Bryan Kesting

9.4

Love these wines... — 5 years ago

Paul T HB

9.8

Reminds of the2013 Ferren Silver eagle both nose & palate. Which makes that Ferren an even better deal at $60.00
💯 point Friday continues — 7 years ago

David L

9.3

14’ Arista UV-EL Diablo Vineyard Chardonnay. Old world!?! Burgundian style!?! Needs another year or more!!
Rich & layered. White flowers, white peach, fig, minerality. Light on its feet. Very well-made Chardonnay.

Matt Courtney winemaker, somebody I enjoy following. Matt started up Ferren wines a few years back. EDIT- Your worst fears... last glass was better then the first. WAIT until 2020/21.
He also had an 8/10 year apprenticeship with Helen Turley at Marcassin. — 7 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.5

2015 Arista Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. 14.6% alcohol. OK folks, so I just tasted a Ferren Silver Eagle Vineyard Pinot in my beloved city of Charleston last weekend. And the common denominator here is Mr Matt Courtney. This is maybe a half rung down the ladder from the Ferren. A brother from another mother, so to speak. Expressive nose of Caramel corn, espresso and anise. On the palate, black cherry cola, blueberry syrup and smokey, earthy notes. Well integrated, layered, complex. Wonderful structure. Lengthy finish. Matt Courtney is quickly headed for superstardom in my humble opinion. And his Chardonnay's have knocked my socks off as well. If your palate is aligned with mine, don't wait to jump on the Arista and Ferren bandwagon. You won't be disappointed. — 8 years ago

Norman Gennaro

9.1

Good but like the Ferren better — 6 years ago

with Gunja and Ash

Paul T HB

9.6

A nice aged Chardonnay from Rudius, not sure I had this one before,
I like the Hartford & Ferren but sometimes you need something smooth without all The acidity .
No brainer for $32.00 — 7 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.5

2009 Sea Smoke "One Barrel" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
From the winery: "Each year we select the best barrel of our estate-grown Pinot Noir; every bottle of ‘One Barrel’ produced is from that single, special barrel. It is a unique combination of vintage, vineyard location, Pinot Noir clone and barrel cooper —never to be repeated. Two hundred and eighty prized bottles, from One Barrel."
A friend opened this wine for me. I had tasted Sea Smoke Pinot before, mostly “Ten”’s I think, but I had never even heard of this one. I believe it’s offered only to certain members of the mailing list, and then only one bottle at that. Nose is dominated by notes of eucalyptus and menthol with some fresh herbs tossed in for good measure. Pleasant enough palate of black cherry and cola. Decent finish. Not bad, but I can think of better Pinot to acquire for $150 a bottle (Marcassin, CIRQ and Boar’s View come to mind), and several that I would consider better for half that price (see Ferren and Kosta Browne for example). A well made wine. Simply not worth the price of admission for me.
— 7 years ago

David Zimmerman

9.6

@Matt Courtney with your boy King crushing this beautiful Chard. Don't worry I brought the Ferren. — 8 years ago

with Kari and King

DAG

9.2

This was my favorite new white until I tasted Ferren. — 8 years ago

Ron R

9.4

An Xmas gift from a close friend @Bill Bender - thank you so much, Bill.
The nose is bright and boisterous, which oozes red currants and cinnamon. On the palate, this presents just like a contemporary burg. Light on its feet. Soft, round tannins with a lovely interplay of relaxed acid. Finishes with delicacy and elegance.
We are really looking forward to securing a 2019 allocation from the winery. — 6 years ago

with Anne-marie

Eli

9.1

Toasty chocolate notes, full body with medium plus acidity, blueberry and sweet raspberry on the palate. — 7 years ago

David Zimmerman

9.5

Drinking this super special bottle with @King Lawrence . Kobe Sliders and Ferren. Thx @Matt Courtney — 7 years ago

with King

Roman Sukley

9.4

2014 Kosta Browne Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. Frighteningly good! (Get it? You know, Halloween? Never mind) The Santa Lucia has become one of my favorites from KB. Beautiful bright garnet color. Spicy aromatics of berries, wild flowers and anise. Honeyed fresh ripened black cherries and Dr Pepper (in a good way) on the palate. A mushroomy, sandalwood, herbaceous, forest floor component lurking in the shadows Vibrant and powerful. Good acidity. I don’t understand the professional reviews that describe this Wine as “light-bodied.” What am I missing? Maybe because the grapes come from the coolest region of KB’s three appellation level Pinots? In any event, I think I prefer it to the Russian River and Sonoma Coast bottlings. Don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed by a KB. Along with CIRQ, Marcassin and Ferren, my favorite Pinots. My best to Dan Kosta after the devastating fires. — 8 years ago