Sean Lyons

9.5

I hate to say it, but this stuff really is a higher class of vodka. No off, medicinal notes. No cloying artificial sweetness. It just tastes like the cleanest, purest spring water was made magically alcoholic. — 4 years ago

Paul T HB

9.5

Just in from Jersey, $22.00 no tax free shipping. Buy it by the case all day long. Skip the Bevan & buy this
Retail notes,

There’s a sweet-spot for domestic Sauvignon Blanc found in a special part of Bennett Valley that experiences a strong maritime influence as it flows through the Petaluma Gap to Sonoma Mountain. Within that funnel of cooling coastal air, the Dry Stack Vineyard is in a prime location at 550 feet elevation at the base of Mt. Taylor. I’m continually drawn to Sauvignon Blanc from Dry Stack and the vineyard produces fruit with detailed notes of fresh guava, rocky minerals, ripe tangerine and mineral infused citrus. You might be familiar with Russell Bevan’s version from Dry Stack, and Grey Stack has been a pillar on our tasting list in Yountville.

With Grey Stack, everything begins in the Vineyard with exceptional quality fruit, but from there, the wine is given a voice by winemaker Patrick Sullivan, whose experience includes making wine at Peter Michael, Paul Hobbs, Lewis Cellars and Rudd. This is absolutely one of the finest examples of California Sauvignon Blanc with its superior focus and incredibly vivid, distinctive flavors. If you love Sauvignon Blanc, or better yet, even if you don’t… Try this one and you’ll probably never look back. — 5 years ago

Jason Crouse

10

this reminds me of one thing: a sonic cherry limeade. smells like bright strawberries and cherries, tastes like an explosion of tart acidic fizzy cherry-lime with a yeasty aftertaste. im in love (not imported) — 6 years ago

Matt Perlman

9.4

Just gorgeous—maybe my favorite yet from Kelley Fox. The old vines, elevation and pacific breeze of this site clearly contribute to an incredible elegance and transparency. Vibrant strawberry, rhubarb and black cherry with spice, forest floor and tilled soil. I don’t have enough experience to know how high end wine ages under screw cap but honestly it’s in a great place right now. — 6 years ago

Andy Hock

9.1

Wow delightful and refreshing. Lemon/rind and mineral. Get some! — 6 years ago

Mike Evans

9.2

Dark cherry and a dash of herbs, with a savory middle and finish, excellent concentration, and terrific with a duck breast with a beet sauce. — 7 years ago

Chip Habegger

9.3

Beautiful expression of the terroir and grape—so alive. Great acidity. Cherry and strawberry primarily. Medium-plus tannins. Chalky earthiness married to faint but heavy flowers—violet and hibiscus. The faintest whiff of cedar and tobacco hits as one drops the glass. — 4 years ago

Sam Giangrasso

10

I love this wine.
Tart and funky, a little sour but also mellow. — 5 years ago

Joe Roth

9.1

Delicious — 5 years ago

with Michael and Jeff

Randy Fuller

9.3

This wine is dark and savory. The black fruit comes along with cedar, vanilla and a chalky earth tone. Nothing like Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, but more in line with Paso Robles. Lots of South American minerals having a bit of roughhouse here. — 5 years ago

Jeremiah Glazer

9.0

Strawberry on the nose. Big, fruit leather, hint of violet, and subtle minerals, tart dry finish. — 6 years ago

Emily Ballard

9.2

Night before Keeneland! — 6 years ago

Sarah O'Kelley

9.2

Kelley’s Pinot Gris spends almost 3 weeks on the skins with foot treading once each day. You can imagine the resulting flavor explosion. Think cranberries and crushed wild flowers and a refreshing mineral water finish. This is the type of rosé that can stand up to a full flavored dish! 😋💖 — 6 years ago

Lizzie Amundsen

9.2

Unusual rose not done in the classic, dry Provençal style. Substantial body and interesting texture with strawberry flavors though not at all sweet. Well balanced. Great acidity to pair instead of a white with rich, buttery food. — 5 years ago

with Matt

Philip Hirzel

9.5

A sweet and fruity start that leaves little bitterness. A semi-spicy finish. Cherries and peppercorn. — 5 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.5

This is a beautiful Carménère, all earthy and full of savory minerality. The blackberry and black plum aromas creep through the smell of that dirt with tar, forest floor and tobacco all over them. A hint of vanilla sweetens the sniff a bit. On the palate, the dark fruit is draped in sweet oak spice, and you’ll find a bucketful of tannins until the glass has been sitting for awhile. This is a steak wine, intended for a big, juicy piece of beef. — 5 years ago

Al Shikoh

8.9

plum, black cherry, violets, allspice; light to medium body, juicy, good acidity, dry tannins provide pleasant texture, only 11.5% ABV; sourced from Fox Hill Vineyard in Mendocino County — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Four day weekend. Gotta get it off to a good start. Been awhile since we had our 375ml of Ruinart.

The nose shows, ripe, slightly candied; black cherries, strawberries, kirsch cherries, rich, summertime watermelon, touch of orange citrus family blend, pomegranate juice, hints of fruit roll up & haunting apricots. Sea fossils & spray, a little bread dough, grey volcanics, chalky powder, orange, spring flowers with fresh & withering, red & pink rose pedals.

The palate is full & touch gummy/candied. Fruits are well extracted, deep, ruby; black cherries, blackberries, strawberries, kirsch cherries, rich, summertime watermelon, touch of orange citrus family blend, pomegranate juice, hints of fruit roll up & haunting apricots. Ghostly, not quite fruit brandy or fruit liqueur character, sea fossils & spray, a little bread dough, not quite medium, white spice with hints of palate heat, grainy, grey volcanics, chalky powder, orange, spring flowers with fresh & withering, red & pink rose pedals. The acidity lively and crisp. The round, well balanced & polish finish is always consistently satisfying and lingers for minutes.

Photos of; the House of Ruinart, Dom Thierry Ruinart, nicely light caves and rolling, hillside, Grand Cru Vineyard.

Not quite sure where “D” gets $83 when you can buy this all day at just under $65. — 6 years ago

Aura Rainbow Sanchez

9.1

Great recommendation
Super new to my pallet-loving it — 7 years ago

Matt Waring

9.2

D*** good Barbera—bright, acidic, and bursting with cherries and spice. Lovely with food — 7 years ago

with Christine