Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2016 Pagani Ranch pours a deep ruby with near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of red and black brambles, toasted coconut, dill, wood, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and tart. This is in a lovely spot yet, it still exhibiting quite a bit of freshness so I expect this will be quite long-lived. Drink now through 2031+. — a day ago

Jake Hajer

9.3

Smoked meat! — 5 days ago

Eduardo Righi

9.5

For Pinot, the best I had so far — a month ago

Ron R

9.4

Celebrating the life of my father-in-law. He entrusted me with the safe keeping of his only daughter. There is no gift more precious than this in my mind. — 18 days ago

with Anne-marie

Mark S.

9.2

Oak, honey and citrus aroma. Rich, tropical, but acidic and minerally. Long finish. Dutton Ranch area in Russian river valley where is 20 km from the coast is quite famous, lots of sunshine, but cool area, first planter’s learnt by Sommelier. Elegant! 2019 @, arom, 240501 — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Bruce Phillips and his wife were pouring their 2021. Talked w/ him at length. Very nice couple.

The 2021 showed well young with room for improving with 10-25 years in bottle and beyond. It showed some evolution, wasn’t all primary. Elegant, very well balanced with excellent structure and finish. Drink 2033-45 properly stored.

The general Napa consensus on 2022 vintage will be a story of did you pick before or after the 6 days of extreme heat during the harvest window. One producer told me his would add 5% of 2023 to some of his 2022’s, which is allowed. He mentioned that he was going to add 15%. But, I think he just misspoke? Get ready for an amazing 2023 vintage from Napa. It was a cooler, not hot-hot, which was a near perfect growing season for long slow even ripening. Some say a vintage of a lifetime and others would only say exceptional.

The Saturday-Sunday Pavilion tasting at Pebble Beach Food & Wine is an excellent four hours to taste a lot wine, taste curated dishes from chefs from all over the country and meet the people behind the bottle. These short ribs were one of the top two or three things I tasted at the Pavilion Saturday. — 2 months ago

Joe DAscoli

9.5

Face off of the 2010 Cabernets with FirstLight Steak tenderloin. Dancing Bear comes out the winner with a touch more fruit and depth to it over the Quilceda Creek. Both wines decanted 90 mins. Smooth yet complex. — 3 days ago

Ted

9.0

Found another ridge that I haven’t tried. Earth and black fruit. Dark chocolate as well. — 6 days ago

with Jeni

Eric Urbani

8.9

I find most Nickle & Nickle pleasant but over-marketed. — 2 months ago

K Brooks

8.9

Delicious Cabernet Sauvignon, dark berry flavor. Wonderful accompaniment to sautéed greens and pork dumplings in chicken mushroom broth. ($24). — 2 months ago