romo

9.1

Vintage 2014 | Razorsharpe Chenin Blanc with minerality. Not a wine to get acquainted with the grape, it does by no means try to charm you. But for lovers of a Chenin Blanc, it is top! Nice acidity. Pure. | A lot like @Peter van den Besselaar ’s Boudignon from last week. Happy Birthday! 🎂 — 5 years ago

Kent Snyder

9.0

Not for oak lovers. Flinty minerals with well balanced fruit. You don’t always need a grand cru. Excellent! — 6 years ago

Susan Sangiacomo

8.9

Those beer lovers out there seem to love this beer. I’m a beer wimp and like pale and light in flavor and color beers (not light beer in calories). Corona is my thing! This is strong, green, eucalyptus flavored. — 7 years ago

Alan Weinberg

8.9

crazy story on this "white" Burgundy that geeks love. Many years ago while walking through his vineyards, Henri Gouges noted some vines with white grapes, took some cuttings and grafted them, ultimately making a white wine from grapes now called Pinot Gouges--Pinot Noir has only one gene for color and these vines lost it, making them white. So it is a white or albino Pinot Noir, tastes red but looks white. Couple other producers make it, too. Good, not great wine, though. Fun to blind taste Burg lovers on. — 9 years ago

Shay A

9.2

I would say this is in-between a cab lovers Pinot and your typical Pinot. Not quite as heavy, but the plum and texture on the tongue lean me towards cab style. I loved it. Then again, hard to beat RRV pinots. Bing cherry, cola, Cedar and baking spice. Happy birthday @Cody Cotten ! — 9 years ago

with Cody

Ian Burrows

Sommelier Atelier Crenn

9.4

Rollin' the Deiss!
This wine needs time in decanter. Slightly (and pleasantly) oxidized. Very traditionally crafted... there's a lightness to the texture and savory earthy character. No powerhouse Pinot. Not for the Kosta Browne lovers. My type of PN. — 9 years ago

Rock Arrow

9.5

What's not to love here?!? I love my espresso, love my dark beers, & love my dark red wines. This is delicious, jammy, and full of flavor... Top it all off with a 15% alcohol content. White Zin lovers beware! This is for serious robust wine appreciators. Thank you, Australia!! — 9 years ago

Nicole Jensen

9.4

PERFECT accessory for a night in enjoying pasta and #SBSeurovision. — 10 years ago

Marianne DiGiovanni

9.0

We are not typically Chianti lovers by I think it’s great. Had a 2015 in 2020 in the horrors of Corona pandemic. It was a gift so cannot compare to pricing. — 6 years ago

Connor Smith

9.2

Sanlúcar de Barrameda was the port that Christopher Columbus set off from in 1492. Just 1 year earlier, duties on wine exports from Sanlúcar had been abolished to take advantage of English merchants desperate for new supply after the loss of Bordeaux.

It began a centuries-long romance between Sherry and English wine lovers, as immortalized in Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 2, when Falstaff glorifies sturdy Spanish 'sack' over thin Bordeaux 'claret' and Rhine 'hock'.

But the honeymoon, quite literally, was not to last. Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon drove a wedge between England and Catholic Europe, and left English wine lovers in need of a new source once again. But Sherry fanatics wouldn't have to go entirely without. When Sir Francis Drake sailed into Cádiz and burned the Spanish fleet in 1587, he carried away 2,900 butts of Sherry - enough to supply London for years - as his most famous prize.

(This is adapted from notes for Le Dû’s Wines ‘History of Wine 1453AD-Present’ seminar, where this wine was poured) — 6 years ago

Brent S

9.4

Absolutely fantastic. A thick, hearty St Emilion with dominant fruit, heavy tannins (years left), low acidity, and full body. Most hardcore Bordeaux lovers might not like it, but it’s just my style. Needs no food. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A wine I’ve enjoyed mostly upon release or near it. I vowed to wait six years and nearly made it. At least it is 2018...just! It’s worth waiting this/that long for it to develop. On the nose; sweetly, baked fruits of; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, and notes of blue fruits. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium, beautiful spice, black fruit tea, limestone minerals, loamy, dry, brown top soil, fresh dark florals and violets. The mouthfeel is full, rich & lush. The tannins are round, still have some teeth and possess velvety round edges. It’s fruit driven but not a bomb and showing elegance & grace. Fruits are perfectly ripe; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, notes of blue fruits and dry cranberries dip in and out. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium beautiful spice that is more pronounced on the palate, black fruit tea, touch of melted brown sugar/molasses, limestone minerals, touch of rich dark sweet turned soil, loamy dry brown top soil, soft understated eucalyptus/mint, dry fresh florals and violets. The round acidity is just right, just a slight very small alcohol burn, the length, structure, tension and beautifully balanced finish are in a very good place. Even better in 2-3 more years in bottle; which is when I’ll have my next one. Photos of; the winemaking duo of Gary Franscioni (left) and Gary Pisoni, Rosella’s Vineyard on the right. As well as, Garys’ Vineyard at the bottom. Producer notes and history...The Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is known for its rich, vibrant Pinot Noirs. However, that wasn’t always the case. The first Pinot was planted in 1973, but results weren’t all that great. Chardonnay was the appellation’s early star. Much of the area’s current fame for Pinot Noir arguably can be traced to Gary Pisoni, a free-spirited wine enthusiast who grew up in a Salinas Valley vegetable farming family. Pisoni decided to plant a few acres of Pinot Noir in 1982 on his family’s horse ranch, at the southern end of what was to become the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation but his horses started eating the grapes. So, they had to go. His initial planting were limited by a lack of water until he dug a well on the property. Pisoni started planting even more Pinot Noir. The vineyard is now around 45 acres and nearly all of it Pinot. By the late 1990s, word had spread about the success of his vineyard, and a number of Pinot specialists from around California had started lining up to buy his grapes. He started producing his own wine in 1998. Pisoni isn’t the only Gary who has become a force in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Gary Franscioni, a childhood friend, followed Pisoni’s lead by planting grapes and started Roar Wines in 2001. The two of them now have five vineyards between them...all farmed meticulously with the same crew. They are best of friends...sort of a Mutt & Jeff. They have become a formidable presence in the Highlands, attracting interest from top winemakers and Pinot Noir lovers from all over. Franscioni is also from a vegetable farming family; Pisoni figures they’ve known each other since they were 3 or 4. Franscioni saw his friend’s success and once he got some money together, decided to plant grapes of his own. Franscioni’s property is farther north and cooler as it’s closer to the Monterey Bay. He was going to plant Chardonnay. He woke up and Franscioni recalls imitating Pisoni, and shouted, “plant Pinot!” Franscioni planted what became Rosella’s Vineyard, named for his wife, in 1996. He took Pisoni’s advice and planted four acres of Pinot Noir, although he still planted 12 acres of Chardonnay. It’s now a total of around 50 acres with three-quarters of it Pinot Noir. The next year, they decided to become partners and planted Garys’ Vineyard, a 50 acre parcel where they grow Pinot and a little Syrah. Since then, Franscioni has developed Sierra Mar, 38 acres of Pinot, Chardonnay, Syrah and a tiny amount of Viognier. The two teamed up again to establish Soberanes Vineyard, 35 acres of mostly Pinot Noir, with a little bit of Chardonnay and Syrah. That last vineyard was developed by Pisoni’s son Mark. The Garys might seem an unlikely pair. Pisoni is colorful character to say the least and has an outspoken manner. Franscioni comes across as more serious- minded. However, the collaboration between the two, who often address each other as “partner,” clearly works well. The two are good on their own, but better together. Pisoni being more gregarious acts as the frontman. He is the Ambassador. He’s a check on the rest to keep the quality high. Franscioni and Mark Pisoni run the farming on their own vineyards and work together on the joint ventures. The family involvement doesn’t stop there. Jeff Pisoni makes his family’s wines, which are under the Pisoni and Lucia brands. Franscioni’s son, Adam, joined the family business in time for the 2011 harvest. He handles sales for Roar and helps his father manage the vineyards. The grapes from all five vineyards are in huge demand, because the two families are such careful farmers, constantly tweaking and improving. Prominent customers include; Testarossa, Siduri, Kosta Browne, Copain and Bernardus. When a new vintner approaches them about buying grapes, the partners examine the winery’s track record and the Winemaker. If they like what they see, the winery is put on a waiting list. There’s not very much movement in their vineyards. When Franscioni planted Sierra Mar, he and Pisoni had 62 wineries waiting to buy fruit. Soberanes was developed with the idea of working with some new winemakers. There was some concern, even among the two families, that quality might suffer as the vineyard operations grew. However, there’s no indication that’s the case. In fact, with each new venture, they build on what they’ve learned in their older vineyards. Eventually, there will be even more vineyards. The Pisonis and Franscionis have purchased a 100 acre cactus farm in the Santa Lucia Highlands. There’s still a lease on the property. So, prickly pear cactus will continue to be grown for five more years. But at some point, the land will be planted with vines. Both families understand the importance of continuing to build for the future. The Garys looking back tell a story of being in the same spot some years ago and looking at a field of broccoli out back. He told Franscioni that the field would look a lot better with Pinot Noir vines. Now that parcel is part of Rosella’s Vineyard, and it’s planted with Pinot. Everybody thought he was crazy...most people usually think that when someone makes a bold decision. He’s a person who has always had vision and creativeness. He also has tremendous passion. Good things only happen when a person possesses all three of these qualities. Their wines are primarily available by mailing list. However, Nepenthe in Big Sur, CA acts as a quasi tasting room for some of their wines. — 8 years ago

George Doolan

9.5

So chiseled, some fine oak which helps with structure but not spice driven at this point. Concentrated and long. Softer, more floral and ethereal on day 2. Not for the faint of heart, acid lovers only. — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.6

Finally had the luxury of tasting the illustrious Colgin Syrah. An 03, singing. In its prime. This wine cannot get any better. Roasted dark fruit, black roasted figs. Entry of roasted fruit and wild herbs. Savory notes to the finish. This wine will not be a fan of your savory grilled ribeye in a glass syrah lovers. But this one strikes the line and really balanced. This is just about as much meaty funk as a non-meaty Syrah lover likes, yet is incredible overall. Very nice Syrah. But, drink now. — 6 years ago

with Dan, Weston and 2 others

Aaron Means

9.2

New world cult Cab lovers will find a lot to like with this one. Dense, fruit forward, and hedonistic. Not showing much now other than its showy oak character and massive fruit. — 8 years ago

Amer S. Ahmed

8.9

A conundrum on Day 1, it hinted too much residual sugar (even for a Vouvray), with not enough backbone. Pleasant but cloying. Day 2 was a different story: ripe peach, honeydew, apricots, and zippy acid taking it to a close. Would buy again but offer to serious Chenin lovers — 9 years ago

Sebastian Koncurat

9.1

This a great surprise for Gamay lovers. It has the juicy red fruit along with a leafy - earthy , still enjoyable note. Not showing too much Kirch or banana flavors, this byodynamic Beaujolais comes from a single 7 ha plot farmed on granite soils — 9 years ago

Mike Davila

9.3

Really dark color, pleasant nose of cherry/raspberry follows on to the pallet, with some smokiness and nice acid finish. Certainly can go another couple of years maybe more. Wife called it "Pinot with an attitude" not for burgundy lovers. — 9 years ago

B

10

Magnum 2008 Peter Michael Point Rouge Chardonnay. Dinner at Tap w S&L DiM and P&S Co. Super. Loved especially at Susie and Lydia- the Chardonnay lovers. Not overly oaky- just rich and oaky enough to know it's a CA Chardonnay, but not so much that it's buttery and too rich in oakiness. Enjoyed. — 9 years ago

Ira Schwartz

9.4

A beautiful crimson glow in the glass. Cherries, moist earth and iron combine to tease the olfactory system. My mouth was filled with glee as I did not expect such a vibrant mixture of fruit,acid and tannin. No danger of fading but also not sure it gets better as it appears to be in the sweet spot wine lovers are always on the search for. — 10 years ago