Tom Casagrande

8.9

Got this at the local Safeway for cooking and it’s actually quite drinkable and identifiably Zin. Earthy, plummy blackberry fruit. Not jammy. Quite dry. Good balance, with the alcohol poking out a little on the finish. — 13 days ago

Don Taylor

9.0

Very rich and bold. A good one — a month ago

Eduardo Righi

9.5

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

Neal Ferry

8.9

I had one glass because I was Blouted on PetMat — a month ago

with TwiLea

Ted

9.0

Found another ridge that I haven’t tried. Earth and black fruit. Dark chocolate as well. — 2 days ago

with Jeni

Makoto Someya

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 — 25 days ago

Eric Urbani

8.9

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

Jeremiah Diaz

9.3

Medium plus ruby in color; black cherries, raspberries, and tabacco on the nose; high acidity, high tannins; tastes like candied cherries, hibiscus, and crushed gravel with a long finish. Nellie likes it, and so do I. — 5 days ago

with Nellie

Adam Gäfvert

9.3

Another great wine from this great, great producer. Aromatic with California ripeness yet fresh and lively. Raspberry, dark chocolate, dark cherry, herbs and spices. Great quality of fruit. Long finish. — 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