Ted

9.2

Strawberry fields forever. Getting ready for this monster heat wave. This is delicious. — 3 years ago

with Jeni

Kirsten Christiansen

9.5

One of the things I love in a Sauvignon blanc is when it has that green pepper thing going on and Marlborough is one of the most consistent sources for that so I always celebrate when I find a good one. And this is a good one. — 4 years ago

Raj Ajrawat

9.2

Perfectly balance of tannins. Great acidity. Not too jammy either. Lovely — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

Inky ruby. Assertive dark berry and cherry compote scents are complicated by suggestions of candied flowers, spicecake and licorice. Concentrated yet lively on the palate, offering sappy dark fruit and candied violet flavors that fan out slowly on the back half. Shows very good energy, increasing sweetness and steadily building, chewy tannins on the persistent finish. All concrete. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, February 2020)
— 5 years ago

Dean Butler

9.1

At Petit Philippe — 5 years ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

A soft, flavorful Southern Rhône. Nose has spicy, sultry, ripe dark berry fruit and loads of cracked stone minerality. In the mouth it’s very rich and soft. The tannins are very fine-textured. Long finish. Great value at under $20. — 7 years ago

Bryce Wiatrak

9.2

Another winner from Greywacke, Kevin Judd sources his Pinot Noir from the more clay-dominant Southern Valleys. The wine finds a more exotic profile for Pinot - macerated blood orange peel and pomegranate meet a dizzying array of spices and herbs - curry, saffron, smoke, spearmint, and thyme. Savory, well structured, and long. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Fruit sources from 7 organic vineyards over 3 AVA’s, Ruby with aromas of red/black fruits and earthy spices. On the palate youthful flavors of cherry and black raspberry, cacao, tea and licorice notes with elegant spice. Fine rich tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, cedar and earthy mineral notes. Good value! — 3 years ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.0

Another one from a perfect cellar I just purchased. Cork in perfect shape. Wine is a beautiful example of aged gigondas. Almost Bordeaux like to start then some soil’y Loire quality and now it’s almost barolo like with deep ripe red fruits, iodine and smoked earth. Really lovely. Hit me up for a preview on this cellar. Prices are stupid good as the wines are premium examples of stuff you just can’t find — 4 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.5

Awesome...and surprisingly approachable given that it’s in the early edge of the estimated driking window from a couple of different sources. 15min in that new decanter and it’s ready to go (althought it has years of evolution ahead of it). Just fantastic! — 5 years ago

with Vanessa

Eric Stec

9.3

2015 on May 21, 2019
A very distinct, unique red with tannins and fruit, but an unexpected and nuanced presence of berry, slight cinnamon, nutmeg and stone. Amazing round of all the reasons wine is a treasure. Hunting this down again! Costco Christmas package. — 6 years ago

Thomas Brenner

9.2

There are some places in the world where they view present day America as a place where we expect to be happy. Should we feel bad they live in places where you should just expect hardship? We live in a time and place where we can focus on building our inner selves and have a chance at....When we're not constantly putting out fires we can really focus on...should that be a source of shame. When the desperate struggle to find food and shelter is finally behind us, we can turn our attention to other sources of pain and truth.
This is the kinda wine you feel bad about being able to enjoy. I feel privileged. — 7 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.0

Pillow Rd. Vineyard is situated to the southwest of Sebastopol, not far from the southern tip of the Russian River Valley, and planted to two acres of Chardonnay and seven acres of Pinot Noir. Clones 777, 115, and Pommard made up the first plantings in 2000, with Calera and Swan being added later (replacing Gravenstein apple trees). The vineyard has courted her fair share of suitors, originally being one of Duckhorn’s sources for its Goldeneye Pinot Noir. The first commercial vintage under the Pillow Rd. label was 2006. I’m not sure whether Ladera had entered the scene at that point, but it was definitely in time for their release of the 2009 vintage. In 2016 PlumpJack Group acquired Ladera’s Howell Mountain vineyard and winemaking facility, and while it appears the Pillow Rd. Vineyard wasn’t included in that sale, I haven’t seen anything that spells that out explicitly. Regardless, what is certain is that Napa Cab makers can’t quit this Russian River Pinot vineyard. It had some kinks to work out, but ultimately it’s built for pleasure and not complexity, and it eventually got there. Cherry cola, sassafras, baking spice, butterscotch, and just enough of a citrus edge to keep from losing its balance. — 7 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Very pale lemon in colour. Grapefruit notes on nose and palate. Mineral notes with a bit of funk. In the lean style still with brisk acidity. Bellwether is a Coonawarra winery but Sue Bell sources this Chardonnay from the cool climate Tamar River in Tasmania. When I did vintage in early April at Bellwether a refrigerated tanker of the latest vintage arrived from the Tamar River which we then transferred into a combination of new and one year old oak puncheons for maturation. An excellent wine for its genre. — 3 years ago

Steve Gerths

9.0

Nice red blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre. Dark fruit, spice and mineral notes — 5 years ago

J Levenson

9.1

Paid only $26 in 2016 This wine is outstanding. “Flavors of cassis, cherry, raspberry, and bright pomegranate are intertwined with beautiful crushed rock mineralogy...” - SommSelect Their recommendation to wait to drink between 2019-2021 was spot on. — 5 years ago

Chris B.

9.2

According to sources much more knowledgeable than me, 2016 was a fine year for the Southern Rhône. This was a sumptuous bottle and at $32, a bargain for the quality. Smells like a sandalwood candle and tastes like ripe stone fruit (cherries, plums) but there’s enough lingering herbs and tannins to give it staying power. Tastes a little more alcoholic than it actually is but this only adds to its luster as a wonderful dinner wine. — 5 years ago

Chip Hughes

9.3

Viognier, from cool and high-altitude reaches of the Dentelles de Montmirail. Asian pear, acacia and just enough tartness and pucker to let you know this isn’t bruised, hot-climate, picked-too-late stuff. Impeccably balanced, long, graceful. I’d put this into a northern Rhône tasting anytime. #domainesaintamant #rhône #viognier — 6 years ago

Jordan Wardlaw

9.2

Dynamic wine showing a confident and seductive tension of opposites. Garrigue, leather and barnyard dust plays very well with lavender, red berries and black pepper. Displaying noticeable VA and traces of brett, but Old World charm wins the day as this wine really comes together after about 3 hours to reveal silky tannins and supple structure. Very complex and terroir focused bottling that can be enjoyed for less than the price of a typical Côtes du Rhône, making it a true bargain. — 7 years ago

Brian R

9.3

Reasonably priced older wine at mint wood place. Excellent and in great shape. — 7 years ago