Herman Story

Nuts & Bolts California Syrah 2016

9.3

This is my second Herman Story wine. Normally, I’d sock my ‘16 Syrahs away for years, but I’ve seen reviews say this is so enjoyable young, so I decided to experiment. This is like rocket fuel...full throttle. BUT, it stops short of being out of balance/gloopy. These wines make me think this winemaker, named Russell, is like the Russell Bevan version of Paso Rhône varietals...big, bold, & delicious in style.

After only 30mins, this revealed some smoked meat, peppercorn, olive and underripe blackberry. Some sage as well. Massive on the palate...all sorts of dark, ripe fruit with a sweetened core. Bacon fat, roasted plum, and baked berry pie. This is hedonistic in style and not for the faint of heart, but it does a good job of restraining itself from where it could go. A fun wine. — 7 years ago

with Weston and Mark

Mark, P and 42 others liked this

Kirk F

@Shay A you are right on about Russell From. He is a big personality and fun to be around. He visited our home in 2010 on one of his ‘Casula Encounters’ tours. We had a blast! Yet to get to Paso but it is on our short list!

Mark Flesher

This wine poured like motor oil into the glass, and even stained the sides when swirling! The entry is a full throttle gingerbread spice cookie with plums and figs to the middle. Really wasn't getting much of a savory note at all in the first two-thirds of this wine The finish of this wine is just as dense as the front and middle. This is where some of the savory grilled meat characteristics showed, but it was just enough. More fruit, less funk. This one definitely has the structure to last 10 years.... but with it drinking this well, why wait? Great pull @Shay A

9.3

TheSkip

This is full tilt!

Nicora Wines

Russell Family Vineyard Syrah

Eric Naslund

9.2

In keeping with tonight's Central Coast theme, we very much enjoyed this Syrah/Mourvèdre blend. Beautiful wine. — 9 years ago

JP Harbison

Pony Express Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Kevin Ortzman

9.5

Adam's contribution to the Collectors dinner and it sure didn't disappoint. Yet another big wine from Russell Bevan. Full of fruit and awesome! — 9 years ago

with ADAM

ADAM, Shay and 6 others liked this

The Barns at Hamilton Station

Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Ron from VA

9.0

With the context of Virginia as the terroir for cab sav, this is a winner. Chocolate and Caramel swirl in a sturdy full-bodied offering made by Michael Shaps with grapes from Monticello AVA. Acidity and tannins are reasonable enough to balance with black, fruit forward for design. what makes this a complete wine and worthy of accumulation is the long satisfying finish. Yummy! — 9 years ago

Russell Vineyards

Russian River Valley Syrah 2012

Willie Carter

9.0

Light bodied with a nose of vanilla, plums, and red fruits. This ain't your average Syrah by any means. A spicy palate with some rustic undertones. A touch sweeter than I expected but in a good way. Nice, long finish. Not a lot of fat on this one but it still makes an impression. — 9 years ago

Erik and Sean liked this

Richard Hamilton

Centurion Old Vine Shiraz 2014

Mayo Hiramura

9.0

122歳のおばあちゃんの木 — 10 years ago

Ampelos (with Kurt Russell)

Go Gi Jillybean California Pinot Noir 2010

Corrie Lyle

9.3

Great Pinot. Thanks grill on the alley. — 11 years ago

with Sue

Cheryl and Amy liked this

Bevan Cellars

Showket Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Raul Puga

9.8

06 Bevan Showket Cabernet out of a Magnum almost as good as 05 just a touch more heat but still amazing. Bravo Russell!!! — 11 years ago

jesus liked this

Hamilton Russell Vineyards

Ashbourne Sandstone Walker Bay Chardonnay Blend

Michael Shearin

9.1

2008 vintage — 11 years ago

Bree liked this

Hugh Hamilton

The Rascal Shiraz

Nicholas Evans

9.0

Nice lifted fruit, quite smooth. — 8 years ago

with Michelle

Herman Story

On The Road Grenache 2012

Jim McCusker

9.2

Another winner from Russell From at Herman Story. Great notes of dark chocolate, blackberry, and kirsch on the nose. Beautifully integrated palate with sweet, evolved tannins enveloped in fruit and glycerine, followed by a nice (albeit slightly hot) finish. Terrific. — 8 years ago

with Vanessa

Shay, Eric and 11 others liked this

Kelby James Russell

Cabernet Franc 2015

Juan Flurenga

Great wine bought in Ithaca. Bright flavors, great acid. Just lovely. — 9 years ago

Bevan Cellars

Kick Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Benjamin Keator

9.6

One of my go-to SB's for the summer. Love the big tropical fruits. Russell is a stud in pretty much everything he touches. Down to my last couple of bottles of the '13 but it is still killing it — 9 years ago

Eric, Shay and 5 others liked this

Worthy Park Estate

Hamilton Jamaican Pot Still Black Rum

Nick Davis

9.3

Funky monkey — 9 years ago

Ted, Ron and 1 other liked this

Hamilton Block

Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Elizabeth McDonagh

8.9

Excellent wine. Deep taste without being overwhelming. — 9 years ago

with Brian

Loring Wine Company

Russell Family Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

Doug Sayed

9.0

Still quite young, but good flavors and potential. Currently lacks complexity and is more primary in its palate presentation, but still quite tasty. A bit rough around the edges. Needs time. — 10 years ago

Bevan Cellars

Dry Stack Vineyard Syrah 2004

Kyle Groombridge

9.3

Yyyaaaaa that's pretty good. Russell never disappoints. Big nose wafting from the glass with a rich blackberry compote, smoke, tar, overripe plum, and sugar covered raspberries. The entry is smooth and lush, but not overly fruit forward and imbalanced as I almost expected. Baked blackberry pie with a little char on it. This thing is lovely. — 10 years ago

Steve, Sean and 5 others liked this

Mike Ancuta

Thanks for the tip, I have one coming

Matt Trader

Can't wait to try my other ones in several years. I absolutely loved this Syrah.

Westport Rivers

Brut Robert James Russell RJR Champagne Blend 2006

Kevin DeBernardi

9.3

Bready, yeasty goodness. — 11 years ago

Kelby James Russell

Nutt Road Vineyard Dry Rosé 2013

Karl Nichols

9.1

This was a surprisingly good rose from NY. — 11 years ago

Rocky Point Cellars

Russell - Grooters Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Boxer Briefs

9.3

Really cool oak profile. Try and drink this #wine as often as possible. Pineapple, melon, banana, salient, straight lovely — 11 years ago

Herman Story

White Hawk Vineyard Syrah 2013

Jake Rubash

9.1

White Hawk is such an awesome vineyard, great juice from Russell — 8 years ago

Shawn, Shay and 1 other liked this

Shay A

Have one of these. Will be my first HS wine whenever I open it.

Herman Story

John Sebastiano Vineyard Syrah

Kirk F

9.1

Another gem from Russell From. First time we've had this SV effort and it, like everything from Herman Story, was an in-your-face fruit bomb. Delicious and the first bottle to empty. — 9 years ago

Shay, David and 1 other liked this

Shay A

Hi @Kirk Feyereisen . I've heard of Herman Story but never had any of their wines. It sounds as though this is similar to a wine Russell Bevan would make with the in your face fruit notes. Would you agree? I'm a Bevan fan, so if so, I'd like to try this.

Kirk F

@Shay Aldriedge you will not be disappointed. Start with the Nuts and Bolts Syrah or On the Road Grenache. Next time I'm in DFW I'll bring a couple!

How does one get on the Bevan mailing list? Open?

Shay A

@Kirk Feyereisen : Sounds good! Would love to open some good stuff and share! I'll look for those Herman Story wines.

I believe it's an open mailing list as of now, but the big-100pt wines usually aren't available until you've been on the list a while. But don't let that stop you...his Ontogeny will be available to you whenever it's released and it is absolutely one of the best wines for the money in all of Napa!

Hugh Hamilton

Jekyll & Hyde Shiraz Viognier

VotreX Tan

9.8

Full bodied and fruity sweet. — 9 years ago

Studio Seven Fifty

Russell Bevan Sun Chase Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

Mac Hofeditz

9.0

Delightful Pinot, amazing value Russell Bevan legend — 9 years ago

TheSkip liked this

Bevan Cellars

Dry Stack Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2015

Raul Puga

9.6

Damn if Russell didn't do it again. Exquisite SB. Just plain YUMMY!! — 9 years ago

David, P and 1 other liked this

Raul Puga

As good a Drystack as I have had. Gonna buy some more. Back up the truck👍

David L

Destroys the 14, better than the 13

Raul Puga

Agree 100%!! Absolute best SB I've had in awhile

Hugh Hamilton

Oddball Saperavi 2013

Tom Wood

9.1

Second time around in just as many nights. Allowing nearly 10 hours to open up brings oyr a beautiful sweet raspberry coulis like palate which I'm seriously enjoying. Tannins have settled too. — 10 years ago