Tom Garland

9.0

Pop and pour. A majestic magenta color with bricking. On the nose: port type nose with dark fruit, musky earth, worn leather, black olives, and minty menthol. Taste: blackberry, woodsy, smoke, graphite, dark chocolate, and a peppery astringent tar medium plus finish. Not the best showing of aged Cali cab, and don't think it will improve, so drink em if you got em. Still enjoyed it tonight. — 2 days ago

with Brenda

Shay A

9.4

This was served during my annual WWC hosting. Typical format of sparkler, three whites, four reds, one dessert, all served blind.

Decanted an hour. Acquired during a visit to Melka a few years back. Last bottle of a 3-pack, and poured next to a 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc. 100%SB and 100% barrel fermented. This was the SB that opened my eyes to how good SB could be 5-6yrs ago. The tropical aromatics (pineapple, lots of guava, white peach) alongside such a rich yet balanced palate (glycerin like, oak only noticeable in texture, not taste). Lemon cream with a puckering finish.

As an aside, I know these “super SauvBlancs” have become popular. Melka must be at the forefront thanks to involvement in V29, DANA, Lail, Melka, ADAMVS, and countless others from the Atelier Melka team. — a year ago

Sandy Lieberman

9.7

Delicious! Complex wine — 4 years ago

with Drew

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Jorge b caceria pilares — a month ago

Nathan Renfro

9.1

Definitely improves with air time. Recommend decant of at least 45 min. Really softens up and fruit shines. Black and dark red fruit. Licorice, earthy. Medium finish. — 6 months ago

Shay A

9.3

I’m 92-93 here. I think there is a chance this improves slightly over the next 12-18 months before staying at peak and then trending down.

I don’t drink much SauvBlanc (I’d rather just have bubbles) but this SB is like the Goldilocks of Cali SauvBlanc…it’s not the rich, Bordeaux Blanc style (Melka, V29, Lail Georgia, etc) but it’s also not the boring, forgetful SauvBlanc so many wineries create just because. It has Bordeaux Blanc qualities but with a bright twist…there’s grapefruit, tangerine and white peach aromatically, but even while there’s just a kiss of oak on the palate to round it out, it’s nestled between sea spray, lemon and limestone. Almost tart, but pulls back thanks to the oak. Wonderful QPR here — a year ago

David L

9.1

Robert Pepi Vine Hill Ranch. Vines at the time 30+years old. If you can find 1981-87. I recommend trying a bottle. Now the hillside portion of this winery are sold to...Tor, Araujo, Lail, ETC. Valley floor is all Cakebread. — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.2

@Delectable Wine: This is the Alpha Omega Hudson Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. I didn’t see it in the database.

This is the first time I have seen a SauvBlanc made with Hudson fruit. I’m a big fan of Hudson, so I wanted to give this a try.

I would group this with the “SuperSauvBlancs” that are popular in the valley. Not only is it tropical, but it is richly textured. When mentally comparing to some of the other SBs in this style, this feels in between Melka style (Mekerra, Lail Georgia) with the rich, tropical guava, papaya, pineapple notes and Maayan’s LaPelle SB with its way to dial down the tropical a touch but have so much citrus (grapefruit) and verve. I hoped this would express my expectation of typical Hudson fruit (yellow fruit galore and herbal), but I didn’t get that here. The oak comes across in texture but there is a good snap of acidity at the finish. Pricey, but a nice wine.

Followed over two days with no change. Drink now or hold a few years. — 2 months ago

Matthew Cohen

9.2

Man. I really like this. A great example of what it is.

Nose is fresh crushed grapes in your hand. Some earth. Library book. As this opens licorice flower.

Palate is so fresh. Some lovely bitterness. Amazing texture. So fresh in such a grapey way. This Burrgundian sweetness.

The wine they serve by the glass in God’s Bistro. Man. I’d pay $1,000 to have this with some lentils and saucison lail right fucking now.

For what this is , it’s a 10/10.

Bought from fass selections — 3 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

Compared to the Lail Georgia SB, this one definitely is lighter bodied, but definitely has a nice, crisp tropical Style. Was getting lots of peach and nectarine. Key lime. Very satisfying. Would be a Sauvignon Blanc worthy to put in the regular summer rotation. QPR on this wine is a touch on the poor side. I think this one will hold for 5 years or so. — 5 years ago

with Dan