Pepper Francisco

Rhys Vineyards

Family Farm Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

Started a bit closed but then opened up and revealed nice dark fruit and some forest floor. Definitely can wait longer. With Mikey G on NYE — 6 months ago

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot Blend 2018

Excellent cab! Always great from Ridge, this one is full bodied, nicely aged (still has room to age more, but wonderful right now!, wish i had a couple more) — 7 months ago

Rhys Vineyards

Horseshoe Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

J Choi
9.5

Initially thought cork fail. Capsule protruding. Wine residue. Surprised. great — 8 months ago

Ceritas

Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay 2019

Delicious. Flinty, full, dense, lovely finish. Very nice. — 2 years ago

Bob, Ira and 2 others liked this

Bedrock Wine Co.

Evangelho Vineyard Heritage Zinfandel Blend

Wonderful Zin- enjoying the 2013 vintage- hint of tobacco - pairing with Salmon - Brisket- will definitely try again — 4 years ago

Milissa liked this

Arnot-Roberts

Fellom Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

Robin Gerber
9.5

Tried this vintage a year ago and it was really good but tonight is in its prime. Sad it’s my last bottle. — 6 years ago

Serge and Eric liked this

Wente Vineyards

Morning Fog Livermore Valley Chardonnay 2016

This yellow-gold wine rings the “old-style Cali” bell in all the right ways. A nose of apricots, mangoes and apples is helped along with the smell of buttered popcorn. Oak treats the palate as well, draping over the tropical fruit like a sunshade. The acidity is zesty, yet the mouthfeel tends toward creaminess due to the wine sitting on the lees for five months. The oak is a definite part of the wine, but the effect is softened enough so that it's a pleasure, not a pain. — 7 years ago

jesus, Scorewine and 5 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1985

Tried the '90 recently, spoke of how amazing a producer of Californian Cabernet it is, but just needed a little more time, this '85 is well & truly on point, everything is in balance, there's fruit intensity yes, but the development/complexity/layers are really shining through, outstanding stuff. — 9 years ago

Kalin Cellars

Livermore Valley Sémillon 2000

Rachael Ryan
9.8

Always surprised by these wines. Incredible concentration and still lively. — 13 years ago

terroirista-cy and Maggie liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

Bought at Pine Orchard 11/25 $70 after tasting at Ridge in 10/25. Less expensive here. The 2023 is rated at 100 pts. Absolutely delicious. Floral aromas, lightly crisp, subtle oak, smooth finish. — 7 months ago

Kathryn Kennedy

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Deep ruby color. Aromas of blueberry, leather and eucalyptus. Solid wine! Flavors of cherry, raspberry, cedar and pencil lead. Great vintage!

🏅94+ points - Wine Spectrum Rating
— 8 months ago

Dave, Ed and 7 others liked this

Arnot-Roberts

Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay

2018 Vintage - reductive style - lees style - baked apple, medium plus acidity — 4 years ago

Adam, Ira and 11 others liked this

Murrieta's Well

The Spur Livermore Valley Red Blend 2015

Dark and rich earth flavors. Very well balanced with good finish. It’s from Livermore not Australia! — 5 years ago

Shay, Tom and 8 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

San Mateo County Pinot Noir 2015

Another last of its kind wine as the San Mateo moved to Alesia label after this vintage. This young blend is really singing right now with bright red fruit and cedar spice and well balanced acidity. A candidate for short term aging, but the freshness of the fruit really shines now. — 7 years ago

Brandon, Eric and 7 others liked this

Save Me San Francisco Wine Co.

Drops of Jupiter California Petite Sirah 2013

To the tune of "play that song" - "drink that wine, the one that tastes oh so fine." — 9 years ago

Kim Daly
with Kim
Jessica liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Merlot 2010

Paired well with a lamb, eggplant purée, fava beans, piquolo pepper. Would also pair with a medium rare magret duck or other game. — 11 years ago

Lioco

Saveria Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2012

Savory. Interesting. Fantastic. — 12 years ago

Thierry Allemand

Chaillot Cornas Syrah 2012

Shay A
9.5

Opened for a buddy’s birthday, alongside a 2005 Tatty Comtes, 2015 Cristal, 2018 Realm Falstaff and 2023 Kobayashi M/R.

I still remember my first Allemand seven years ago and how it immediately reeled me in and every bottle since has been the exact same. The rusticity and feral nature of Cornas is why for me, as a Syrah fanboy, it’s the best and most pure region for this wonderful grape.

Removed cork about an hour before pouring. Initial notes of olive, black pepper spice and herbs, some smoked meat and a brief blood-orange citrus aromatic. Deep red/black in the glass. There’s a layer of brett (low level, adds to the intrigue, doesn’t detract) and lavender bouquet before peppered strip, herbs, raspberries and blackberries, and a sanguine tang hit the palate. Not sure of whole cluster use here but seems there’s a little bit (which I love). Wild but civilized. Medium-plus bodied with beautiful acidity and plenty of tannin for this to cruise years. On the early side, but these are so hard to resist in every phase.

I wish I could drink this every day. I need to find a wine of similar style at a better price point.
— 7 months ago

David, Paul and 22 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Sounds fantastic!!

Turley

Duarte Vineyard Zinfandel 2016

Tea. Cranberry. Not as lush as other Turleys — 8 months ago

Shay liked this

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

La Chapelle Hermitage Syrah

Exceptional wine - deep ruby color with a huge bouquet of violet, plum, black pepper, black cherry, licorice, vanilla, clove, prune and dried rose petal. Velvet tannins, the alcohol is well balanced with the fruit and full-bodied texture. Still in its infancy but already delicious, this wine has a stunning future — a year ago

Scott@Mister, Paul and 4 others liked this
David White

David White

Are you going to try the new La Chapelle Grange blend at $2000 ++?

Ceritas

Peter Martin Ray Vineyard Chardonnay 2018

Can’t get enough of these chards. Just behind the Zephyr for me. — 6 years ago

Paul, Jonathan and 8 others liked this

Bonny Doon Vineyard

Le Cigare Volant Réserve en Bonbonne Red Rhone Blend

39.97 from new season. Balanced. Round. Worth the price. Would buy again — 7 years ago

Bonny Doon Vineyard

A Proper Claret Santa Cruz County Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Peppery, acid, lighter on the fruit. This would pair really well with chili or a similar dish — 8 years ago

Sharon and Shawn liked this

Turley

Salvador Vineyard Zinfandel 2013

Really excellent zin. — 9 years ago

Eric, Mark and 1 other liked this

Olga Raffault

Les Picasses Chinon Cabernet Franc 2011

dark red with white rim variation. Smoky black pepper on the nose, sauvage/animal. Palette sees lots of dirty funky animal/cured meat. Almost bitter finish. — 10 years ago

Save Me San Francisco Wine Co.

Soul Sister Pinot Noir 2012

A little throw back Charleston Wine Festival circa 2014 with my bestie Brooke! — 11 years ago

Cline Cellars

Ancient Vines Contra Costa County Zinfandel 2012

Sweet, fruity, mild spices that sustain. Holds its own — 13 years ago