Connor Smith

9.5

#Nebbiolo is a surprisingly rare grape. Even in its native Piedmont, it accounts for only 8% of vineyard land. There are fewer than 100 hectares planted in the United States. 🕵️‍♂️🍇
Over 80% of prewar Italian immigrants came from Sicily and Southern Italy. Piedmont was the wealthiest and most politically dominant region. But if fortunes were reversed, could Nebbiolo have taken Primitivo/Zinfandel’s place as a grape relatively uncommon on the boot but dominant in California? 🤔🇮🇹🇺🇸
Probably not. The Nebbiolo vine is *not* for beginners. It flowers early and ripens late, making it susceptible to both spring and autumn frosts. It loves the occasional fog bath (some say the name is derived from ‘nebbia’, Italian for fog ☁️☁️☁️) but is prone to the mildew that may result from such humid conditions. Its fussiness would make Pinot Noir blush: it demands southwesterly exposure, a proper gradient, constant sun above, and fog licking at its toes. #diva
Sound anything like California’s Central Coast? 🌅
In the Santa Maria Valley, where the East-West Transverse Range bends back into the North-South Coastal Range, it’s possible. Vineyard selection still requires extreme discretion - an eye like @JimClendenen’s, perhaps.
Jim began the Nebbiolo program at the legendary #BienNacido vineyard in 1994. Production is small, but if you track down his “The Pip” Nebbiolo, it will only run you about $30. You’ll believe anything is possible when you have real California Nebbiolo of this quality come wafting out of the glass at you! 🙌🙌
🏞.“The Pip” is named after Jim’s old cellar dog Pip, a border collie. So it only seemed right to include one of our own pips! 🐈 — 7 years ago

Neal Schaffer

9.0

Uniqueness describes this wine perfectly. Almost completely clear with a intense glimmer, the nose fills with super ripe sour cherries and creamy raspberries. The palate is filled with strawberry vanilla cream, nectarines, and sweet dried cherries. It keeps the Barbara characteristics, but shows sweetness and a vibrant sense of rebirth. Spring is here, and this gives you a great transition from winter to spring. I could see this pairing with spicy food perfectly. Only on a Tuesday! #nakedwines — 9 years ago

with Dana

Rob Brobst III

9.8

Holy tall green giants Batman! This is the real reason I drink wine. @Bill Bender @Warren Sapp @Neal Schaffer @Vanessa D @Eric Shanks @Jim Trobaugh @David L @Eric LaMasters @Paul T @Jade Moore @Doug Davidson @Ron R @Connor McMahon @TheSkip — 9 years ago

Patrick Fenton

9.8

Boonville ftw — 10 years ago

Dirk Pitt.

8.9

Dry, crisp and showing those great aged characteristics. Drink now. — 11 years ago

with Winehouse

Ellen Weaver

8.9

Excellent 2012. Earthy, big, predominant Pinot Noir fruit flavor. Drank this at the wine maker magazine keynote address by Jim Bernau. — 11 years ago

Sam Madden

9.0

Bites hard, but very good. I recommend adding a little water — 11 years ago

with Evan

Kieran Roberts

9.1

Delightful riesling — 12 years ago

Danielle Leonard Wissmar

10

Mmmmm..... Taste the Rye — 13 years ago

Chris Haywood

9.3

Wow, acid is here and that's for sure. Utterly refreshing, peppery lime nose. Grapefruit, gave, bitter lime but all very balanced. I could drink a bucket. — 7 years ago

Phil Castellano

9.4

Love the intensity of this stuff! Too bad this is a gift for my departing colleague.... — 8 years ago

Paul Weil

8.9

Another above-the-fold headline scoop from "Superman's Pal"! This is a dense, jammy blend with slimy smooth body. The rich dark cherry, red raspberry, and black currant flavors balance nicely. It works well as an after-dinner digestive wine. — 9 years ago

Justin Chiotti

8.9

Pretty good. Not too big (staying consistent with Jim Clendenson's Burgundy approach). I'm gunna have to remember this one. — 9 years ago

Alex Smolen

8.9

Strawberry fruit and a little herbaceous. — 10 years ago

with Hana

Robert P

8.9

Nice blend. — 10 years ago

Jonas Johansson

9.0

Perfect at 35K feet. Huge vanilla caramel custard favor. — 11 years ago

Charles Hetzel

9.2

Knob Creek a Small batch Straight Rye Whiskey — 11 years ago

Kyle Buchanan

9.2

Really tasty merlot !!great job naked wines. Lots of fruit with mild tannins. Nice aromas — 11 years ago

Dirk Pitt.

10

Delicious. — 12 years ago

Antoine Pin

Wine Buyer Kroger/QFC

9.5

It's actually really good. Really, really good!!! $12 / 91pts VIwines206 — 12 years ago

Kristen Kachel

9.3

Easy smooth red — 7 years ago

Rob

9.0

Jim Clendenen & Emeril Lagasse dinner through the Triangle Wine Experience — 8 years ago

Phillip Antley

9.2

Big and spicy. Tastes it’s age, but has a lot of depth. — 8 years ago

Greg Dorchak

8.9

Very oaky and smoky — 9 years ago

Kelley Panaro

9.5

Very good. Delicious fruity finish — 9 years ago

Meg McCall

8.9

Syrah blend to cap off the bachelorette weekend. Smoky spice with a long finish. — 10 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.1

Jim Nantz makes good wine! Dutton Ranch is a great vineyard. — 11 years ago

Ashlee Howarth

10

Bookers Bourbon- only 100 bottles made. Starting the CSC off right — 11 years ago

Andrew Benn

9.3

Very delicate until 90 minutes in
very different than other vintages
showed that power, black fruit and balanced tanmins in last glass
lots of.life left
enjoyed with Jim and Anna over an apple stuffed pork roast — 11 years ago

Zach Behrens

10

What a great chill out chard. — 12 years ago