Rice-Spivak Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012
Californian Pinot noir at 12.4 degrees alcohol. Perfect if only more wineries could show that level of discipline. Very nice and ripe fruit. Light perfect lunch wine. — 10 years ago
L'Aventure
Estate Cuvée Paso Robles Red Blend
From our last trip to Paso some three years ago. One of our favorites wineries. An elegant and balanced blend with everything you want this time of year. Merry Christmas ya filthy animals! — 8 years ago
Epoch Estate Wines
Ingenuity Red Rhone Blend 2013
After two trips to Paso, I’ve visited quite a few wineries. Epoch is always top of my list. Great tasting experience at the winery and the wines are stellar. — 8 years ago
Artesa
Carneros Pinot Noir 2014
Artesa (ahr TESS uh) means "craftsman" and connotes "handcrafted" in Catalan, language of Barcelona and their owner, Codorníu, one of the world's largest and oldest wineries. Ruby with sweet berry fruit aromas and floral notes. On the palate cranberry and cherry flavors with spice. Fine savory tannins medium finish ending with mineral notes, nice value. — 8 years ago
Two Shepherds
Saarloos Vineyard Grenache Blanc
Starting the night off right - fantastic Grenache Blanc from one of my fav wineries — 8 years ago
Rosenthal
Surfrider Platinum Meritage Red Blend
At the winery great to have friends who own wineries. — 8 years ago
Realm Cellars
Beckstoffer To-Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
These recent vintage Realm wines from Benoit just are just incredibly full throttle, profound and lush. There's an extra layer of complexity here that is so impressive. I've been on the allocation list since the beginning and I've enjoyed watching the ascension. This is undoubtedly a Napa first growth estate now. There are few if any North Coast wineries who are as dependably brilliant as Realm is at this point in time. De-Lish. — 8 years ago
Jonata Winery
El Desafio de Jonata Santa Ynez Valley Red Blend 2008
08' Jonata El Desafio has 84% CB 10% PV the rest CF & Merlot. All the fruit is from their estate.
At this stage no need to really decant it... 30 minutes wouldn't hurt it. Very much a fruit forward driven wine. Notes of ripened plum, tobacco, chocolate, leather are pronounced in the wine. Very few wineries this far south are producing high quality left/right bank wines. Drink them up in the next 4/6 years. — 10 years ago
Lucia Vineyards (Pisoni)
Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012
A wine I’ve enjoyed mostly upon release or near it. I vowed to wait six years and nearly made it. At least it is 2018...just! It’s worth waiting this/that long for it to develop. On the nose; sweetly, baked fruits of; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, and notes of blue fruits. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium, beautiful spice, black fruit tea, limestone minerals, loamy, dry, brown top soil, fresh dark florals and violets. The mouthfeel is full, rich & lush. The tannins are round, still have some teeth and possess velvety round edges. It’s fruit driven but not a bomb and showing elegance & grace. Fruits are perfectly ripe; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, notes of blue fruits and dry cranberries dip in and out. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium beautiful spice that is more pronounced on the palate, black fruit tea, touch of melted brown sugar/molasses, limestone minerals, touch of rich dark sweet turned soil, loamy dry brown top soil, soft understated eucalyptus/mint, dry fresh florals and violets. The round acidity is just right, just a slight very small alcohol burn, the length, structure, tension and beautifully balanced finish are in a very good place. Even better in 2-3 more years in bottle; which is when I’ll have my next one. Photos of; the winemaking duo of Gary Franscioni (left) and Gary Pisoni, Rosella’s Vineyard on the right. As well as, Garys’ Vineyard at the bottom. Producer notes and history...The Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is known for its rich, vibrant Pinot Noirs. However, that wasn’t always the case. The first Pinot was planted in 1973, but results weren’t all that great. Chardonnay was the appellation’s early star. Much of the area’s current fame for Pinot Noir arguably can be traced to Gary Pisoni, a free-spirited wine enthusiast who grew up in a Salinas Valley vegetable farming family. Pisoni decided to plant a few acres of Pinot Noir in 1982 on his family’s horse ranch, at the southern end of what was to become the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation but his horses started eating the grapes. So, they had to go. His initial planting were limited by a lack of water until he dug a well on the property. Pisoni started planting even more Pinot Noir. The vineyard is now around 45 acres and nearly all of it Pinot. By the late 1990s, word had spread about the success of his vineyard, and a number of Pinot specialists from around California had started lining up to buy his grapes. He started producing his own wine in 1998. Pisoni isn’t the only Gary who has become a force in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Gary Franscioni, a childhood friend, followed Pisoni’s lead by planting grapes and started Roar Wines in 2001. The two of them now have five vineyards between them...all farmed meticulously with the same crew. They are best of friends...sort of a Mutt & Jeff. They have become a formidable presence in the Highlands, attracting interest from top winemakers and Pinot Noir lovers from all over. Franscioni is also from a vegetable farming family; Pisoni figures they’ve known each other since they were 3 or 4. Franscioni saw his friend’s success and once he got some money together, decided to plant grapes of his own. Franscioni’s property is farther north and cooler as it’s closer to the Monterey Bay. He was going to plant Chardonnay. He woke up and Franscioni recalls imitating Pisoni, and shouted, “plant Pinot!” Franscioni planted what became Rosella’s Vineyard, named for his wife, in 1996. He took Pisoni’s advice and planted four acres of Pinot Noir, although he still planted 12 acres of Chardonnay. It’s now a total of around 50 acres with three-quarters of it Pinot Noir. The next year, they decided to become partners and planted Garys’ Vineyard, a 50 acre parcel where they grow Pinot and a little Syrah. Since then, Franscioni has developed Sierra Mar, 38 acres of Pinot, Chardonnay, Syrah and a tiny amount of Viognier. The two teamed up again to establish Soberanes Vineyard, 35 acres of mostly Pinot Noir, with a little bit of Chardonnay and Syrah. That last vineyard was developed by Pisoni’s son Mark. The Garys might seem an unlikely pair. Pisoni is colorful character to say the least and has an outspoken manner. Franscioni comes across as more serious- minded. However, the collaboration between the two, who often address each other as “partner,” clearly works well. The two are good on their own, but better together. Pisoni being more gregarious acts as the frontman. He is the Ambassador. He’s a check on the rest to keep the quality high. Franscioni and Mark Pisoni run the farming on their own vineyards and work together on the joint ventures. The family involvement doesn’t stop there. Jeff Pisoni makes his family’s wines, which are under the Pisoni and Lucia brands. Franscioni’s son, Adam, joined the family business in time for the 2011 harvest. He handles sales for Roar and helps his father manage the vineyards. The grapes from all five vineyards are in huge demand, because the two families are such careful farmers, constantly tweaking and improving. Prominent customers include; Testarossa, Siduri, Kosta Browne, Copain and Bernardus. When a new vintner approaches them about buying grapes, the partners examine the winery’s track record and the Winemaker. If they like what they see, the winery is put on a waiting list. There’s not very much movement in their vineyards. When Franscioni planted Sierra Mar, he and Pisoni had 62 wineries waiting to buy fruit. Soberanes was developed with the idea of working with some new winemakers. There was some concern, even among the two families, that quality might suffer as the vineyard operations grew. However, there’s no indication that’s the case. In fact, with each new venture, they build on what they’ve learned in their older vineyards. Eventually, there will be even more vineyards. The Pisonis and Franscionis have purchased a 100 acre cactus farm in the Santa Lucia Highlands. There’s still a lease on the property. So, prickly pear cactus will continue to be grown for five more years. But at some point, the land will be planted with vines. Both families understand the importance of continuing to build for the future. The Garys looking back tell a story of being in the same spot some years ago and looking at a field of broccoli out back. He told Franscioni that the field would look a lot better with Pinot Noir vines. Now that parcel is part of Rosella’s Vineyard, and it’s planted with Pinot. Everybody thought he was crazy...most people usually think that when someone makes a bold decision. He’s a person who has always had vision and creativeness. He also has tremendous passion. Good things only happen when a person possesses all three of these qualities. Their wines are primarily available by mailing list. However, Nepenthe in Big Sur, CA acts as a quasi tasting room for some of their wines. — 8 years ago
Kessler-Haak
Kessler-Haak Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
California fruit but nice acidity. I met the winemaker it is in my view one of the best wineries in AVA he also makes a great Riesling and his Pinots are great. Not the butter bomb. — 9 years ago
Idlewild
Fox Hill Vineyard Dolcetto
Oh man. Cool wine. It's almost Savoie-like in its mountain berry purity on the nose and in the mouth, but has some great grippy tannins and acid to let you know it's here. Really one of the most interesting wines (and wineries) from Sonoma. Get some while you can. Yum. — 10 years ago
Sculpterra Winery
Paso Robles Petite Sirah 2011
One of the best wines from one of our favorite Paso wineries. — 10 years ago
Riboli Family
Opaque Paso Robles Malbec 2010
Welcome my friends to my Wine spot! Dr Todds Wine Bar!
I am visiting family in Los Angeles CA! I had the privalege to explore LA's own San Antonio Winery! One of the oldest Wineries in California and the only one allowed to stay open during the prohabition years. I love the Riboli family wines! As I have tried most of them, the Opaque wines are my favorite. Today I am trying the Malbec 2010 for the first time. It is one of the four options from their Opaque family. These Paso Robles wines are amazing. The cork has a thin ring of wine absorption and is slightly irregular. Its condition is perfect, well its a 2010... The color is very Opaque as the name implies. The legs are very long and slow lasting 7 seconds. The Cab is 9 seconds.
The boquet is not tanic at all ....oops I forgot, tannis are not aromatic. Hum.... true as I have previously been corrected! Let me rephrase. There is no strong sharp alcohol odor you get with some cheap wines. Hell, there is no tanic aroma. That's a Dr. Todd made up term!!!!!!! I like it and Im keeping it. The boquet is that of blackberry and plum. The initial palate is blackberry and chocolate. It has a velvety palate but not buttery. The final palate grabs the edges of the tongue from the tip to the base. There is absolutely no lingering taste. This is amazing. Try this wine. The cab, zen, and petit verdot are also amazing. — 10 years ago
Greg Ballington
Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog
Great way to celebrate the 4th of July. What are you guys drinking today?
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2010 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon
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Oakville, Napa Valley, North Coast, California, USA
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Tasting Note:
Received a three hour decant and tasted blind. Deep and dark purplish ruby red. Layered nose with anise, cassis, cherries and rich undertone of black fruits as well. Heavy tannins (8/10) and full bodied. A light touch of heat on the palate but not overwhelming. Rich and lush palate with dark spices, blackberries, blue fruits, cinnamon and some dark cocoa. Long and lingering finish. A real treat to finally try a bottle! Drink till 2030.
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One of the most prestigious wineries in the world, started by Jean Phillips in 1986 when she purchased a vineyard in Oakville that was cultivated by Ren Harris of Paradigm Winery. Now the estate is owned by Stan Kroenke who purchased the estate in 2006 with Charles Banks. This vintage was produced by Andy Erickson with Nick Gislason as his assistant winemaker. Made up of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc. Aged for alomst 24 months in 65% new French oak. Only 610 cases produced.
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Rating: 97 Points
Price: $$$$$$ - Retails on the secondary market for a minimum of $3,500.00. Release price from the estate was $750.00.
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— 7 years ago