Moniker Estates

Domaine Le Colombier

Tradition Vacqueyras Grenache Syrah 2011

A total wine pick up. Vacqueyras is a French AOC in the southern Rhône region, established in 1990. Often receiving the unfortunate moniker of "a poor man's Châteauneuf-du-Pape", the wines are typically GSMs and can age nicely if produced correctly. This one is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, (the AOC requires a minimum of 50% Grenache in the wine). While you can drink the wines young, they truly begin to shine after 3-4 years. This wine seems to be peaking now. ~$17 | #totalwine #vacqueyras #GSM

On the eyes: Dull deep brick brown, slightly cloudy, peaking to slightly orange at the rim. Med stain, med tears, no gas/floc.

On the nose: Black cherry, mulberry, vinous, nice oak character, hint of petrol and pepper.

On the tongue: med+ acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med body, a bit chewy in the mouth. Bright red cherry, stewed blackberry, a hint of mulling spices, touch of oak and tar. Nice finish.
— 8 years ago

Lamborn Family Vineyards

The Diamond Anniversary Howell Mountain Zinfandel 2012

Steven Foster
9.3

This sure deserves a diamond moniker. So much blackberry, spice, and Howell mountain character that you would hope for from 2012 lamborn. Super impressive for an impressive price. #pnv15 #heidibarrett @Brian Lamborn — 9 years ago

Brian Lamborn

Brian Lamborn Influencer Badge

We appreciate your kind words! Our 30th Zin vintage to date, this 2012 is one of my absolute favorites already, and it's still young. Very proud of this wine!

Liquid Farm

Vogelzang Vineyard Mourvedre Rosé 2015

Just bottled! Another vintage deserving of the moniker 'pink crack.' Orange, orange pith, wild strawberries, pink grapefruit. — 8 years ago

Sanguis

Bossman Syrah

Steven Foster
9.5

Another BOSS vintage of boss man. 2012. This is so massively good, it deserves this moniker. Go for it. Now. — 9 years ago

Steve liked this

Robert Mondavi Winery

Napa Valley Fumé Blanc 2013

Classic Napa style Sauvignon Blanc, from the winery that coined the Fumé Blanc moniker. Melon and grapefruit on the nose. Pyrazines account for herbaceous, grassy character. Wooden barrel, not steel, but no distraction from any new oak here. — 10 years ago

Sandlands

Mataro 2014

Subtle depth of flavor backed by energy on the rose of Mataro without the "Blush" ness that the moniker eludes. Great effort by Tegan! — 9 years ago

Merryvale Vineyards

Profile Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2011

Andrew Lampasone
9.2

A bit of rain in September gave us a little bit of mold they triple sorted the fruit with cassis and currant berry fruit cigar box spice fresh earth and a nice freshness to the finish some fresh black earth with dar bitter coco notes through the finish 800 foot elevation in their estate vineyard they had a bad set giving them one ton per acre. The 2010 has more richness and 3000 cases is the normal production the 2011 is only 900 cases. They make 15,000 cases total under the Merryvale moniker. The 2010 has more richness more tannins and a long finish. Most excellent. — 9 years ago

L. Mawby

M. Lawrence Sandpiper Batch #26 Extra Dry Sparkling White Blend

Although I'm a huge fan of L Mawby's Leelanau Peninsula "methode champenoise" sparklers, he also produces a cheaper, more fun line of sparkling wines under the M Lawrence moniker. The pale yellow NV M Lawrence Extra Dry Sparkling Wine 'Sandpiper' emits sweet/tart apple aromas with a hint of toast. Although sweeter than a brut, it has a crisp tartness that refreshes the palate quite nicely. — 11 years ago