Fruit Hills Winery

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2007

Dry(ish) January now over, time to get back to business!
Leathery, earthy, yet smooth and well balanced black fruit concentration. Not a bad start to 2026….
— 8 months ago

Neville Weston
with Neville
Andrew, Bob and 9 others liked this

Silver Oak

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

At almost 15 years old, this baby was about to retire so we decided to finally open it for Christmas dinner. Still that classic Silver oak fruit. Nice velvety texture. — 7 years ago

Melville

Estate Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Probably my fave Pinot for the price so far. Very drinkable, not too fruity. — 8 years ago

Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande

Pauillac Red Bordeaux Blend 2005

Somm David T
9.4

I remember when the 2005 Pichon Lalande was reviewed by RP, 89. I saw that & said, you would have to get in the way of the 2005 Bordeaux vintage to be that sad. I still bought 6 at a bargain basement price. A very good idea post 20 yrs+. Both Pichon’s don’t have a modern day history of getting in the way of a good vintage.

I also bought this one. 18 yrs in bottle and still acending. This will hold 5 more yrs and will last another 10 yrs properly stored.

I have visited Bordeaux 11 times. This chateau visually is still my favorite. It was showing a picture of this chateau to Sofia that launched our first visit. Sofia loved it and we have stared at it multiple times on every visit.

It was in our visit in 2007, I stood in the estate vineyard, looked & tasted their soils. After doing so, I said, “I get it.” I understood everything about what I was tasting in Left Bank Bordeaux’s early in my wine journey.

Sofia and I had dinner w/ Christian Moueix not long after the 2005 vintage was hyped/released. She asked him, when did you know you had something special?” He said, “as soon as I tasted the fruit at harvest.”

Tonight, it shows that it is a close relative, a sibling to Pichon Longueville. Cork, perfect.

The nose shows; classic left bank traits. Ripe, dark, brooding fruits, bright, mid berries, red cola, leather, tobacco, sandalwood, leather, led pencil, dark rich earth, limestone, dry river stone, hint of mushrooms, dark, red, fresh & withering florals.

The fruits on the palate show everything outstanding from the 2005 growing season. Ripe, juicy, brilliant; dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, baked/poached strawberries & some hovering raspberries. Dark chocolate bar to pudding, red cola, anise, dark spices w/ palate heat, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, pronounced graphite, dry tobacco, leather, limestone, dry twig, dry river stone, moist clays, moist herbs, cedar to sandalwood, withering & dry, dark flowers, red roses, some lavender & violets, beautiful rainfall acidity, excellent; balance, tension, structure, length w/ an elegant finish that lasts minutes and lands on spice & earth.

13.4 ABV. Nice.

#TheTwoHourRibcap

This held up vacuumed sealed the same night, refrigerated & enjoyed exactly a week later.
— 9 months ago

Peter, Scott@Mister and 16 others liked this
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Somm David T A wonderful story David and I can see how you could fall in love with that photo of the Chateau.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

@Bob McDonald Thank you. Cheers! 🍷

Clos Pepe Estate

Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2014

Ruby colored liquid in my glass. Hints of cherry pie on the nose. Flavors of tart cherries, red plums and baking spices. Beautiful acidity. A very balanced wine. This is my last regular bottle of CP wine. I do have a VS Pinot which I will sit on for a while. Glad other wineries are making really good wines from the Clos Pepe vineyard. — 8 years ago

Lisa Mayer
with Lisa
Lisa, Sharon and 6 others liked this

Grgich Hills Estate

Fumé Blanc Napa Valley Dry Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Star bright straw gold. Abundant funky nose of burning citrus and funghi. Medium palate is much cleaner than the nose yielding toasted lemon, white guava, and white pepper with a bit of birch on the finish. Medium plus acidity. Medium finish. A fine example of California Fumé style SB. Okay as a sipper, but built for a meal. Swordfish and scallops come racing to mind, but any white fleshed fish or shellfish should pair wonderfully. Or just upscale your fried chicken. It’s good for that, too. Drink now through 2024. — 5 years ago

Ron, Daniel and 5 others liked this

Columbia Crest

H3 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Full of body and flavor for the price. Great Friday night steak wine! — 11 years ago