Chris Zitzman

9.5

Deep, rich garnet to the eye and right from the jump the Modus Operandi ‘Caldwell Vineyard’ Syrah works its way to the nose and somehow finds a shortcut to the favorite part of your mind. The palate is bold and complex, while coating the palate with powerful notes of tobacco, lush & smokey currant, and a finish that most certainly sticks around. — 10 months ago

with Beth

Michael Chelus

9.1

Black cherry, vanilla, raspberry, blackberry, plum, licorice and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — 4 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.0

This is the Central Coast, “Vicarious” Pinot from Modus Operandi- and it behaves nothing like what one’s expectations may be for such a thing. I’d love to hear about some of the vineyards because this Pinot, for its price, personality & value brings it. Delightful notes of spice box on the nose that leads directly to a welcome and syrupy palate of rich cherry, boysenberry and even some smoke towards the finish. I paid, with my own money to pick up six bottles of this debut effort of the Vicarious brand that was sourced from what must be some of the best vineyards for Pinot in ALL of the “central coast”. This is some great juice.
@ifyalikepinotyagottateyit. — 5 years ago

with Beth

Eva Rosenberg

10

Perfect orange — 5 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.1

Medium to dark purple with a nose of dark dried cherries, blueberries, and vanilla. Nice full to medium-bodied mouthfeel. Some fine grained tannins which will soften with time, but this is also nice to drink now. Finish is not as long as I would expect. — 6 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.6

Color of pale to medium yellow with a nose of peach, melons, pear, and lemon with grass undertones. A heavier body than most SB’s. Good acidity with a solid balance of fruit. I’m normally not a fan of SB’s, but this wine is fantastic and will definitely has a place in my cellar. — 6 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.3

Deep ruby color with a nose of black cherry, vanilla, bay leaf, and fig. Nice, well-balanced mouthfeel, medium to full bodied with and excellent, well rounded finish of fruit, tannin, and acidity. Velvety tannins. Nice, long finish. — 6 years ago

Ron R

9.1

Winemaker has recently announced that he’ll no longer make this. It’s well behaved and shows its vineyard pedigree. A good rosé bites the dust - Bivio, Montclair. — a year ago

Ron R

9.5

Outstanding example of Cali Pinot. Even more so since this is 2012 vintage. Overripe cherries and coffee notes explode on the nose. The palate displays crunchy black fruits along with syrop de cassis. Superb grainy tannins combine with bright acidity. A reference point in Sonoma/Cali.

Here are my top 2023 tastings by type. Let me know what your favorites are…

2023 Wines of my Year
Sauvignon Blanc - Modus Operandi (2021) - $45
Chablis - Domaine Genot-Boulanger Puligny Montrachet (2020) - $85
Chardonnay - Kongsgaard (2020) - $120
Pinot - Aston Estate (2012) - $70
Cabernet - Sinegal (2019) - $75 &
Cabernet - Lewelling (2019) - $59 — 2 years ago

with Anne-marie

Shawn R

9.5

As the race for New World SB get’s more fierce this is a can’t miss. Hit all the elements. Nice cross between grapefruit and lime, strikes me a tangerine. From start to finish a great SB. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.1

If you aren’t familiar with Brasswood, you should change that. A truly state of the art custom crush facility in St Helena (has housed clients like Bevan Cellars, Moone Tsai, Montagu, Modus Operandi, Dark Matter, etc), with tasting rooms, caves, a shop, bakery and a fantastic restaurant. On top of all that, they have their own label, which Angelina Mondavi consults on.

This is my first time trying their Chardonnay offering, courtesy of Brasswood’s Somm @Joshua Fisher . I was fortunate to follow this over the course of a few days. Day one had this showing very primary...down the middle type chard. Day two saw this increase in complexity...certainly true to Napa chard with a warm and soft profile, revealing lanolin, lemon cream, and even a cotton candy note on the nose. The palate has added notes of ripe melon, banana, and powdered sugar. Viscous but a line of acidity keeps this nervy. Thanks Josh. — 6 years ago

Tom Garland

9.5

Wine Advocate BYOB Napa dinner...must be a Robert Parker +93 point wine....I brought the Quilceda Creek 99 point magnum and a Marcassin 2012....97 pt pinot. Wines I had at dinner:

2012 screaming eagle
2014 penfolds grange
2012 bevan wildfoote vineyard vixen block
2010 domaine de la Janasse chatauneuf du pape in magnum
2007 corton charlemagne grand cru magnum
2010 modus operandi collection..aged in some of the rarest French oak per owner who sat next to me.
2008 kapcsandy family cab
2005 Qupe bien nacido X block syrah in magnum
2001 quilceda creek cab..another aficionado was pouring the 01!!
More to come as my brain cells recover... — 6 years ago

with Brenda

Mike Finfer

9.5

beautiful tart sicilian — 6 years ago

Shay A

9.4

I’m scoring as is today, but I really think this inches upward a bit over the next 5-7yrs.

This fell victim to curiosity (as well as a ‘21 Modus Operandi UV-Laguna Pinot). I’ve had a few of Lato’s entry and mid-level offerings, but this was my first Pisoni from them. Loved it.

Profile wise, this is similar to Dumol (not as big as Aubert, but not a lean style either). A very pretty down-the-middle style. While the aromatics here were lovely (honeysuckle, faint lemon cream, citrus and sweet baking spices), the texture of this wine was a standout. Sports much more depth than initially expected (yellow fruits, peach, apricot, pink cotton candy, limestone)…not quite a lees-y style, but close, while remaining elegant and light on its feet (good acidity). Oak is there but plays a supporting role. For being so young, this was a supremely balanced wine. I need to consider buying more. — 2 years ago

Scott G

9.0

Very fresh summer squeeze of lemon and apple, with just a hint of greater complexity within but not enough to stop and think about. — 4 years ago

Chris Zitzman

9.5

Even in Its youth, the 2018 Modus Operandi Cellars Pinot from the oft-heralded Bacigalupi Vineyard is more than just approachable- it’s unreal. The nose is already in bloom with oodles of Burgundy-like bramble berry, while the mouthfeel is as silk should be defined.
Frankly, I’ve never had a Pinot Noir like it, anywhere near it’s price. Not even close. — 5 years ago

with Beth

M. Christopher Roebuck

8.9

Decent...a bit hollow. I would rate Ruffino Modus higher. Alcohol forward. Some red berries midway but otherwise disappointing. Drink with massive food otherwise pass.

89 points — 6 years ago

David Schoonover

9.6

Collection Cab; story is next level on the origin of this wine — 6 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.1

This is the Farella Vineyard Cab. Deep Ruby to deep purple in color with an explosive nose of blackberries, black cherries, black pepper, and cocoa powder. Very powerful nose. The aromas fill the room. Flavors are a bit tight on this. It is a 2016, so it may open up after a bit of aging. Medium to full bodied. Bone dry. I think this needs a bit of time to develop. — 6 years ago

Mark Farrell

9.3

Medium to dark ruby with a nose of blackberries, cloves, vanilla, and a touch of anise. Medium body with with a touch of excess acidity. Dry with a nice long finish. Fine grained tannins. A classy wine. Paired nicely with NY strip. — 6 years ago