Isaac Pirolo

9.0

Curiosity got the best of me. Steve Mnuchin and Jared Kushner bro’d out over a bottle of this 2015 Arbalest on Sunday. Apparently it’s newsworthy when a wealthy politician brings a ‘cheap’ ($22) bottle of wine to a bro out. I wonder what price gets the ‘politician drinks expensive bottle’ story (see Paul Ryan at Bistro Bis in 2011). No matter, it’s brilliant product placement — I’m surprised Trump didn’t tweet about it... “Did everyone see Poor Stevie’s wine? So Sad. My 2015 Meritage is So Much Better.”

The wine is made by Benoit Touquette. Here’s his background courtesy of critic Jeb Dunnuck, “Born in Lyon France and gaining his education from the University of Bordeaux, Benoit worked at numerous French wineries before getting a job (with the help of his friend and mentor Michel Rolland) in Napa Valley with Andy Erickson. He consulted for the likes of Screaming Eagle, Ovid and Arietta. Today, Benoit is the winemaker for Realm Cellars, Hartwell, and Kata, as well as numerous other labels, including his own project Fait-Main.” Who wouldn’t want to try a $22 bottle of wine from a winemaker with that kind of resume??

Dunnuck also scored the wine 91 points, calling it “Full-bodied, ripe and rounded, with a sexy, opulent style, lots of mid-palate depth, and a great finish, it's well worth your time and money and is a smoking deal at 20 bucks.”

The blend is 82% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot. It needed about an hour to fully open up... one of my fellow tasters called it soapy... which I think was because of its noticeable herbaceousness. Focused black cherry, pipe tobacco, clove. Juicy, but dry, with lots of grip. I’m not doing backflips over it, but you could do much worse at $22. 90+ — 8 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.7

My favorite Grand Cru Rose!
Bang for the buck it destroys the others at $100 per bottle. The Paul abara Special Club Select is in a league of their own! I prefer it to Veuve, Billecart, etc, etc — 9 years ago

with Christine, Dov and 1 other

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

On the nose, bold, ripe fruits of; blackberries, boysenberries, huckleberries, blueberries, dark cherries & black plum. Warm baking baking spices, mocha, light caramel, black cherry liqueur notes, rich dark soils, perfumed violets & lilacs. The body is round and full with powdery tannins. The fruits sing on the palate. There is waves of fruit, earth and florals that swirl and dance across your palette. The fruits are ripe, sweet and lush; blackberries, boysenberries, huckleberries, blueberries, dark cherries, black plum with juicy strawberries coming on strong at the mid palate. Black cherry cola/licorice, vanilla, light caramel, mocha, semi-sweet loamy dry soils, just a touch of crushed rock powder, soft spice-box, fresh tobacco leaf, perfumed violets & lilacs, round, rich, palate raining acidity and finish that is simply long, well balanced with perfect structure/length/tension and above all beautiful and elegant. It just swirls and dances endlessly & gloriously in the mouth. What mouth harmony! Photos of, vines in Stags Leap, Charles Hendricks, ripe fruit for the picking and one of mine and Charles favorite paintings. Producer notes and history...Charles Hendricks is one of the best Winemakers in Napa Valley. He is well grounded in the science of winemaking. As a 1982 UC Davis viticulture graduate, Charles was able to tailor his own curriculum, and was one of the earliest to integrate winemaking and viticulture course work. Having knowledge of both viticulture and enology forms the bases for well-rounded winemaking under varying circumstances; this is the making of a great Winemaker & consultant. His greatest gift is the ability to make wines the are elegant, beautiful and smooth young but will age effortlessly. Charles Hendricks sees himself as an assistant to the natural bounty of the vineyards. Using his knowledge and experience to guide and coax the very best from the wine grapes. Charles believes in minimal intervention in the wine cellar, but knows that if we leave nature completely on it own, we would be in the vinegar business! To quote him, “It is a wonderful game of hide and seek that we play with Mother Nature…It is natures glory to conceal, and the winemakers glory to reveal, to discover and to persuade the grapes to unveil their highest potential, It is the playfulness of guessing when and how much to step in, that is at the heart of the winemakers’ task." So true in his case. Charles makes his own label wines only when he has the very best of fruit. He is also is the Winemaker for Hope & Grace and until recently was the Winemaker for; Regusci, James Cole and T-Vine. In previous years, he's worked with; Viader, Barnett Vineyards & Paoletti Vineyards. He is truly a gifted Winemaker. If you are able, seek out and try his Henrick's Cabernet & Santa Lucia Pinot Noir, you absolutely won't regret it! @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher — 9 years ago

Lyndsey Wegner

9.5

Beautiful, floral and elegant. Enjoying it on its own and so pleasantly surprised by the lightness and great finish. I'd definitely get this one again! — 10 years ago

Nick Berry

9.2

drinking exceptionally well... what a treat! not over-the-top big for rrv- ate with an italian bean stew with tomatoes, pepper, reggiano and was superb- long on the pallet, a wine of fine quality with food or on its own. more — 10 years ago

Jim Russell

9.2

The oak fragrance is mature. Good, calm wine that holds its own. I like drys and this leans that way. Tannins are there but fall in behind the fruit and complete the finish. — 11 years ago

Neel Master

9.0

High rating because this is a serious nouveau and drinkable on its own merits. — 11 years ago

Nicole Bestard

9.2

So supple and lovely--paired with grilled Easter lamb and potatoes with herbs de provence---but would be just as pleasurable all on its own — 11 years ago

Sarah Oettel

9.4

Coming into its own...this wine is approaching maturity and drinking quite well now. — 12 years ago

Deborah Heath

9.6

Kelly Fox, winemaker at Scott Paul, has her own small label, making beautiful biodynamic pinot noirs like this one. — 13 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Tempranillo. Cool climate, high altitude.

The nose shows ruby, ripe, elegant fruits; blackberries, blue fruits, dark cherries, black raspberries and some strawberries on the edges of the glass. There is a creaminess about the fruits. Some sweet tarry notes, black licorice, light baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, soft elegant spices, dark rich soil and amazingly, beautiful red, blue & purples florals.

The body is rich and full. Gorgeous mouthfeel. The tannins are; soft, round & velvety with fine powder. The fruits are, round, ripe and beautiful; blackberries, blue fruits, dark cherries, black raspberries, touch of black plum and some strawberries. There is a creaminess about the fruits, as well as, some rustic quality from the 20% Tempranillo. Some sweet tarry notes, black licorice, light baking spices, vanilla, cinnamon, soft elegant darker beautiful more pronounced spice on the palate vs. the nose, nice soft herbaceous notes, dark rich soil, some fine dry rock powder and amazingly, beautiful red, blue & purples florals.

Photos of, the cone shaped tanks that Jeff’s (shown in the photo) partner and Winemaker Alejandro invented. The cone shape along with a mess grater the fits up top keeps the cap or hat-sombrero (expression used here) moist. This avoids punch downs creating more elegance and better florals in the wine. Both Jeff & Alejandro worked at Catena Zapata for 15 years before starting their own project. Their partial barrel room and Jeff (Co-Owner) hosting our tasting. This was a excellent visit and bottle to end our producer visits on. Thank you Jeff for all your time, shared knowledge and this bottle for our dinner tonight.

@Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher
This is the real deal if you can find it. @Shay A
Luis-Parker 96. $50 was the release price. Such a steal. — 8 years ago

Mary Sprute

8.9

Light, drinkable. Paul Durdilly (et fils - his sons) own the winery, harvest the grapes, make the wine. — 9 years ago

Takeo Spikes

9.2

Very bold and robust in flavors. Unique in its own way but definitely a winner. — 9 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This ones for you @Paul Treadway. We just talked about the K&L Kalinda's. This is my first 08. I will admit that it started slow. It still needed a two hour decant. Partly because it came fresh out of cool storage and it needed time to reveal all it's fruits and complexity. Kalinda's since 2002 have consistently been one of the best $12.99-$24.99 bottles of wine I've had. You see, they buy juice from from quality producers and label it under their private label "Kalinda." K&L signs non-disclosure contracts with the producers and sell it at extraordinary values under their private label. This 08 shows a lot of dark cherries, black raspberries, blackberries, cherries, strawberries, caramel, mocha, vanilla, light loamy soils, good acidity and a nice polished even finish. Better on it's own than with the skirt steak. Just buy em every year and then forget about them for 5-9 years and you'll have magical Cabernet at a very good QPR every year. Case worthy year and year out. I will add that I do not find the same consistency in their other none Kalinda Cabernet's...not that you can't find some good Kalinda Chardonnay's, Pinot's etc., I just don't find the same consistency among their other varietals. — 9 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.5

@Mike Rowe @Ron R @David L @Carl Fischer @Joe Lucca @Paul T @Greg Ballington @Terri Walker @Eric Shanks I used to buy this when Palmer Emmit & Michael Scarsone worked there. I think the quality of the wine immediately went down when they left & opened up their own shop: Judge Palmer👍🍷🍷👍 We all know how good that juice is!! — 10 years ago

Laurence Rosenberg

8.9

One of our go-to whites. Great with food or on its own — 10 years ago

Meg

9.5

A good friend, with a way cooler vocation than mine, invited me to attend a wine dinner last night. I quickly realized I stuck out like a sore thumb at the who's-who table of Charlotte food & wine journalist powerhouses. They accepted me with open arms, and at least I held my own when it came to the wine! Maybe it's this weather, but this sauv blanc struck a chord with me: crisp, light, refreshing, and delicious, especially paired with the beets-3ways, compliments of Chef Paul Verica. Sidebar....yes, I'm in. Summer... yes, it's almost here! #sidebar #summerlove #reidsfinefoods — 10 years ago

David Kline

9.1

Big nose of slatey, volcanic burnt rubber and slate upon opening. Turns to white and yellow roses pears and apple blossoms with the whisper of volcanic smoke. Really minerally intro on the palate, without exposing too much fruit. Real depth here, and an acidic corset of complex earthiness that just winds and winds until it becomes slender and defiant of gravity. Comely, but natural and splendidly understated until the flexed muscle of its essence belies its grace! Held its own against whole yellow fin snapper, whole radish, stinky Deutsche Rougette Bavarian Red cheese. — 11 years ago

with Courtney and Oliver

Theresa Emig

10

Great with lobster or on it's own as a nice summer wine. — 12 years ago

Akshay Kapur

9.3

Really easy, mellow, drink on its own wine. — 13 years ago

Maciej Kurka

9.1

Wine feels young with slight minerality and tartness. Very enjoyable. ‘14 was the first year when Paul Zinetti made wine on his own without Ben present. I never had this before and I like it very much. Will look for pc to compare in the future. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This is absolutely one of my top three favorite producers from Barossa. Dan Standish marches to his own drum when it comes to his Winemaking. He doesn’t follow trends or fashion in winemaking. Before he started his own Winery, he was the Winemaker for Torbreck and also traveled to other world wine regions before settling back in Barossa. I had the privilege of spending a couple of hours last April with him. What a joy to listen, learn and laugh with him. This wine comes from 100 year old vines. While it is excellent, keeps getting better and puts on weight in the glass, its just a notch under his “Relic.” He has no US importer as he sells out to his mailing list. He’ll ship it to you, but shipping charges from Australia are simply stupid. You’ll find some of his wines on the secondary market. On the nose; smoldering ambers, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, olallieberries, huckleberries, blueberries, loamy dry soils, crushed rocks, spice, sour dark liqueur notes, dry stones, light baking spices, dark turned earth, well done toast, dry lavender, lilacs and fresh violets. The body is rich, lush and beautiful. The tannins are about a year or two farther along than I’m used to tasting, 80% resolved. The palate is simply and flat out amazing. The fruits are; juicy, ruby, ripe and stun the senses. Black plum, plum, black raspberries, raspberries, dark cherries, olallieberries, huckleberries, boysenberries, blueberries with a mid red fruit mix haunting the background of the palate here & there. The dark medium spices are more refined than the “Relic” and have a perfect heat lifting intensifying quality off the palate. Loamy soils, black licorice, anise, cracked pepper, crushed rocks, dark turned earth, tarry notes, dry stems, an amazing blend of baking spices-clove, nutmeg & a whiff of vanilla, dry herbaceous quality, dry lavender & lilacs and fresh violets for days. Perfect round acidity, excellent; structure, length, tension and balance. Long beautiful finish that doesn’t end. This is First Growth Shiraz! Photos of his Winery and those 100 year old vines. @Paul Treadway Huntington Beacher — 9 years ago

Johan Niemand

10

Easily one of the best Pinot Noir that I have tasted. A brilliant drop after work, strong flavours with a pleasant after taste. — 9 years ago

Renée Fournier

9.0

Great structure, acidity and fruit. Good with food or in its own. $17 at NSLC. — 9 years ago

Isaac Pirolo

9.3

The Fiddlestix Vineyard is located at mile marker 7.28 on Santa Rosa Road in Lompoc, California, which is situated in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. In the mid-90's Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars, along with the viticultural icon Taz Steinhauer, acquired the 133-acre, former flower farm, across Santa Rosa Road from the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, and in 1998 they planted 100 acres of Pinot Noir. Aside from the small amount earmarked for Fiddlehead's own production, much of the vineyard is contracted to other producers, including Ampelos, Ancien, Anglim, Arcadian, Bonaccorsi, Dragonette, Jonata, Ken Brown, Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post, Gainey, Ortman, Pali, Paul Lato, Prodigal, RN Estate, Rusack, Summerland, Tyler, Vogelzang, Wedell , and TAZ, not to mention Etude.

Opens with an austere earth note in a tone reminiscent of Barbaresco, and in the words of Miles Raymond, it's "tighter than a nun's ass." 45 minutes later, though, and it's singing and juicy. Black cherry, but not overripe, leads this medium bodied, pungent thinker, while a virtual greenhouse of floral shades help twist and shape its direction. Secondary dusty earth and walnut skin reveal the source of its austerity. True to its terroir, there's a tertiary layer of spice and rocks that provides the depth needed to go from good to great. — 9 years ago

Andrew C.

8.9

Nice and dry rosé. Doesn't really stand on its own. However, it complements food very nicely. — 10 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.4

Wine pairing with Korean food? Maybe should have called @Michael Meyer, but when in doubt check out one of MW Jeanie Cho Lee's books or articles. One of several recco's was a younger fruit driven Cali Pinot. This one would likely have been a touch ripe on its own, but went well with a variety of wood fire table-grilled beef and pork belly. — 10 years ago

Lyn Farmer

8.9

Pale lemon yellow with excellent mousse - very active and very fine bubbles. Lemon chiffon on the nose and surprisingly light bodied compared to the weight of other Bara blends. This has deep Pinot flavor but a Chardonnay raciness and citrus quality. The lemon carries through on a long and elegant finish. A lovely wine on its own or with food. — 11 years ago

Morgan Twain-Peterson

Winemaker Bedrock Wine Co., Partner Under the Wire

9.8

Three moments when you are humbled as a vineyard owner 1) the first time you make wine from your own vineyard, 2) the first time Turley makes wine from your vineyard 3)the first time you hear Paul Draper proclaim the greatness of anything with the word 'hooker' in it particularly relating to your own vine. — 11 years ago

Lobo Di Noccento

10

This is a 3 year aged in Oak Barrels
Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy
The Company of Paul Masson Rated
its own product as being Very Smooth which is what the VS on the bottle stands for.

This product was created in the European Tradition of Brandy Making and it is considered to be one of America's
Premier Brandy Liquors

This product was blended and bottled in Bardstown KY by the way they have their own website which is
www.paulmassonbrandy.com
Number wise they can be reached at
1-888-659-7900

— 12 years ago