Jay Kline

9.2

My first time trying the 2017 Estate, the latest release from this tiny yet remarkable producer way up on Bonny Doon Road. The wines from McHenry vineyard typically show their best with 5-10 years of age but I love to try them in their youth, you know...for science. I opened this bottle about three hours before dinner and allowed it to slow-ox in the cellar. At first, the aromas were predominately red fruited in profile; strawberries and spices…almost like a Christmas fruitcake. However, the profile evolved in the glass and with more air, this began to take on a darker fruit profile that I find to be more characteristic of McHenry’s wines. This is a beautifully perfumed wine. On the palate, this is very bright and full of precocious energy. Plums and red berries with baking spices and minerals. Tannins are medium at best but there is no shortage of acid, which is a hallmark for this estate, ensuring that the 2017’s will in all likelihood enjoy a long life. Excellent now and likely to be a stunner down the road. Only 100 cases were made. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

No formal notes as I drank this bottle in a line-up of other great wines but oh man, woman and child...these are killer right now. Balance and authenticity typical of McHenry; leaning more towards the darker edge of the red fruit profile. This has depth that I rarely find in Pinot Noir short of drinking one of Hubert Lignier's stunners from M-S-D. I realize that seems like an exaggeration but it's the honest to God truth. Structure that will allow this to last for another decade and possibly longer. My WOTN with the 2014 Rafanelli Zinfandel and NV Christopher Tynan "Le Sucrier Velours" a close second (or third, if you will). Only 96 cases produced. — 5 years ago

Seth Morgen Long

Broker • Arterberry Maresh / Winemaker • Morgen Long

9.3

This was so much crunchier and vibrant than I recall Rhys Horseshoe Chardonnay being from my stint living on the property and helping vinify the 2011 wines. What I recall from Rhys is that Alpine was electric richness, while Horseshoe tended towards a fuller, rounder, bright expression. I think it’s time to start tasting the 2010’s and 2011’s I have. From 500mL. — 6 years ago

Francisco de Assis Melo Lima

8.9

Francisco Melo Lima — 7 years ago

Steve Gerths

9.2

This wine from 1890's vines in the San Joaquin River Delta Sand was really great. Have another bottle so it went to bottom of the rack. Dark berry with very smooth long finish — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose; liqueur style blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, blueberries, baked strawberries, sweet spice, vanilla, wood shavings, dark, rich, moist soil, crushed, dry rocks, violets and fragrant, fresh, dark florals. The palate is medium bodied and the tannins are nicely resolved and round. The fruits are also liqueur is style. Blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, plum, blueberries, boysenberries, raspberries, baked strawberries and a touch of dry cranberries. Sweet, soft leather, lead pencil, cola, vanilla, cinnamon, soft spice-box, understated herbal notes, rich, moist, dark soil, crushed rocks, a touch of bramble, crumbled volcanic minerals, nice, soft, round acidity and a long, lush, fresh, elegant fruit finish that is 75% fruit and 25% earth. The 06 has plenty of life ahead of it...at least 10 years. I'm pretty sure this bottle was around $35 at Costco upon release. Photos of, the view from their tasting terrace, the legend/Napa maverick Joseph Phelps, terrace seating and interior shot of the remodeled estate. Producer notes...the winery was founded in 1973 by Napa wine pioneer, Joseph Phelps. Like a number of other vintners in the valley, Joseph came to wine from another industry. In the 1960’s he ran one of the largest construction companies based in the USA, Hensel Phelps Construction One of his projects was to work on building the BART system in the San Francisco Bay Area (Bay Area Rapid Transit). Joseph's transition into the winery business started with a banker informing him of several potential winery projects in Napa and Sonoma. One of the projects was to build Souverain Winery in Napa (now Rutherford Hill Winery). After that project Joseph became interested in purchasing his own property in the valley. He acquired 600+ acres. His first vintage of Insignia was 1974. Joseph Phelps began planting grapes – varieties such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir. They ultimately discovered these grapes were not suited to the particular climate of this part of the valley and they changed over to other varietals...namely Bordeaux based red varieties.The first vintage of Joseph Phelps was made at Heitz Cellars. Sadly, Bill passed away in April 2015 at 87...may he rest in peace with a glass that never empties. All and all a good life I'd say. Today his son Bill Phelps is President of winery. Not that long after Joseph's passing, Joseph Phelps opened their remolded hospitality center (photos above) located in what was the original winery building. It's sad that Joseph did not live to see it's full completion and opening. The last 1/4 of glass or less from the bottom of the bottle which; is called "The Truth" was so rich, concentrated & beautiful, I was tempted to push the rating to 9.3/9.4.
— 8 years ago

Misuzu Ksza

9.0

Enjoy the change of taste in a few days — 4 years ago

Gary Warriner

9.2

Been a while but this was really very good - 3rd bottle of this we’ve had this weekend on lockdown. £10 a bottle at M&S. Let it breathe a bit and the rewards are fantastic. You feel it though - 14%. One to savour. — 5 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.0

W&S Top 100. Now, this one is debatable. Bring it in here. I dig that a current release is almost 20 years old. But man I want to know what this tasted like 5 years ago, 10 years ago! The great aspect of owning a cellar and releasing at the will of ownership, you could “traunch-it”. Right? The leather and soft integration here seemed a bit too far. Certainly not gone. But 5-10 years prior, that is the decade I would have loved to try this. — 6 years ago

with Mark

Camille Offenbach

9.7

👃 fruity, sweet, 🍍
👅 peppery, apples, lingering, hot finish.
Light Amber liquid. Purchased at Bottles and Bitters in S. San Francisco for around $50. Yasss. Cuts the richness of artichokes and mayo nicely. — 7 years ago

with Giuseppe

Wulf Losee

9.2

I'm sure I've rated the before, because I have a bunch of the 2009's at home in wine rack. Tasting again at the Bonney Doon tasting room in Nov 2017 it seems to be fading just a wee bit. Still lovely, but drink it soon! — 7 years ago

Matt

9.3

Love how this is showing. A lot of toasty and savory notes coming through like coffee, smoke, leather, and cocoa. All behind a layer of ripe and balanced wild black fruit, spice, meat, and purple flowers. Inherently California in its plushness but strikes a balance and perfume reminiscent of my favorite S. French producers. Awesome! — 8 years ago

Michael

9.2

Silky smooth lyrics come together with wind through the pine herbals. Big bowl of cherries aromatics and glowing ruby highlights in the glass. Integrated acidity and snapshots capture the action like a 90's skateboard magazine. Pairs well with road trips to the redwoods. — 8 years ago

Raun Kupiec

9.2

Lot No. 16 - don’t know exactly what the “lot #s” mean, and the website is under construction. Vintage? But it isn’t a vintage or LBV. Predominant year in the blend? Bottled in 2018. I found this really unusual, in a good way, for a ruby port. It has a dusky, dry tannic character. But silky smooth. Reminds me of tea and raisins, and maybe dried blueberries. Really like this. — 5 years ago

Shay A

9.2

I wanted to open a Ceritas bottle during @Antonio Galloni ‘s interview with Ceritas winemaker John. I initially opened a 2015 Heintz Chardonnay, but it was corked. I moved to this bottle and it was intriguing to hear John say this is their earliest harvested vineyard, but their richest in profile wine. Crazy.

Upon opening, it had a very thin finish. I think there was a two part reason: it was too cold and it needed more air. This got substantially better once it warmed above cellar temp and was at its best with 3hrs of air. Very Chablis like with an oily texture and hardly any trace of oak. Hint of reduction. Very pure fruit...lemon oil, underripe melon, crushed seashell, and honeysuckle aromatics. Shockingly, the acidity here was fairly mellow. Not as razor sharp as I expected or have experienced with other Ceritas chards. Tart stone fruits, steely and grilled lemon rind round out the palate and finish. I’d hold this another few years to see how it blossoms. — 5 years ago

Boxer Briefs

10

Great wine. Distinct Ridge barrel profile. Vanilla and baking spice, tobacco...Absolutely pure fruit but definitely got the fruit ripe in a cold year. I love good 11’s, this wine is incredibly elegant with power. Really incredible balance, going to age for a long time because of the acid, ripeness and barrel. Baby Monte Bello, you cant ask for anything more in a wine for the price. One of the best values in California wine. — 6 years ago

Chick Levine

8.9

Great w a fine Chinese Dinner at Royal Feast in S. San Francisco. — 7 years ago

Conrad Green

9.1

Lovely and breadth on the nose with a creamy, rich mousse. S lately steel with a very hard, sharp flinty finish. Surprisingly clipped. — 8 years ago

with Robert and Rick

Steve Anderson

9.3

#LiocoLunh at Barndiva. Love Santa Cruz Chards. This was crisp and good friendly. ABV in the 11's without being underripe. — 8 years ago

Boxer Briefs

10

Really young. Love it. Pure red fruit, low alcohol, distinct Ridge oak profile. 1903 Torre family homesteads the middle portion of what is now Monte Bello. Planted and built a winery, abandoned in 1920 (prohibition) successive sales led to Ridge in 1959. Original merlot block planted in 68, this is a single block planted late 80's. longer it was open the better it got — 8 years ago