Jeremiah Diaz

9.5

Deep pink color; pomegranate, raspberries and grape stems on the nose; high acidity; smooth tannins; tastes like sour cherries and cranberries with a long finish. Went really well with a creamy pasta sauce. — 3 years ago

Emily Kresie-Harrington

9.0

2020 vintage. Very red-fruited and spicy. Red currant, pomegranate, crab apple, cranberry, violet, black tea, cassia, white pepper, dried sage, hibiscus. No hint of smoke taint, which is awesome. — 4 years ago

AEL

9.0

Full, fresh nose with lemon, pomegranate (or maybe raspberry), metal. Almost crunchy on the palate, with red lollipop flavors. Long, defined finish. A great wine, and clocking in at only 10.5% ABV. — 5 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

Pronounced aromas of red fruits and spice. There’s a sort of pomegranate and mustiness to the wine. A little bit mousey. There are obviously aromas of the whole cluster fermentation. I like it. It is balanced, juicy and crunchy. #galicia #mencia blend #spain — 6 years ago

with Rosario

Nik Weinberg-Lynn

9.1

Not much left on the nose - a little whiff of pomegranate. Super savory and saline notes on the palate. Interesting. — 6 years ago

Ian Staub

9.1

Notes for the ‘N’ (no sulfur/zero zero) bottling. About 18 months since my last bottle, I really like how things have progressed and mellowed. There is some funk up front that blows off in less than 30 minutes in a decanter. Displays vibrant lively fresh fruit - pomegranate, cranberry, strawberry, Valencia orange - with sweet fresh fennel and mint. Low tannins, up front juicy acid. Length and depth. Awesome showing, and while this certainly could age, I love the vibrancy and freshness. Not sure holding on to the last bottle for more than a year is going to necessarily improve it for me personally. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

I’ve had a a fair amount of older Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs, this one is the most different. It seems more extracted and darker than the bright; cherries, strawberries & pomegranate Pinots from them that we’ve had a run on over several years.

The noses reveals, deep, dark, ripe; currants, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries with hints of blue fruit. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity, sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and just a hint of violets.

The body is medium full. It has gorgeous mouthfeel. There are still round, softened, teethe & tarry tannins here. Tannins were in the bottle neck which, is not always traditional even in older Pinot’s. The structure, tension, length and balance are really nice with another three to five years of good drinking ahead. It’s right around its peak. Perhaps, just the other side of the bell curve. Dark, ripe; currants/cassis, blackberries, black cherries with liqueur notes, baked black plum, black raspberries, cooked rhubarb, raisins with more blue fruit showing vs. the nose. Touch of smokiness, cinnamon, clove, light nutmeg, vanillin, black licorice, mid intensity sweet tarriness, herbaceous notes, mint/eucalyptus character, touch of tree sap, black, rich earth, steeped fruit tea, limestone, dry rock powder, dark chocolate bar, mocha notes with fresh, withering & dry, dark, red florals and violets beaming on the finish. The acidity is excellent. The long finish is; ruby, ripe, elegant, gorgeous, extremely well balanced and persists on the palate with warm, dark spice.

IMHO, Williams Selyem Pinot Noirs do not score well early and really shine at 10 years plus in many vintages. They are a Sonoma Pinot pioneer and a gold standard comparison for other producers and Pinot lovers to take note.

Photos of; Williams Selyem winery, Sofia’s great handy work with flowers and one of our two raised garden boxes. 💐 🌸 🌺 🌹🌼🥀 🌽 🥒🥬 🍅

Happy Memorial Day weekend all! Hope you are grilling & enjoying some of your favorite wines. — 7 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir (2016).

Super plush, juicy, and vibrant; a blend of red and black fruits such as red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, black cherry, blackcurrant, violet, cola, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon stick, clove, star anise, forest floor, and wet earth.

Lovely complexity with layered aromas and flavors. Good acidity creating tension with the ripe fruit notes. Tannins are soft and velveteen. The finish lingers.
— 3 years ago

with Deked1

John Hagood

9.3

From DCanter 2019 on 7/31/2021. Clear light ruby. Cherry lollipop scent. Silky, pronounced tannin, long finish. Non-ripe Stone fruits esp red plum. Emily has s right: hibiscus, violet, cranberry, pomegranate. Some pepper on back end. Good balance as medium body. — 5 years ago

Aravind A

9.3

Maybe my favorite Marechale so far. On the nose: bright cinnamon and cardamom, soft leather, sweet pomegranate, soft earth and game. On the palate, excellent acidity, more spice and soft leather, soft spiced plum, with a grapefruit lining. On the finish, very finely grained tannin and sweet blackberry. — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

2006 was a challenge for most in Rioja but the 2006 Vina Tondonia ‘Reserva’ is truly one of the wines of the vintage. The wine is a highly compelling blend of Tempranillo (75%), Garnacho (15%), Graciano and Mazuelo (10%), which was sourced from their estate vineyards and aged for six years prior to bottling. Needing a two hour decant to fully express itself, the wine offers an aromatic profile of cranberry, orange, red currants, red cherry candy and toasty oak aromatics. The palate is plush once in the attack as the wine effortlessly dances across the mid-palate, producing a seamless effect. Red currants, blood orange zest, pipe tobacco flavors and shades of pomegranate seed all beautifully weave their way through the palate. Showing wonderful ageing potential, this is drinking marvelously right now and has another fifteen years to go. Drink 2020-2035- 94 — 6 years ago

Shengli Hu

9.1

Smoke, lavender, violet, juicy cranberry and pomegranate concentrate, tomato juice, fresh red cherry. High acidity, medium+ tannins, sweet baking spices. Elevated body. Medium+ intensity, and finish. 13% — 7 years ago

Eric L.

9.3

Delicious and perfectly balanced. Lovely, pure pomegranate fruit with a hint of orange zest and vanilla. Very well made and an excellent value. — 7 years ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Terrific nose out of the gates. Sour cherry, floral, pine resin, pine needles, lilacs, gorgeous florals. Cranberry as well. Even pomegranate. Stunning nose. Palate is s refined and ultra elegant with gorgeously sweet fruit. Silky and sweet with unreal fruit and lovely acidity. So silky and sweet with a gossamer like texture. Terrific and ridiculous. What a showing. — 7 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.3

Somm decanted and tossed bottle; but was the 1995 at a good price at Adalina in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Nice bit of browning… smooth silken, resolved tannins, pretty light touch on the palate. Ripe cherry, dusty dryness… perfect foil for braised veal shanks with pomegranate reduction and creamy polenta. Great producer, lovely wine, and perfect maturity. Long, chewy finish. — 3 years ago

Brad Jensen

8.9

More cranberry and much more tart than previous years, still very good. The color of pale cranberry juice with bold notes of pomegranate and a very dry finish. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I’ve been picking up nicely aged Kistler’s off the secondary markets for between $50-$60. I have to say I’m pleased but, don’t understand why they go so under valued. I am not going to tell you Kistler makes the best Pinot Noirs. However, they make very good ones. Especially, when they hit 10 years in bottle properly stored. Maybe, it’s just the economy?

The body is heavenly round, full and lush with nice viscosity. The fruits are in fantastic shape. In fact, I would say peaking. Full range of; blackberries, dark cherries, both plums, raspberries, cherries, pomegranate and blueberry highlights. The baking spices nicely soften; cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and vanilla hues. Beautiful mixed fruit cola. Understated, round dry, crushed rock, delicate limestone minerals, shades of; tobacco, savory meats & mint, light dark spice with faint heat, hints sweetened mushrooms, dark, rich earth with bright florals that are; dark, red, purple & blue framed in violets. The acidity is spot on. The beautiful, elegant, well knitted & balanced finish exits with nice, soft persistence. Wire to wire a beautiful wine.

I thought I might get some smoke presence from the 2008 fires in Sonoma...it either was light & faded or never existed.

Still has another 4-5 years of solid drinking ahead.

Photos of; Kistler, their barnyard tasting room, Founder-Mark Bixler who passed away in late 2017 (RIP) and their barn that houses one of their tasting rooms. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

I kid you not, Charles Hendricks is likely the most underrated & under known Winemaker in Napa Valley.

If you have not had his wines, you are missing out on great wines & relative real value for Napa. He makes his own private higher end label-Hendricks, Hope & Grace and midway through the 14 vintage for; James Cole, Regusci & T-Vine.

There are few Winemakers that can make wines that drink well young & some that will age two decades plus stored correctly.

This Santa Lucia Doctor’s Vineyard is really good but, his private label Hendricks Pinot from Santa Lucia is off the charts. His 2008 Hendricks Pinot Noir is the highest rating I have ever given a Ca Pinot Noir, 98.

The 13 Doctor’s Vineyard is better than his 12 & is still a little early right now. It will improve over the next 5 years & hold there a couple of years before its gentle decline.

The nose reveals, ripe, well extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with shades of blueberries. Dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, touch of savory meats, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender.

The body is full, rich, lush and gorgeous. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting their good phase. It is simply a beautiful & complex Pinot Noir. Nicely extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with more blueberries than the nose. Dark spices that bring palate heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, touch of savory meats, peppery notes, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender. The acidity is very good & excellent at containing the slightly higher ABV. The long, complex finish is, well balanced fruit & earth, polished and will persist until dawn.

Photos of; Their Doctor’s Vineyard, one of my favorite paintings that used to hang behind the bar in their tasting room & now hangs in Charles’ house (it reminds me of a Jackson Pollock), Winemaker-Charles Hendricks and the front of their tasting room in downtown Yountville.
— 6 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

A deep ruby color with a wide brim. A huge burst of fruit on the nose consisting of raspberries, wild strawberries, and pomegranate with cedar notes bringing up the rear. This is a very deliberate Pinot. Showing a consistent profile through the vintages, it’s a really nice juxtaposition of delicate fruit and a full body with firm tannins. A bit of elegance on the palate with more nice red fruit, baking spice, toasted cedar, and lavender. This is such a nice representation of this style of Pinot, it really is quite well done. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

With each vintage, their Pinot’s get better & better.

On the nose, liqueured cherries, black cherries, strawberries, dry cranberries, touch of baked rhubarb, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, red licorice/cola, steep fruit tea. Dry brush, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, Provence herbs, warm toast, fresh red & dark florals with violets.

The body is medium, rich & lush. Liqueured cherries, black cherries, strawberries, dry cranberries, pomegranate, touch of baked rhubarb, blueberries, dark rich soils, limestone minerals, red licorice/cola, steep fruit tea. Dry brush, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, Provence herbs, warm toast, fresh red & dark florals with violets. Even though this wine was stored well, it wasn’t stored in my best storage. It might be two years ahead of schedule. However, the structure, tension, length and balance are about two years from its peak. The acidity is round and like a gentle rain shower. The long finish is well balanced, elegant, lush, rich and lasts minutes.

Photos of, the Estate vines as viewed from their patio, the old oak vats inside their tasting room that were once used for winemaking, event tasting room, and their tasting patio. — 7 years ago

with James and Christina