Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

This wine is in a perfect place. 2008 is not as regarded as 2007, but this 2008 made by Charles Hendricks is saying differently & absolutely one of his very best. I would say, James & Coleen made a mistake in letting him get away.

It is sort of a Mother Mary of God wine. Not to be religious, just the phrase fits.

Our eyes & ears perk up when we hear Napa names like; Harlan, Scarecrow, Hundred Acre, Bond & Colgin. I’d like to put this in blind and watch the shock & awe in everyone eyes when the wines were revealed.

The palate entry is perfect in every way. It is rich, lush, extremely balanced with well rounded, velvety M+ tannins. The core is dark currants, blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, black cherries, baked strawberries framed in raspberry edges. Some of the most amazing, dark spices with palate heat, melted, dark chocolate to pudding, black licorice to anise, mocha, malt balls, caramel, mid baking spices; clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanillin, fresh & used tobacco, leathery, graphite, crushed rocks & limestone, sage brush, slightly, candied, dark & withering flowers set in understated violet’s & lavender, warm, summer, rainfall acidity, balance for days, excellent structure/tension with elegance and smart polish that lasts minutes and settles on beautiful spices.

This wine is at its precipice and will hold a few more years with good drinking for 8-10 years. — 10 months ago

Amanda Thomas

9.2

An old standard in our household. Velvety smooth, rich juicy berries. Glad we can purchase Freakshow even at Costco in TX and have a solid, boozy Cab at the ready. — 5 years ago

with Tim

Jose Rico

9.2

Dark fruits, intense colour, great legs. A real bargain. — 8 years ago

Jeff Hollinden

9.5

Beautiful. Incredibly well balanced. — 9 years ago

Peter Lutz

9.1

What can I say? I love a granache. — 10 years ago

Meeter B

8.9

Definitely needs to open up. Was sweet on the first sip. Significant fruit tones at the outset and got dry as it opened. I would give it a good half hour and drink and enjoy. Solid choice. — 10 years ago

Kate Tanis

9.5

Unbelievable! So good. Smooth finish. — 10 years ago

Mark Maruszak

9.3

Crazy awesome. Tons of black pepper, smoke, tobacco and bacon fat. Luscious dark fruits. Very fruit forward palate. Waaaaaay too young. — 11 years ago

Paul Skinner

9.0

2012 pinot. Smooth and rich. Very good under 20 wine

— 11 years ago

Michael Slomer

9.6

Last bottle! Being discontinued at the restaurant — 13 years ago

Sharona

9.1

Stockyards, November 17, 2024, Palomino Supper Club — 2 years ago

CA Haynam

9.3

Fruit forward and jammy with light tannins — 4 years ago

Norma Normington

9.5

Beautiful Zin all around. I find it a bit earthy but absolutely stunning. Wow, when I think “Zin” this is the taste, and I got it on sale for only $35! It’s pairing perfectly with my spicy Chinese food dinner. I’m imagining about 10 other dishes this will pair wonderfully with as well. — 5 years ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.0

Mfdz y tad — 7 years ago

Andy Hall

9.3

We always drink a PM on release day to celebrate. Typical strong effort with this Pinot, certainly a relief from the summer. — 9 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.0

Another Chard made in an oxidative style. Loved this two years ago, but this had more baked apple and less verve. — 9 years ago

Jean-Francois Pelletier

9.4

Deep color. Intense nose of white chocolate, red cherries, some blue fruit and vanilla. Full body, beautiful balance and long finish. So good. — 10 years ago

with Chris and Michael

Jody Scharf

9.0

Not buttery for a change. Dry. Lemon nose with a hint of grapefruit. Clean. Hey I'm in St. John. You could serve me Welch s grape juice I'll like. I admit it. I'm weak. I'm not strong like @Ron R Ron — 10 years ago

Patrick Liedtke

9.1

The 07 is drinking exceptionally well. It can still go the distance with age but it shows lots of black fruit with soft noticeable tannin now. Went well with skirt steak — 11 years ago

Alek Leontie

10

One of the few Cali SB that can compete with the top Pessac wines. — 12 years ago

Janet Coleman

9.0

So big and bold but fruity nonetheless. Loved it with a steak. — 3 years ago

Helen Anderson

9.3

Special production of the Michael Mondavi collection. “Showcases the depth and complexity that high altitude can provide.” — 4 years ago

Greg Smith

9.1

Dark and fruity from my favourite region. We don’t get many varieties from MD Winery in Canada and this one tops what we get. Fruit forward and a solid finish. Will be adding a case or two to my cellar. Yup. It has legs and it worth the buy. — 6 years ago

Andrei Shustov

9.5

Always a blast!! — 8 years ago

Jeffrey Lew

9.2

Double Blind, hit this as 09/10 Peter Michael Belle Cote. These chards gave a distinctive acidic grapefruit twist to them that's very noticeable. Great nose of buttered popcorn after it opened up. Very nice. — 9 years ago

Mick Eddy

9.6

Amazing vintage of Peter Michael. Delicious. — 9 years ago

with Amber

B

10

2007 Peter Michael Point Rouge Chardonnay. HB w MnD and J&D B. We loved this wine wine so much at the Heart concert and we loved it tonight. Floral, along with notes of buttery brioche and oak. However, somewhat surprisingly, as we drank this in comp to the 2013 Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay, it did not win out. Still such a great wine that we really, really enjoyed. — 10 years ago

Eric Waxman

9.1

Still in good shape which is no easy task for a 2004 California Chard — 10 years ago

Magdalyn Stiver

9.8

Great 11.99 from Harris Teeter! — 11 years ago

Paul Lopez

9.8

I do remember....what a wine! — 12 years ago